Tang Dynasty Mingyue Song Dynasty Pass

Chapter 854 Reactions from all parties
The tragic news of the Song army's defeat swept through the city of Bianliang like a cold wind, instantly shrouding this prosperous capital city in solemnity and anxiety.

Over the past ten years, the imperial army of the Song Dynasty had been invincible and victorious, which had given rise to a sense of pride and even arrogance among the northern scholars, who all thought that it would be easy to take down the southern regime. The imperial army should have defeated the Wu army like an autumn wind sweeping away fallen leaves, but they did not expect that reality would give the Song people a loud slap in the face in such an ironic way.

In just one month, the Huainan area was lost. What was even more shocking was that Emperor Zhao personally led 300,000 elite Song troops southward, but suffered an unprecedented defeat in Shuyang, Huaibei. The 200,000 main imperial troops, the backbone of the Song Dynasty, had lost more than half, which had an immeasurable impact on the situation of the Song Dynasty.

"What on earth is going on? Why did the Wu army suddenly become so powerful?"

People were talking about it in the streets and alleys, with disbelief and confusion written all over their faces.

"It's really puzzling. The Wu Kingdom is just a patchwork of people from Qian Yue and Li Tang. We have always regarded those southerners as weak forces. Why are they so brave this time?"

"Could it be that everything has become different because of Jiang Zuo Su Lang leading the troops?" When people mentioned Su Chen, their tone was full of awe and curiosity.

"This Su Chen is simply the reincarnation of the military god Han Xin!"

There was an endless stream of praise, and many people of the Song Dynasty admired this mysterious general.

Not only was the news spreading in the streets and alleys of Bianjing City, but even the imperial palace was discussing the matter.

Because Zhao Kuangyin was not in the capital, Zhao Dezhao did not summon his ministers to the magnificent Golden Palace, but chose the Wende Hall as the place for discussing politics.

At one time, civil officials and military generals came in droves. Civil officials such as Vice-President Xue Juzheng, Dou Yi, Zhang Zhao, Lu Duosun, and Three-Department Envoy Zhao Xinlian were among them; Deputy Envoys of the Privy Council Li Chugeng and Zhao Changyan, as well as military generals such as the imperial guards generals Zhang Yongde, Zhang Hui, and Fu Yanqing also gathered together.

Of course, Prince of Jin Zhao Guangyi was also present. He stood calmly among the ministers with a deep gaze.

Although Zhao Dezhao had just reached the age of twenty, he already had the aura of an emperor. However, facing this unprecedented predicament, he still seemed a little immature.

He sincerely asked for advice from the ministers, with a hint of imperceptible anxiety in his voice: "My lords, you are all the pillars of our Song Dynasty. Now the Wu army is unstoppable and has entered the Jianghuai area. Most of Huainan has fallen into the hands of the enemy, and Huaibei is also in danger. Bad news just came from the front line. Our imperial army suffered a heavy blow. My father has personally led the army to join Marshal Cao Bin and is trying his best to integrate the troops. However, the Wu army is also constantly reinforcing. With the current troops alone, it is difficult to shake the Wu army's edge. Therefore, we need to transfer another 100,000 troops from the capital and rush to Linhuai for support."

After saying this, Zhao Dezhao swept his gaze across the faces of his ministers one by one, hoping to find a hint of a way out of the impasse from their expressions.

After hearing this, all the ministers looked solemn, with anxiety and uneasiness revealed between their brows that were difficult to conceal.

This situation is indeed a challenge they have never encountered before.

Zhao Guangyi's face also showed an unconcealable worry. He knew that the prosperity of the Song Dynasty was the source of the value of his position as King of Jin. If the Song Dynasty was in turmoil, his ambitions and careful planning would probably be in vain, like the moon in the water and the flower in the mirror, untouchable.

At this moment, he had mixed feelings. He hoped that his royal brother could cheer up, turn the tide and defeat Su Chen. He also secretly hoped that both sides would fight to a loss, so that he could take advantage of the opportunity and reap the benefits.

However, as soon as this thought flashed through his mind, he shook his head secretly. At present, Su Chen was not only a strong enemy of the Song Dynasty, but also a direct threat to his personal interests.

