Jingfeng four years, late spring in March.

In the middle of the night, the palace gates of the imperial city were closed, and the crimson palaces stood solemnly in the darkness, casting huge and blurred shadows on the ground under the reflection of the cold moonlight, like silent giants, solemn and majestic, which made people feel intimidating.

Outside the inky black city wall, a rapid sound of horses' hooves suddenly came from far and near, carrying the unmelted wind and snow in the northern frontier, crisp and powerful knocking on the stone road, stirring up bursts of flying dust.

The post guard grasped the reins with one hand and held the military newspaper high with the other, his voice was torn and high-pitched, and the thunder shattered everyone's dreams:

"Urgent military intelligence! The Tatars gathered 200,000 horses and invaded my border! Xuanfu Town is in danger—"

——

The next morning, listening to the noisy voices of the ministers below, Emperor Li Zheng of Jingfeng pinched his eyebrows without saying a word, and his face was gloomy as water.

Seeing that the emperor did not express his position for a long time, the secretary of the military department was so anxious that his mouth was blistering, and he simply stepped out of the queue of hundreds of officials, and said loudly to Emperor Jingfeng above:

"Your Majesty, this time the Tatars are menacing, although Xuanfu Town has Dingguo Gong in charge, it will not be broken for a while, but after all, the other side has 200,000 horses, and Xuanfu Town has less than 150,000 defenders, even if it can't be held, it is difficult to resist for a long time. At the moment, it is imperative to transfer food and increase troops as soon as possible, and go to support! ”

The Tatar cavalry grew on the steppe, and was known for its bravery and good at fighting, and if it was to fight on the plains, our troops and horses would have to be at least half as good as the opponent's, so that they could have a greater chance of victory.

Although it is easier to defend the city than to directly confront, after all, there is a difference of 50,000 people between the two sides, and they can't stop the frequent incursions of the Tatar cavalry.

The most terrible thing is that because the frontier has been stable in recent years, the imperial court has been reducing military spending, and only at the end of last year did it evacuate 30,000 people from Xuanfu Town back to the interior. Who would have thought that at such a juncture, the enemy would send troops to invade.

Of course, it is also possible that the Tatars saw the emptiness of the border pass now, and specially chose to invade the south at this time, wanting to take the imperial court by surprise.

Clearly, they had achieved their goal.

As soon as Shang Shu's voice fell, an official from the household department immediately jumped out: "Lord Shang Shu said easily, transfer grain to increase troops, where will the grain be transferred from?" Where do the soldiers come from? The year before last, there was a big locust plague in the north, and last year in order to build a water conservancy project to resettle the displaced people, I don't know how much money was spent, and the imperial court has not yet eased up. ”

"Now that the treasury is empty, if it weren't for the income of the sea trade, I'm afraid that even you would have to owe your money! The household department really can't come up with this money, I hope Your Majesty will see it! ”

The secretary of the military department glared at him angrily, "If you don't adjust the food and increase the troops, do you want to watch the Duke of Dingguo stick to the last soldier killed in battle, and let the Tatars fight all the way to the capital, are you happy!" ”

The household official stalked his neck and didn't eat the oil and salt: "No matter what, whether it's levy, fundraising, or Lord Shangshu can afford to be a lower official, cook me and sell me for a few taels of silver, anyway, the household department has no money!" ”

"You!" The soldier's book was blocked in his chest in one breath, so angry that he almost didn't pout.

Perhaps it was because the water conservancy project consumed too much silver last year, and the waiter of the Ministry of Engineering was a little reluctant to go, so he hurriedly stood up and played a round: "The two adults are angry." It is a fact that the war on the front line is urgent, and it is also a fact that the household department can't come up with money, and they all stand on their own position for the sake of the court, and no one is right or wrong. ”

"It's better to do this, first send some military rations from the nearby towns to support Xuanfu Town, let Dingguo Gong keep as many days as possible, and wait for a few months when the summer tax comes up and the household department has money, let's increase the troops and send food." As for which towns to draw from......" As he said, the waiter of the Ministry of Works rolled his eyes, "The minister thinks that Datong Town is the most suitable. ”

As soon as these words came out, it was like a spark that ignited a barrel of explosives, and the ministers in the court immediately exploded.

"Datong Town, like Xuanfu Town, is one of the important towns on the nine sides, and we must always be ready to resist the invasion of Tatars, and draw military rations from Datong Town, and I can think of it because of Lord Lang!"

