Yang Yan quickly raised his head, tears streaming down his face, and began to solemnly recount the events of the Battle of Xijing.
He naturally went to great lengths to exaggerate the strength of the Hedong army, especially Huan Naxue's slaying of Yang Fan and the divine soldiers descending from the sky.
How the defenders of Xijing fought a bloody battle under attack from both inside and outside, only to be finally overwhelmed.
He attributed the main reason for the defeat to Zhao Muyun's cunning tactics and superior weaponry, especially the explosive iron lumps and the fierce oil.
The powerful families within the city colluded to rebel, working together from within and without. Chen Xuan betrayed them, but he also boldly admitted his mistakes in strategic decision-making and personnel management, without shirking responsibility to his subordinates.
He did not mention Li Jingang's previous decision-making errors or the personnel issues at Longmenguan.
Li Jingang's expression softened slightly.
After all, Yang Yan took the blame for him, and besides, he was his brother-in-law.
Furthermore, several of Yang Yan's nephews died heroically in battle.
If it were someone else, they might have lost even more miserably than Yang Yan.
"Your Majesty, Zhao Muyun is no ordinary general! His troops are elite and brave, and he also possesses formidable firearms. He is truly a major threat to our dynasty!"
Yang Yan concluded, his tone filled with lingering fear and worry, intending to elevate Zhao Muyun's threat level to the highest level.
"Hmph, after losing the army and disgracing the country, you still have the nerve to boast about the enemy's leader?" The Minister of War couldn't help but speak sarcastically.
"Left Prime Minister Yang has done his best!" Seeing Yang Yan's attitude of admitting his guilt, Li Jingang made a conclusion, seemingly indicating that he had no intention of punishing him for the time being.
Yang Yan's description contained no attempt to exonerate herself.
The details about the fighting strength of the Hedong Army, especially the explosives and fire, corroborate the battle report sent back by Ma Zongliang from Longmen Pass, and seem to be true.
This gave him a more direct and more apprehensive understanding of Zhao Muyun's strength.
Upon hearing Li Jingang's words, Feng Liang and the three ministers were shocked, while Yang Yan immediately prostrated himself on the ground, weeping bitterly, his body convulsing and trembling.
"I ask you," Li Jingang changed the subject, his gaze sharp as he stared intently at Yang Yan, "Do you know Li Hu's whereabouts in Xijing?"
He needed to confirm the information that Empress Gong had received from Madam Huang.
Yang Yan was taken aback, clearly not expecting His Majesty to suddenly ask about Li Hu.
He recalled for a moment, then said uncertainly, "Your Majesty, when the city fell, there was utter chaos. General Li Hu resisted at the North Gate, but was later... surrounded by the Hedong army, and then disappeared without a trace!"
"Most likely...most likely it's bad news..." He was too busy taking care of himself to know the specifics of Li Hu's situation.
A thought struck Li Jingang.
Yang Yan was unaware of the details, while Zhao Muyun clearly stated that Li Hu had been captured and was alive.
This seems to indirectly confirm the "accuracy" and "sincerity" of the information conveyed by Zhao Muyun's side.
"More bad than good?"
Li Jingang repeated something meaningfully, but didn't elaborate, instead asking the most crucial question:
"Do you know that Zhao Muyun has recently expressed his intention to 'cooperate' with me to fight against the Northern Barbarians?"
"cooperate?"
Yang Yan suddenly raised his head, his face showing extreme shock and disbelief, as if he had heard a fairy tale.
"Your Majesty! Absolutely not! This is merely Zhao Muyun's delaying tactic; his wolfish ambitions are blatantly obvious!"
"He must be trying to appease Your Majesty because he sees the strength of the Northern Barbarians, so that he can consolidate the Western Capital and covet the Central Plains! If Your Majesty believes his words, it is no different from asking a tiger for its skin and destroying your own Great Wall!"
His reaction was extremely intense, partly due to his deep-seated hatred for Zhao Muyun.
After all, his nephews Yang Fan, Yang Long, and Yang Yi had all died at the hands of Zhao Muyun.
On the other hand, it is also an extremely strong survival instinct.
