Chapter 319: Danger at Zhennan Pass
However, this rare tranquility and joy is as fragile as the finest glass.
Before Yan Shixu put down the ivory chopsticks in his hand, a burst of hurried, almost panicked footsteps was heard outside the hall.
It was accompanied by the urgent shrill voice of the eunuch:
"Report! Urgent report from 800 miles! Urgent report from Zhennan Pass!"
The sound was like a basin of ice water poured over one's head in the cold winter, instantly freezing all the warmth, laughter, and the clinking of cups and plates in the Cining Palace.
Yan Shixu's heart sank suddenly, and his nerves, which had just relaxed, suddenly tensed like a full bowstring.
He stood up suddenly, and his movements were so fast that the brocade stool beneath him fell over.
He didn't even wait for Yongtai, who was standing beside him, to present the urgent report, but strode directly to the door of the hall.
A dusty and muddy messenger almost crawled into the hall.
"His Majesty!"
The messenger's hands trembled violently as he held up a military newspaper.
The envelope of the military newspaper exuded a strange smell mixed with blood, dirt and corruption.
"Your Majesty! General Luo, the commander of Zhennan Pass, has been infected with the plague and has been in a coma for over a few days... His life is in imminent danger!"
"Six days ago, Lord Su Muyang single-handedly pursued the Nanzhao Kingdom's 'Ghost King' Nong Zhigao into the poisonous miasma forest in search of an antidote. There has been no news since! I'm afraid... I'm afraid he's met with misfortune!"
"Chen Zhen, the former commander of Zhennan Pass, was also seriously injured in the fight with Nong Zhigao."
"Zhennan Pass is leaderless, and rumors have spread that the imperial court intends to abandon the pass and disregard the people of Jingzhou. This news has infuriated the people, and they have risen up in rebellion against the imperial court."
As the messenger finished speaking, several screams of terror rang out in the hall at the same time.
The blood drained from Yan Shixu's face, and the joy brought by the great victory at Shufeng Pass disappeared, leaving only a cold, terrifying iron blue.
He snatched the blood-stained urgent report, quickly tore open the seal, and quickly scanned the scribbled but shocking handwriting on it with his sharp eyes.
The signature is Wen Zhiyan.
The handwriting is so powerful that it can be seen through the paper, but it can't hide the anxiety underneath.
Wen Zhiyan said that he would do his best to stabilize the people of Jingzhou, and his wife Nangong Ziyun was also doing her best to treat Luo Yunzhen.
But Su Muyang... I'm afraid he won't be able to come back.
Yan Shixu's eyes were as deep as the abyss, as if a storm was brewing and swirling in them.
Poisonous miasma forest, just these three words are more frightening than a battlefield with swords and guns blatantly fighting and blood and flesh flying everywhere.
From Yan Shixu's understanding of Su Muyang, he seems to be careless on weekdays, but he is actually a man of great ambitions.
Over the years, he has been able to complete almost any task assigned to him successfully and has never put himself in danger.
The reason why he went into the poisonous forest alone to chase Nong Zhigao showed that he was sure of victory.
So what happened in the poisonous forest that caused him to misjudge and disappear for so many days?
Yan Shixu took a deep breath, his gaze fixed on the blood-stained urgent report as if to burn through the thin paper.
He didn't believe that Su Muyang died so easily.
If Luo Yunzhen were awake, he would definitely not believe it.
Only they know how much money the Su family has spent on Su Muyang.
I spent a lot of money and learned a lot of skills, including many life-saving skills.
It seems that the crisis in the southwest is far more dangerous and treacherous than originally expected.
He...needs to go there in person.
That night, Yan Shixu convened an emergency court meeting.
The atmosphere in the Golden Palace was completely different from that in the morning court.
The afterglow of the great victory at Shuofeng Pass was still there, but it was completely frozen by the urgent news from Zhennan Pass.
Yan Shixu sat high on the dragon throne, his face as gloomy as water. Amidst the astonished and doubtful gazes of his ministers, he clearly stated his decision to lead the army in person.
He wants to go to Zhennan Pass in person to meet the Nanzhao Ghost King Nong Zhigao!
This decision was like a huge rock thrown into a deep pool, instantly causing huge waves in the hall.
The voices of opposition rose one after another, almost drowning out the throne that symbolizes supreme power.
"Your Majesty! Absolutely not!"
Grand Tutor Xu Zhengwen was the first to stumble out and fall to his knees, his voice trembling with extreme anxiety.
"You are the emperor, your body is worth millions, and you are responsible for the country and the people. How could you lightly venture into such a dangerous place?"
"Zhennan Pass is plagued by epidemics and malaria, and Nong Zhigao is even more sinister and cunning, using poison and witchcraft!"