"Datong Town and Xuanfu Town are only a few hundred miles apart, and there are only 120,000 soldiers and horses stationed in total.

"Once there is an accident in Datong Town, the Tatars will be close to Juyong Pass, and the capital will be in danger! Your Majesty, this is absolutely unacceptable! ”

A hot-tempered Yushi scolded on the spot: "Tear down the east wall to make up the west wall, in this way, Datong Town is empty, in case of Tatar attack, it will be even more dangerous than Xuanfu Town!" What kind of ploy is this? It's clearly a lie about the death of the country! Wei Jin, what kind of heart do you have! ”

The waiter of the Ministry of Works, Wei Jin, looked at him coldly, and asked in a cold voice: "Then Lord He told me, what is a good plan?" I'm listening! ”

was questioned by Wei Jin in court, this only empty talk Yu Shi suddenly choked, blushing to the base of his neck, well, for a long time, after all, he still shut up in mockery.

Wei Jin snorted coldly, turned his head to Emperor Jingfeng and said, "Your Majesty, it is indeed an extremely risky strategy to transfer troops and food from Datong Town to support Xuanfu Town, but we have no choice now. The 200,000 Tatar cavalry is menacing, and if you want to support Xuanfu Town as soon as possible, you must transfer troops nearby. ”

"But the nearby state capitals are all garrisons that have not been battlefielded, where have they fought with the Tatars with real guns? At present, among the troops that can be quickly deployed, only the soldiers of the Beijing camp can be called elite, and they can fight the Tatar cavalry. However, the Beijing battalion troops stationed in the capital have the responsibility of guarding the Son of Heaven, and they cannot be transferred at will. ”

"In this way, it is the best choice to transfer troops from other important towns stationed at the same border pass. Among the remaining eight border towns, Datong Town is the closest to Xuanfu Town, and can go to support at the fastest speed, and the two are both on the front line of Juyong Pass, Datong Town is much more dangerous than Xuanfu Town, and it is not the first choice for Tatar attacks. Under normal circumstances, there is no need for so many troops, so it is better to divide half of the troops and go to support Xuanfu Town first, and help Dingguo Gong to repel the enemy. ”

Wei Jin was unhurried, clearly stated the joints, and put the pros and cons in front of everyone one by one, so that Emperor Jingfeng's eyes raised slightly, and he seemed to be a little tempted.

But some ministers still didn't buy it: "Lord Wei, you also said that under normal circumstances, the Tatars will not invade Datong Town first, but what if it is a special situation?" If the Tatars knew about the rumors in the process of transferring troops, they might immediately attack Datong Town. ”

"Furthermore, who can guarantee that the Tatars will not fight to the death with the Duke of Dingguo, and when they see that Xuanfu Town cannot be attacked for a long time, they will turn to Datong Town? In case ......"

"Alright, no more talk." Before the minister finished speaking, Emperor Jingfeng interrupted him, "At present, sending troops to support Xuanfu Town is the most important thing, and there is no better choice left and right, so according to what Wei Qing said, divide troops from Datong Town to support." ”

Emperor Jingfeng glanced at the ministers lightly, and said in a calm tone: "However, Datong Town is one of the important towns on the nine sides after all, and the garrison soldiers must not be too small, half of them are too much, so I will first transfer one-third and send 40,000 people to support Xuanfu Town." ”

"Also, from now on, all border towns must stock up more money and grain, and step up training of the army to prepare for the war." As he spoke, Emperor Jingfeng stood up, a little tired in his voice, "Let's get here today, and then if there is any new military information, I will report it in time." ”

Seeing this, an old eunuch with eyes hurriedly stepped forward to help Emperor Jingfeng's arm, and shouted in a sharp voice: "Retreat from the dynasty-"

Hearing this, the hundred officials knelt down: "The ministers send your majesty off-"

Soon, the order of the capital was handed to the border pass, and Datong Town divided 40,000 troops, and immediately supported Xuanfu Town, which was personally garrisoned by Dingguo Gong, and confronted the 200,000 soldiers and horses of the Tatars.

Everyone only hoped that under the insistence of Dingguo Gong, the Tatars would be able to retreat in the face of difficulties, withdraw their troops as soon as possible, and give up the southern invasion.

But things don't go according to people's wishes, but what they are afraid of will come.

(End of chapter)