Wind rises time and space gate

Chapter 503 Who is the Best Candidate

Like a drop of water falling into an frying pan, the war report from the northwest quickly exploded in the capital.

Da Qi had not been at war with either the inside or the outside for more than a decade. Although the Nine Frontiers were often harassed by foreign enemies, they were all small-scale battles, and none of them would be reported to the Emperor Zhizheng.

The generals of the nine frontiers only regarded those small-scale wars as military training.

The Great Qi State has been established for nearly three hundred years. To the surrounding small countries, the Great Qi is indeed a big country that cannot be provoked, and few of them are willing to risk their lives to come and provoke it.

But this time it was different.

The foreign tribes outside the Great Wall had suffered a disaster the previous year and had not recovered for a year. They were short of food and clothing, so they gathered 400,000 troops at Hangu Pass and wanted to enter the pass to rob.

The enemy had more troops than the enemy, so the defending general Fang Sheng stayed in seclusion and did not fight. He personally submitted a petition, rushing 800 miles to request support.

At the court meeting the next day after receiving the battle report, the Jiying Hall was once again crowded with princes and civil and military officials.

The Emperor Zhizheng looked solemn and said nothing. Everyone in the palace dared not breathe either.

Who would have expected that after so many years of peace, war would break out again?

Four hundred thousand soldiers! There are 100,000 more soldiers than Hangu Pass! Once Hangu Pass is breached, the northwest gate of Daqi will be lost, and the cavalry outside the pass will rush in and march straight to the capital.

The consequences could be disastrous.

Seeing that the ministers were silent, Emperor Zhizheng asked, "I'm sure you all know the war reports from the northwest, so tell us how to respond."

There was a buzzing sound in the hall.

"Fang Sheng is still too young. If Lu... were still alive, why would he send people all the way to Beijing to ask for help? The only thing sent to Beijing was good news."

Some ministers began to miss the Lu family, who had guarded Hangu Pass for generations.

A minister nodded in agreement, "Fang Sheng still lacks experience."

Minister of Revenue Liu Qi and King Jin remained silent. If you really count, Fang Sheng is still a member of the Liu family. When the commander of Hangu Pass was replaced a few years ago, it was they who strongly recommended Fang Sheng to be the commander of Hangu Pass.

The prince thought about it and felt that as the crown prince, it was necessary for him to show his presence. "Father, there are not enough troops at Hangu Pass. Why not mobilize troops from other places to support us?"

“Where will they be mobilized from?”

Huh? The prince thought about it...

Fang Sheng replaced Guan Du, who was the successor after Duke Lu's accident and was later transferred to Yanmen Pass. Guan Du was his man. If Guan Du led the troops to repel the enemy, no one would question or shake his position as the crown prince.

"You can adjust the troops at Yanmen Pass."

Zhao Guangyuan turned his head to look at him, then looked away. The prince was still the same, only considering his own interests in everything.

Transfer troops to Yanmen Pass?

The ministers and Emperor Zhizheng thought about it, but the King of Qin disagreed, "Yanmen Pass is far away from Hangu Pass, I'm afraid it won't be able to support us. We can transfer troops from the nearby Dasan Pass and Long Pass."

"No!" The prince disagreed.

"This time, the Xirong and Fanjue have cooperated and each has amassed 200,000 troops outside Hangu Pass. How do you know they won't send troops to Dasan Pass and Long Pass to try to break through?"

The prince looked at the King of Qin and said, "If they divide their troops to attack the other two passes, how can they support Hangu Pass if they can't even take care of themselves?"

The ministers were stunned. Yes, it was said that the Western Rong and Fanjue had 400,000 soldiers stationed outside Hangu Pass. What if they joined forces with others and sent their troops elsewhere?

What if Dasan Pass and Long Pass send troops to support, and the enemy takes advantage of the lack of troops in those two passes, makes a feint to the east and another to the west, and breaks through in one fell swoop?

