Guo Congyi's worry about Lu Shenruo's defeat was the root cause of the solemn expressions of the ministers in the palace.

Whether it was Xue Nanting and Qin Zheng who sincerely supported the Northern Expedition, or Li Daoyan and Guo Congyi who were forced to accept them, they were all courtiers of the Qi Dynasty and would not be unable to distinguish the foundation of their lives.

When the border army won the victory of Lei Ze, both sides felt joy and excitement from the bottom of their hearts, and there was a rare harmonious scene in the court, and everyone supported the Huaizhou army to recover Dongyang Road, and naturally did not want the duck in hand to fly.

As Guo Congyi said, if Lu Shen is defeated under Heluo City, it will trigger a series of bad consequences.

At that time, Xiao Wangzhi will definitely not be able to hold the newly recovered Dongyang Road with the loss of nearly half of his troops, and may even endanger Huaizhou.

No one in the palace wanted to accept such an outcome.

In the past, every adventure of the border army could be based on reality, and even if it failed, it would not have much impact, but this time Lu Shen's idea was almost useless on the surface.

Even if he can defeat Heluo, how can the little force in his hand be able to hold it?

Even if he can hold on for a while, what price will the imperial court have to pay in the future to support the distant Heluo and block the enemy's counterattacks again and again?

Some important ministers considered the longer-term situation, and even feared that the imperial court would be dragged to death by the old capital.

Among the ministers, the right minister Xue Nanting frowned, it stands to reason that he should refute Guo Congyi's suggestion and maintain the border army generals as much as possible, but he is also a little uneasy in his heart.

Lu Shen's battle is nothing more than three results, not to mention defeat, winning is still a dilemma, either desperately defend Heluo and wait for reinforcements, or retreat back to Dongyang Road in time.

No matter how you look at it, there is no need for him to take such a risk......

The hall was silent, and the atmosphere was very depressing.

The Son of Heaven after the imperial case seemed to hesitate, and Shang Shuding of the Ministry of War came out of the class when he saw the complaint: "Your Majesty, the minister thinks that Guo Shumi's advice is very appropriate. Now Lu Shen should still be on the way to Heluo, and the enemy army is not capable of posing a threat to him for the time being, so His Majesty asked him to withdraw to the territory of Dongyang Road, which has no impact on this Western Route Army, and will not hit the confidence of the soldiers of the border army. When the Huaizhou army recovers Dongyang Road, the imperial court rewards the soldiers of the border army for their meritorious deeds, and then stabilizes the situation in northern Xinjiang, isn't everyone happy? ”

Li Duan looked around at the ministers, and the words "Zhai Lin Wang's family" suddenly appeared in his mind.

Su Yunqing's battle report was obviously not his imagination, because this was a piece of music involving the specific strategy of the Huaizhou Army, if it wasn't for Xiao Wangzhi and Lu Shen to tell him the details, he wouldn't have the courage to make it up wantonly.

In other words, Lu Shen must be sure to recover Heluo, but what about after that?

As far as he knew, although the Zhai Lin Wang clan had a profound background, it should not have the ability to control the entire city of Heluo.

Li Duan noticed that Zuo Xiang was still silent, so he looked at Li Daoyan and asked, "How is Zuo Xiangyi?" ”

Li Daoyan raised his head to meet the gaze of the Son of Heaven and said slowly: "Your Majesty, I can't afford the consequences of the defeat of the Western Route Army led by Lu Shen. The minister is old and old, not as sharp as the young man, but the minister thinks that it is the best policy to stabilize and fight steadily when he sees a good situation. ”

Li Duan looked at Xue Nanting again, and couldn't help but sigh lightly in his heart.

He could understand Xue Nanting's entanglement at the moment, because Lu Shen's decision was really incomprehensible, and even he himself was hesitant on the premise of knowing Zhai Lin Wang's family, not to mention Xue Nanting, who didn't know the specific situation in the north.

As for the warp weaving department to promote Qin Zheng, in addition to his own affairs, he has never expressed his opinion on the decision-making of the imperial court, Li Duan has always admired his merit, so naturally he will not force him to speak at this moment.

The important ministers of the Manchu Dynasty were all opposed, and this situation was that the Son of Heaven had to consider it carefully.

