The fighting raged in the capital city, and both sides sent elite forces, and the fighting lasted until the early morning of the next day. However, the outcome of the battle was not satisfactory to both sides. Relying on the west city gate, the soldiers and horses of the West Vietnam occupied most of the city. And the court army also held on to the east city gate. In desperation, the capital city became a separate guard.

Ma Ruzheng was standing on the wall of the East City Gate, his hands trembling slightly. He knew that no one could afford to lose this battle, and once the imperial army lost this battle, Xiyue would occupy a favorable position in the capital city, and could march east to Kyoto at any time. If Xiyue is defeated, Ma Ruzheng will not leave Lu Mu a chance to breathe, and will chase all the way to Landu.

After this battle, the court army suffered more than 130,000 casualties. Most of the battle losses were elite men, if it weren't for these elite soldiers who had experienced the war in Xining, I am afraid they would not even be able to defend the east city gate.

On the Xiyue side, Lu Mu was even more black, and the number of their injuries also reached more than 100,000. But these 100,000 horses are all veterans who have been trained in the war, and Lu Mu hates to go to dig the ancestral grave of the Duan Lang family. If it weren't for the carelessness of feeling that Duan Lang was trustworthy, even if Lu Mu stormed the capital, the loss would be nothing more than that. It's good now, after losing so many soldiers and horses, it only occupies half of the city. What made Lu Mu most depressed was that Duan Lang directly pushed the West Vietnamese army to the forefront of the war, and he couldn't retreat if he wanted to.

In the palace of Kyoto in Great Xia, Emperor Delong sat on the dragon chair, listening to the flattery of a group of civil and military officials, and his heart was extremely comfortable. Since the resignation of Pang Gang, the servant of the Criminal Department, there has been no opposition to the war in the court. Fan Cheng was even more drunk every day, and in addition to being drowsy in the court, he kept silent. Wu Guangguang and a group of imperial historians and ministers read happy songs every day and wrote the great achievements of Emperor Delong.

In this case, some old ministers can't help but miss the era when it was forbidden. Don't look at the prohibition of authoritarianism, at least the situation in the world is very stable. And even if it is cronyism, Yu Ban will choose to be promoted by a talented descendant like Jiang Zhuming. On the other hand, Wu Guangguang will only reuse those scribes who talk and play with their pens. For the cautious advice of some military generals, they will even be labeled alarmist.

An imperial historian was talking about the prosperity of the people of Guotai and the people, when he saw Zhang Zhao, the head of the Prison Heaven Academy, hurriedly running in.

"Your Majesty ~ The big thing is not good ~ Urgent play ~ Border pass urgent play ~!"

Seeing Zhang Zhao's panicked appearance, Delong couldn't help but say angrily, "Zhang Zhao, have you even forgotten the procedure for the Heavenly Prison Academy!" ”

Delong Xin said that how did this Zhang Zhao come here to play, and the secret reports of the Heavenly Prison Court have always been reported in the Jing Pavilion.

"Your Majesty ~ something big has happened ~, the capital city and Zhenling Pass~."

Speaking of this, Zhang Zhao shuddered, as if he understood that this kind of thing should not be said in the court. But just now after reading the secret report from the two places, he really scared Zhang Zhao to the point that the six gods were without a master, as if the sky was about to fall.

As soon as he heard about Lidu City and Zhenling Pass, Delong couldn't help but feel a shock in his heart, and just as he was about to ask, he heard someone shouting outside the palace.

"Report~, the red feather of the military department~!"

"What!" Delon stood up suddenly.

The red feather of the military department represents a major battle, and the military department must report to the emperor as soon as possible after receiving it at any time.

A military courier hurried in with two red feathers held alof, gasping and falling to his knees.

"Your Majesty ~ Military Department ~ just received the red feather from General Ma Ruzheng and General Yan Facheng."

Speaking of this, the messenger of the military department took a few quick breaths, and then said, "After the West Vietnamese soldiers and horses crossed the Liangjie Mountains and raided the Landu City, they exchanged fire with the imperial army in the Lidu City. Both sides suffered casualties on both sides, and our court army lost more than 130,000 people. In addition, Yan Facheng sent a red feather to the Zhenling Pass in Xining, and the 60,000 soldiers and horses in the original capital city mutinied and fled from the Zhenling Pass without permission. At the same time, the Nanping army took the opportunity to press in. General Yan led his troops to defend for a day and night, but there was no shortage of troops and the major general was unable to resist. Zhenling Pass was lost, and General Yan Facheng temporarily withdrew in the direction of Shuangfeng Mountain. ”

Delong's body shook, and the manager Liu He hurriedly stepped forward to support Delong, "Master~Master, you want to keep the dragon body~!" ”

Above the court, it was as if the nest had been blown up, and some courtiers turned pale with fright. Seeing this situation, Chu Ti, the new squire of the military department, hurriedly walked out of the train and shouted loudly.

