However, after speaking, Han Zhong paused for a moment before slowly opening his mouth. His voice was steady, which slightly cooled down the heated atmosphere in the hall:
“Your Highness, what Fan and Zhou have said are all the benefits of moving the capital!” He changed the subject, his gaze sweeping over Yinji and the other two, “But the matter of moving the capital is complicated and complex, and moving one thing can affect the whole situation.”
"Among them, there is one matter that is particularly crucial and requires utmost caution."
He paused briefly, as if carefully choosing his words, before finally speaking clearly: "That is... how should we settle the Emperor we have enthroned in Jinyang?"
As soon as His Majesty the Emperor appeared, the hall fell into complete silence; you could hear a pin drop.
Yinji's smile froze, and his fingers unconsciously tightened.
Yin Zhao, his eldest uncle, was an emperor who humiliated the country and was ashamed of his ancestors. If it weren't mentioned, I would have almost forgotten him.
He was currently in a secluded courtyard in Jinyang City, accompanied by Cao Chunfeng and protected by Xiao Wuying.
Although everyone in the Prince of Jin's mansion and the Grand General's mansion knew that he was just a figurehead, he still held the title of "Emperor".
If he were to be moved to Xijing as well, how would I, the "Prince of Jin," conduct myself?
Should we continue to submit to him?
But if we don't move, or... then how can we explain it to the world?
Will this give others a handle to use against us, and be seen as disrespectful to the imperial lineage of the Yin family?
Han Zhong, observing the changing expressions on Yin Ji's face, understood and continued:
"This matter is extremely sensitive. The Grand Commander's letter only mentioned that 'His Majesty the Emperor' also needed to move to Xijing, without specifying... what the follow-up would be."
"I believe this matter concerns the foundation of the nation and requires utmost care."
A sharp glint flashed in Fan Nan's eyes. He exchanged a glance with Han Zhong, then lowered his voice and stepped forward, saying:
"Your Highness, in my opinion, we should go with the flow."
“Since the Grand Commander has already stated that he will ‘welcome’ His Majesty to Xijing, we will use the pretext of ‘welcoming the Emperor’ and ‘returning to the old capital’ to properly ‘escort’ His Majesty, his close attendants, and the relevant palace staff and entourage to Xijing.”
"As for how ranks and positions will be determined after arriving in Xijing, and how court ceremonies will be arranged..."
Such an important matter is not something we can decide on our own. It should be decided jointly by the Grand Commander and the Prince, together with the imperial family members and important officials who have arrived in Xijing.
"Right now, all we need to do is ensure His Majesty's safe arrival."
Fan Nan's words were extremely tactful, but everyone in the hall understood their deeper meaning:
First, send Yin Zhao, this "hot potato," to Zhao Muyun. How to deal with him will be up to Zhao Muyun to lead and decide.
When Zhao Muyun accepted Yin Zhao to continue as emperor, and allowed the Prince of Jin to seize power and effectively sideline the emperor, he must have had his own plans.
If they act on their own initiative here, they will only delay Zhao Muyun's grand plan.
Upon hearing this, Yin Ji's tense nerves relaxed slightly, and he looked at Zhou Hong.
Zhou Hong pondered for a moment, then nodded slightly: "Prefect Fan's proposal... is a wise and experienced plan for governing the country, and it can be implemented for the time being."
The core problem of relocating the capital seems to have found a temporary solution.
Han Zhong then steered the conversation toward the imminent military pressure:
"Your Highness, the Grand Commander's letter also clearly states that Li Jingang is aware of the recapture of Xijing and, in his fury, has ordered Niu Desheng, Li Bao, and Li Biao's three divisions to launch a fierce attack on our Luzhou and Zezhou, and is preparing to send Ma Zongliang to lead a large force to retake Longmen Pass."
"The Grand Commander ordered us to hold the eastern front at all costs, so as to buy time for them to meet Ma Zongliang at Longmen Pass on the western front."
Zhou Hong replied with a solemn expression, "Your Highness, Commander Han and General Wang Ben are at Huguan, and General Zhang Huan is on the north bank of Zezhou. They have been fighting fiercely for many days!"
"Although we have temporarily stabilized the defensive line, the enemy has superior troop strength and is launching a relentless offensive. Our army has suffered considerable casualties and is consuming huge amounts of food and arrows. If this continues, I fear... it will be difficult to sustain."
Han Zhong walked to the huge map hanging in the sky, his gaze sweeping over Daizhou and Weizhou, and said in a deep voice:
"The Grand Commander's military campaign was not only unexpected, but also deeply deliberate. Look, he promoted Tian Qing to Grand Commander to replace Lin Feng in guarding Yunzhou and overseeing the defense of the northern frontier."
"The fact that Lin Feng was stationed in the prefectures east of the northwest is ostensibly for defense, but in reality, it is a preparation for an attack!"
"The Grand Commander placed Lin Feng here instead of directly ordering him to advance eastward, perhaps because he believed that we could rely on the existing forces in Hedong to at least temporarily stabilize the eastern front!"
He pointed to the marker representing the troops of Cao Jun and Liu Pan, the Left Army Commanders:
"Your Highness, the troops under the command of Cao Jun and Liu Pan, the Left Army Commander, are stationed in Dai and Wei prefectures. Their main pressure comes from Han Yanshou of Yanyun."
"However, Han Yanshou has recently fallen silent and made no move. I think we can draw some of his elite troops and send them south immediately to reinforce Huguan and Zezhou!"
Yinji's mind raced with calculations, and after a moment he looked up, his gaze resolute:
"Yes! Cao Cao and Liu Bei command brave and fierce warriors from Yan and Yun. We can select 10,000 elite troops from them to reinforce Wang Ben and Zhang Huan respectively!"
"But who will lead this army of ten thousand?"
“Let Commander Xiao Cheyun go!” Zhou Hong suggested. “Commander Xiao is experienced and has always worked well with Commanders Zhang and Wang.”
Upon hearing Xiao Cheyun's name, Yinji immediately understood Zhou Hong's meaning.
Nowadays, the battles of Xiazhou, Longyou, and Xijing are all won by generals from Zhao Muyun's Shuozhou faction. Generals from the Jinwangfu faction also need to show their faces.
"Very well! We shall do as Elder Zhou says! Commander Han, immediately order Cao Jun and Liu Pan to prepare for the handover of troops! Also, order Commander Xiao to come to see me immediately!"
"Yes, sir!" Han Zhong accepted the order.
With the military deployment agreed upon, Yinji took a deep breath, glanced at the three regents, and made his final decision:
"The relocation of the capital concerns the fate of the nation and must be addressed immediately without delay!"
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