After a long time, Li Duan finally spoke: "The Chinese book drafts the decree, ordering Lu Shen to focus on the overall situation, not to take the enemy lightly, not to force a blind attack in depth, and all decisions are based on the priority of recovering Dongyang Road." The warp weaving department immediately passed the holy decree to Lu Shen with a fast horse of 800 miles. ”

Li Daoyan and Qin Zheng successively received the decree.

Guo Congyi's eyes condensed slightly, he didn't expect that in this situation, the Son of Heaven would be biased towards Lu Shen.

This holy decree can only be regarded as a reminder and warning at best, rather than what he said before, forcing Lu Shen to lead the army to withdraw, so that Lu Shen has a lot of leeway.

The so-called light enemy's rash advance and blind attack, how could the monarchs and ministers in Yongjia City in the south see it more clearly than Lu Shen?

Of course, the significance of this decree lies in drawing a line in advance, and if everything goes well, it must be the credit of Xiao Wangzhi, Lu Shen and the officers and soldiers of the Huaizhou army.

But if something goes wrong in the future, this decree will become a talisman.

Guo Congyi was still not satisfied, he asked himself that this time was not aimed at Lu Shen, but for the sake of the overall situation, so he continued to insist: "Your Majesty, the minister thinks that it is more prudent to recall Lu Shen now, otherwise this young man will definitely ignore his will and forcibly march into Heluo City!" ”

This time, Li Duan did not hesitate any longer, and said simply: "I have made up my mind, and there is no need to discuss it again." ”

Guo Congyi sighed and arched his hand: "The minister obeys the order." ”

The ministers retired one after another, but Qin Zheng was the only one who got Li Duan's indication and stayed alone.

After a while, Li Duan said with a complicated expression: "Lu Shen has given me a problem this time. ”

Qin Zheng understood the deep meaning of his words, because the imperial court had never thought of attacking Heluo so quickly, and the problems involved in all aspects were by no means solved by a big victory.

As soon as he thought of this, he said unhurriedly: "Your Majesty, Lu Shen must have received a definite reply from the Zhai Lin Wang Clan, so he dared to lead his troops directly to Heluo. In fact, whether he succeeds or not, he will play a very positive role this time, and he can declare to the people of the world that Daqi has the ability to clean up the old mountains and rivers. This is very important for the people's hearts, especially the people of the Northland, to inspire and envelope. ”

"I know, in fact, those people know it, but why are they so adamantly against it?"

Li Duan's tone was stammering, and then he said, "Lu Shen is thinking about the gains and losses of one city and one place, and I and the courtiers must consider the bad consequences that will result from his defeat. ”

Qin Zheng then comforted: "Your Majesty doesn't need to worry too much, I believe that Xiao Dudu will definitely be able to grasp the overall situation." ”

In fact, there was still something in his heart that he hadn't said, Su Yunqing's battle report was more like a temptation, a temptation of the Huaizhou border army led by Xiao Wangzhi and Lu Shen to the imperial court.

Fortunately, the Son of Heaven finally held his position and did not go to the opposite side of the border army.

I hope they can understand the plight of the Son of Heaven.

……

Beiyan, Yaoshan Pass.

A fierce battle is about to end, and after several days of fighting, this pass was finally broken by the Ruishi Battalion, the Lai'an Army, the Feiyun Army, and the Panlong Army who rushed to support.

There was no trick in this battle, the Jing army always held the wall without taking a step, and the Huaizhou West Route Army relied on nearly five times the strength advantage and forced the pass after six fierce battles.

The customs area was littered with corpses, and many places were caught in flames.

On the premise of confirming that it could not be defended, the Jing army burned the grain and grass materials in the pass, and finally only more than 2,000 people retreated to the west under the cover of about 2,000 cavalry.

At this point, the last barrier to the east of Heluo City fell.

In the temporary festival hall, several lords were all blood-stained robes, and Lu Shen was the same.

The atmosphere here was a little solemn, not only because of the extremely tragic battle, but also because there was a slightly nervous and cramped angel standing in the hall.

"Captain Lu, take the order."

The angel looked at the murderous young generals opposite, and only hated why he didn't come a day early, or a day late, but came when these fierce generals had won a hard victory, and read not a decree of praise, but a word of warning.

