Chapter 645 With worries on one's mind
"The King of Han?!"
Everyone in the lobby was taken aback.
Although he knew Yuwen Ye wouldn't joke about military matters, Shen Tu Tai couldn't understand it no matter how hard he tried. He said in a deep voice, "We haven't planted any spies on the eastern front yet, so we don't know where His Highness the Prince of Han is. But if he has really approached Taiyuan, why doesn't he attack Taiyuan directly? Instead, he went to Shouyang to block the Western Turks' reinforcements?"
The other deputy generals also nodded in agreement.
"Yes, for the King of Han, it would be more advantageous to attack Taiyuan directly."
"If the King of Han's forces can capture Taiyuan, the city walls are strong and will provide excellent defense against the Western Turkic cavalry. Even if reinforcements arrive, they won't be able to take them down. Moreover—"
The man didn't say the rest.
But everyone knew what he was going to say.
Moreover, Yuwen Yuan offered a clear reward for the successful recapture of Taiyuan: the position of Crown Prince. Whoever captured Taiyuan first would be appointed Crown Prince.
Having already made a mistake, Yuwen Qian, the eldest son who was only granted the title of King of Han, could not possibly relinquish this position.
Hearing everyone say this, Yuwen Ye remained calm and said, "Although my elder brother has never led troops in battle before, he is very clear-headed. The matter of the Western Turks reinforcing their troops has always been a major concern for our two forces attacking Taiyuan. It is impossible for him not to pay attention to the movements of this force. Even we know that the Western Turks have arrived in Shouyang, so he must know as well."
"yes."
"If he attacks Taiyuan directly at this time, and fails to capture it, and the Western Turks attack from behind, wouldn't he be attacked from both sides?"
"..."
"Therefore, the best approach is to first deal with the Western Turks' reinforcements, and then launch a full-scale attack on Taiyuan."
Hearing him say this, everyone suddenly realized what he meant.
Yuwen Ye continued, "However, this is not the reason why he must block the Western Turks' reinforcements."
"...?"
Everyone was stunned again, looking at him in surprise: "Then, why?"
Yuwen Ye said, "Shouyang is his hometown."
Shang Ruyi, who had been quietly listening to the conversation inside, took another deep breath. She was right, but Yuwen Ye's name was more euphemistic. To be precise, Shouyang was not Yuwen Qian's hometown, but the Dong family's hometown, which was the hometown of Yuwen Qian's mother, Madam Dong.
Therefore, this place must be very special to him.
After everyone had been thinking quietly for a while, Shen Tu Tai’s deep and resonant voice rang out: “Your Highness, Prince Qin.”
"Um?"
"It's not that I'm trying to shut you up, but if Your Highness the Prince of Han really goes to Shouyang to block the Western Turks' reinforcements, wouldn't that create a convenience for us?"
"..."
"Did he know—did he really do it?"
"..."
Upon hearing his words, the crowd, who had initially been somewhat convinced, began to waver.
Indeed, if it weren't for Yuwen Ye's troops, and it were only Yuwen Qian who sent troops to recapture Taiyuan, then he could have easily besieged the city and attacked the Western Turks' reinforcements first, and then concentrated his forces to attack Taiyuan. However, with the reward of the position of crown prince in front of him, his going to Shouyang was tantamount to giving Yuwen Ye the opportunity to attack Taiyuan first.
Did Yuwen Qian not consider this point?
"..."
This time, Yuwen Ye remained silent for a long time, so long that everyone thought he wouldn't answer. Just as Shang Ruyi was about to walk in, he finally spoke.
"He will."
"..."
"Because of him, I have something on my mind."
"...?"
Upon hearing his words, no one spoke, but a sense of doubt and disbelief gradually spread among them.
Can someone with worries in their heart really give up even the position of crown prince?
At this moment, Lei Guo's voice rang out softly: "Your Highness—Your Highness, will you abandon the attack on Taiyuan because of your concerns?"
For some reason, this is not really a problem. Everyone knows that Yuwen Ye is a person who prioritizes the greater good and has no other distractions. Moreover, his desire for the position of Crown Prince has existed since before Yuwen Yuan ascended the throne. How could such a person give up attacking Taiyuan to compete for the great reward of the position of Crown Prince because of his own concerns?
However, Shang Ruyi's heart suddenly stopped.
The atmosphere in the lobby froze for a moment.
The next moment, Lei Guo said, "Your Highness, please forgive me. I misspoke."
Lei Guo is Lei Yu's cousin, and judging from their previous private meeting, he and Yuwen Ye have a deeper brotherly bond. Just now, he probably sensed something and asked that question rashly, but he immediately came to his senses. Now that Yuwen Ye is the Prince of Qin, his thoughts are no longer something that ordinary people can fathom.
Therefore, he immediately retracted his question.
However, the somber atmosphere in the hall did not dissipate. Although the matter of the military report seemed to have come to an end, Yuwen Ye's silence on this question continued, only his silence revealed a hint of... anger.
At this moment, Shang Ruyi calmed down.
She had chased after Yuwen Ye to explain some things, but now, with the people inside still discussing matters like attacking Taiyuan, she was in a hurry to talk about personal matters.
Putting aside whether it's appropriate or not, it's simply absurd.
Thinking of this, although she was still worried—after all, Shen Wuzheng's safety was never a small matter in her heart—she really couldn't bring up the Changchun Palace matter again in front of so many soldiers who were worried about the war in Taiyuan. She could only barely convince herself to wait until after today to bring it up with Yuwen Ye.
And then there's that misunderstanding between them...
Thinking this, she sighed softly and turned to walk back.
At this time, the sky became a little brighter, and the surrounding lanterns were extinguished one after another. Shang Ruyi slowly walked back to her room in the flickering light, but she did not notice that a messenger soldier was rushing hurriedly towards the council hall from another road.
When I got back to my room, I saw Wo Xue standing in the center of the room as soon as I entered.
She turned her head in a panic to look at Shang Ruyi, her eyes red-rimmed, her face showing a mixture of shock and grief, which made Shang Ruyi's heart sink.
She instinctively held her breath: "What's wrong?"
"Your Majesty, Your Highness..."
Wo Xue looked at her, trembling, tears welling up in her eyes, about to fall.
Her voice was hoarse as she whispered, "Just now, news came from the rear. They told me to come and tell the Princess that something has happened at Changchun Palace!"
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