Shenxiong Pass is the northernmost gateway to the capital, and once it is breached, the enemy army will be able to drive straight down, although there are several checkpoints on the way, which are not as easy to defend and difficult to attack as Shenxiong Pass. Pen ~ fun ~ pavilion www.biquge.info

This pass is in distress, and the capital is in turmoil.

However, the next news made everyone breathe a little relieved, from the broken iron city to Shenxiong Pass, most of the distance is a mountain path, no matter how many enemy troops, they can't rush in, after the initial shock, the soldiers guarding the pass finally stabilized the military heart and position, for three days, day and night, blocking the attack again and again, and then, the enemy stopped the offensive.

Cui Hong personally conquered the Western Regions as the secretary of the military department, and the daily affairs of the military department were handed over to the squire Lai Bingwen.

Lai Bingwen's character was quite criticized, but his ability was no problem, he only received the news of Shenxiong Pass in distress half an hour earlier than the emperor, and when he was summoned, he had already formulated a detailed response plan.

Cui Hong did not take all the southern troops with him, and the remaining tens of thousands of people all went to Shenxiong Pass, and it was they who stabilized the morale of the army and kept this crucial checkpoint at the most critical time.

Many ministers suggested that troops should be transferred from Mayi City to support Shenxiong Pass as soon as possible, but Lai Bingwen objected, "Shenxiong Pass is easy to defend and difficult to attack, the enemy army cannot pour into the nest, and it is difficult for the Chu army to arrange troops, tens of thousands of southern troops are enough, and no matter how many troops there are, it will not be beneficial." For as little as three or five days, as long as ten days and a half months, the enemy army has been unable to overcome for a long time, and it is inevitable to turn the front, and the next target is very likely to be Mayi City. The army of Mayi City should not be moved, but should be increased. ”

The emperor accepted Lai Bingwen's suggestion and sent Chen Huan to assist in the defense of Shenxiong Pass, while Lai Bingwen went to Luoyang and personally mobilized troops from all over the country to support Mayi City and the checkpoints of the Great Wall.

The old general Fang Daye recaptured Liaodong during his lifetime and solved a big hidden danger, where the border cities were lined up, and they were horns on each other, becoming the most firmly guarded area of the Great Chu, so the Chu army did not have to divide the troops into many places, and could focus on guarding Shenxiong Pass and Mayi City.

The defender of Mayi City is Chai Yue, and there are many generals under his command, especially the elite of the Northern Army, the most powerful, in the plan formulated by the Ministry of War, Shenxiong Pass is mainly defended, and Mayi City has to wait for the opportunity to attack and give the enemy a heavy blow.

Everything is arranged, as long as Cui Hong returns with the army, the Chu army will launch a counterattack around the beginning of winter.

It has been more than ten days since Concubine Shu gave birth to the prince, and the emperor finally had time to take a closer look at his son's appearance and comfort the weak Concubine Shu.

"It has been confirmed that your brother is still alive, in the Tiger City, and will be back soon."

Deng Yun smiled, "He's really fateful, but I don't think he will come back." ”

"Your prediction is not accurate, and the dream you had before was wrong." Han Ruzi smiled, looking at her sleeping son, thinking that her mother should be satisfied this time.

"A dream is a dream, what I am talking about this time is not a prophecy, it is my brother's temper, as long as he does not win the battle, he will not come back."

Han Ruzi frowned slightly, "There are only a few hundred soldiers in Huju City, and there are only one or two thousand soldiers in the Western Regions, what can General Deng do to win the battle?" ”

"Didn't Taifu Cui lead an army in the Western Regions?"

