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Chapter 158 No barbarians ever migrate south in winter.

Upon hearing the words "Urgent report from the North" coming from outside the Xuanzheng Hall, everyone inside the hall was stunned for a moment.

Officials from prominent families in Jiangnan, especially those affiliated with the Eighth Prince, felt a sudden unease and a sense of foreboding.

Urgent report from the North?

What could happen in the North at this time?

Not long ago, the Sirius King's 300,000-strong army suffered a setback in Yancheng, and there are rumors that the Northern King has disbanded the entire Sirius King tribe.

The biggest threat to the North is gone, so why are there still urgent reports from the North at this time?

Could it be...?

The Northern King has rebelled?

Just as people were wondering what could be happening in the north, the red-robed messenger entered the hall and loudly proclaimed, "The King of Northern Xian is leading an army of nearly 200,000 south! The Northern Prefecture is in imminent danger!!!"

Upon hearing the words of the messenger in red silk, everyone in the hall was stunned, even the Emperor Xia was taken aback.

This is too coincidental, right?

The imperial court had just decided to send the Northern King's 50,000 heavy cavalry to the front lines when trouble broke out in the north.

The Sirius King's 300,000-strong army suffered a setback in Beijun, yet the Northern Xian King still dares to lead troops to attack Beijun?

Is the King of Northern Korea really that stubborn?

Did he not know that there were 50,000 heavy cavalry in the Northern Commandery?

Or is it that he is not afraid of these 50,000 heavy cavalry at all?

After regaining his senses, the eunuch below the dragon platform quickly took the battle report from the red silk messenger, then walked to Emperor Xia's side and handed the report to him.

Emperor Xia opened the battle report directly and read through the military intelligence described in it with a serious expression.

At this moment, the ministers in the hall were all staring at Emperor Xia, eager to know what was written in the battle report.

After reading the entire battle report, Emperor Xia snorted coldly and said, "Time and again they have launched raids to the south. This is truly outrageous."

At this point, Emperor Xia glanced at the ministers and then said, "The Northern King requested my assistance in his battle report, saying that the Battle of Yancheng had already caused heavy losses to the Northern Commandery, and that it was no longer able to fight against the Northern Xian King's 200,000-strong army. He hoped that the court could send a large army to help the Northern Commandery resist the southward invasion of the barbarians. My dear ministers, what are your thoughts?"

This……

The ministers in the hall looked at each other. Just moments ago, they were thinking of sending the Northern King's 50,000 heavy cavalry to the front lines against Da Wu to wear them down, but the next moment the Northern King was asking the court for help.

Isn't something a little off?

There are no barbarian tribes that migrate south in winter.

The barbarian tribes' southward migration was nothing more than raiding for food to survive the winter and taking some women along the way. They mostly migrated south in the autumn, or at most just before winter.

The north is already covered in ice and snow. Wouldn't going south at this time just be asking for trouble?

Is the King of Northern Xian getting old and his mind not working properly?

Or is there some special reason behind this?

Could it be that the Northern King knew the court would send the Northern County heavy cavalry to fight against Da Wu, so he colluded with the Northern Xian King to create the illusion that the Northern Xian King was raiding south?

But the imperial court had only just decided to send the Northern King to the front lines! The Xia Emperor's decree hadn't even been drafted yet. How could the Northern King have known in advance that the court would send him to fight against Da Wu?

After a while, Wang Chengshuo, the Vice Minister of War, stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I have never heard of the barbarians moving south in winter. Could it be that there is a problem with the Northern King's intelligence?"

Throughout the history of the Great Xia Dynasty, barbarian tribes have raided southwards in spring, summer, autumn, and winter, but never in the depths of winter.

It's hard to believe that this battle report is real.

The key point is that the Sirius King tribe was recently defeated by the Northern King in the Northern County, and nearly 200,000 barbarians died. Isn't the Northern King afraid that they will also suffer a setback in the Northern County?

Moreover, the Northern Xian King only had 200,000 men this time, which was even 100,000 fewer than when the Heavenly Wolf King attacked the Northern Prefecture.