"If Your Majesty makes the slightest mistake, the foundation of the nation will be shaken, and the whole world will be shaken. I, your Majesty, will be held responsible even if I die!"
He kowtowed heavily, his forehead hitting the ground with a sound.
"Your Majesty! There are still seasoned generals in the court who are capable of fighting. Why should Your Majesty personally brave the arrows and stones?"
An old general who had not been on the battlefield for many years also hurried out and asked for orders with a fist clasped.
"Although I am old, I am willing to personally lead my elite troops and generals to rush to the aid of Zhennan Pass overnight! We will definitely crush the Nanzhao barbarian camp, capture Nanong Zhigao alive, and present him to the palace! Your Majesty, please take charge of the central government and make strategic plans!"
This old general was Zhou Zongyu, the mentor of the former Duke of Rong, Xie Heqi.
When he was young, he was also a general who protected the stability of the southwest.
Later, due to old age and physical weakness, he retired and only served as the commander of the cavalry division in the cavalry camp outside Beijing.
Responsible for cavalry training and combat command.
Yan Shixu naturally couldn't let this old general who was over seventy years old go to the battlefield again, so he rejected his request.
Civil servants were even more worried.
Lin Qingwen, the president of the Hanlin Academy, was heartbroken and almost in tears.
"Your Majesty, please think twice! The safety of the dragon's body is related to the survival of the country! A son of a wealthy family should not sit in the hall, let alone a king of ten thousand chariots."
"Poisonous epidemics are strange and difficult to prevent! Ancient texts record that nine out of ten people who leave a place afflicted by malaria never return! Your Majesty is the Lord of Dayan. How could you...how could you personally step into a place of death?"
However, Yan Shixu sat upright on the dragon throne, his dark dragon robe making his expression look even more stern.
His deep gaze slowly swept across the excited ministers. The imperial majesty contained in his gaze was like an invisible giant hand, which gradually calmed the noisy court, leaving only heavy breathing and oppressive silence.
Yan Shixu spoke slowly. His voice was not loud, and even had a hint of hoarseness from days of hard work, but every word was weighty and struck everyone's heart clearly.
"What you have said reflects your sincere concern for the country, and I am deeply comforted."
He paused, his eyes suddenly sharp as a knife.
"However, the danger at Zhennan Pass is not comparable to an ordinary battle."
"First, the raging epidemic has not only killed soldiers, but has also shaken the morale of the army and the people. Panic is spreading, and it cannot be contained without force."
"Secondly, the Ghost King Nong Zhigao uses poison as his weapon and blade. His actions are treacherous and unpredictable. It is difficult to deal with him unless you understand his sinister tricks!"
"Third, Commander Luo Yunzhen is in a coma and critically ill. Su Shaoyin is trapped in a desperate search for an antidote. The front lines are leaderless, morale is low, and the situation is precarious, with the threat of collapse imminent."
His voice suddenly rose, with a resolute decision:
"This situation cannot be resolved by a single general or commander! I must personally go to the front lines to rally the fragmented military and civilian morale, to intimidate the Nanzhao scoundrels with the power of the Son of Heaven, to command all the armies, to coordinate all available manpower and material resources, and to mobilize the world's famous doctors and extraordinary experts to break this deadlock and save my brothers!"
He glanced at faces that were either shocked, anxious, or thoughtful.
There was a determination in his eyes to burn his boats and move forward.
"My mind is made up, my lords... stop discussing it!"
"Your Majesty——!" Some ministers were still unwilling and tried to remonstrate again.
"Hmm?" Yan Shixu gave him a cold glance, with the majesty of an emperor that would not tolerate disobedience.
The minister trembled all over, the rest of his words got stuck in his throat, and he hung his head dejectedly.
The court was in dead silence, and you could hear a pin drop.
The emperor's mind is as solid as a rock, and no one dares to shake it in the slightest.
After the court was dismissed, Yan Shixu acted decisively.
He first went to the imperial study and solemnly entrusted the important task of supervising the country to the highly respected Taifu and Prince of Qian, Yan Shiqian.
Yan Shiqian has always been prudent. Although he was worried about Yan Shixu's going to the dangerous place in person, his face was solemn.
But he knew that the emperor had made up his mind and could not change it.
He lifted his robe and knelt on the ground, accepting the order solemnly in a steady and powerful voice.
"Your Majesty, rest assured! I will do my utmost to work together with the Grand Tutor to uphold the imperial order, stabilize the rear, and await Your Majesty's triumphant return! May Your Majesty... take good care of yourself!"
Yan Shixu patted his shoulder and then came to the Cining Palace.
Not only were the court officials awake tonight, but the harem was also as bright as day. The Empress Dowager had been waiting for a long time.
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(My dears, five chapters is the exception, two chapters is the norm.)
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