The King of Chu couldn't bear to see the Crown Prince stump his third brother, so he jumped up and retorted, "It's not easy for the Western Rong and Fanjue to gather 400,000 troops. I'm afraid they have used all of their strength. And they're dividing the troops? If there really are that many troops, wouldn't it be better to concentrate them outside Hangu Pass and break through it in one fell swoop?"

The prince looked down upon his brave but foolish appearance. "It is not easy for the Western Rong or Fan Jue to gather so many troops. Now these 400,000 are the result of the cooperation of two countries. But you only know that they have cooperated with two countries. How do you know that they have not cooperated with more countries?"

Why not join forces with a few more and treat war as a joke?

The King of Chu wanted to refute the Prince, but after being looked at by the King of Qin, he had to swallow his words.

But when I think about it carefully, in previous years, either the Western Rong or the Fan Jue fought alone. If you harass me this month, it will be my turn next month. Why are we joining forces this time?
These two countries can join forces, maybe, as the prince said, they can also join forces with other countries?

The King of Chu remained silent.

Finally, it was felt that transferring troops from various border checkpoints was too risky, so after consultation with his ministers, Emperor Zhizheng decided to transfer 200,000 troops from the camp outside the capital to provide support.

But who will lead the troops?

Emperor Zhizheng took a look around the Jiying Hall. The civil officials stood on one side and the military generals stood on the other. After the whole look, his brows furrowed more and more, as not a single general satisfied him.

The military officers felt uneasy when they were caught in the gaze of Emperor Zhizheng.

Aren't military generals promoted based on their military merits? Why is no one asking to fight?
Zhao Guangyuan was standing in the front row. He saw the dark and blue face of Emperor Zhizheng at the top of the table from the corner of his eye and felt it was extremely ironic.

Back then, his good father was neither the eldest nor the legitimate son, and he relied on his good wife and family. The Lu family had guarded the border for more than a hundred years, and several generations had guarded the Hangu Pass. In the hearts of several emperors of the Great Qi Dynasty, they were extremely loyal.

The emperor's grandfather also took a fancy to the Lu family behind him, so he went against the majority's opposition and made him the crown prince.

In the end, how did he repay the Lu family who helped him to the top? The Lu family was eventually destroyed.

After that, the generals who were as famous as my grandfather retired or handed over their military power. There were few generals in the Great Qi Dynasty who could defeat the enemy.

The generals who still command the army are mostly new generation without much war experience. In recent years, the old generals and the new generals have not been able to take over well, and there is a big gap. The peaceful days have been too long, and they have long lost their blood and fighting spirit.

Zhao Guangyuan suppressed the sarcasm in his eyes and said nothing.

"No one wants to fight?" Emperor Zhizheng shouted.

Immediately, more than a dozen people came out to ask for a fight, but Emperor Zhizheng was not satisfied.

The prince looked at the generals who were asking for battle and frowned. These generals had been in the capital of Daqi for too long and had long lost the might to defeat the enemy.

And their identities are not enough.

To lead 200,000 troops from the capital to the northwest for support, one must be a person of sufficient status to be able to lead this team well, fight wherever he is told, and at the same time command the 300,000 troops at Hangu Pass.

These people don’t have enough status.

Duke Dingguo Zhan Ji stepped out and said, "Your Highness Zhan Ji requests your order."

Zhan Ji?

Everyone looked over there.

Duke Dingguo Zhan Ji is the confidant of Emperor Zhizheng and the father-in-law of the eldest princess. He is in charge of the nine camps in the capital. When he was young, he also fought bravely on the battlefield. Although the title of Duke was inherited from his old father, Duke Dingguo himself has numerous military merits.

And this identity is enough.

Emperor Zhizheng was about to nod, but then he thought about the important task of guarding the capital, which he had entrusted to Duke Dingguo. Once Duke Dingguo left, who would be responsible for the safety of the capital?

He glanced at his sons standing in front, then his eyes fell on the Crown Prince, the King of Qin, and finally the King of Yue.

Duke Dingguo cannot leave Beijing!
Reconsideration.

