spend time

Jiang Shaohua was mentally prepared. He opened the bamboo tube, unfolded the paper roll and smoothed it out. A few lines of words instantly came into his eyes.

The Rouran really sent troops!
Rouran Khan Fu Mingdun sent envoys to Daliang to propose marriage, while at the same time summoning cavalry from various tribes, eyeing the border of Daliang covetously.

After the envoy was driven out of the capital, he rode back to Rouran to deliver a letter. When the Rouran Khan learned that his request to marry the princess was rejected, he was furious in public and used this as an excuse to send troops immediately.

Fortunately, General Fan actively prepared for war after receiving the imperial edict. The court allocated military pay to the border troops, and 200,000 shi of military rations from Nanyang County were also delivered to Sizhou before the New Year.

With money and food in hand, the commander felt confident. Even though the border soldiers were still thinking about General Zuo, they did not dare to trip up the commander at the critical moment of the national war. General Fan's deployment of defense and preparation for war went smoothly.

The Rouran army launched an attack, and the border troops held the city walls. In the first battle, the border troops, who were well-rested, gained the upper hand and won a small victory.

Such a battle report would take half a month to be delivered to the capital. Nanyang County was half the distance away, and there were special communication channels within Jingzhou, so the news was received much faster than the imperial court.

After reading the news on the paper, Jiang Shaohua handed it to Song Yuan: "The Rouran have already sent out troops, and the border troops barely blocked the first wave of attacks."

After reading it, Song Yuan passed it on to Liu Hengchang and others.

Qin Zhan was quite excited after watching it: "Great! We have won a victory, let's first severely dampen the Rouran's aggressiveness."

"If the Nanyang Army goes to the border army to deliver food, won't that mean they're just in time for the war?" Meng Dashan showed regret in his eyes, "It's a pity that our personal guard battalion can't go to the border army."

According to the court rules, the princes can only have 500 personal guards. The personal guard camp of the Nanyang Palace has always far exceeded the number stipulated by the court. In recent years, it has expanded greatly. If it were brought to the public, it would be clear evidence of rebellion. Therefore, the personal guard camp can only act in secret and cannot reveal its true strength.

Jiang Shaohua's eyes flashed, and he said lightly: "That may not be the case."

As soon as these words were spoken, all the generals looked over.

Jiang Shaohua's eyes swept across the faces of the generals: "The Rouran are still ambitious and are invading Daliang. The rejection of the marriage proposal is just a reason and excuse to start a war. This war is a national war, and we can only win and not lose. Once we lose, the people in the border states and counties will have no way to survive, and the entire north will fall into chaos."

"The border troops are said to have 100,000 soldiers, but neither you nor I know how many soldiers they actually have. I sent Yu Chong to lead the Nanyang Army to deliver food, but in fact, I wanted the Nanyang Army to help the border troops guard the border together."

"I think the imperial court will continue to send reinforcements. If the battle goes smoothly, it's fine. But if the border troops are defeated one after another, the imperial guards will send troops in the name of the Nanyang Army."

The Nanyang Army has 5,000 soldiers on the list, so the Imperial Guards can send 1,000 soldiers to support them. If necessary, they can send more soldiers. Then they can declare it as the Nanyang Army.

If it really comes to that, the court will not bother to investigate whether it is the Nanyang Army or the Imperial Guard Battalion.

Qin Zhan and Meng Dashan accepted the order without hesitation.

Liu Hengchang was a step slower, and he said solemnly, "I understand what the princess said. I will continue to train the troops to prepare for any eventuality."

After the generals left the military tent, the relaxed and confident smile on Jiang Shaohua's face faded, replaced by a solemn look.

Song Yuan whispered, "The princess has no confidence in General Fan?"

"I have no confidence in the court." Without others around, Jiang Shaohua didn't need to show off her dignity as a princess. Helplessness was revealed between her eyebrows: "The Rouran cavalry is ferocious and has amazing combat power. The Daliang border troops can defend the city, but it is very difficult to repel the Rouran cavalry. Moreover, the important officials in the court are all scheming against each other for power. I am afraid that someone will drag their feet at a critical moment."

Song Yuan frowned: "This is a national war, we must be united. Prime Minister Wang and Duke Anguo are still fighting at this time?"

Jiang Shaohua remained silent.

Not only were Prime Minister Wang and Duke Anguo fighting non-stop, but Empress Dowager Zheng and Empress Dowager Li were also not at peace in the harem. The several Zhongshu Sheren around Emperor Taihe were even more scheming. The Daliang court was like a pile of loose sand, and it was not easy to gather them together.

"Princess, do you want to go to the capital again?" Song Yuan's voice sounded beside his ears: "In the capital, the princess can influence the emperor and the court. Staying in Nanyang County is far away from the court. We can receive news in time, but we can't make effective responses."

Jiang Shaohua sighed slightly: "Don't meddle in other people's affairs. I am the Princess of Nanyang, and I have done everything I can and should do. What reason do I have to go to the capital again?"

"Just wait a minute!"

What are you waiting for?
Song Yuan looked at the frowning and silent princess and shut his mouth silently.

……

The news of the war among the border troops reached the capital a few days later.

The king and his ministers were not panicked when they heard about this, and they were glad that they had been prepared.

Duke Anguo wanted to commend General Fan for his achievements, but was stopped by Prime Minister Wang: "This is only the first battle. If you have any achievements, please record them first. When the war is over, it won't be too late to count the military achievements and reward them."

Emperor Taihe nodded: "Prime Minister Wang's words make sense."

The Duke of Anguo was originally there to promote General Fan, so he accepted the order without hesitation: "Yes, I will record this military achievement first."

Immediately afterwards, the ministers discussed the issue of sending additional reinforcements.

This matter was decided before the New Year, and General Song was to lead the soldiers to support the border troops. Originally, 40,000 soldiers were to be sent, but now that a small victory had been won, some officials suggested that it was not necessary to send so many reinforcements, and 20,000 soldiers would be enough.

When the army moves, it needs money and food. The treasury is empty, so it is natural to be frugal.

Minister Ji would naturally not object to this proposal. All the ministers agreed, except for Duke Anguo, who insisted on sending 40,000 reinforcements. After arguing for half a day, the matter was not settled.

Emperor Taihe was so annoyed by the noise that he sighed after returning to his bedroom, thinking to himself, I am indeed not as good as my cousin. Previously, Jiang Shaohua had suppressed all the ministers at the court meeting and made them all behave themselves and dare not speak too much. Now the atmosphere of quarreling and noisy in the court has slowly returned, and the disadvantages have also come.

People have to compete for supremacy in everything, and government affairs are delayed.

After several days of debate, it was finally decided that General Song would lead 20,000 soldiers to reinforce. However, a few days after General Song set out, the second battle report from the border army arrived.

This time, the border troops were lured into taking the initiative and suffered a great defeat, with more than 3,000 soldiers killed or wounded. The morale of the border troops, which had just been boosted, was swept away by this great defeat.

The court, which had just been relaxed for a few days, fell into panic and depression.

Duke Anguo submitted another memorial, asking the court to send additional reinforcements.

Emperor Taihe immediately agreed to Duke Anguo's request and sent an additional 20,000 reinforcements.

However, the reinforcements could not arrive at the border troops immediately. According to the normal march, it would take more than a month to arrive.

Next, the battle reports from the border troops flew to the capital like snowflakes. (End of this chapter)