"Everyone, don't be impatient, the victory or defeat of the war is only temporary, Your Majesty and all your colleagues don't need to be nervous."

Xiangguo Wu Guangguang also came back to his senses, "Yes, yes, what Lord Chu said is right, give me silence!" ”

The court gradually fell silent, and Delon gasped, regaining some composure.

"What's going on, do you have a detailed battle report? Zhang Zhao, what does your secret report say? Delon asked anxiously.

Seeing the panicked appearance of the courtiers just now, Zhang Zhao suddenly understood what to say in his heart, and hurriedly stepped forward and said, "Back to Your Majesty, the courtiers were also a little panicked when they saw the secret report just now. However, the secret report of the Jiantian Yuan was written in more detail, although Xiyue and Nanping invaded our territory of Great Xia, the situation was still under control. General Ma Ruzheng has already restrained the pace of the advance of the West Vietnam, don't look at the losses of our court's army, in fact, the losses of the West Vietnamese soldiers and horses are even more serious. In addition, on the side of Zhenling Pass, after the Nanping army entered, it did not advance to Fudi, and General Yan Facheng had already gathered troops in the area of Shuangfeng Mountain to contain the pass. ”

Hearing that the situation was still under control, the courtiers were a little relieved. They didn't know that Zhang Zhao was a lie at all, especially on the side of Xining City, there were no soldiers and horses of Great Xia at all. Yan Facheng knew that he couldn't resist, so he simply retreated to the direction of Yiming City with his soldiers and horses.

Delong was still a little flustered in his heart, looking at Wu Guangguang and Chu Ti and not knowing what to do. Chu Ti frowned slightly, and asked the messenger of the military department.

"On the feather tree, can there be the movement of the soldiers and horses of the Duanlang of the capital city?"

"Report to your lordship, there is no mention of the movement of soldiers and horses in Lidu City on the feather sash." The messenger of the military department hurriedly said.

Delong was stunned, "Yes, the soldiers and horses of the West Vietnam are coming, what about the soldiers and horses of Duan Lang?" Zhang Zhao, is there any news from the Heavenly Prison Academy? ”

"Back to Your Majesty, there is no news of Duan Lang here." Zhang Zhao lowered his head, not daring to look at Delong's face again.

Delong slapped the royal case angrily, "Lidu City has suddenly become the forefront of the battle with Western Vietnam, what about the 200,000 troops in Duan Lang?" The Heavenly Prison is listening to the world's major affairs, and I can't even gather this bit of information, so what do I want you to do. ”

"Minister~ Guilty!" Zhang Zhao fell to his knees, trembling with fright.

An imperial historian stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, the minister thinks that the Lang rebel must have been destroyed by the Xiyue army." This is also a good thing for my Great Xia. This is Your Majesty's benevolence and virtue that moved heaven and earth, and asked Xiyue to help me exterminate the rebels. ”

In normal times, Delong would definitely praise a few words, but at this juncture, it is still a bit out of place.

Delong suddenly said angrily, "You shut up for me, I have spent a lot of time with the soldiers and horses of Lidu City, don't tell me that they can wipe out the soldiers and horses of Lidu City in one battle." Chu Aiqing, now that you are a squire in the military department, what do you think of this matter. ”

After all, Chu Ti is a person who once served as the commander of the Kyoto battalion, don't look at being idle by Emperor Yuning for many years, he is still quite experienced in military affairs.

Chu Ti pondered for a moment, then stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, the minister has not received a detailed battle report, so it is difficult to make an accurate judgment. But the minister thought that the soldiers and horses of the capital city must have secretly moved to avoid the war. At present, in the face of the invasion of the two countries, coupled with the army of Duan Lang, the internal thief, the minister implores His Majesty to promulgate a war document to prepare for war. In addition, personnel of appropriate age were recruited to prepare for the army. If Nanping and Xiyue were only stealing small land and becoming self-sufficient, this would not be a cause for concern. Once they plot against our Great Xia, they will definitely conquer Fudi and even send troops to Kyoto. For the sake of my Great Xia, I must use the strength of the country to resist the enemy. ”

"What, the whole country is ready for war?"

