Han Shizu

Chapter 641 Disputes in Shu Ting
In the palace garden, a whole row of apricot trees fell, and the withered and yellow leaves fell gracefully.There was a bleak scene between heaven and earth, the cool wind swept across, and the atmosphere was gloomy and desolate.Chengdu in the early winter is not too cold, at least it is much warmer compared to the mood of Shu Lord Meng Chang.

A heater has been set up in the government hall to keep out the cold, and Meng Chang, the lord of Shu, always avoids heat and chills.The atmosphere in the hall was tense and depressing. Several military and political ministers lowered their heads and remained silent.Including Wang Zhaoyuan, the privy envoy who is always high-spirited, giving advice and eloquence on weekdays.

"Why don't you talk anymore?" Meng Chang sat on the imperial case, glanced at the officials, with an indignant look: "How to deal with the Han army's invaders? When the country is in dire straits, is there no one to share my worries? I can't take it out. A charter against the enemy?"

Facing the emperor's questioning, Wang Zhaoyuan, who has been in charge of military affairs, finally stood up and said, "Don't worry, Your Majesty. I have mobilized troops to guard Jianmen and Jiameng. Their danger is enough to keep the Han army out of the pass." !"

"Don't worry? How can I not worry about the war's corruption so far?" Meng Chang's face was sullen: "Before Fengzhou was defeated, didn't you also say that Guan Qiang was in the way? What happened? Sixty to seventy thousand soldiers were wiped out by the Han army ! Although the Jiange is dangerous, can you promise me that you will stop the Han army? Does Xingyuan Mansion just ignore it?"

Seeing Meng Chang's agitation, Wang Zhaoyuan was both ashamed and unhappy in the face of his censure.Feeling that Meng Chang was completely flustered, he couldn't help but said: "Your Majesty, the defeat of Fengzhou was really due to the cunning and viciousness of the Han army. After a long and fierce battle, the generals lost their vigilance. Right now, Li Tinggui, Zhao Chongtao, Han Baozhen and other generals have already lost their vigilance. Withdrew to defend Xingyuan Mansion, the defeated army in the front and Xingyuan Defenders plus the [-] forbidden troops aided by the north have built a fortress in the west city to stop the Han army!
Although the Han army won a great victory in Qinfeng, it also fought fiercely for several months.Now that winter has fallen, the Han army will continue to march southward, and the roads will be long and obstructed, so it will only be more difficult to supply food and equipment.And the Han army that went south to attack Xingyuan Mansion this time did not have many troops.Therefore, when our army shrinks back to Xingyuan Mansion, the defensive situation is better than that of Fengzhou! "

Wang Zhaoyuan's words were actually meant to appease Meng Chang's heart, and they still couldn't escape being an empty talk.And what Meng Chang needed was just a reassurance.

"Can it withstand the attack of the Han army?" Meng Chang asked after pondering for a long time, staring at Wang Zhaoyuan.

Facing the emperor's eyes, there was clearly a bit of eagerness, but Wang Zhaoyuan remained silent. It was difficult for the clerk Wang, who had always been confident and resourceful, to give Meng Chang an affirmative answer at this time.

After hesitating for a while, Wang Zhaoyuan seemed to think of "being ordered to be in danger, and to be appointed at the time of a defeated army", with a solemn and firm look on his face, he gritted his teeth and said to Meng Chang: "Xiangshi Han army invaded massively, and the minister decided to raise troops and horses to the north , defend the enemy outside the pass!"

Wang Zhaoyuan can be said to be resounding, but Meng Chang subconsciously breathed a sigh of relief. Since the battle of Liangquan, defeats have been reported frequently, and the situation in the north is deteriorating day by day.

At the Chengdu court, the atmosphere was tense every day, and it was even more difficult for Meng Chang.The princes of the Manchu Dynasty were in panic, but there was no one who could stand up and take responsibility.Now, there is finally Wang Zhaoyuan
Sighing, Meng Chang looked around and said solemnly: "My dear friends, now the Northern Han Dynasty is invading, and the army is invading the pass. The national disaster is at the head of the crisis. It is the autumn of the country's survival. My father and son have been in Sichuan for [-] years, and they have been kind to the scholars and the people. I earnestly hope that the whole court can unite in one heart and one mind, unanimously external, and tide over the difficulties together!"

"Yes!" The emperor had already said so, and all the officials of Shu naturally answered in unison.

"Things in the north are difficult now, but no matter how difficult it is, we should actively deal with it. If we continue to do nothing like this, I am afraid that it will not be long before the Han army will come to Chengdu!" Meng Chang looked serious and angry.

"Your Majesty, I believe that the most urgent task is to reorganize the army and stabilize the morale of the army!" Wang Zhaoyuan stood up and said loudly with a look of restored ambition.

"How to stabilize the morale of the army?" Meng Chang asked.

There was a little coldness in Wang Zhaoyuan's eyes, and he said: "Your Majesty pays Li Tinggui with the elite of the country, but he has been defeated in a row, lost his master and humiliated the country, he should be held accountable, and the law of the army can be used to calm people's hearts!"

Hearing what Wang Zhaoyuan said, Meng Chang's emotions also rose, and he couldn't help waving his hands, and said sternly: "Two years ago, in the battle of Donghe Village, although he was defeated, he still knew how to fight the enemy bravely. My aunt thinks about his loyalty, so don't make it worse." Punishment, but also the opportunity to make meritorious deeds.

