Ottritsu Kyoto Prince Hiroshi's Mansion

The secret recital of the Investigation Division also gave a copy to Prince Hong. Although Prince Hong is no longer the regent, he is the king of parliament who temporarily controls the jade seal. Now the regent Dezhang has gone to the southern theater of operations, and their camp is in control due to the ban. Above the court, Prince Hong and Yu Ban have basically become the two poles among the courtiers. Any major matter between the DPRK and China can only be carried out if they reach an agreement. And the crown prince Dezhang, who is the regent, has become an ornament. Before the new emperor ascended the throne, the Investigators Department still retained the authority and the government. However, all information must be reported to both the regent and the councillor.

Prince Hong, who was full of white hair, closed his eyes slightly and his fingers trembled slightly, he couldn't believe that the news was true, but the facts were in front of him, and Prince Hong couldn't believe it.

"Alas~, Jiye, Jiye, I didn't expect that last time I said goodbye to Kyoto, you and I were separated by yin and yang. In just half a year, hundreds of thousands of troops can't hold the city of Landu, so what should you say about you. ”

The old prince sighed, his vicissitudes of life flashed in his eyes, and Prince Hong had extremely deep feelings for Landu City and the western camp. It is even said that Prince Hong put his life's experience in Landu City. If it weren't for the fact that he had returned to Beijing to retire at an advanced age, I am afraid that the command of this war would not have been Fang Jiye's turn.

Prince Hong hesitated for a moment and ordered, "Go, please go to Lord Wu of the Imperial Palace, Lord Shidu of the Old Hanlin Dynasty, and Pang Gang, the servant of the Criminal Department, to come to the mansion." ”

Prince Hong knew that the defeat of Landu City was very important, and he had to discuss it with Wu Guangguang and others. This matter not only involves the stability of the country, but also involves the aftermath of Fang Jiye and other generals in the west. Prince Hong knew that Yu Ban and Dezhang hated the generals in the west, and they would definitely not give up on the loss of Landu City. If you don't get it right, it will also arouse the anger of the western soldiers.

On this night, the high-ranking officials in Kyoto were shocked by the loss of the city. Especially Wu Guangguang and others, they originally thought that if there was an accident, it would also be the southern theater of operations where Nanping and Xining Hou joined forces. Unexpectedly, Landu City, known as the Iron Curtain, was lost. Prince Hong is discussing countermeasures with the adults, after all, this matter is extremely unfavorable to them. Several old ministers knew very well in their hearts that Yu Ban would definitely make trouble in the early dynasty. Just after the funeral of Emperor Yuning, Kyoto, which is a little calmer, may have another open and secret battle. However, this time, Prince Hong's side was completely at a disadvantage.

Early the next morning, in front of the Jinluan Palace, as usual, many courtiers were still waiting for the court with sleepy eyes. Only a few ministers knew about the loss of Landu City, and more ministers were waiting for the dispersal of the dynasty as if they were going through the motions.

As soon as the court hall opened, Yu Ban's eyes were majestic, and he led hundreds of civil and military officials into the court. Compared with the period of Emperor Yuning, the current court hall only salutes the king of Yizheng, and lacks the ritual of three long live calls.

Prince Hong's eyes widened slightly, and he looked at everyone as if he hadn't woken up, "Ministers, do you have something to do today?" ”

Wu Guangguang and the others were silent, anyway, if they didn't take the initiative to make trouble, they wouldn't mention it. After all, the official report has not yet arrived, and it can be delayed for a few days.

If they don't mention it, Yu Ban and the others won't wait. As soon as Prince Hong's voice fell, Zhu Wenjun, the squire of the military department, made a list of battles.

"Prince Qiyuhong and his ministers just received a secret report from the Investigation and Defense Department yesterday that there has been a great defeat in the Western Theater. General Fang Jiye, the commander of the western battalion, was martyred, and the city of Landu ~ was lost. ”

Zhu Wenjun's performance was like a boulder thrown into calm water, and the entire court hall was in an uproar. Yu Ban glanced at Prince Hong, and said in his heart that you are pretending to be confused, and some things cannot be covered.

Zhu Wenjun let everyone ponder for a while, and then continued, "Your Royal Highness, my lords, this matter is very important, the Landu City is lost, and no one can say whether the Lidu City can withstand it. As the commander of the military department, you must do a good job of defending Kyoto. ”

Zhu Wenjun's words immediately won the support of everyone. No matter what camp you are in, no one wants an accident in Kyoto. In case the capital city can't withstand the Western Vietnamese army, there will be no soldiers to defend this way.

Prince Hong frowned slightly, and looked at Yu Ban, "Lord Xiangguo, what do you think about this matter?" ”

As soon as Prince Hong spoke, everyone in the palace suddenly fell silent, and their eyes looked at Yu Ban.