The King of Sirius lost 300,000 men, yet the King of Northern Xian dared to attack Northern County in winter with only 200,000 men? Who gave the King of Northern Xian the courage?

Upon hearing Wang Chengshuo's words, Emperor Xia said expressionlessly, "It is the Shadow Guard's duty to verify the authenticity of the battle report. What you need to discuss now is whether or not to send troops north to help the Northern King resist the Northern Xian King's army."

Upon hearing this, Chu Qinwu immediately said, "Your Majesty, the battle at the front is critical, and the court is unable to spare any troops. If we send troops north at this time, we may be unable to resist the attack of Da Wu."

"I believe that the Northern Commandery has 50,000 heavy cavalry, and the Northern King is brave and skilled in battle. Last time, when the Heavenly Wolf King led an army of 300,000 south, he was able to achieve great military exploits. This time, facing the Northern Xian King's army of 200,000, he should not have too much of a problem."

No sooner had Chu Qinwu finished speaking than the Xia Emperor had spoken, and before he could even open his mouth, the long-silent Left Prime Minister Lin Gaoyuan finally stepped forward and spoke.

"Your Majesty, I believe that the Beijun suffered heavy losses in the last battle against the Sirius King's 300,000-strong army. Moreover, the reason why the Beijun was able to win the battle of Wanning Valley was entirely because the Bei King took advantage of the terrain."

"The barbarians have already been fooled once, and they may not make the same mistake again this time. Therefore, I believe that some soldiers should be sent north to fight against the barbarians together with the Northern King. Even if no soldiers are sent, some supplies should be transported to the Northern King."

"If the Northern Commandery falls, the Great Xia will be caught in a pincer attack by the Great Wu and the barbarians. When that happens, the Great Xia's situation will be even more perilous."

Upon hearing this, Chu Qinwu was about to refute, but Right Chancellor Zhao Wenhan stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I agree with Chancellor Lin's view. The northern region is mountainous and is an excellent location to defend against the barbarians. Once the northern region falls, the entire Great Xia will be under the military might of the barbarians."

This……

Upon hearing Zhao Wenhan's words, the officials from the Eighth Prince's faction were stunned.

Isn't that old guy Zhao Wenhan on their side? Why is he speaking up for the Northern King now?

They were even hoping that the Northern King's heavy cavalry would be wiped out by the Northern Xian King.

Why send troops north at this time?

At this moment, Zhao Wenhan continued, "However, I believe that we should pay more attention to the war with Da Wu than to the Northern Commandery. Dividing our forces would be extremely disadvantageous for the court. Therefore, I suggest that we send only 30,000 soldiers with some supplies northward. The Northern Commandery has a terrain advantage, and the Northern King is brave and skilled in battle. If we only defend the Northern Commandery, there should not be too much of a problem."

Emperor Xia thought for a moment, then said, "Minister Wang, Minister Chu, Chancellor Lin, and Chancellor Zhao, please stay. The rest of you may leave the court."

As soon as he finished speaking, Emperor Xia rose from his dragon throne, flicked his sleeves, and left.

After Emperor Xia left, the Xuanzheng Hall was filled with discussion. At this moment, some people still doubted that the battle report from Beijun was fake. The King of Beixian had not gone south with the King of Tianlang last time, but had only lent some troops to the King of Tianlang. How could he possibly lead troops south to plunder this time?

And it was in the dead of winter.

Most importantly, this happened too coincidentally. Originally, the court planned to send the Northern King to the front line to fight against Da Wu. Now that the Northern Xian King has come, the Northern King doesn't need to go to fight against Da Wu.

This makes one wonder if the Northern Xian King's southward journey was not a coincidence.

At this moment, Chu Qinwu looked at Zhao Wenhan and asked, "Lord Zhao, why are you still ordering His Majesty to mobilize troops to the north?"

Upon hearing this question, some ministers turned their gazes to Zhao Wenhan. Zhao Wenhan sneered and said, "Beijun is the gateway to Great Xia. Without Beijun, the entire Great Xia will be threatened by the barbarian cavalry. Do you think Your Majesty won't send troops north if I don't allow it?"

This……

(End of this chapter)