If the imperial court really cooperates with Zhao Muyun, then what value does he have as a defeated general who has lost his army and territory?
He will probably be used as a scapegoat and a bargaining chip to appease Zhao Muyun immediately!
He must do everything in his power to destroy any possibility of peace talks!
"His Majesty!"
Yang Yan kowtowed repeatedly, tears streaming down his face, "Though this sinner may die ten thousand times, my loyalty is as clear as the sun and moon!"
"Zhao Muyun is a man with ambitions to conquer the world; there is absolutely no way he would sincerely cooperate with the imperial court!"
"Your Majesty, please investigate thoroughly and swiftly dispatch the imperial army to first annihilate Zhao Muyun and restore the Western Capital! This sinful subject is willing to serve as the vanguard, to atone for his crimes through meritorious service, and is willing to die ten thousand times over!"
Looking at Yang Yan, who was extremely agitated and vehemently opposed the argument, and then at the ministers who had been arguing incessantly, Li Jingang's brows furrowed even more deeply.
Feng Liang advocated for cautious probing, but the Ministry of War and Yang Yan firmly opposed it. The Ministry of Revenue was inclined to exploit the situation, while the Ministry of Rites was concerned about legitimacy…
Opinions are difficult to reach a consensus.
Yang Yan's return, while bringing more information about Zhao Muyun's strength, also introduced new factors of instability.
His vehement opposition, and the political forces that may still be behind him, will influence the decision-making process.
That's enough.
Li Jingang waved wearily, interrupting Yang Yan and several ministers who wanted to continue their advice. "This matter, allow me to consider it further. Yang Yan,"
Yang Yan quickly replied, "Your subject is here."
"You have had a long and arduous journey, and you have been quite frightened. Go back to your residence and rest. Without my decree, stay here and reflect on your mistakes. Do not go out unless necessary."
Li Jingang's tone was calm, yet it carried an undeniable air of house arrest.
Yang Yan's heart sank, knowing that His Majesty's decision not to punish him was already a sign of great leniency.
But their voice has been greatly diminished!
He could only kowtow in gratitude and, accompanied by a palace attendant, sadly withdrew from the side hall.
After Yang Yan left, silence fell once again in the side hall.
The pressure from the Northern Barbarians, Zhao Muyun's proposal, Yang Yan's return...
Various factors have combined to make the situation even more unpredictable.
Li Jingang rubbed his throbbing temples and looked at Feng Liang, who had remained silent: "Right Prime Minister, now... what do you think?"
Feng Liang pondered for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, although Prime Minister Yang's words were harsh upon his return, it is evident that he is wary of Zhao Muyun."
"My view remains unchanged. Whether or not peace talks take place depends not on whether Prime Minister Yang agrees or not, but on whether they are beneficial to our dynasty in resolving the current crisis. The Northern Barbarians are the most pressing issue."
As Yang Yan's arch-rival, Feng Liang was happy to see Yang Yan fall from grace.
If Yang Yan approves, he can simply oppose it; that's always the right thing to do.
He paused, then said in a low voice, "Perhaps a two-pronged approach is possible. On the surface, His Majesty can sternly refute Zhao Muyun's arrogant words to demonstrate the court's stance."
"Secretly, as I previously suggested, I will send a trusted confidant to make secret contact and ascertain their true intentions."
"If they are truly sincere, even if it is only to exchange for temporary peace on the border, or to bring back General Li Hu, it would be worthwhile."
"This matter must be kept absolutely secret, and those who know about it are limited to only a few people in this hall."
Li Jingang's eyes flickered, clearly weighing the feasibility of Feng Liang's plan.
This is indeed a plan that can both save face for the imperial court and effectively assess and utilize Zhao Muyun's proposal.
"This matter...I shall make the decision on my own."
After a long silence, Li Jingang slowly spoke, not making a decision immediately, but his tone already showed his intention, "If anyone leaves this hall after today's events and leaks even a single word, they will be executed without mercy!"
"Your Majesty, we obey!"
Several senior officials felt a chill run down their spines and responded in unison.
The night in Xi'an is deep!
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