There were many defeated troops and generals like Zhang Yong around Fugu. The ten commanders who swore brotherhood this time gathered there. They included Ma Gao, Sang Zhong, Zhang Yong, Cao Cheng, Liu Wenshun, Li Hong, Ma You, Xu Yan, plus two new arrivals this year, Qi Fang and Liu Zhong, whom Yue Fei didn't know. There were exactly ten commanders who chose to stand aside and watch when the country was in danger, and became the ten sworn brothers!

Once the ten brothers became sworn brothers, the remaining soldiers and horses of the ten families would be gathered together, numbering about 30,000 to 40,000 people, which would be difficult to deal with.

Back to the present, Yizhangqing came as an envoy, and faced Yue Fei's questioning, but he said their meaning very straightforwardly:

First, they were willing to accept the promotion of Kaifeng prefect Du Chong, who was from Hebei Province.

But at the same time, because of the previous defeats and various actions, plus Zong Ze's illness, they were a little panicked, fearing that they would be killed by Du Chong, who was known for his "bloodthirsty" character. So the ten commanders did not dare to come to Tokyo in person for the time being, but expected Du Chong to lead the troops over so that they could redeem themselves for their crimes.

Yizhangqing told Yue Fei these words because he wanted to ask Yue Fei, a fellow villager of Du Chong, to be a middleman.

What else could Yue Fei do? He had endured Wang Yan's humiliation before, let alone this kind of thing?

Therefore, Yue Pengju took the initiative to ask for a meeting with Du Chong, and conveyed Wang Yan's arrival and the intentions of the ten commanders in the south of the capital, but surprisingly did not mention anything like the ten sworn brothers.

"So, Wang Yan really brought 20,000 soldiers here?"

Du Chong was a Jinshi during the reign of Emperor Zhezong. He is sixty years old this year. His three sons and one son-in-law have all entered officialdom. He is recognized as a minister with seniority and qualifications. In addition, his dignified and serious appearance shows the demeanor of a minister. However, when he heard such good news in the back hall, he was somewhat disappointed.

"Yes!" Yue Fei bowed and responded seriously, causing Li Qiong who was standing next to him to watch coldly.

"The ten commanders in the south of the city are also willing to obey my orders, but they are afraid for the moment, so they are willing to reorganize the troops and wait for me in the south?" Du Chong continued to ask with his hands behind his back.

"good."

"How many soldiers do they have? Tell the truth." Du Chong stroked his gray beard and sighed.

"I have asked Madam Ma, and there are actually still 36,000 to 37,000 people." Yue Fei answered straightforwardly.

"There were originally 20,000 soldiers in the city, 10,000 defenders, and 10,000 scattered soldiers in the surrounding areas. You brought another 160,000 or 170,000, which adds up to 70,000. Add to that Wang Yan's 20,000. Don't worry about Han Shizhong, Li Yanxian and the like. We already have 90,000 soldiers. Can we really send out an army of 80,000 immediately?" Du Chong frowned more and more.

"good."

"And they are willing to follow my command..." Du Chong shook his head. "In this case, we can no longer delay and must send troops immediately?"

Yue Fei didn't understand what he heard, so he instinctively asked, "Isn't Prime Minister going to send troops?"

Du Chong shook his head repeatedly, but this time he said nothing.

ps: I am so sleepy. I haven’t fallen asleep like this in a long time… Please forgive me for any typos. I can’t open my eyes at all.