Chapter 578 The Importance of Taiyuan
Just as Shang Ruyi was in shock, Yuwen Ye's eyes flashed as he looked intently at Shen Wuzheng: "Brother Fuming, you thought of that too?"
"..."
Shen Wuzheng paused for a moment, then said, "I have thought of it, but it's a problem that has always been in front of us."
"..."
"Taiyuan is the birthplace of the Grand Chancellor. Even now, your younger brother is still stationed in Taiyuan with a large number of troops, which shows the importance of that place."
"..."
"And the importance of Taiyuan is not only due to its significance to the Grand Chancellor."
Pei Xingyuan's eyes widened: "What do you mean?"
Shen Wuzheng said, "Luoyang, the eastern capital, is rich and prosperous. Now it has fallen into the hands of Liang Shide. In addition, he has the Turks backing him. If the dynasty wants to unify in the future, how to recover Luoyang will be a huge problem. At least for now, it seems that peaceful means and persuasion will not be able to recover Luoyang. The only thing that can be done is to send troops."
"..."
"However, Liang Shide has hundreds of thousands of troops, and with his alliance with the Turks, it will not be easy to send troops to recover the lost territory. If this drags on, the east and west will be divided, and the dynasty will never be unified again."
"..."
"With Taiyuan, the situation changes. The Grand Chancellor can use Taiyuan as a base to launch a two-pronged attack on the Eastern Capital. But if Taiyuan is lost—"
He stopped there, but the implications were clear.
Yuwen Ye nodded and said, "Although Daxing City has just experienced a plague and people's hearts are unstable, the city is still well-fortified and has hundreds of thousands of troops stationed there. Even if Ashina Shali wanted to use force against us, it wouldn't be so easy."
"..."
"But Taiyuan is different. If he wants to use force against Taiyuan, it will be much easier for him. It will be a heavy blow to us and will leave countless future troubles."
"..."
"so--"
Pei Xingyuan said, "So, we should send troops to help Taiyuan?"
"..."
As soon as he said that, the room fell silent again.
Seeing Yuwen Ye and Shen Wuzheng exchange a glance, their eyes flickering, yet clearly revealing deeper emotions, Pei Xingyuan frowned and asked, "What? Something's not right?"
Yuwen Ye paused for a moment, then said, "If we send troops to help Taiyuan, and then the Western Turks attack Daxing City, what should we do?"
"...!"
Pei Xingyuan suddenly opened his eyes wide.
He lowered his head and thought for a moment, as if coming to his senses, and said softly, "You mean—"
Shen Wuzheng said, "Ashina Shali is treacherous and cunning, but it cannot be denied that he is a brilliant strategist. Before, in Yanmen County, he took the late emperor by surprise and besieged him for several days. This time, his gesture of sending troops does not necessarily mean that he will send troops, nor does it necessarily mean that he will send troops to a specific place."
"..."
After he said just a few words, Pei Xingyuan's mind was already in a bit of a mess.
After a long pause, he said, "So, you mean—we're in a dilemma, whether we send troops or not?"
Shen Wuzheng glanced at him helplessly, then looked at Yuwen Ye. Pei Xingyuan reacted quickly, knowing that the matter of military affairs would ultimately fall into Yuwen Ye's hands, so he immediately turned to look at him: "What do you say?"
Yuwen Ye said, "Brother Fuming's words make sense."
"..."
"It's even possible that he will send troops after we have already reacted."
"..."
"If we really send troops to help Taiyuan, then Daxing City will be his for the taking."
Although his words made the reasoning clear, they only gave Pei Xingyuan more of a headache. He couldn't help but frown and asked irritably, "Then, what's the matter?"
"..."
"So, even if Princess Qiancheng wrote that letter to us, it would be of no use at all?"
Yuwen Ye immediately replied, "Of course not."
"That--"
"Daxing City is absolutely not to be compromised, so the troops here cannot be mobilized too much. As for Taiyuan City—it is well-fortified, with well-trained soldiers and sufficient supplies. As long as we hold it, there shouldn't be any major problems."
"..."
"The best way is to write a letter to Yan Jie, telling him to be cautious. If the Western Turks really attack Taiyuan, the existing troops can hold out for several months without any problem. When that time comes, Daxing City can send troops to help, and there will be no risk of failure."
Shen Wuzheng nodded and said, "This is the safest method at present."
"..."
"Now that the Duke's important matter is approaching, it is not advisable to mobilize a large army for the time being, otherwise it will cause turmoil in the court. Even worse, if it attracts the covetousness of other rebel armies and they besiege Daxing City, then our troubles will be even greater."
"..."
"Therefore, the safest approach is to strengthen the defenses of Taiyuan and remain calm and wait for the enemy to make their move in Daxing."
Hearing him say that, Pei Xingyuan understood.
Yuwen Yuan's important matter—which is what they have been hoping for all along—is the oath that the eldest princess made in court that day: if a disaster really occurs, and if the Yuwen family really helps the people and relieves their suffering, the emperor should abdicate in favor of Yuwen Yuan!
This plague is exactly as the saying goes, "When a comet appears, disaster strikes." However, thanks to the governance of the two young masters of the Yuwen family, the plague has gradually been eradicated, and the patients have recovered one after another. Once the patients in Chang Le Fang have all recovered and left the city, they will begin to work on the important matter of Yuwen Yuan's ascension to the throne and becoming emperor!
Such major events often also signify more challenges and difficulties.
And an even greater crisis.
In this situation, it is indeed best to play it safe.
At this moment, Yuwen Ye raised his head and looked at Shang Ruyi sitting opposite him. Today, she was unusually silent. Although she was not usually a talkative person, she never belittled herself because of her status as a woman when it came to important discussions. On the contrary, she often actively participated in them.
What happened today?
Seeing that Shang Ruyi's face was still somewhat pale, Yuwen Ye frowned slightly. Just as he was about to say something, he saw Shang Ruyi take a deep breath, as if she had finally calmed her heartbeat, and then look up at him: "Then, do you want to report to Father?"
Yuwen Ye glanced at her and said, "Of course."
"..."
"However, I think Father was also considering this matter with several other senior officials last night, and if nothing unexpected happens, the result will be the same."
"..."
"Therefore, it would have been best if the letter had been sent by the father."
Shang Ruyi nodded.
Just then, Pei Xingyuan looked up at the two of them, then at Shen Wuzheng on the other side, and suddenly said in a very subtle tone, "Actually, have you ever thought that we might have a more reliable way?"
"...?!"
Everyone was taken aback.
Shen Wuzheng also opened his eyes wide and looked at him, thinking that he was going to make a joke again, but he saw that his expression was solemn and he was extremely serious.
Shen Wuzheng asked, "Is there any other way that would be even safer?"
Pei Xingyuan said, "Didn't we find someone who can predict the future?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com