When the courtiers heard this, they were in an uproar. You must know that as soon as the war decree is promulgated, it is equivalent to the whole country entering a state of readiness for war. All prefectural officials are to be guided by the decree issued by the Ministry of War. These civil servants have no right to speak.

Delong's fingers trembled slightly, "Chu Aiqing, do you really want to promulgate the war edict?" ”

Wu Guangguang hurriedly stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, the minister thinks that there is no need to promulgate it for the time being. You must know that as soon as the article is published, the people in the world are unstable, and it is easy to mess up. Lao Chen felt that at present, Xiyue and Nanping were only sudden attacks, and I didn't need to worry too much about it. There are five countries in the world, and the population of Daxia is nearly 30 million, so there is no need to be afraid of the small countries of Nanping and Xiyue. ”

Among the ministers, Fan Cheng was full of alcohol, but his heart was very sober. Hearing the red feather just now, just as Pang Gang had analyzed at the beginning, Great Xia had entered a dangerous realm. At this critical juncture, Wu Guangguang and other civil servants still take care of their own interests, and they simply don't know whether they are alive or dead. Fan Cheng couldn't help but feel a little sad, he was sad that these civil servants could only talk about empty words, and once it came to the danger of the world, their remarks seemed so ridiculous.

Delong was flustered and undecided, and hurriedly announced his retirement from the dynasty, summoning Wu Guangguang Chuti and other close ministers to Jingge to discuss matters. And the decree was passed on, Prince Hong, who was recuperating at home, and Wang Shidu, the old Hanlin Wang, entered the palace together.

Fan Cheng walked out of the palace gate, looked at the flustered courtiers, and couldn't help but laugh with pathos. The courtiers who were talking in groups of three or five looked at this recently decadent servant.

Fan Cheng smiled with tears in his eyes, pointed at a group of courtiers and scolded, "You bastards, you still remember the original admonition of Pang Gang's big man. My Great Xia nation has reached the point of peril, but some people are still in the illusion. Damn, if it weren't for Shangguan Xuanwu making some miracles, Lao Tzu would never support a narrow-minded person. Emperor Yuning~ Open your eyes and see, the loyal and brave ministers have been forced to rebel, and the war of the dead country is spreading in Great Xia. The death of the Great Summer ~ the death of the Great Summer ~! ”

When He Lianjia heard this, he hurriedly ran over and grabbed Fan Cheng, "Old Fan, shut up." Colleagues, Lord Fan is drunk, let's disperse, disperse. ”

He Lianjia didn't say a word to set up Fan Cheng, and hurriedly walked in the direction of his car. If this great rebellion reached Delong's ears, he would at least be punished for the crime of deceiving the people. Fortunately, the courtiers around him were not important ministers, and they were all a little flustered by the war at the border of the two realms. Moreover, Fan Cheng's words also resonated with many people. recalled that Pang Gang risked his death to admonish him, and he was almost convicted by Delong in court. Now it seems that Pang Gang's advice really hit the nail on the head.

In the middle of the car, He Lianjia was not at ease and had been accompanying Fan Cheng. Anyway, perhaps because the relationship with Duan Lang was good back then, the two are still relatively close.

Fan Cheng leaned against the wall of the car weakly, and his eyes were still flashing, "Lao He, I'm not drunk, Lao Tzu is just a little sad." Four years ago, the old man felt that it was in charge of the forbidden traitors, so he tried his best to shout for Delong. I thought that Delong would become the emperor, the court would become honest and diligent, and there would be a handsome person like Duan Lang guarding the border pass, and my Great Xia would enter a peaceful and prosperous era. Unexpectedly, all this is a fantasy. In just three years, the great hero who fought for his life on the school field has become a big traitor. As Pang Gang said, Delong broke off the pillar of the Great Xia Dynasty, and the foreign enemy and thieves will be like entering a no-man's land, and this family will be defeated sooner or later. ”

He Lianjia cautiously looked out the window of the car and sighed, "Old Fan, what's the use of talking about this now." The political situation is unpredictable, and it is not for you and me to control it. If you want me to say, the most important thing at present is to unite some old ministers and workers to reconcile His Majesty and Duan Lang. At the moment of foreign enemies, only reconciliation with Duan Lang is the best policy. ”

"Reconciliation? Hmph, you're talking light. Why did Duan Lang reconcile with you, it's a big deal, they created a piece of land for themselves, and called themselves kings and emperors. Besides, who else in this court can persuade Delong and Duan Lang. Don't tell me that Wu Guangguang and those people will support you, even Delong probably won't agree to reconcile with Duan Lang. ”

