"Yes, they dared to send troops out after less than a month of training. This is a complete act of suicide! Governor, please write an official document to the court and ask for the food and fodder to be returned."
"Yes, I will come back!"
Yuan Jixian suddenly calmed down after learning the whole story.
He slowly sat down on the stool, lost in thought.
I don’t know how much time passed.
He slammed his clenched fist on the table and said, "Order all troops to pack up their baggage and food and prepare to leave Jingzhou."
"ah?"
Everyone present was stunned.
It would be fine if you didn't attack, but why run away?
Lu Ding was the first to ask, "Why did Governor Yuan want to withdraw? The army still has ten days' worth of food and fodder. Moreover, our army has just recaptured Jingzhou and is in high spirits. We should take this opportunity to advance westward, recapture Zhijiang, and spy on Yiling."
"As long as Yiling is taken, even ten Li Dingguos will not be able to leave Sichuan and enter Chu."
"Yes, Governor, we cannot give up Jingzhou. Abandoning a city is a serious crime!"
The generals began to dissuade him.
Yuan Jixian did not explain immediately, but took out a map and placed it on the table.
"Everyone, let's not talk about the issue of food and grass for now. Li Yan is sending troops south from Chengtian Prefecture, aiming at Jingzhou; Li Dingguo is leading tens of thousands of elite troops downstream, also targeting Jingzhou."
"We are attacked from both sides. Our chances of winning are slim."
"Governor Yuan, Jingzhou city is strong and its artillery is powerful..." Lu Ding wanted to say something but was interrupted by Yuan Jixian.
"Jingzhou is not the main reason," Yuan Jixian stood up again, "The Jiannu invaded the pass and caused chaos. They just captured Yanzhou and captured Prince Lu some time ago. Prince Lu is a vassal king. Your Highness the Crown Prince cannot sit idly by. He will definitely find a way to draw troops from various tribes to the north to quell the rebellion."
"This is also the fundamental reason why His Royal Highness the Crown Prince sent the food and fodder to Ma Shiying."
After listening to Yuan Jixian's explanation, the generals stood there in silence.
Jingzhou, which we conquered with great difficulty, was handed over to others just like that.
I am so unwilling.
There is another deeper meaning in this matter, but Yuan Jixian did not say it out loud in order not to affect the morale of the army.
Although he and Ma Shiying were both officials of the imperial court, they were both responsible for recovering lost territories.
but...
He was an official appointed by the imperial court in Beijing.
Ma Shiying was from the Nanjing court.
Whoever recovers more lost territory will have greater merit!
The corresponding officials will also be favored!
Party strife...still party strife!
Yuan Jixian gave a helpless smile.
He never imagined that the party struggle would get to such an extent!
He actually transferred the food and fodder given to him to Ma Shiying for transportation.
Yuan Jixian laughed: "The city is dead, but people are alive. As long as people are there, even the strongest city can be breached. All units should follow the military order. If the court blames me, I will take the responsibility alone. It has nothing to do with you!"
The generals had no choice but to bow and turn back to the camp to prepare to withdraw from Jingzhou.
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