In the palace, a whole row of apricot trees floated, and the withered leaves fell freely. There was a bleak scene between the sky and the earth, with a cool breeze sweeping, and the atmosphere was desolate and desolate. Chengdu in early winter was not cold, at least it was much warmer than the mood of the Shu Lord Meng Chang.

A warm stove has been set up in the political hall to drive away the cold. The Shu Lord Meng Chang has always avoided heat and feared the cold. The atmosphere in the hall was tense and depressed, and several military and political ministers buried their heads and remained silent. Including Wang Zhaoyuan, who was always full of energy and guided the country, talked endlessly.

"Why didn't you say anything?" Meng Chang sat on the imperial case, glanced at the ministers, looking indignant: "How to deal with the Han army's invasion? When the national crisis comes, will no one share my worries? Can't we come up with a charter to defend the enemy?"

Faced with the emperor's questioning, Wang Zhaoyuan, who had always been in charge of military affairs, finally stood up and bowed: "Your Majesty, don't worry, I have mobilized my troops to guard Jianmen, Jiameng, because of its dangerous situation, it is enough to block the Han army outside the pass!"

"Don't worry? The war is so decayed, how can I not worry?" Meng Chang said with anger: "Before Fengzhou was defeated, didn't you say that Guan Qiang should be blocked? What was the result? Sixty or seventy thousand soldiers were completely wiped out by the Han army! Although Jiange is dangerous, can you guarantee me to block the Han army? Will Xingyuan Mansion ignore it?"

Seeing Meng Chang's emotions excited and facing his criticism, Wang Zhaoyuan was both ashamed and resentful. He felt that Meng Chang was completely panicked and said, "Your Majesty, the defeat of Fengzhou is actually because of the cunning and vicious Han army. After a long battle, the generals lost their vigilance. At present, Li Tinggui, Zhao Chongtao, Han Baozhen and other generals have retreated to defend Xingyuan Prefecture. The defeated army in the front and the Xingyuan defenders and the 5,000 imperial guards who were aided by the northern army have already repaired the city in the west to block the Han army!

Although the Han army won a great victory in Qinfeng, they also fought for several months, with exhausted troops and poor people, and needed rest. Now that winter has surrendered, the Han army advanced south again, with a long road, and the supply of grain and equipment will only be more difficult. However, the Han army heading south to attack Xingyuan Prefecture this time did not have much force. Therefore, when our army retreated back to Xingyuan Prefecture, the defense situation was better than Fengzhou!”

Wang Zhaoyuan's words were actually used to relieve Meng Chang's heart, and he still couldn't escape a piece of paper talk. What Meng Chang needed was just a reassurance.

"Can you withstand the attack of the Han army?" After pondering for a long time, Meng Chang stared at Wang Zhaoyuan and asked.

Facing the emperor's eyes, there was a bit of anxiety, but Wang Zhaoyuan was silent. Wang Shumi, who was always trustworthy and resourceful, could not give Meng Chang a positive answer at this time.

After a few moments of stuttering, Wang Zhaoyuan seemed to have a moment of "ordered in danger and under the responsibility of defeated troops", a touch of solemnity and firmness appeared on his face, and he said to Meng Chang: "To the Han army launches a large-scale invasion, I will personally carry the troops north to defend the enemy outside the pass!"

Wang Zhaoyuan was resounding, but Meng Chang subconsciously breathed a sigh of relief. Since the Battle of Liangquan, the defeats have been frequent, and the situation in the north has become increasingly worse, and the city has lost its territory, and the Shu army has retreated again and again.

The atmosphere in Chengdu court was tense all day long, but it was even worse for Meng Chang. The dynasty was in a panic, but he was unable to stand up and take responsibility. Now, there is finally Wang Zhaoyuan...

Sighing, Meng Chang looked around and said seriously: "You are all the people, now the Northern Han invaded, and the strong troops invaded the pass, and the country is in danger, and the country is in danger. My father and son have been in Sichuan for thirty years. They have been kind to the scholars and the people, and have been in a foreign aggression. I hope that the court can be united in one's heart, morality, and external difficulties together!"

"Yes!" The emperor said so, and a group of Shu ministers naturally responded in unison.

"Northern affairs are difficult now, but no matter how difficult it is, we should respond actively. If we do nothing like this, I am afraid that the Han army will come to Chengdu!" Meng Chang's expression was serious and angry.

"Your Majesty, I think it is urgent to reorganize the troops and stabilize the morale of the army!" Wang Zhaoyuan stood up and said loudly with a restored ambition.

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

A little cold color appeared in Wang Zhaoyuan's eyes and said, "Your Majesty gave Li Tinggui the elite of the country, but he lost his battles and was defeated and humiliated the country. He should be punished and used the military law to stabilize the hearts of the people!"

