Shangjing City, Cining Palace.
Emperor Dezong and the Empress Dowager sat opposite each other. It seemed like an ordinary conversation between mother and son, but the atmosphere was a little tense.
A group of palace maids and eunuchs knelt outside the palace, not daring to make a sound.
The Empress Dowager's face was gloomy, and her tone was somewhat cold. "What is the Emperor thinking? Is he just going to let them continue like this? The country is in this crisis, and it is these people who are causing it. The Emperor cannot escape blame!"
Emperor Dezong frowned, "It's all my fault. I wasn't thoughtful enough. It's just that the time is not right yet."
The Empress Dowager's eyes turned cold, and her voice was filled with anger. "Then when does the Emperor say the time is right? If it weren't for your evil deeds back then, how could we have ended up like this today?"
Dezong lowered his eyes and remained silent.
The Empress Dowager said sadly, "I have never been involved in government affairs. Even back then... I only found out about it later. Emperor, have you been truly at peace all these years?"
Dezong said calmly, "Since your mother doesn't care about government affairs, why should you worry about it? Governing the country and balancing power are not as simple as you think."
The Queen Mother was furious. "I don't understand? After all, I've lived in the palace for so many years, what haven't I seen? I don't know how to govern a country, but I know that when people are united, even Mount Tai can be moved. As an emperor, you can't let your subjects down!"
Back then, your father favored Concubine Liu and was determined to make her son the crown prince. No one in the court dared to speak up for us mother and son. In the end, it was the Xie family's support that made your father give up the idea of changing the crown prince. Have you forgotten all this?"
Dezong's voice was dry. "One time, another time."
The Queen Mother felt disheartened. The man before her was a cold-blooded emperor, not her son. She waved her hand and said, "Forget it, the Emperor, there's no need to come to my place to show respect. Please go back."
Dezong stood up and said, "Restoration is recommended for Mother. I will not disturb you any longer."
The Queen Mother turned away.
As Dezong was about to leave the palace, the empress dowager called him again.
"Emperor, I understand the art of ruling, but do you understand the human heart?"
Dezong was stunned. Just as he was about to turn back, the Queen Mother had already returned to the inner hall, obviously not wanting to see him again.
Blue Moon Pass, the central military camp.
"A whole night has passed, is there still no news from General Xie?" Liu Sheng asked in a deep voice.
The sergeant replied, "Reporting to the commander-in-chief, the people sent to inquire about the news have not returned yet."
Liu Sheng's eyes darkened. This shouldn't be the case. General Xie, though young, was a composed man who would never do anything without confidence. How come he hadn't been there for so long and still hadn't heard from anyone?
Xie Wanyun's face turned pale. The battlefield was ever-changing, and no one could always win.
Looking at Yan Suizhi again, although his expression was normal, his clenched fists showed his inner tension.
Another two hours passed before the soldiers sent out to support them finally returned. As soon as they entered the tent, they shouted, "Marshal! General Xie was ambushed in Wugeng Mountain last night and has not yet emerged. Marshal, please send troops to support him!"
Xie Wanyun's blood rushed to her head. She swayed and nearly fell. Having grown up in the military, she knew all too well what it meant to be surrounded.
However, this was Liu Sheng's central military camp, and the army had its own rules, so she had no room to speak.
Liu Sheng was obviously surprised, and a hint of anxiety appeared on his usually calm face. Who could come to the rescue?
The troops were currently insufficient, and the new recruits lacked combat experience. Sending them to the rescue would be nothing more than sending their own heads. The few combat-capable units were already engaged at the front lines, leaving only a small squad of 100 men led by Captain Li within the pass. However, Captain Li had been severely injured in the previous battle, and had only just had several arrows removed by a military doctor. He was unable to fight under any circumstances.
There's no one available right now. It's all those corrupt and insensitive officials in the court who are ruining the country!
He repeatedly proposed strengthening the overall quality of the army and improving its combat capabilities, but these people always rejected it on the grounds that the financial constraints made the move meaningless. The direct consequence is the current situation: when faced with a powerful enemy invasion, there are no generals to send and no strong soldiers to resist, resulting in being defeated without any resistance.
General Xiao Xie is a rare military talent, both civil and military, brave and resourceful. Liu Sheng wants to cultivate him, but at the moment, who can go to the rescue?
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