After discussing for a long time, Emperor Zhizheng was always dissatisfied with this and that. The ministers looked miserable. They had been queuing up to attend the court since before dawn, and now it was noon, and they were still not allowed to attend. The emperor was not hungry, but they were.

My chest is pressed against my back. I feel miserable.

Emperor Zhizheng was also hungry, having been exhausted this morning. "This is a matter of top priority. I hope you will discuss and select a suitable candidate to lead the troops as soon as possible. I adjourn the court."

"Retreat!"

When the eunuch in charge of the palace sang, the ministers listened to the sound of nature. "Farewell, Your Majesty!" They were so excited.

After leaving the palace, the ministers had lost interest in chatting together and hurried out of the palace. Jiang Xiang looked around and approached the King of Yue, "Your Majesty?"

Zhao Guangyuan nodded slightly at him and said, "I want to lead the troops." As if to avoid suspicion, he got on the carriage and left.

Jiang Xiang was stunned. Prince Qi came over and bumped him with his arm. "What did you say?"

Jiang Xiang looked at him, thinking that if the prince meant this, then he would need the help of Prince Qi, so he immediately forced a smile and pulled Prince Qi, "Let's go, let's go eat first, I'm so hungry that I'm dizzy."

"Let me go. It's so disgraceful to pull and tug at me." Prince Qi was dissatisfied, but he followed him in the end.

After returning to the palace, Zhao Guangyuan summoned his staff and told them his plan. Everyone was stunned, some agreed and some disagreed.

"This is a critical period, and Your Majesty should stay in the capital."

"I agree with Your Majesty leading the army! As long as we defeat the Western Rong and Fan Jue this time, it will be of great benefit to Your Majesty!"

Zhao Guangyuan nodded, "That's exactly what I was planning. We have infiltrated Hangu Pass quite well over the years, and we have people there. I have always wanted to completely recover the backup plan that my grandfather left for me. This is a perfect opportunity."

Moreover, the emperor had previously lightly exposed the prince's faults, and he had already tested the emperor's attitude. If he wanted to fulfill his wish, he needed another way. And this opportunity was just right.

Everyone was greatly encouraged by his analysis.

"Then we have to seek some help. You can't just ask to lead the troops yourself!"

If the prince brings this up, not only the emperor but also the crown prince will probably think too much and will definitely stop it.

According to the emperor, there are no generals in the capital who are worth mentioning, and none of them are as good at fighting as the generals guarding the border.

Then we must choose someone with sufficient status and weight to serve as a military supervisor and integrate the 300,000 troops in Hangu Pass and the 200,000 troops that go to support them.

If this person's status is not high enough, the two sides will inevitably be in a situation where the east wind prevails over the west wind. On the battlefield, in order to compete for merit, it is a big taboo if you don't listen to me and I don't listen to you.

After this matter was decided, everyone began to discuss how to mobilize all parties, get them to recommend someone, and ultimately allow the King of Yue to lead the troops.

After the meeting, Zhao Guangyuan patted Jiang Wentao on the shoulder and said, "You still need to take action on your father-in-law's side. I'm afraid you can't convince him."

Jiang Wentao nodded, "I understand. I will take Deyang back to the palace to have dinner with them this afternoon. My father-in-law loves Deyang, so let him go and ask him."

Zhao Guangyuan laughed. "If Deyang gets on with it, Uncle Qi will be unable to resist. Tell Deyang that if this is successful, I will owe her a favor. If there is anything you need from me, your cousin, in the future, just ask."

"Okay. Then I'll take it on behalf of Deyang."

After Jiang Wentao left, Zhao Guangyuan stood there and thought for a while, then sent several people out.

At Yan's residence, Yan Jingzhe was also in the study thinking about the selection of the leader of the army, when he was suddenly startled by the secret guard who suddenly appeared in front of him. His heart was pounding.

Because the secret guards were hiding in places he couldn't see, he often forgot that their family had secret guards sent by the King of Yue.

