Chapter 791 A Dream of Youth 323
Prefect Zhang, who rushed over, tried his best to dissuade him, saying, "The Northern Jin people have broken the alliance and invaded Zhou under the pretext of Hu Xin. If you return south at this time, the morale of the army will definitely be shaken, my lord!"
Once Hebei falls, the enemy army will be able to roam freely across the vast plains as if they were in an empty land.
"The route through Zhen Ding is naturally blocked by towering mountains in the northwest, forming a barrier between the Han Chinese and the barbarians. This terrain is extremely advantageous for defense. As long as you hold your ground and use defensive tactics along Jingxing and the Hutuo River to wear down the Northern Jin army, we will be able to encircle and annihilate them when reinforcements arrive from all directions..."
Yu Tong directly addressed Prefect Zhang's words, "Prefect, I am the Pacification Commissioner, my duty is to pacify, and defending the territory is your duty! Moreover, Taiyuan has already come to Zhengding for help, Prefect Zhang, who else do you expect to come to your aid?"
Upon hearing this, Prefect Zhang knew that the other party had made up his mind to flee south. Feeling saddened, he stopped trying to dissuade him and instead prepared to return to the prefectural office to make preparations for defense.
Yu Tongneng could return to the capital without any hesitation, but he couldn't bring himself to abandon the city and flee.
As soon as he turned around, Prefect Zhang couldn't help but ask, "Since Pacification Commissioner Yu is returning to the capital, Zhending must be defended. How many soldiers does Pacification Commissioner Yu plan to leave to guard the city?"
"I am still discussing this matter with other generals. Prefect, you can go back and wait for news."
This means he doesn't want to talk to him anymore. Prefect Zhang understands Yu Tong quite well. He closed his eyes, his eyes filled with sorrow. Yu Tong's departure this time will inevitably take tens of thousands of soldiers with him. At that time, Zhen Ding will have no soldiers to defend it. Under the iron hooves of the Northern Jin, what will be lost is not just one city, but the country behind it!
"Sir, watch your step."
The junior official who had come to dissuade him helped the staggering Prefect Zhang up and suddenly noticed that the usually composed Prefect Zhang had become somewhat hunched over.
Prefect Zhang clutched his chest, gripping the junior official's sleeve tightly. "Go, go find someone!"
He couldn't stop Yu Tong from fleeing south, so he had to choose the commander who would stay behind to defend the city! If they could hold out until reinforcements came from the capital or other places, then the city would surely be saved.
"Whom are you looking for, sir? Please tell me."
"Wan Bingchen, only he can defend the city..." This winter is really too cold.
News from Hedong reached the capital amidst the swirling snowflakes, but it was like a drop of water falling into boiling oil, causing chaos and upheaval in the capital. The emperor was distraught upon hearing the news, but he still managed to hold court and discuss countermeasures with his ministers and business associates.
After last year's western expedition, the Great Zhou's energy had not yet recovered. At this time, the urgent reports that came were not only from Taiyuan and Zhengding, but also from Luzhou. Previously, the rebel army in Luzhou had seized the city and killed a prefect, so the court sent people to suppress it.
Not long after, the enemy regained strength, and people from Shu rushed over to ask for help.
Hearing the emperor's outburst, none of the ministers dared to speak. Only after the emperor's anger subsided did they step forward to discuss countermeasures. Sending troops to reinforce the capital was not so simple. The troops in the capital were absolutely not to be moved, and as for the troops in other regions, that would be difficult as well.
After talking for a long time, the emperor seemed to remember the miraculous medicine that the pharmacy had recently developed. He summoned Jiang, the chief physician, to ask about it. When he heard that there wasn't much medicine available, the emperor snorted coldly, "Then hurry up and make the medicine. If you delay the battle, I will hold you responsible!"
Speaking of this medicine, the emperor remembered Xie Ning, who was still in Bingzhou, which is Taiyuan. After all the other ministers left, he kept Xie Wangzhi behind and told Xie Ning and the others about the matter.
The emperor comforted her, saying, "Minister Xie, there is no need to worry. General Xu has already sent people to search for her. Xie Ning is a blessed child; she will surely turn danger into safety and return safely."
The emperor also felt a little guilty, after all, Xie Ning was someone he had sent there.
Xie Wangzhi tried to force a smile, but couldn't manage one. With Hedong in such chaos, he dared not think any further. No wonder he had been restless these past few days, and Xueqiu had long since disappeared.
The family kept it a secret from everyone, and by calculation, the day Snowball disappeared was the same day Xie Ning went missing.
The book says that white wolves are auspicious omens, and Xie Wangzhi is willing to believe it now. He only hopes that this auspiciousness will bring blessings to his daughter. He asks for nothing else but peace.
The ministers outside had not all left yet; they were gathered in twos and threes talking, and many people were surrounding the Minister of Revenue, not for any other reason than to ask for money!
The Minister of Revenue was so angry that his beard bristled. When everyone saw Xie Wangzhi come out with a deathly pale face, they all fell silent. Even the minister who wanted to greet Xie Wangzhi kept quiet.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
