Just when Li Jiangyao and his comrades-in-arms were planning the next move of the Zhenjiang Army, an important meeting was also going on in the imperial capital, thousands of miles away.

The meeting was attended by Prince Ronia, Prince of the Templars, Field Marshal Helianxiong, Prince Kosta, Commander of the Second Legion, Duke Druhan, Lieutenant Marquis of Durham, as well as the Grand Prince Chili, the Second Prince Tanley, and Princess Hesjia of the Eagle Young.

It is not difficult to see that all the people who are qualified to attend the meeting are the core figures of the golden tribe of the Turkic Empire, and even Yun Qianxue, the young master of Yunhe, who has always been trusted by Ashina, was excluded from the meeting.

In the magnificent and open Taiji Palace, Ashina is on the throne of the imperial ranks. This special position was once occupied by thirty Saint Tang Emperors, but now, it was occupied by the leaders of the alien race.

Ashina Zhijin was wearing a pure white robe, and quietly listened to Ronia's report on the military situation under the imperial stairs:

"Great Khan, that's basically it. Xu Youchang led the army to approach Lanzhou, with a total strength of about 300,000 to 350,000, and the edge was extremely strong. At present, he has exercised restraint and has only launched a few tentative attacks on our army, but I judge that he can launch a large-scale attack at any time, and with the existing strength of our army in the direction of Lanzhou, I am afraid that it will not be able to resist. ”

Tanley put his head to He Sijia's ear and whispered, "Sister, I heard someone say before that Xu Youchang seems to love you very much?" Are you interesting to him? ”

He Sijia was disgusted, glared at Tanley, and said angrily: "Second brother, is it time to joke?" ”

Tanley said facelessly: "I'm not exactly joking, if you really have a relationship with Xu Youchang, maybe it's ......"

Before he finished his words, Chi Li, who was standing next to him, lowered his voice and said coldly: "Shut up quickly!" Listen honestly to Father Khan! ”

I only heard Ashina Zhijin speak at this time: "Do you think Li Jiangyao really has the courage to face our army alone?" ”

Ronia hesitated for a moment and replied seriously: "Great Khan, I have fought with Li Jiangyao twice, and when I was the governor of Western Xinjiang before, I also had indirect battles, so I still have a certain understanding of this person. In my opinion, Li Jiangyao is a genius and a madman. A lot of times, people can't deal with it with common sense. Since he can fight alone for many years surrounded by strong enemies, or he can pretend to surrender and surrender when our army is pressing, then what is impossible for the Zhenjiang army to launch a decisive battle against us alone? ”

Helian Xiong said in a deep voice: "With only the Zhenjiang Army, then he is looking for death!" Although we suffered a slight defeat, the Eastern Expeditionary Soldiers and Horses still have nearly 300,000 combat strength, of which more than sixty percent are the elite of the Golden Clan. If you dare to provoke us in the Guanzhong Plain, then tear Li Jiangyao to pieces! ”

Among the high-ranking military leaders of the Golden Clan present, only this old marshal had never dealt with the Zhenjiang Army, while the others had been repaired by Li Jiangyao to a greater or lesser extent. Therefore, in the face of Helianxiong's bold words, no one was embarrassed to raise their arms and shout and respond loudly.

Ash Na Jin seemed to see everyone's thoughts, and smiled faintly: "The generalissimo is the first warrior of the Turkic Empire, and he is also my predecessor. ”

Chili nodded again and again: "Father Khan is very right. Marshal Helian Xiong has always been a model for our generation of soldiers! Whether it is the Western Continent or the Eastern Continent, all battles are won. ”

Seeing that the eldest brother was deliberately greeting, Tan Li was anxious to praise Helian Xiong, but he was still worried about the battle for the succession of the Khan, and he couldn't help but show a sneer on his face, and said: "Father Khan summoned us here today to discuss the next strategic plan. According to what the old marshal meant just now, is he planning to concentrate his forces on dealing with Li Jiangyao first? ”

Although Helian Xiong didn't take the Zhenjiang Army in his eyes, he was not confused about the open and secret battles in the court, and when he heard Tanli say this, he immediately shook his head and said, "Your Royal Highness, I didn't mean that just now. Exactly who should be dealt with first is still up to the Great Khan. ”

Ashina nodded and said with a smile: "I called you here to hear different opinions, and everyone can speak freely. ”

Ronia coughed lightly: "Great Khan, the current situation can be described as dangerous, and if you are not careful, it will lead to an even more difficult situation." In my opinion, it is still necessary to strengthen the defense forces on the front line of Lanzhou first and prevent Li Jiangyao from advancing eastward. ”

Druhan, Duke of the Polar Regions, agreed: "The prince is right. If the Zhenjiang army goes further, it will threaten the imperial capital, and the Great Khan is here, and there is no room for error. We should concentrate our forces and defend the western front. ”

Ashina's uncle, the old prince Kesta, said in a deep voice: "Blind defense is not the way. If you block Li Jiangyao today, you may not be able to block it tomorrow. The enemy's strength increases dramatically every day, and there will come a day when we will be completely disadvantaged. ”