He Lianjia said, "The situation is urgent, and our courtiers must strongly persuade His Majesty to reconcile. If Your Majesty agrees, I am willing to make a trip. After all, Duan Lang and I are old friends, so I should be able to give a little face. ”

"Come on, don't be embarrassed by your old He. Before the soldiers left the capital, did you Lao He speak for Duan Lang? In order to keep the official hat on his head, you Lao He knew how to pretend to be deaf and dumb. Later, it was not Delong who rushed to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. To put it bluntly, Delong is also afraid that you will stay in the military department and get in the way. Fan Cheng said mercilessly.

He Lianjia was a little embarrassed when he was said, "Lao Fan, as a courtier, he does the same job, and I, Lao He, don't value the powerful very much." But for the sake of the nation's peril, I, Lao He, am willing to endure all suffering. Even if Duan Lang scolds me and beats me, as long as he is willing to send troops to fight the enemy for Great Xia, it doesn't matter what happens to me. ”

Fan Cheng looked at He Lianjia, shook his head with a wry smile, "Forget it, don't talk about it with ignorant people like you." In any case, your Lao He is a good person, at least there is national righteousness in his heart. But if you want to look at the overall situation of the world, compared to Pang Gang, you Lao He is simply an ant. DeLong removed you from the position of the squire of the military department, and he really did the right thing. ”

Fan Cheng patted He Lianjia on the shoulder, "Old He, hurry up and pack up and wait for your life." Once the Western Vietnamese and Nanping armies approached the city, it would be too late to leave. ”

"Lao Fan, do you really think that my Great Xia will be defeated? There are many people in the Great Xia Dynasty, so I don't believe that they can shake my century-old foundation of Great Xia. ”

"It's going to be a defeat, and it's a fiasco. You're also a person who has been in charge of the military department, and if you can't even see that, then you can get out of the car and get out. I'm Fan Cheng when you're a friend, but I'm not interested in talking to fools. ”

He Lianjia said, "I understand that the current strength of Great Xia is simply unable to resist the joint attack of Xiyue and Nanping. But I He Lianjia didn't believe that Duan Lang just watched Daxia die like this. ”

Fan Cheng smiled miserably, "Of course people care, but it's not for Delong's Great Xia, maybe Duan Lang will become the Ming monarch who founded the country." ”

He Lianjia's heart trembled, "He~ He really wants to seek power and usurp the throne?" ”

"Usurp the position, if you risked your life to assist Delong in the ascendancy, he would kill you in the blink of an eye, you don't rebel. In the past few years that you have been a squire in the military department, have you done a rebellious thing in the capital city? If there isn't, why should DeLong be aggressive. Meritorious and high-spirited? Do great heroes have to die? Fan Cheng said sadly.

He Lian was stunned, and Fan Cheng's words left him speechless to refute. He Lianjia didn't say anything anymore, and leaned on the car helplessly, he originally wanted to unite several old ministers to play together, and took the initiative to ask for an order to go to Duan Lang to make peace. After listening to Fan Cheng's words, He Lianjia completely gave up this idea. Fan Cheng said yes, why should Duan Lang come to help you again.

As He Lianjia, who once served as a squire in the military department, he certainly saw the crisis in Great Xia. In this case, even if the world is recruited, I am afraid it will be too late. Even if a million new troops can be assembled, not to mention the combat effectiveness, who can take on this role of turning the tide. There is Mokun in Nanping, and Lu Mu in Xiyue, but Daxia can't pick out the handsome talents who can save the world. No matter how many soldiers and horses there are, if they fall into the hands of mediocrity, they can only become white bones on the battlefield. Ma Ruzheng can't do it, Yan Facheng may be a little stronger, but he will never get Delong's trust. In addition, the dignified Great Xia couldn't choose a qualified real handsome talent.

In the Jing Pavilion, several senior officials of the DPRK and China were also arguing over this matter. Up to now, Wu Guangguang and other ministers still put their hopes on Ma Ruzheng's army. When the old prince Zhao Shiyu came to the palace to learn the news, he suddenly changed color. The wooden battle in Prince Hong's hand knocked on the table, and immediately reprimanded Wu Guangguang and others.

In the midst of Prince Hong's strong outcry, Delong had to promulgate a war edict and order the world to be conscripted to form a new army. For the survival of the Great Xia River, the old prince disregarded his advanced age, and actually wanted to personally take command of the expedition against foreign invaders.