Yu Ban sighed slightly, pretending to be very sad, "Your Royal Highness, my lords, the defeat of Landu City has made the old minister very distressed. But when you think about it, it's a bit strange. The combined 300,000 soldiers and horses of the Landu City and the Lidu City have been built, and the Landu City has been built for several generations, so it can be said that it is solid. Especially when His Royal Highness Prince Hong was guarding, the soldiers of Landu City were strong and the people were rich. Why was it lost from Fang Jiye in just one year? Shouldn't we hold them accountable for their failures? ”

Du Yushi Wu Guangguang said, "Lord Xiangguo, General Fang Jiye died in battle, isn't this enough. If we want to hold them accountable, won't it chill the hearts of all the soldiers in the western region? ”

Yu Ban was unmoved, and said calmly, "Lord Wu, the accountability that the prime minister said does not mean that General Fang Jiye is held responsible. As the old saying goes, death is greater, and besides, it is a martyrdom who died on the battlefield, which is worthy of respect. However, as the generalissimo of the west, shouldn't His Royal Highness Delong be held responsible for the defeat and missteps? In addition, Duan Lang, the lord of Lidu City, is so close to Landu City that it is not good to rescue, is he worthy of the title of General Protector. The old man originally thought that Duan Lang was brave and good at fighting, and the western theater was as stable as a mountain. Now it seems that young people still cannot stand the test of war. In the face of a real strong enemy, you can see who the real warrior is. ”

In just a few words, Yu Ban immediately shattered the majesty that Duan Lang and the army of Lidu City had built up with great difficulty. The ministers of the DPRK and China, who did not know the real war situation, all felt that what Yu Ban said was reasonable.

Prince Hong looked at Yu Ban with deep eyes, and said in his heart that he knew that you would splash dirty water on Delong. But Prince Hong didn't expect that Yu Ban would implicate Duan Lang.

Chu Baoxiong, the servant of the ministry, looked at Yu Ban and said, "Your Royal Highness, the defeat of Landu City is a major mistake in the Western Theater. If we don't severely punish those who fail to take responsibility, where is the military discipline of my Great Xia. Only by punishing the former and setting an example can the western soldiers rekindle the fire of revenge. ”

Prince Hong's eyes widened, and he glared at Chu Baoxiong fiercely, and said in his heart, You know a fart, and this is simply to make the western army angry. In case of mutiny, can you Chu Baoxiong bear it?

Old Hanlin Wang Shidu coughed heavily twice and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, didn't Lord Zhu Wenjun say it just now, it's just a secret performance of the Investigation Division. Who of you knows? Do you know that? Since you don't know anything, you are pointing fingers here, and if this is going to be spread, aren't you afraid that the western soldiers will be cold? They fought a bloody battle far away from their hometown for the sake of my Great Xia country, but we are accusing behind our backs here. Let me ask, which of you present dares to say that you are stronger than Fang Jiye and better than Duan Lang? ”

As soon as Lao Hanlin Wang Shidu's voice fell, Chu Baoxiong's face was red, "Lord Wang, you can't say that, everyone has everyone's responsibilities." Since the power of the soldiers and horses has been handed over to them, they have to take this responsibility and responsibility. Even if there is no detailed battle report yet, according to the usual practice, the supreme commander of such a major defeat cannot escape the blame. Even if Duan Lang is not held accountable for the unfavorable failure of the rescue, the responsibility for the failure of Prince Delong's command is not running. ”

Wang Shidu snorted heavily, "Everyone knows that Prince Delong is not in good health, and the command of the western region is still in the hands of Fang Jiye. When you Chu Baoxiong said this, he obviously wanted to blame others. ”

"According to what Boss Wang said, the living cannot be held accountable, and the dead cannot be held accountable, do you regard the discipline of our French army as child's play?"

"You~ you are strong." Wang Shidu pointed at Chu Baoxiong angrily.

Prince Hong looked at it and said angrily, "Don't fight, the detailed battle report has not yet been delivered, as for the investigation or pursuit, let's wait for the battle report to come." ”

Yu Ban also said, "His Royal Highness the Prince is right, the detailed battle report has not yet arrived, and it is too early to say these things." However, for the sake of Kyoto's stability, our ministers must take precautions and plan accordingly. Lord Zhu, as a squire of the military department, what do you think of the situation in the western region? ”

Zhu Wenjun clenched his fists and said, "Lord Xiangguo, His Royal Highness, the lower officials feel that no matter whether the capital city can withstand the Western Yue army or not, we must establish a third line of defense. If Duan Lang can withstand the best, in case he is rushed by the Western Vietnamese army, the third line of defense can also play a role in defending Kyoto. ”

Prince Hong nodded, "What Master Zhu said is reasonable, I don't know how the military department should plan?" ”

"Your Excellency, the lower officials are preparing to mobilize 200,000 troops from the Southern Theater of Operations to garrison the side of the lower pass and establish a third defensive front. However, since His Royal Highness the Prince Regent personally led an army of 400,000 new troops, the military department considered it better to transfer veterans to garrison them. Therefore, the Ministry of War planned to mobilize 200,000 horses from the command of General Ma Ruzheng to garrison the lower pass. I don't know His Royal Highness, do you have different opinions? ”

Prince Hong thought for a while, nodded and said, "Lord Zhu has considered it thoroughly, and this king has no opinion. Lord Xiangguo, ministers, what other opinions do you have to disagree? ”

The courtiers looked at each other, and of course they didn't have any opinions. Not to mention mobilizing 200,000, it would be good to transfer more people to protect them.