"It's all to blame on the Night Wheel Clan bastards!" Durham couldn't help but say angrily: "Gemar handed over the Western Frontier to Li Jiangyao, which not only cut off our back route, but also made the other party get a lot of land, population and wealth, and become stronger and stronger. Lamb! I can't wait to kill them all! ”

Ronia frowned: "What's the use of saying this now?" Can you cross the western frontier and attack the Yakutia steppe? ”

Helian Xiong asked curiously, "Didn't you send someone to transfer domestic reinforcements before?" How's that going? ”

Thanley, who was in charge of intelligence liaison, responded: "Something is not going well. Li Jiangyao detained Gema for a long time, but he didn't expect that after we sent a messenger back to China to transfer troops, he actually released Gema and more than 10,000 Yakut cavalry. Gemma, the damn fellow, returned to the Western Continent in the starry night, attacked our garrisons on both sides, and blocked the way from the Empire to the Western Frontier. ”

Durham was furious: "Fuck! It's the Night Wheel again! ”

Tanli glanced at him and continued to speak calmly: "At the same time, the Persian Empire is also gathering troops, and the intentions are unknown at the moment. Although our border garrison is not afraid of them, it is difficult to guarantee that the Persians will not take advantage of the fire at this time. ”

"In this way, I am afraid that reinforcements cannot be counted on." Ronia's tone sounded a little dull: "The battle behind can only rely on ourselves. ”

Facing the important ministers with serious expressions, Ashina looked very calm. He swept his gaze over everyone one by one, and asked softly, "Do you have any other good ways besides resisting the Zhenjiang army with all your might?" Say it boldly and don't be afraid to be wrong. ”

Tanley wanted to say and stopped, but in the end he didn't say it easily.

He Sijia suddenly said at this time: "Father Khan, I suggest that negotiations be started. ”

"Negotiations?" Ashina looked at his favorite daughter and asked with interest, "Who are you talking to?" What to talk about? ”

"Negotiate with Baron Metasequoia." He Sijia spoke softly, but his tone was very firm: "Please let him get out of the way for us!" ”

As soon as these words came out, the faces of all the ministers and generals showed complicated expressions.

Shocked, angry, unwilling, doubtful.

However, no one said anything, only the eldest prince Chili said angrily: "He Sijia, what nonsense are you talking about?!" ”

"Let her finish speaking." Ashina stood high on the throne and said lightly: "He Sijia, what do you mean by asking Li Jiangyao to get out of the way?" ”

In the face of everyone's gaze, He Sijia was more courageous than just now, and replied loudly: "Father Khan, I mean, the whole army left the imperial capital, left the Shengtang, and returned to the Turks through the western frontier, and returned to our hometown. ”

There was not the slightest wave on Ashina's handsome face, and he only asked softly, "Are you going to make me give up everything here?" Give up the fruits of our victory? ”

"Father Khan, this is no longer the fruit of victory, but the heavy burden of the empire." He Sijia said loudly: "We are essentially trapped in a foreign land by the Holy Tang Army, and every day of delay, our strength will be weakened by a point, and the space for survival will be reduced a little. A huge rope is being wrapped around the neck of the Crusade army and is gradually tightened until the moment of complete suffocation! Now that we are negotiating, we still have bargaining chips in our hands, we can bring the elite legions back to the Western Continent, and we can also maintain the security and dignity of the Turkic Empire. ”

"Your Royal Highness Princess......" Helian Xiong said in a deep voice, "You are a little alarmist. Our Turkic warriors will not be defeated by the enemy, and taking the initiative to give up everything in front of them is tantamount to surrendering......"

He Sijia turned his head to look at the other party and replied calmly: "Grandpa Helianxiong, I grew up watching you and listening to your legendary achievements, so I admire you and the bravery of the Turkic soldiers very much. However, war is not the only solution to all problems, especially when the means of war are no longer sufficient. Once the Zhenjiang Army launches an attack, regardless of whether the Imperial Court of the Holy Tang Dynasty will help at the same time, we will all experience heavy casualties. And Li Jiangyao has retired, and Ma Hongjie will come; Ma Hongjie has retired, Murong Xue will still come! On their own territory, the Saints can pounce on us endlessly, wave after wave, and at that time, will the Turkic Empire have any choice? ”

He Sijia's words hit everyone's heart, and none of the big men in the group could open their mouths to refute.

Because, she is telling the hard truth.

The situation on the battlefield has undergone fundamental changes since the moment Li Jiangyao seized the Zijin Pass.

The Turkic Eastern Expeditionary Army, which was cut off from the back route, lost contact with the Western Continent and lost the source of replenishment of troops, like a trapped beast covered in wounds, locked in the Guanzhong region.

If it weren't for the rebellion and strife within the Holy Tang, it would be difficult to form a joint force, I'm afraid they would have launched a million heroes to kill them with great momentum.

Ashina was silent for a while, and muttered, "Negotiation? Will Li Jiangyao agree? ”