After a moment's pause, he stood up and asked, "Does the King of Yue have something to tell you?"

The secret guard nodded, said nothing, and handed him a small note. The man suddenly disappeared again. Yan Jingzhe was stunned for a long while before he looked at the note in his hand...

The King of Yue wants to lead the troops?
On the other side, the King of Chu was also invited out by Zhao Guangyuan.

"You want Third Brother to lead the troops?"

"That's right." Zhao Guangyuan nodded seriously, "Compared to the Crown Prince, the Third Brother still lacks prestige. This is his best chance."

"Why don't you go?"

"You want to see me die on the battlefield?" Zhao Guangyuan glanced at him. "Your concubine is still a few months away from giving birth, right? Are you so eager to inherit my palace?"

The King of Chu choked. He felt that he was really stupid. How could Zhao Guangyuan leave the capital? How could he be willing to leave the capital?

He had finally returned to the capital from the imperial mausoleum, and had endured ten years hoping to overthrow the crown prince and vindicate his brother and his maternal grandfather's family. Could he voluntarily go and die?

His wish has not been fulfilled, and he would never want to leave Beijing even if he was beaten to death.

Is it appropriate for the third brother to leave Beijing?

If we win, then it will be just as the seventh brother said, no one can surpass this military achievement, and the emperor will re-evaluate who is most suitable for the position between the crown prince and the third brother.

However, what if something happens to the third brother over there?
Then I'm left alone?
The King of Chu's heart began to beat fast. He re-examined himself. Who wouldn't want that position? But did he have the ability to compete with the Crown Prince and the Seventh Prince?

He quickly put aside the thought in his mind and glanced at Zhao Guangyuan, "Isn't it just what you want that the Third Emperor leaves the capital?"

He shook his head, looking unmoved, "It would be better for Third Brother to stay in the capital. The capital is safe."

"What kind of danger could there be in Hangu Pass? He is the military supervisor and there is no need to send troops to fight. If something goes wrong, he won't run away?"

run?
It's not impossible to run. What if the pass is breached? There are so many people protecting us, what can go wrong? "Okay, I'll go find my third brother in a while."

As a result, the King of Qin disagreed when he heard it.

I couldn't help but think more about it.

Of all the sons of the emperor, the most powerful ones are the crown prince, him and the seventh son. Once he leaves the capital, the fourth son will definitely not be able to fight against the crown prince and the seventh son who has been ignorant and patient for ten years.

Moreover, things on the battlefield change rapidly. If something happens to him, let alone something else, just an injury to his hand or foot, he will have no chance of leaving that position.

And even if nothing goes wrong on the battlefield, what if the two parties do something secretly?

Can he still return to the capital?

At this moment, King Qin couldn't help but think more.

The King of Chu, who had been pushing the King of Qin to accept the matter, also felt that it was inappropriate after hearing his third brother's analysis. "Could it be that the seventh brother deliberately said this to me in order to make the third brother leave the capital?"

So that he can seize the opportunity?

"Then why not nominate the seventh one?"

Recommend the seventh son? The King of Qin's eyes lit up. He looked at the King of Chu again. It was suitable! The seventh son was indeed suitable!
Send the Seventh Brother out of the capital, and the two brothers will take advantage of the Crown Prince's distraction to focus on dealing with him. If something happens to the Seventh Brother there, that's great. If unfortunately the Seventh Brother gets military merit, then whether he can come back or not is up to them, right?

"Then we have to arrange our men in the army!"

The King of Qin nodded. That was for sure. "I'll leave it to you to arrange."

"Don't worry, Third Brother. I will definitely get this done!"

As for the Crown Prince, as his most trusted aide, when Yan Jingzhe analyzed to the Crown Prince the various advantages of recommending the King of Yue to lead the army, the Crown Prince praised him repeatedly.

"Yan Qing is still the one who wins my heart."

I couldn’t kill Lao Qi last time, but I can definitely do it this time.

Even if Old Seven has more men, can they have as many as he does in the army?
This time, he will be allowed to go and never come back!