Nanjing.
After suffering a major defeat at Poyang Lake in Jiangxi, Gan Hui led his remaining navy down the Yangtze River to Nanjing.
At the same time, they also brought news of the rebellion of Jinhu Prefecture in Jiangxi back to Jinling City.
This immediately triggered panic within the Jinling court.
At this moment, the court was no longer as orderly as before. Many ministers were gathered in groups of three or five, discussing the surrender of Jinhu Prefecture in Jiangxi to Li Qin.
"Jin Hufu in Jiangxi has actually surrendered to the traitors, and now the entire Jiangxi has been taken over by the traitor Li."
"Yes, with Jiangxi falling to the traitor Li, our long-established defense line along the Yangtze and Gan Rivers has completely collapsed."
"Moreover, Jin Hufu actually launched a surprise attack on our navy in Poyang Lake before surrendering to the traitors."
Our naval strength has also been greatly weakened.
"I heard that General Yan is still guarding Jiujiang alone, facing the army of the traitor Li and the attack from the rebel Jin Hufu. His chances are probably slim."
"If the Ganjiang defense line collapses and Li's army continues to advance eastward, how will we resist them?"
Currently, in Jiangnan, we only have General Zhang Huangyan's 30,000-strong Jingying garrison, and tens of thousands of troops from He Tengjiao, Dong Zhonglou, and Li Jinglong who have submitted to us.
How can we hold onto Jiangnan under Li Ze's attack...?
At this moment, the atmosphere of despair permeated the main hall of the imperial court.
Every minister was filled with worry.
With a shout, His Majesty arrived.
The ministers, who had been scattered and filled with anxiety in the main hall, were relieved to hear that the emperor had arrived.
They all returned to their positions.
The orderliness of the court sessions was restored.
At this moment, Emperor Zhu Jianshen, who had arrived at the imperial court, also heard that Jin Hufu in Jiangxi had defected to the enemy.
He was extremely worried and completely ignored the disrespectful behavior of the ministers in groups of three or five in the main hall where they had just held court.
After Zhu Jianshen ascended the throne, the ministers below immediately stepped forward and said:
"Your Majesty, now Jinhu Prefecture in Jiangxi has surrendered to the enemy, and almost the entire territory of Jiangxi has fallen into enemy hands. Our navy has suffered heavy losses in Poyang Lake."
The situation is extremely urgent.
Zhu Jianshen had just sat on the dragon throne when he heard the words of the ministers below.
He looked at the ministers below and thought to himself, "I know the situation in Jiangxi better than you do. Do you need to tell me?"
He convened this grand court assembly for two reasons: first, to reassure the people, and second, to get them to come up with a good solution for him.
I don't want to hear you recount the terrible situation again.
Zhu Jianshen looked at the ministers below and asked:
"My esteemed ministers, do you have any good ideas?"
After he finished speaking, Skaf stood up and said:
"Your subject is willing to lead a large army to the important town of Anqing to resist the invasion of the traitor Li."
Faced with Shi Kefa's intervention, Zhu Jianshen quickly said:
"My dear minister, you are indeed a pillar of the nation. But now that you have gone to guard Anqing, who will assist me?"
Faced with the emperor's veiled attempt to retain him, Skelfa resolutely stated:
“Your Majesty, this is a critical moment for the survival of the nation. If Anqing falls, the court will be in grave danger. This is the time for me to repay Your Majesty’s great kindness.”
Zhu Jianshen sighed upon seeing Shi Kefa's resolute tone and did not continue to dissuade him.
Indeed, with the betrayal of Jin Hufu and the defection of Jiangxi to the rebels, the Ganjiang River defense line collapsed.
Someone definitely needs to defend Anqing. At this time, in terms of prestige in the court, no one is greater than Shi Kefa.
Moreover, he was the one who proposed building the Yangtze River and Ganjiang River defense line.
Now that the defenses have collapsed and failed to stop Li Ze, he should indeed take responsibility to salvage the situation.
After Skelfa finished speaking, a minister also stood up.
However, the minister who stepped forward did not speak immediately. Instead, after a moment of silence, he boldly spoke:
"Your Majesty, the traitor Li is now advancing south and east simultaneously, the Ganjiang River defense line has collapsed, and Nanjing is in imminent danger."
Your Majesty is advised to evacuate Nanjing first and seek refuge in the south. Only after the traitor Li has been defeated should Your Majesty return to Nanjing.
After the minister finished speaking, everyone present fell silent.
It was obvious that everyone was taken aback by his words.
Including the current emperor, Zhu Jianshen.
The ministers below all remained silent, for they could not fathom what the minister truly meant.
It was still Emperor Zhu Jianshen's idea; he just found a minister to say it for him.
Zhu Jianshen's face darkened after hearing the minister's words.
He then immediately ordered the guards to drag the minister out.
He fled from the capital, all the way from the north, to Nanjing.
Today, they actually want him to continue his escape south.
But once Nanjing falls, how can Jiangnan be saved?
Where can he run to?
Will Li Qin give up the search and continue the pursuit?
At the same time, losing Nanjing and Jiangnan meant he had completely lost the ability to recover lost territory.
His final fate will likely be to be caught up by Li Qin's army in a ravine, forest, or farmland.
He didn't want to become his father, a fish on Li Ze's chopping board.
Even if he ultimately fails, he will still await his demise in the palace as the Emperor of Great Wu.
So when faced with the suggestion that he flee south, he immediately ordered his guards to drag the minister away, demonstrating his determination to live and die with Nanjing.
Finally, it was decided that Emperor Zhu Jianshen would remain in Nanjing, while Grand Secretary Shi Kefa would lead the army to Anqing to resist the continued attack of Li's army.
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