This time with an army of [-], there was never a shortage of military equipment, food and pay. However, the enemy army could not be defeated by advance, and the pass city could not be defended by retreat.

Send envoys to the north to bind Li Tinggui to Beijing to question the crime! "

"No!" At this time, the chancellor Li Hao uttered a voice, dissuading Meng Chang: "Your Majesty, now that the Northern Han army has invaded, Li Tinggui is still trying his best to build a defense line to defend against the enemy. How can he take the commander lightly at this time. Furthermore, Qin Feng was not solely responsible for his defeat."

Li Hao was interrupted by Wang Zhaoyuan before he finished speaking: "It's ridiculous! Li Tinggui is the commander of the army, and his ineffectiveness in battle has ruined our elites in Sichuan. What is Li Xiang's intention to excuse him? Could it be that he was taken in by collusion inside and outside? benefit?"

Seeing that Wang Zhaoyuan actually set the fire on himself, Li Hao, an old official, was a little angry, glaring at him and said: "Li Tinggui has his own responsibility, but Wang Shumi is in charge of the military affairs of the whole country, dispatching troops and generals. Under your order. While Privy Wang was strategizing, was Qin Feng not responsible for Qin Feng's defeat?
I heard that our army was attacked by the Privy Council on its own initiative to intercept the return of the Han army. As a result, it was observed that the army was defeated in an ambush, resulting in a great loss of troops and the collapse of the defense line. In this matter, the Privy Council is not at fault? "

"You!" Seeing Li Hao attacking him in front of the court, Wang Zhaoyuan became angry for a short time: "I am in Chengdu, how can I control the war thousands of miles away, the imperial court makes decisions, and Li Tinggui's ineffective implementation destroys my strategy."

"The plan is based on other people's fault, and this is the responsibility of Wang Shumi?" Li Hao couldn't help but sneer.

"Enough!" Seeing that the two were arguing on the spot, Meng Chang became impatient: "I didn't come to listen to your quarrel! The attack was only issued after I agreed to it. According to Li Qing, I am the one to blame. ?”

Facing Meng Chang's cold gaze, Li Hao was slightly startled, and hurriedly said: "I dare not!"

But in his heart, he felt even more helpless. To this extent, Meng Chang still relied heavily on Wang Zhaoyuan.

Taking a deep breath, trying to calm down, he looked at Wang Zhaoyuan: "What's the Privy Council's plan!"

Wang Zhaoyuan also had some plans, and replied: "I think that when winter comes, no matter how powerful the Han army is, it will be difficult to march against the sky. On the side of Xingyuan Mansion, all the troops need to occupy the city gates and the mountains and rivers to defend to the death. , dragged through this winter.

At the same time, recruit and train new troops in the country to make up for lost troops and horses to ensure military strength.The minister plans to gather strength from Liangchuan, prefectures and counties in this winter, adjust the defense, and recruit [-] new athletes! "

"The matter of recruits should be started as soon as possible!" Meng Chang immediately expressed his opinion.

"Yes!"

In the first battle between Qin and Feng, the damage to the troops of the Shu Kingdom was too heavy. In addition to the previous two times, Meng Shu's standing army has almost changed a round in recent years.At this time, no matter what the combat power is, increasing the number is the most important thing.

"Your Majesty!" Li Hao spoke again: "Since the start of the war, the imperial court has mobilized millions of rations, and this year's two taxes have almost been exhausted. If we go to war again, I am afraid that the treasury will not be able to support it, and the front line will still need money and food support. Calling up so many troops and mobilizing people's strength will definitely affect people's livelihood."

"If there is no army, how to defend the Han and how to defend the border? Is it possible to let the Han army break through?" This time without waiting for Wang Zhaoyuan to speak, Meng Chang himself refuted Li Hao.

The old face was a little uneasy, hesitated a little, cupped his hands and said: "Your Majesty, the battle between Qin and Feng shows the strength of the Han army. This time, the Northern Han has taken back the four states. Why don't you follow the advice of King Nanping and send envoys to fight with the Northern Han?" Make peace!"

That's right, after learning of the outcome of the Qin-Feng war, the "faithful" younger brother of the Great Han Dynasty, Wang Gao Baorong of Nanping, took the initiative to write a letter and sent someone to Chengdu, advising Meng Chang to pay tribute to the Northern Han Dynasty to ensure safety.

Hearing Li Hao's words, Meng Chang's expression was cold, as if nothing had changed, but in fact, something had moved in his heart.Fighting to the end with the Han army, Meng Chang didn't have the confidence and ambition at all when he was defeated again and again.

Meng Chang didn't speak, but Wang Zhaoyuan sneered twice, and said, "How can the war be stopped so easily? With the dominance and greed of Emperor Han, what price will we have to pay for the Northern Han to stop fighting? Even if we bow our knees , and seek a truce and peace, how long can we survive?"

"Your Majesty, although our dynasty has suffered heavy losses, our heritage is still there, and we can still fight against the Northern Han! Only by repelling the Han army can your Majesty truly maintain peace!" Wang Zhaoyuan said solemnly to Meng Chang.

(End of this chapter)