Chapter 270 The War Begins
Guan Changliang, the defender of Beidi, was instigated to rebel by the people of Qi.
As a result of his rebellion, the Qi army easily captured the entire Zhou city.
The urgent report, which was delivered to Emperor Tai'an in an expedited manner over a distance of eight hundred miles, made his face look even colder than the first heavy snow falling outside the palace.
With so many things happening recently, the imperial court was actually prepared for war, but Guan Changliang's sudden surrender to the enemy was unexpected, and the consequences were unacceptable.
Emperor Tai'an urgently summoned important officials from various departments and mobilized troops to prepare for the northern expedition. This northern expedition had actually been planned long ago, including the cavalry battalion that had been in training, and the commander-in-chief had also been decided: the highly decorated general Xu Jing.
However, before the northern expeditionary army set out, urgent news arrived that a conflict had broken out on the border between Da Zhou and Yu Liu.
At the same time, Emperor Pingle's group, who were hiding in the south, suddenly showed up. While the nearby small town had not yet reacted, they seized the place in a lightning speed, and under the banner of restoring orthodoxy, they recruited militia to enhance their strength.
For a time, the Zhou Dynasty was surrounded by enemies and was in a precarious situation. In particular, two generals in the north brought their personal soldiers to defect to Northern Qi, which dealt a greater blow to people's hearts than the bloody riots.
Emperor Tai'an, who usually kept his emotions to himself in front of his ministers, smashed two teacups in a row to vent his anger.
Although the war was anticipated and preparations were made, when the day finally arrived, it was discovered that no amount of preparation would be enough.
People's hearts are often unexpected.
The situation in the north was dire, and the Minister of Personnel offered a suggestion: "Prince Jing has guarded the north for many years and has a good understanding of its generals. Given the current situation, I believe we can have Prince Jing stay in the north and fight the enemy together with General Xu..."
Although the kings have been in Beijing for more than ten years, the old officials in the court still remember that when Prince Jing was in the north, the people of Qi were relatively well-behaved and the frictions and disturbances were not serious.
Emperor Tai'an thought about it for a long time and accepted the suggestion.
The situation in the north was too dire. The Qi army was advancing like a broken bamboo, and the morale of our army was unstable. We needed someone who was familiar with the area and capable to take charge. Without a doubt, the most suitable person was Prince Jing.
Since the rebellion broke out, Emperor Tai'an has become more decisive and swift, and immediately summoned Prince Jing to the palace.
"I wonder why your royal brother called me here?" Prince Jing asked respectfully.
Emperor Tai'an looked at his younger brother who was a few years younger than him.
He still remembered that when Prince Jing first came to Beijing, he had a slim waist and a slender back, but later he became visibly fatter, and he liked him more and more.
Looking closely today, I find that he is thinner than I thought.
"Fifth brother has lost weight."
Prince Jing's face was bitter: "When the war breaks out, the soldiers bleed and the people suffer. Thinking about this, my brother can't eat."
Emperor Tai'an sighed, "I'm sorry to have caused my fifth brother to worry."
Prince Jing's heart stirred, and he had a vague suspicion. His face did not show any consolation: "The more times like this, the more you should relax. You are the pillar of our Great Zhou."
"The Great Zhou's stabilizing force?" Emperor Tai'an chuckled self-deprecatingly. "With a stabilizing force like that, how could things get so chaotic? Take my eldest brother, for example. I never imagined he was still alive, even raising troops under the pretext of restoring orthodoxy..."
As he said this, he looked at Prince Jing intently.
Prince Jing frowned the moment Emperor Tai'an mentioned Emperor Pingle: "He has the nerve to talk about restoring the orthodoxy. He almost ruined the Great Zhou..."
Prince Jing's reaction was mainly to reassure Emperor An, but there was also some truth in it.
In just two years, that prodigal son of my eldest brother lost ten cities. One of the cities was even given away during the peace talks after he won the battle.
When he learned the result of the negotiations, he could hardly believe his ears. If he had not fought the battle himself, he would have thought he had lost. He was so angry that he almost picked up a knife to chop off the head of his own negotiating official.
Especially when he was in the far-off north with a large army under his command, he had the urge to rush to the capital and overthrow that prodigal son.
But he just thought that it would be more comfortable for his family to live happily and freely in the north.
In general, on the one hand, Prince Jing was annoyed by Emperor Tai'an's suspicion, but on the other hand, he also had some understanding of his ambitious brother.
Prince Jing's reaction undoubtedly pleased Emperor Tai'an.
"Fifth brother really understands me!" Emperor Tai'an sighed and his voice deepened. "Fifth brother, I have something to ask of you."
Prince Jing's expression immediately grew serious: "It is my duty as a humble disciple to share my brother's worries."
Emperor Tai'an immediately suggested that Prince Jing go north.
Prince Jing knew clearly that Emperor Tai'an had been playing the emotional card for a long time just to get him to go to the north and work hard. If he thought there was room for refusal, he would be tactless.
He had no intention of refusing.
In the north, there are his old friends and subordinates, the people he once protected, and the people of Qi who he had dealt with for many years and had witnessed his brutality with their own eyes.
If he clung to the prosperity of the capital and waited until the Great Zhou was destroyed by Qi, that would be hell on earth, and it would be too late to regret. Even if this trip ended in the worst possible outcome, at least he had done his best. As for how to explain to his father in the afterlife after losing his kingdom, that was a matter for his eldest and fourth brothers.
Prince Jing immediately expressed his opinion.
The two brothers ended the conversation in an extremely friendly and harmonious atmosphere. Prince Jing returned to the palace, called his family together, and announced that he would go north to fight against Qi.
"Your Highness is heading north to fight?" Princess Jing panicked upon hearing this. "I've heard that the Qi people are in a strong position in the north, and our people have suffered heavy casualties. It's too dangerous for Your Highness to go. Can you please not go?"
Seeing Princess Jing's eyes redden, Prince Jing quickly brought up Emperor Tai'an: "This is the Emperor's wish. If I don't go, wouldn't that be disobeying his order?"
"But..." Princess Jing was reluctant, but had no choice. She took out a handkerchief and wiped the tears from her eyes. "We've lived in peace for so many years, why did it become so chaotic? The prince is already a grandfather, how could he endure the hardships of going to the battlefield..."
Prince Jing was not happy to hear this: "The children haven't started families yet, so it's too early for them to become grandfathers. There are many generals my age who have fought in many battles."
He is only in his early forties, how come he can't go to the battlefield!
Princess Jing's eyes, red from tears, glared: "Why do I hear that Your Highness is quite willing?"
"Hehehe, it's not true. This is the imperial order and it's hard to disobey. There's nothing we can do about it." Prince Jing quickly winked at his three children, signaling them to try and persuade him.
Qi Huan silently took a step back.
My words don't count as a person of low status, so I'd better give the important task of persuading others to my elder brother and younger sister.
Qi Shuo spoke up: "We all understand that mother is worried about father. Not only you, but us brothers and sisters are also worried about father going north to fight."
Princess Jing nodded repeatedly, thinking that Shuo'er was sensible.
"I will accompany my father on this northern expedition. I will protect him and not let my mother worry."
"Hmm...hmm?" Princess Jing reacted and raised her voice, "Shuo'er, what did you say?"
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