Lu Shen stepped forward to take the holy decree, swept over this person and the palace guards behind him expressionlessly, and said lightly: "The angel has traveled a long distance and worked hard. ”

The angel reluctantly smiled: "Where the duty is, don't dare to say bitter." ”

Lu Shen said: "Please repeat Your Majesty on your behalf, the ministers will obey the holy will and will act carefully." ”

The angel knew that he was the person who was not welcome at the moment, and after a few polite words, he hurried away with the guards.

Lu Shen turned around and put the holy decree on the table, then walked to Song Shifei and sat down.

There was a long silence in the hall.

Song Shifei, who was simply bandaged with gauze on his left arm, said in a deep voice: "I am working the battlefield, but there are so many people in the court and the central government talking nonsense, and even His Majesty listens to their slander, it's really-"

"Say less."

Duan Zuozhang, who was sitting opposite, interrupted him in time, although several people in the hall were colleagues who knew the roots, but the truth that trouble came from the mouth has been the same since ancient times.

He looked at Lu Shen and asked, "Brother Lu, are we going to withdraw next?" ”

Lu Shen said indifferently: "Retreat? ”

Duan Zuozhang hesitated: "Although this holy decree is very tactful, Your Majesty's intention has been undoubtedly revealed, and the imperial court does not want us to continue to advance westward. In their minds, even if we can attack Heluo, we will not be able to hold this result in the future, but will lose a lot of troops. ”

Song Shifei stiffened his neck and said: "We have worked hard to defeat Yaoshan Pass, and there is no barrier on the periphery of Heluo, wouldn't it be a waste of our efforts to retreat at this time?" Old Duan, if you are afraid, just take the Lai An Army back, and the Feiyun Army and I will definitely not retreat! ”

Duan Zuozhang frowned and said, "What are you yelling about?" Don't you understand the meaning of the decree? If there is a slight mistake this time, the court will inevitably ask the Lu brothers, maybe it will be a catastrophe for the family! When the time comes, you will die for him? How many heads in your Song family can bear the guilt? ”

"You!"

Song Shifei's face was flushed, of course he was not afraid of death, but he couldn't make decisions for his relatives.

"Two brothers, don't worry."

Lu Shen spoke out in time, and then said calmly: "I am the chief general of the Western Route Army, so naturally I should bear this responsibility." In fact, things are not as complicated as you think, and now I have confirmed that Qing Yu Zhongwang is not in Heluo, and he took all the cavalry to Dongyang Road. Even if he can escape the ambush of the Grand Duke, it will not take him a few days to return to Heluo, and by the time he returns, everything has already settled, so we will not be in much danger this time. ”

Speaking of this, he smiled at the crowd and said, "Those who have traveled a hundred miles are half ninety, and I don't want to retract myself before the last step." ”

"As it should be!"

Song Shifei nodded heavily without hesitation.

Duan Zuozhang looked at Lu Shen's resolute gaze, and said for a long time: "Since you have made a decision, Duan is not a turtle with a shrunken head. ”

They looked at Liu Jiangdong, the commander of the Panlong Army, and the latter smiled: "You are not afraid, am I afraid?" Besides, it would be a great honor to go to Heluo City! ”

"Thank you for your support."

Lu Shen stood up and saluted, and said: "After a few days of rest, our army will send Heluo." ”

"Obey!" The crowd responded in unison.

In the fourteenth year of Qi Jianwu, on February 16, the flag of the Huaizhou West Road Army fluttered, pointing directly at Heluo City.

Under the flag, Lu Shen stared at the western canopy, and there seemed to be a picturesque country in his eyes.

Li Chengen rode his horse to his side and said in a low voice: "Young Master, what is the purpose of the Son of Heaven's holy decree?" ”

Lu was silent for a moment, a smile appeared on his lips, and said, "Our majesty not only wants to return to the old capital, but also wants to leave a name in history. He doesn't want to be the laughing stock of the first emperor, and he won't let me become the second Yang Dashuai, but after all, he is a little less responsible. However, he was a little more selfish than I expected. ”

"I hope he can understand that my decision is not just for himself."

(End of chapter)