Han Ruzi shook his head, "That army wants to come back to defend the northern frontier, and it can't stay in the Western Regions, and Taifu Cui will never agree to divide the troops to General Deng." ”

"Alas, I don't care anymore, my brother has been stubborn since he was a child, and when he was smart, it seemed that there was no event in the world that he couldn't do, but he was a complete fool when he started his temper, and did ridiculous things that made people cry and laugh. Separated by thousands of mountains and rivers, I can't control him, but I'm afraid that His Majesty will be difficult to make him obedient. ”

Deng Yun sat on the bed, reached out and gently stroked her son's little face, and said lovingly: "I only care about him now, I didn't expect the little thing to be so cute." ”

"I'm going to take the lead." Han Ruzi said tentatively.

Deng Yun glanced up at the emperor, "Your Majesty has to give the prince a name before he can leave." ”

Han Ruzi laughed, feeling that Deng Yun's temper was a bit like her brother's.

"Shhhh Deng Yun immediately reminded that she only has children in her eyes now, no brother, and no emperor.

Han Ruzi went to Qiuxin Palace again, this is also the child's territory, Princess Rujun can already walk, she is still so lively, as soon as she sees her father, she pounces on her, babbling nonsense.

Han Ruzi couldn't dislike this daughter, so she immediately hugged her in her arms, teased her for a while, and said to the queen: "I want to drive the royal expedition in person." ”

Cui Xiaojun kept smiling and watching, and when he heard this, the smile on his face stiffened suddenly, and he was stunned for a long time, and then said, "Does it have to be like this?" ”

"The soldiers of Da Chu are fighting bloodily on the front line, I can't always sit in the palace and wait for news, and this battle is very important, if the battle is defeated, or there is a stalemate, the Huns watching the battle in the north are likely to fall to the enemy, and the two enemies join forces, and Da Chu is in danger."

"Your Majesty, if you feel the need, then go ahead, just ...... Just have to be well planned. ”

"Yes, most of the elite of the Chu army are in Mayi City, if this battle cannot be won, it will be more dangerous for me to sit in the palace, and it will also affect you."

Cui Xiaojun smiled, and then sighed lightly, "Why is Your Majesty always so difficult?" ”

"You should be glad that at this difficult time, Da Chu is the emperor of me."

Cui Xiaojun smiled again, walked over, took the princess from the emperor's hand, and said softly: "Rujun, do you hear?" My father was a great emperor. ”

The princess exclaimed, "Sorry! Sorry! ”

Han Ruzi can always get support from the queen, and his confidence has increased a little, and he came to meet his mother, the Empress Dowager Cining.

Emperor Qing was a little older, learned some rules, saluted his father, called "Father", retreated to his grandmother's side, handed his hand to his grandmother, and his biological mother Tong Qing'e stood on the other side of the queen mother, as respectful as a maidservant.

Han Ruzi chatted a few words, and once again mentioned the matter of the royal conquest.

Empress Ci Ning was expressionless, suddenly turned her head, and said to Concubine Hui Tong Qing'e, "Do you think this is a good idea?" ”

Tong Qing'e was obviously stunned, she didn't expect to be asked, and replied in a low voice: "The concubine doesn't understand military affairs, Your Majesty wants to go on the expedition, it always makes sense." ”

"Your Majesty is not only the emperor, but also your husband, the father of your children, and if you want to leave you on the battlefield, you have nothing to say?"

Tong Qing'e's face was slightly red, and she didn't dare to speak.

Emperor Qing suddenly said loudly: "Father is not allowed to go!" ”

Empress Dowager Cining smiled and touched the eldest grandson's head, picked it up and handed it to Concubine Hui, "You, you are too honest, no wonder Your Majesty is pleased." You mother and son go back first, and I'll talk to Your Majesty. ”

Tong Qing'e's face turned red again, and she hurriedly left with her son in her arms.

The Empress Dowager Cining also kicked out the eunuchs and palace maids, and there were no outsiders in the room, she said: "Your Majesty is not small, why is it still a child's temper?" ”

"It's not a child's temper." Han Ruzi explained his thoughts in detail, and the most important reason was that Da Chu had to win this battle in Mayi City, otherwise, the Huns would all surrender to the enemy.

