Pang Ji's expression did not change. Everyone was looking at him, but he showed no signs of panic. He walked out of the queue calmly, kowtowed to Zhao Zhen and stood aside without saying a word.
Everyone thought that he would defend himself or refute Xia Song who pulled him out, but they did not expect that this person would remain silent and had no fierce rebuttal.
Zhao Zhen asked: "Pang Qing, is what Xia Song said true?"
"Your Majesty, Sir Xia is telling the truth. The supply of military rations has indeed been insufficient recently, and I am guilty."
All the ministers were surprised. What was Pang Ji's idea? It was definitely not Pang Ji's style to accept the crime without any explanation. The new officials did not understand Pang Ji, but experienced officials such as Lu Yijian, Du Yan, Yan Shu, Xia Song and so on.
We know Pang Ji very well; this man will never suffer any loss. If he is willing to accept the crime, it will not happen until the sun sets in the west.
"The army cannot supply food and grass. You, the Shaanxi transshipment envoy, are to blame. Can you tell me, is it the court's lack of supply or your own fault?" Zhao Zhen tried his best to avoid heated words and only said:
The responsibilities of the three divisions were called the court's insufficient supply to avoid dragging out Yan Shu.
Of course Yan Shu knew the emperor's intention to protect him, but he did not accept it. As soon as Zhao Zhen finished speaking, Yan Shu took the initiative to go out and play: "Your Majesty, I have something to say."
Zhao Zhen rolled his eyes at Yan Shu and thought to himself: "I didn't call you, but you jumped out on your own. Do you still think there are so few people involved in this matter? Is it possible that you want to involve someone else?"
"Yan Aiqing, I'm asking Pang Ji something. If you have anything to say, I'll talk to you later."
"What I said is exactly related to what Da Daren said."
"Oh? Then... Yan Aiqing will tell you." Zhao Zhen frowned, a little unhappy.
"Thank you for your permission, Your Majesty. Here is the total amount of food and grass transported by the three divisions to the front line in the past year. Not to mention the past, since June, the three divisions have sent more than 130,000 dan of military rations to the northwest every month. Our northwest army has ten
More than 10,000 people, including relief for the homeless, it is enough to include all the food for tens of thousands of civilians. I don’t know when the food supply that Pangda said was insufficient happened."
Pang Ji cupped his hands and said, "Sir Yan, since the beginning of July, the supply of grain trucks has been cut off. I am about to report this matter to Your Majesty. This matter of cutting off grain has nothing to do with the three divisions. It is actually due to my lack of careful consideration."
Zhao Zhen asked curiously: "What's the point of the food being sent out by the Third Division but you haven't received it? Could it be that the Western thieves have entered the rear and intercepted it? Or maybe there are bandits who have robbed it?"
Pang Ji said: "Your Majesty, how could the Western bandits enter our hinterland to do evil? There are indeed bandits, but they are escorted by my brigade of officers and soldiers. How dare a small group of bandits dare to act rashly? I have found out the reason, and the grain and grass are sent to Qinfeng Road via Yongxing Military Road."
, was blocked at the foot of Bison Mountain in Fengxiang, with roads blocked and unable to reach the front line."
Zhao Zhen frowned and said: "How can the road be blocked? I remember that there is an official road built in the northwest, which goes directly to the border states and counties. Can't we use the official road?"
Pang Ji said: "Your Majesty is unaware that since the beginning of July, the weather in the northwest has been abnormal, with several heavy rains. All the official roads used by grain trucks have been washed away by the rain, and mudflows have broken out at the foot of Bison Mountain, threatening to pass through the mountains."
All the official roads are blocked, and grain trucks cannot move, so the supply is insufficient."
Zhao Zhen said: "It was blocked in July. It's almost September now. Is the road still blocked?"
"The war in the northwest has lasted for several years, and the people have been severely displaced. In addition, there are bandits from time to time. It is difficult to recruit civilians. I have gone to the blocked areas and have recruited nearly 4,000 civilians in nearby counties to dig stones and open roads. The grain road will be opened in mid-September.