Prince Hong saw that everyone had no different opinions, and was about to agree, but he heard Zhu Wenjun say again.

"Your Royal Highness, according to the current situation in the southern theater, there are a lot of soldiers and horses over there, but what is lacking is a good general who can fight well. Mobilizing 200,000 troops is nothing, but then calling in the good generals under General Ma Ruzheng is probably extremely unfavorable to the southern theater. Therefore, Xiaguan Chen asked His Royal Highness the Prince to appoint the chief general of Shimoseki from the Kyoto side. ”

"This~?" Prince Hong thought for a while, "I don't know Lord Zhu, is there a suitable candidate?" ”

Without waiting for Zhu Wenjun to speak, Yu Ban said, "For the stability of my Great Xia country, the main general of these 200,000 soldiers and horses must be able to recruit and fight well. There is a suitable person for this position, and he is definitely able to take on this role. This person's ability, not to mention the pass, is not a problem even if he is the commander of the western army. ”

"Oh? I don't know which general Xiangguo-sama is talking about? Prince Hong looked at Yu Ban suspiciously. In his mind, these generals in the military department and the defense circle in the city seemed to have such great ability as no one told him.

Yu Ban looked at everyone and said loudly, "This prime minister recommended Feng Zhun, the former squire of the military department, as the chief general of the lower pass. With Feng Zhun's ability to lead troops, I believe that everyone here has nothing to worry about. ”

"Feng Zhun?" Prince Hong was stunned.

Wu Guangguang, Wang Shidu and the others looked at each other, and said in their hearts, what kind of joke, how can they hand over military power to a degraded person. What's more, Feng Zhun is Yu Ban's hardcore descendant, even if Ma Ruzheng's side does not send a general to lead the troops, he can't hand over the military power to Yu Ban's side.

"The old minister does not agree, Feng Zhun is the person who was degraded by the first emperor, and he must not be reactivated." Wang Shidu said.

"Seconded!" Wu Guangguang said.

"The lower officials also think it's inappropriate." Pang Gang, the waiter of the Criminal Department, also clarified his views.

"The current national crisis does not care about the past suspicions. Besides, Feng Zhun was only demoted out of Beijing and was not punished, so what's wrong. Xiaguan Chu Baoxiong supports Lord Xiangguo. ”

"The minister also supports Feng Zhun to return to the mountain."

"The minister seconded the proposal."

Yu Ban side stood up one after another to express his position, and the court suddenly formed an incompatible situation. All of a sudden, you and I began to quarrel.

Yu Ban and Prince Hong looked at each other, and they knew in their hearts that the real decision was still up to them. But who can make concessions depends on how the benefits are distributed.

Yu Ban pointed in the direction of the Heart Cultivation Palace, Prince Hong smiled bitterly, and said in his heart that fighting wits and courage with this old fox is more tiring than fighting on the front line. Prince Hong forcefully announced his retirement from the dynasty, leaving Zhu Wenjun, the squire of the military department, and Wu Guangguang, the imperial historian of the capital, Wang Shidu of the old Hanlin and others, went to the Yangxin Palace together.

Prince Hong knew that in the Heart Cultivation Palace, there would be a fierce collision. But the 200,000 troops stripped out of Ma Ruzheng's hands, he must not give in. This team seems to be defending against Western Vietnam, but who dares to guarantee that they will not turn back to Kyoto and become Yu Ban's hole card to regain control of Kyoto. Now that the Landu City is lost, Duan Lang can only try his best to resist the enemy in the Lidu City, once there is a great change in Kyoto, Prince Hong knows that Duan Lang will not be able to send troops and horses to suppress it. That kind of chaos in Kyoto, Prince Hiroshi must not let it happen again.

Yu Ban walked into the Heart Cultivation Hall with confident steps, and the defeat of Landu City made him very confident. Yu Ban prepared to point his sword at Delong and force Prince Hong to give up the 200,000 army. Now Delong is going to the southern theater of operations in order to control the power of the soldiers and horses. How could Naima Ruzheng cling to the military power for Delong's death, and only by using the jade seal can he divide his soldiers and horses. Once these 200,000 horses were controlled, the southern war situation was basically controlled by Dezhang. When the time comes, even if Auxiliary Dezhang forcibly ascends the throne, who can stop it.

Just as Kyoto was preparing for a battle between the two powers, a major battle also took place in the southern theater. The Nanping army suddenly withdrew from Shuangfeng Mountain under the order of Mo Kun, and Yan Facheng got the news and attacked Shuangfeng Mountain with the help of hundreds of thousands of troops. Losing the support of the Nanping army, Yan Facheng and Ma Ruzheng and other famous generals of Great Xia actually won the Shuangfeng Mountain Natural Insurance in one fell swoop.

This battle suddenly made the regent Dezhang, who personally supervised the battle, overjoyed, and immediately sent 800 miles to report to the Kyoto court urgently. This was the first major victory since the Battle of Dezhang.