Chapter 197: Expedition
"Crown Prince Murong Qi, who colluded with the traitor Da Gan, intends to kill his father and usurp the throne. He deserves death!"
Murong Feng glanced around, his voice filled with majesty and murderous intent, "I, the king, am following my father's secret orders to purge the emperor and restore order to the country. You are all warriors of the Northern Di. Do you intend to follow the traitor and betray your country for glory?"
After a moment, someone dropped their weapon first, knelt on one knee, and shouted, "Long live His Highness the Third Prince! We are willing to fight to the death!"
The clatter of weapons hitting the ground, the rubbing of armor, and the sounds of kneeling and bowing rang out one after another, eventually merging into a thunderous roar of allegiance: "I will fight to the death, and may Your Highness live forever!"
Murong Feng's cold gaze swept across the surrendered army, and a barely perceptible curve appeared at the corner of his mouth.
He pointed in the direction of Dagan, his voice suddenly rising: "Emperor Lu Bing of Dagan is foolish and incompetent. He persecutes loyal officials, causing chaos in the government and suffering for the people."
"This is a heaven-sent opportunity. Warriors of the Northern Di, follow me and march straight to Chuzhou and across the Central Plains. Use your military exploits to earn the glory and rewards you deserve!"
The 100,000-strong army was like a torrent, and under the leadership of Murong Feng, they encountered almost no decent resistance.
Within just one day of sending troops, Chuzhou City surrendered without any effort.
The news seemed to have wings, as if it was deliberately manipulated, and it was transmitted back to the capital of Dagan at an astonishing speed.
On the third day, the tragic news of the capture of three cities was like three thunderclaps that struck the hearts of the civil and military officials in the Golden Palace.
"Report! Chuzhou has fallen!"
"Report! Jingyang has fallen! The defending general died for his country!"
"Report! Pingling Pass has been lost! The Northern Di vanguard is less than three hundred miles from the capital!"
Blood-stained military reports were delivered to the court by seriously wounded postmen at the risk of their lives. Every cry was like a death knell, shocking all the civil and military officials in the court to the point of paleness and trembling like sieves.
"Less than three hundred miles?"
Lu Bin, who was sitting on the dragon throne, suddenly stood up, his body shaking violently, his eyes full of disbelief.
"How is that possible? What are the Chuzhou garrison doing? Where did the Northern Di army of 100,000 come from? Why was there no warning at the border?"
"Your Majesty, the most urgent task is to dispatch troops to meet the enemy." An old minister stepped forward tremblingly. "The northern barbarians are advancing with great force. We must immediately dispatch a general to lead the army to stop them, otherwise the capital will be in danger."
"General, there is no general."
Lu Bin practically roared, his voice distorted by fear. "Duke Qin is seriously ill, and He Ning... He Ning is still searching for his fiancée, who's nowhere to be found. Tell me, who can lead the troops? Who can?!"
His eyes scanned the palace frantically. Those civil and military officials who usually talked big and fought for power now lowered their heads deeply, wishing they could shrink into the cracks in the ground.
Everyone knows that going out at this time is tantamount to seeking death.
At most, 50,000 soldiers could be mobilized at one time, and it was simply a fantasy to fight against 100,000 Northern Di cavalry.
Lu Bin's gaze swept around and finally landed on Qin Xiu, the only one still standing straight with a stern expression, and Pingjiang Hou Yu Lin, who was standing in the queue of civil servants, also with a pale face but trying to remain calm.
"Qin Xiu!"
Lu Bin, grasping at straws, spoke urgently, "I promote you to the rank of First-rank General Zhenbei, commanding the troops of the capital. Immediately mobilize fifty thousand... no, thirty thousand troops to march out of the city to meet the enemy. You must keep the Northern Di barbarians a hundred miles outside the capital!"
"Yu Lin." He pointed at the Marquis of Pingjiang, who was trying to minimize his presence. "I appoint you as deputy general to assist General Qin. And your son, Yu Sheng, right? I remember he's also been training in the army and has been appointed captain of the vanguard. The time has come for you and your son to join the army and serve our country."
This order was child's play.
