He had to prepare for the worst so that he wouldn't be in a hurry.

"Prepare some other ships and prepare to flee south. Once the city of Yangzhou was broken, we fled south by sea. ”

After giving all these orders, Zhao Gou sat down on the dragon chair and felt a whirlwind of the world.

He remembered the days when he grew up in the palace, remembered that he had aspired to be a wise and martial emperor, and remembered the hard work and hard work he had made for the Great Song Dynasty...... All of this came to naught in this moment.

Outside Yangzhou City, the army led by Han Shizhong has launched a fierce attack on Yangzhou City. Although the defenders led by Guo Wei tried their best to resist, they were still unable to stop the opponent's offensive.

Guo Wei stood on the city tower, looking at the black and oppressive enemy army in the distance, his heart was full of horror and despair. He knew that he was now in a desperate situation. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't stop the opponent's attack.

"General! We can't stand it anymore! An adjutant general ran to Guo Wei's side and said breathlessly, "The opponent's offensive is too fierce, and most of our people have been killed or wounded!" ”

When Guo Wei heard this, he sighed and said, "Pass my order and let all the soldiers withdraw to the inner city." We concentrated our forces on the inner city and waited for reinforcements to arrive. ”

The adjutant general turned to leave after answering, while Guo Wei continued to stand on the castle tower, looking at the enemy army in the distance. He knew he had done his best now. The rest can only depend on the will of God.

At the same time, in the large camp outside the health city, the general Zhang Jun was also anxiously waiting for the arrival of reinforcements.

He knew that the troops he had in his hands now could not resist Zhao Yingluo's army. If reinforcements don't arrive in time, then Health City will really be lost.

He paced back and forth, anxious. Suddenly, a spy rushed in, knelt in front of him and said, "Report! The reinforcements from Shuzhong have arrived in Huangzhou! They're coming to health! ”

Zhang Jun was overjoyed when he heard this, and hurriedly asked, "Are you sure?" Have the reinforcements from Shuzhong really arrived in Huangzhou? ”

The spy nodded and said, "It's true! The villain saw it with his own eyes! ”

Zhang Jun laughed when he heard this, and he felt as if he had seen the dawn of victory.

He knew that as long as the reinforcements from Shuzhong could arrive in time, then they would have enough troops to resist Zhao Yingluo's army.

However, he did not rejoice for long, and ten days later, brought him even worse news, "Report! Zhao Yingluo's army has captured Yangzhou City! They're on their way to health! ”

When Zhang Jun heard this, he was like being struck by lightning, and the whole person was directly stunned. He knew that his hopes had been dashed.

No matter whether the reinforcements from Shuzhong can arrive in time, there is no way to change this defeat.

……

In Lin'an City, Zhao Gou was also anxiously waiting for news.

He knew that his fate was already in the hands of someone else. Neither Guo Wei nor Zhang Jun can change this fact.

He paced back and forth, anxious. Suddenly, Feng Yi, the chamberlain who had chosen to become the inner knower, rushed in and knelt in front of him and said, "Qi Qi Guan's family! Yangzhou City has been lost! General Guo Wei retreated to the south of the river. ”

When Zhao Gou heard this, he sat directly on the ground as if he had been struck by lightning, and he felt a whirlwind as if the whole world had collapsed, and it took him a while before he came to his senses and asked in a trembling voice, "That's ...... What about Health City? Did General Zhang Jun defend the Health City? ”

Feng Yi shook his head and said, "Back to the official family, there is no news from the Health City yet." ”

Above the court, the atmosphere was extremely tense. The civil and military ministers had solemn faces, and they all knew that the current situation was already burning their eyebrows, and it was urgent to wait.

Zhao Gou sat on the dragon chair, his hands trembled and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, the current situation is very critical, Han Shizhong has captured Yangzhou, and Guo Wei has also withdrawn to the south of the Chen Bingjiang River, what should we do?" ”

There was a sudden silence in the court.

The ministers know that the situation is very serious, and they must come up with an effective response as soon as possible.

However, no one wants to take the risk of making an immature proposal at this time.

They are all waiting, waiting for someone to break the silence and come up with a practical solution.

At this moment, Zhao Ding, who took over Zhu Shengfei as a member of the Privy Council, stood up.

After he saluted Zhao Gou, he said impassionedly: "Official, the minister thinks that the only way now is to recruit in person!" Only His Majesty's personal conscription can boost morale and stabilize the morale of the army. In the past, Emperor Zhenzong faced the invasion of the Liao State, personally defeated the sharp spirit of the Liao State and preserved the Great Song Dynasty. Your Majesty should also follow the example of Emperor Sizong and personally recruit to boost the morale of the army! ”

As soon as Zhao Ding's words fell, there was a discussion in the court. Some ministers agreed, believing that pro-levy was indeed an effective method; Some ministers objected, believing that it was too risky to go on a pro-conquest, and that if there was a mistake, the consequences would be unimaginable.

When Zhao Gou heard Zhao Ding's suggestion, he also hesitated in his heart.

He knew that pro-conscription was indeed an effective way to boost morale and stabilize the morale of the troops.

However, he also knows that there are also huge risks associated with pro-conscription. In the event of defeat or other unforeseen circumstances, the consequences will be dire.

At this moment, Huang Qianshan stood up.

He glanced at Zhao Ding, the corners of his mouth hooked up a sneer, and then bowed to Zhao Gou and said, "What Lord Zhao said is wrong. Now that Han Shizhong has captured Yangzhou and Guo Wei has also withdrawn his troops south of the Chen Bingjiang River, the situation is extremely unfavorable to our side. If the official family rashly levies in person, I am afraid that they will fall into danger. In the opinion of the ministers, it is better to go south to avoid its edge and plan for the future. ”

Qin Hui also took the opportunity to echo and said, "Your Majesty, what Lord Huang said is extremely true. It would be wise to go south, not only to avoid the military disaster for a while, but also to preserve your strength for the future. ”

Fierce arguments resounded in the court. The ministers who advocated pro-conquest and those who advocated going south expressed their opinions and argued on the basis of reason.

Zhao Gou sat on the dragon chair, listening to the arguments of the ministers, and his heart became more and more chaotic.

When Zhao Gou heard Qin Hui's suggestion, his heart was also shaken.

Listening to the arguments of the ministers, my heart became more and more confused. He felt a wave of dizziness, as if the whole world was spinning. He didn't know what to do with the right choice. He felt a pang of powerlessness and despair.

At this moment, Zhao Ding stood up, he bowed deeply to Zhao Gou, and then said impassionedly: "Your Majesty! Huang Qianshan and Qin Hui's suggestion is really misleading! Going south will frustrate the spirit of the government and the opposition and make the Great Song Dynasty even more unstable. Officials should personally recruit in order to boost morale and stabilize the morale of the army. If he can't win, he can still negotiate with Zhao Yingluo and seek a peaceful solution. If you go south and want to keep the throne, I'm afraid it will be even more difficult! ”

As soon as Zhao Ding's words fell, there was a echo in the court. Those ministers who advocated pro-conquest expressed their agreement with Zhao Ding's opinion, believing that pro-conscription was the only way out.

When Zhao Gou heard Zhao Ding's refutation, his heart was also shaken. He knew that Zhao Ding's words were not unreasonable. While there are risks, it has the potential to turn the tide.