The Hu people sued for peace, which really surprised Zhao Yanxun.
After conveying the decree to Luo Lun, Zhao Yanxun immediately convened a meeting with the emperor.
The two cabinet ministers in Beijing, the chief officer of the Ministry of Husbandry and the Ministry of War, and the two envoys of the Privy Council are on their way to Qian'an Palace at this moment.
Although Zhao Yanxun can make decisions arbitrarily on all matters, he still has to ask the courtiers for their opinions.
Everyone came to Qian'an Palace and entered a side hall under the guidance of Wu Hong. At this moment, Zhao Yanxun was standing in front of a huge sand table with his back to everyone.
The fighting broke out in the northwest more than half a year ago, but it was only because of the existence of the Jingnan Battle that it was not very popular in the country.
But to be honest, the battle half a year ago was a serious national war.
Today, the imperial court is focusing on internal reforms, but Zhao Yanxun himself pays extraordinary attention to the situation in the northwest.
That's why he ordered the Ministry of Industry to make a sand table based on the existing information, which came in handy now.
"I'm waiting to see you, Your Majesty!"
Zhao Yanxun turned slightly and said: "Without courtesy, come and take a look!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Everyone immediately stood up and walked to the sand table with extreme caution.
To the south of the sand table is the northern part of the Tianshan Mountains and the three counties of Longyou, and to the north is the vast prairie.
There are two small red and black flags on the sand table. It is obvious that the red flag represents the Jin army's deployment, and the black flag represents the Hu people.
"My dear friends, based on the latest information from Jin Yiwei, we have made this sand table. Please take a closer look!"
While talking, Zhao Yanxun walked towards the throne at the same time. He already knew the sand table well, so naturally he didn't need to look at it with the ministers.
After he sat down, he continued: "Each flag above is equivalent to five thousand soldiers and horses..."
"It's just that our army has a small number of cavalry, while the Huns are all cavalry!"
Although the imperial army stationed in the north now has a strength of 100,000, there are only 20,000 cavalry among them, which are the 20,000 forbidden troops who went north.
Although the Forbidden Army are all first-class soldiers, their advantage in fighting barbarians who grew up on horseback is not that great.
When encountering ordinary Hun cavalry, they can achieve the level of one versus three, but when encountering elite Hun cavalry, they may only be able to achieve the level of one versus one and a half.
As for the second-level army, facing the elite Hun cavalry, it is about one to three, and facing the ordinary Hun cavalry, it is one to five.
However, the above is just a simple calculation, and the reality will depend on the actual situation on the battlefield.
It should be noted that the Jin army is now guarding Tianyu Pass, and there is no need to confront the Huns head-on. The above conversion is actually very difficult to use.
"Just now, news came from the Northwest Governor's Office that the Huns sent envoys to seek peace. What do you think of this? How should the court respond?"
Except for the two privy envoys and the chief officer of the Ministry of War, others present did not know much about the situation in the northwest.
Hearing Zhao Yanxun's words, they received a lot of information at once, and now they can only digest it as quickly as possible.
"Your Majesty, the Hu army is gathering, I'm afraid there won't be much sincerity in negotiating peace!" Chen Anming, the left envoy to the Privy Council, frowned.
Chen Anming served as an official in Longyou for most of his life. He had experienced many incidents of barbarians knocking off gates, and he knew the "habits" of the barbarians best.
Guan Hetai, the right envoy of the Privy Council, continued: "The barbarians are afraid of power and have no morals. Your Majesty... our army must still be prepared for war!"
Several other officials also nodded, obviously they did not believe in the Huns either, because they had learned too many lessons over hundreds of years.
Zhao Yanxun said calmly: "You must also know how difficult it is for the imperial court now. We don't know how much food will be spent during the war. It is also good to delay the war as much as possible!"
It's not that he's afraid of the Huns, but it's really difficult for the court now, and Zhao Yanxun needs time to make arrangements.
"That's why I came to you today to discuss carefully with you how to formulate the conditions for peace!"
The emperor had already said this, and the ministers were of course very sensible, so they began to analyze from their own angles what price the court could afford to negotiate for peace.