A temporary promotion and hastily assembled troops allowed a son of a noble family and an old marquis who had been away from the battlefield for a long time to fight against an army of 100,000 fierce soldiers.
All the civil and military officials in the court were shocked, but no one dared to speak out in opposition.
Qin Xiu stepped out of the group with an expressionless face, knelt on one knee, and said in a voice as cold as iron: "Your Majesty, I obey your command!"
Yu Lin's eyes went dark and he almost fainted, but his son Yu Heng held him tightly behind him.
Yu Sheng's face turned even paler, but looking at his father and brother, and thinking of his newlywed wife Jiang Yuerou, he could only grit his teeth and follow out, his voice trembling: "I will obey your orders."
Lu Bin didn't care whether they were willing or not. As if he could be assured by giving orders, he waved his hands repeatedly: "Quickly mobilize the troops. We must not let the barbarians get close to the capital."
Qin Xiu said no more. He stood up and took a deep look at the panicked emperor on the dragon throne. He turned around and strode out of the Golden Palace, his clothes forming a cold arc behind him.
Yu Lin and Yu Sheng staggered out under the gaze of their pale-faced colleagues.
After Qin Xiu led his troops out of the capital, the atmosphere in the capital became even more depressing, as if a sword was hanging over everyone's head.
Lu Bin became a completely frightened bird. He locked himself in the palace with layers of guards and even skipped court meetings. He felt that everyone he saw wanted to harm him.
"Summon He Ning to the palace immediately!" he shouted at the eunuch.
Soon, He Ning, looking exhausted and anxious, was led in.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you."
"He Aiqing, please stand up! Please stand up quickly." Lu Bin almost rushed over and grabbed He Ning's arm, his voice trembling. "What's the situation outside the city? Qin Xiu might be blocking it. I am really worried."
He Ning's face showed heaviness and helplessness at the right time: "Your Majesty, the Northern Di are powerful, with three times more troops than me. Although General Qin is brave, I am afraid he can't handle it alone. I was just searching for Qingning's whereabouts, and I heard..." He paused, looking even more worried.
"What did you hear?" Lu Bin asked nervously.
He Ning seemed to have made up his mind and lowered his voice, saying, "I heard that the Northern Di army is advancing so rapidly this time because their commander Murong Feng is extremely cunning and ruthless in his tactics. No ordinary general can match him. I'm afraid the only one in our Da Gan who can compete with him is..."
"Only who?" Lu Bin's eyes lit up and he was impatient.
"The only ones who are far away in Lingnan are General Jiang Baichuan and his son Jiang Qinghuai." He Ning spoke clearly, word by word.
"Jiang Baichuan?"
Lu Bin was stunned, and a look of complexity and embarrassment flashed across his face for a moment.
That was the old general who was framed by him, promoted in name only and demoted in reality, and exiled to Lingnan for nearly ten years. Now he wanted him to invite him back?
He Ning seemed oblivious to his awkwardness and continued earnestly, "General Jiang has guarded the southern border for many years, and his reputation is legendary. He commands troops with mastery. Major General Jiang Qinghuai is even more valiant than any other general in the army, possessing the courage of ten thousand men. If the two of them could return to the capital to lead the troops, they would surely be able to repel the Northern Di and ensure the safety of our great nation, Your Majesty."
Lu Bin was moved.
The strong desire to survive instantly overwhelmed that insignificant pride, but he immediately frowned again: "But Lingnan is thousands of miles away from here. It will take at least two months to go back and forth. I'm afraid by then..."
I'm afraid the capital has already been named Murong.
At this moment, the eunuch's shrill voice sounded outside the palace: "The Imperial Concubine, His Royal Highness Prince Yong requests an audience!"
"Let them in!"
Concubine Qin and the fourth prince Lu Yong walked in quickly.
Concubine Qin's makeup was exquisite, but she could not hide the fatigue and worry in her eyes. Lu Yong's face was filled with sorrow as he worried about the country and the people.
"Your Majesty, may your father live in peace and happiness."
"My beloved concubine, Yong'er, you've arrived just in time," Lu Bing said anxiously. "Minister He was just suggesting that I summon Jiang Baichuan and his son back to the capital to fight the enemy, but the journey is long..."
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