After hearing Wang Zhaoyuan say this, Meng Chang's emotions also arise. He can't help but wave his hands and said with a stern look: "Two years ago, the battle in Donghe Village was defeated, and he still knew how to fight the enemy bravely. I think of his loyalty, and will not increase the punishment, and the opportunity to make meritorious contributions with him.

This time, the 50,000 army was in control, and there was no shortage of weapons and food. However, the enemy could not be defeated, and the city could not be defended after retreat. They were defeated repeatedly, which led to the southern invasion of the Han army.

Send an envoy north and tie Li Tinggui to the capital to ask for guilt!"

"No!" At this time, the prime minister Li Hao spoke out and persuaded 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 the enemy. At this time, how can he take the commander lightly? Furthermore, Qin Feng's defeat is not his full responsibility..."

Before Li Hao finished speaking, he was interrupted by Wang Zhaoyuan: "It's ridiculous! Li Tinggui is the commander of the army. He has failed to fight and has lost all the elites in Shu. Li Xiang actually excused him. What's his intention? Could it be that he colluded with internal and external forces and took him the benefits?"

Seeing that Wang Zhaoyuan had actually burned the fire on him, Li Hao, the old minister, was a little angry and glared at him, "Li Tinggui had his own responsibilities, but Wang Shumi was in charge of military affairs, in charge of national military affairs, dispatched troops and generals, and the imperial guards in the north were also ordered by you. Wang Shumi was planning and Qin Feng's defeat, so he had no responsibility?

I heard that our army was attacked by Privy Council and wanted to intercept the Han army's return route. As a result, it was observed that the troops were defeated, resulting in heavy losses and the defense line collapsed. In this matter, Privy Council has no mistakes?"

"You!" Seeing Li Hao attacking him in the palace, Wang Zhaoyuan was angry for a short time: "I am in Chengdu, how can I control the war thousands of miles away? The court's decisions, Li Tinggui's poor execution, and I'm bad at my strategy..."

"What the plan is caused by the crime lies with others. Is this Wang Shumi's responsibility?" Li Hao couldn't help but sarcastic.

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"Enough!" Seeing the two of them arguing on the spot, Meng Chang was impatient: "I am not here to listen to the quarrels! I was answered by my permission for the attack and I just issued an order. According to Li Qing's wishes, I am responsible for the crime?"

Facing Meng Chang's cold test gaze, Li Hao was slightly shocked and hurriedly bowed: "I don't dare!"

But in my heart, I felt even more helpless. To this extent, Meng Chang still relied on Wang Zhaoyuan.

Taking a deep breath, trying to calm down, and looking at Wang Zhaoyuan: "What are the plans for the Privy Council?"

Wang Zhaoyuan also had some plans and replied: "I think that since winter comes, even if the Han army is strong in combat, it will be difficult to advance against the will of heaven. On the Xingyuan Mansion, only the army needs to occupy the city gate, and the mountains and rivers are invincible and defend the winter.

At the same time, we will recruit new troops in China to make up for the loss of troops and ensure military strength. I plan to concentrate on the strength of the two Sichuan prefectures and counties in this winter, adjust the defense, and recruit 50,000 new athletes!”

"For new recruits, we should start as soon as possible!" Meng Chang immediately made a statement.

"yes!"

The battle between Qin Feng was too heavy for the troops of Shu. In addition, the previous two times, Meng Shu's standing troops in recent years were almost replaced. At this time, no matter how powerful the combat power is, the most important thing is to increase the number.

"Your Majesty!" Li Hao spoke again: "Since the war started, the court has mobilized millions of food and wages, and the two taxes are almost exhausted this year. If there is a big fight, I am afraid that the treasury will not be able to support it, and the front line still needs money and food support. If so many troops are recruited and the people's strength is drawn, it will inevitably affect people's livelihood..."

"If there is no army, how to control the Han Dynasty and how to defend the border, would you let the Han army break through the pass?" 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, and bowed: "Your Majesty, the battle between Qin Feng shows how strong the Han army is. This time, the Northern Han has recaptured the four states. It is better to follow the advice of King Nanping and send envoys to stop the peace with the Northern Han!"

That's right, after learning about the consequences of the Qin Feng war, Gao Baorong, the "loyal" brother of the Han Dynasty, took the initiative to write a letter and sent someone to Chengdu, suggesting that Meng Chang pay tribute to the Northern Han Dynasty to ensure safety.

Listening to Li Hao's words, Meng Chang had a cold face, as if nothing had changed, but in fact he was already moved. When he fought with the Han army to the end and was defeated repeatedly, Meng Chang had no confidence or ambition at all.

Meng Chang didn't speak, and Wang Zhaoyuan sneered twice, saying, "How can we stop easily when the war has developed to this point? With the domineering and greed of the Han Emperor, how much price will our dynasty have to pay to stop the Northern Han army? Even if we bow down and seek a truce and peace, how long can we stay?"

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