Zhao Guangyi's eyes finally fell on Li Chugeng, the deputy envoy of the Privy Council. He asked in a deep voice: "Lord Li, given the current situation, how many troops can we mobilize to support the front line without affecting the defense against the Northern Han and Khitan?"

Upon hearing this, Li Chugeng frowned, and after thinking for a moment, he slowly replied: "Your Highness, we can mobilize 80,000 imperial guards and tens of thousands of local troops from Jingdong East Road and Jingdong West Road, forming a total of 120,000 troops to support the front line. But..."

He changed the subject, revealing a hint of helplessness in his tone: "Such a large-scale mobilization of troops is bound to have an impact on the defense in the rear, so we must act with caution." Zhao Guangyi nodded when he heard this, and secretly calculated in his heart.

He knew that although this 120,000-man army could solve the immediate problem, it might also leave hidden dangers for the rear. However, facing Su Chen's threat, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and give it a try.

Zhao Guangyi pondered for a moment, finally nodded, and said: "More than 100,000 troops may be able to buy some time for the front line. Immediately issue a conscription order to the governors of all prefectures and counties. Each prefecture needs to prepare 20,000 soldiers and horses, as well as corresponding weapons and food, and be on standby at any time to defend the capital in case of emergency."

His eyes were deep, and it was obvious that his worry about Su Chen's possibility of attacking the city in the future had not completely dissipated. He hoped to take precautions early.

Upon seeing this, Li Chugeng stepped forward and bowed, saying, "This time, I am willing to lead the troops south personally to support the front line to repay the country's kindness. Please allow me, Your Highness, Prince Jin." His voice was firm and powerful, full of loyalty and responsibility to the country.

Zhao Dezhao's eyes flashed with joy when he heard this. In this critical moment, a minister volunteered to help, which was of course what he was happy to see. He nodded approvingly and said, "Lord Li is willing to dedicate himself to the country and lead the troops to the battle. This is a blessing for our Song Dynasty. I wish Lord Li a successful start and a triumphant return."

Seeing that Li Chugeng had taken the initiative to ask for battle, generals such as Zhang Yongde, Zhang Hui, and Fu Yanqing were not willing to lag behind and expressed their willingness to go to the battle.

Zhao Dezhao agreed to all of them, and prayed secretly in his heart that these capable ministers and generals could repel the enemy as soon as possible and protect the safety of the Song Dynasty.

In the city of Bianjing, in a secret and elegant manor.

Meng Yutong was wearing a sky-blue long dress, standing in the courtyard like a fairy in a painting.

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She held a piece of information tightly in her hand, and as she read it carefully, a look of surprise that was difficult to conceal gradually blossomed on her face.

This intelligence was about Su Chen's glorious achievement in defeating Zhao Kuangyin's 200,000 imperial troops. The information revealed between the lines filled Meng Yutong's heart with pride and joy.

"Su Chen, I know you can accomplish great things!"

She whispered softly, as if expressing her endless longing for her lover far away.

Years passed, and a few years passed in a hurry, but Meng Yutong's longing for Su Chen did not diminish with the passage of time. Instead, it became more mellow like aged wine. She was looking forward to meeting Su Chen again, and that expectation was warm and passionate.

However, Meng Yutong knew that she had a heavy responsibility and could not reveal her feelings easily.

She hid in this prosperous capital city, secretly planning her strategies, waiting to deal a fatal blow to the Song Dynasty at the critical moment.

Over the years, she has used her intelligence organization to gradually infiltrate the official system of the Song Dynasty, and all forces in the capital are under her control. Once the time is right, the attacks and chaos she planned will surely bring unprecedented impact to the Song Dynasty.

At this moment, Meng Yutong stood in the yard, his eyes looking through layers of clouds and mist at the southern sky, his heart full of longing and hope for the future.

"Su Chen, I will be quietly waiting for your arrival in Bianjing City. That day will not be too far away, and we will finally meet. By then, I hope we can spend the rest of our lives together, and never be separated."

Her voice was gentle yet firm, as if it was an affectionate oath to a distant lover and a beautiful expectation for the future.