While everyone was discussing, in the Yanshou Palace on the other side, Zhang Fengxiu looked a little anxious.
During this period, he had been worrying and running a lot in order to repair the relationship between the emperor and the queen mother.
I finally got the consent of the two Supreme Beings and went to Xiyuan to listen to a play together this afternoon. Unexpectedly, the emperor had not come yet when the time came.
Gu Yun
Standing outside the Yanshou Gate, Zhang Fengxiu stared at the palace road, waiting for the maid who was inquiring about the news to come back.
After a while, there were rapid footsteps at the corner of the palace road, and it was obvious that someone was coming.
"The emperor hasn't come back yet?" Zhang Fengxiu asked the visitor.
"Your Majesty, the Emperor is back, but he is currently summoning ministers!"
"How could the minister be summoned suddenly at this time? It's really..." Zhang Fengxiu wanted to say something, but in the end she held it back.
Zhang Fengxiu didn't have the guts to speak rudely to the emperor, even though she had gained some favor recently.
Turning around, Zhang Fengxiu walked into the Yanshou Palace. It was very lively inside at the moment, and all the concubines from the palace were here.
In the main hall of Yanshou Palace, the concubines were all talking about this, all trying to please Cao Miaoyin.
However, although Cao Miaoyin was smiling at the moment, she seemed a little absent-minded.
Whether the emperor was late or missed an appointment, she thought it was no big deal, as long as he said hello in advance.
It's a pity that there is no news from Qian'an Palace at the moment.
Seeing Zhang Fengxiu walking in from outside the hall, Cao Miaoyin's demeanor changed slightly.
"Queen Mother, something big has happened in the court. The Emperor is convening important ministers to discuss matters. No idlers are allowed to disturb him!" Zhang Fengxiu reported.
Hearing this, Cao Miaoyin sighed, and then said: "In that case, let's let it go!"
"Queen Mother..."
Zhang Fengxiu wanted to say something, but Cao Miaoyin had already stood up.
"Queen Mother, the Emperor cannot come, but I can accompany you to relieve your boredom!"
The person who said this was Queen Xue Baoyun. They were husband and wife. She really should say something now.
At this time, Zhang Fengxiu quickly helped: "What the queen said is absolutely true. I and my concubines are all looking forward to a lively fun today. If they just parted ways like this... wouldn't it be a pity!"
With her two taking the lead, everyone else followed suit, making the hall even more lively.
Cao Miaoyin was also afraid of being left alone. Now that all the concubines and concubines wanted to fulfill their filial piety, she didn't want to displease everyone.
Sighing, Cao Miaoyin said helplessly: "Then pack up and get ready to go!"
Before Xue Baoyun could reply on behalf of the concubines, Zhang Fengxiu said Wanfu: "I sincerely follow the Queen Mother's decree!"
After a while, everyone started driving to Xiyuan.
About half an hour passed before the proceedings in Qian'an Palace ended. After the ministers left, Zhao Yanxun remembered the matter of listening to the opera.
"Did the Queen Mother send someone to urge you?"
Wu Hong replied: "Reporting to the emperor, the Queen Mother did not send anyone here, but someone from the concubine Hui's palace came!"
"Then why didn't you remind me?"
"Your Majesty, you said that you are not allowed to disturb me during the discussion, my servant..."
"Are you still talking back?"
When arguing with Wu Hong, Zhao Yanxun was already rushing to Xiyuan. Although he was late, he still had to show his face.
When he came to Xiyuan, it was very lively with singing and dancing, and the concubines all watched it with gusto.
"Queen Mother, the Emperor is here!" Zhang Fengxiu reminded in Cao Miaoyin's ear.
Cao Miaoyin glanced at Zhao Yanxun who was approaching in the distance, and then her eyes fell on the stage again.
The Queen Mother could ignore the Emperor, but the concubines, maids and eunuchs present here had to bow to the Emperor conscientiously.
"Welcome Your Majesty!"
"No gift!"
Zhao Yanxun quickly came to Cao Miaoyin's side, then bowed and said: "My child is late for something, please forgive me, Queen Mother!"
"The emperor should put state affairs first!" Cao Miaoyin said calmly.