The Empress Dowager Cining listened quietly, "There are no ministers in the court, so you have to be personally recruited by Your Majesty?" Besides, isn't there Chai Yue in Mayi City? That is His Majesty's most trusted and admired general, is it really useless when it comes to employing people? ”

"Chai Yue has the talent of a general, but he is cautious by nature, upright in battle, and not good at using strange tricks. Judging from the fact that he claimed to attack from the Western Regions, but moved his army to the Broken Iron City, this enemy army was very cunning, and I was worried that Chai Yue would not be able to deal with it. Moreover, the military situation is changing rapidly, and I am here to make decisions, and I am afraid that the front line has already missed the opportunity. ”

"I understand Your Majesty's feelings, but...... Your Majesty is not a general, right? Can the royal driver command better than Chai Yue? ”

As soon as his mother dared to say such things, Han Ruzi smiled slightly, "The brave one of the two armies wins, even if I can't command better, at least I can boost morale and make the soldiers of the Chu army brave to fight." ”

Empress Dowager Cining pondered for a long time, "Your Majesty won't forget about Jincheng, right?" ”

"Never forget."

"Well, what do the ministers say?"

"I haven't made this clear to the minister."

Empress Dowager Cining was silent for a while, "Your Majesty has always been arbitrary, how did you remember to ask my opinion first this time?" ”

"The child is away, the mother is worried, I am old and understands the difficulties of the Queen Mother, so I hope to reassure the Queen Mother first."

"Alas, Your Majesty personally risked the arrows, how could I be at ease? But what Your Majesty must do, I can't help, but I can't stop it, Your Majesty go and ask the ministers for their opinions, they will definitely be more able to come up with ideas than me, an old woman. ”

This can be regarded as agreed, Han Ruzi bowed down and said, "Empress Dowager Xie." ”

Although the son was a little stubborn, he had never been rude in front of him, and the Empress Dowager Cining was both relieved and sad in her heart, but her face was impassive, and she said: "Your Majesty, rest assured, the palace is guarded by me, and there will be no problems." The incident that His Majesty said before is already a bit eyebrow-raising, and when His Majesty returns to the dynasty in victory, he may be able to see the result. ”

Empress Dowager Cining secretly investigated the truth of Emperor Si's death, which was related to the safety of the harem, and she was very concerned about it, and deliberately transferred Jing Yao back to the palace, trying not to attract attention to the bottom of the matter.

"Queen Mother, don't work too hard." Han Ruzi took his leave.

He is indeed more mature than before, since the minister may use the power in the palace to obstruct the emperor's personal expedition, he simply obtained the consent of the queen mother and others first, and there are no internal worries, and then he can concentrate on the outside world.

In the afternoon of the next day, Han Ruzi told Zhao Ruosu of his decision, "Will the minister object?" ”

"Of course I will object, below Taizu, the Great Chu Tianzi has only had three imperial expeditions, Emperor Lie twice, and Emperor Wu once, but the enemies are all weak, and they haven't even encountered the enemy, and the so-called pro-expedition is just a formality. Your Majesty is going to encounter a strong enemy this time, and there are many unpredictable things, which is what the ministers are most worried about, that is, the ministers must also oppose it. ”

Han Ruzi regarded Zhao Ruosu as the representative of the minister, and said with a straight face: "Rules, conventions, the imperial court depends on it to survive and continue, but what about unexpected crises?" Can it still be solved with rules and conventions? You have all seen the official documents of the Broken Iron City and Shenxiong Pass, the enemy army is not only huge in number, but also the advantages of its armor and the essence of its equipment are not weaker than those of Great Chu, and the surrender of the Xiongnu is reasonable. ”

Han Ruzi paused and continued: "Da Chu will fight against another Da Chu, and it may be Da Chu in its heyday, can Zhu Qing have ready-made rules and practices that can be used?" ”

Zhao Ruosu knelt down and kowtowed, "Weichen is willing to go out with His Majesty." (To be continued.) )