"The supply of nearly 30,000 stones of grain and grass in August was completely carried over the mountains on our shoulders, and with the addition of Yanzhou's stock of grain, we could barely guarantee the supply of the army every day. I am incompetent, and I feel ashamed."
Zhao Zhen remained silent. It was really unthinkable that God would not help. He knew that the northwest was vast and sparsely populated, with dangerous mountains and difficult roads. Without official roads, supplies could not be transported in. If we took a detour, there would be huge mountains to the south.
It lies across the border and is close to the border to the north. Not to mention that the road is not smooth. Although the Xixia army may invade, Pang Ji will not dare to take the risk.
"Pang Aiqing, I understand your difficulties, but the official channels must be cleared as soon as possible no matter what, otherwise why will the northwest army fight?" Zhao Zhen said weakly.
"I swear that I will die in early September to open up the official channels. Your Majesty, please don't worry. Sir Xia has informed me about the shortage of food and grass supplies. It is indeed a bit ill-advised to go to war without food this time." Pang Ji said casually, seemingly casually.
In one sentence, he pushed away the responsibility for general food logistics and kicked the ball towards Xia Song who had pulled him out, thus avenging him in an ordinary way.
The ministers were impressed by Pang Ji's methods. This man was profound in the city and sophisticated in his methods. It was like saying: I have told Xia Song that the supply of food and grass is insufficient, but you still want to go to war. Isn't this stupid?
You are solely responsible for the failure of the war.
Han Qi was furious, pointed at Xia Song's nose and said, "Master Xia, how come you already knew about this but didn't tell me? How can a major military matter be such a dereliction of duty?"
When Xia Song was scolded by his deputy, he would have been furious in normal times, but today he had to keep silent. How could he express his feelings for Xiao Jiujiu? Originally, after Han Qi and Fan Zhongyan arrived at the northwest front,
Forcibly removing all military power from him as the commander-in-chief, Xia Song felt angry. This time, he actually did it on purpose. He wanted to make Han Qi suffer a loss, and then use this opportunity to report to the emperor and take back the military power.
.
Small wins and small losses have become normal in several years of tug-of-war, but I didn't expect this defeat to be so disastrous. Not only six thousand people died, but nearly 20,000 were injured. The loophole was so big that it has already affected the country.
The balance of strength between the two armies finally reached the capital.
This was not Xia Song's intention to be self-defeating, but now that the matter had come to this, Xia Song could only hope to share the responsibility, so he pulled Pang Ji out, hoping that Pang Ji would understand his difficulties, and for the sake of their normal friendship
He gave me a hand for his own sake, but he didn't expect that this person would retaliate. He bit back lightly, but directly sent him into the quagmire.
"Xia Song, you disappoint me so much." Zhao Zhen understood, and with one sentence he concluded that Xia Song could not escape the crime of dereliction of duty.
Xia Song knelt down and kowtowed like garlic. His eyes kept glancing at Lu Yijian aside. He couldn't count on Yan Shu. It was already good that this person would not add insult to injury. Now he could only hope that Lu Xiang would say a few good words to him.
Lu Yijian secretly scolded Xia Song for being stupid. Originally, he was targeting Han Qi and Fan Zhongyan today, but after messing around, Xia Song was brought in, which was unexpected.
Lu Yijian could not watch one of his own being sent to the eighteenth level of hell. Although the emperor was unlikely to sentence Xia Song to a serious crime such as confiscating his home and beheading him, even if he was sentenced to a prison sentence, it would be difficult to turn around in the future. He must be able to do so.
The only way is to reduce his guilt.
"Lu Qing, in your opinion, how can this matter be solved?" Of course Zhao Zhen had to seek the advice of the old prime minister. Lu Yijian was undoubtedly more experienced than himself in handling these matters.
"Your Majesty." Lu Yijian stood up from the stool, cupped his hands and said: "The impact of this defeat is huge. The strength of our army and the Western bandits has been imbalanced. The top priority is to hold the line of defense and not allow Yuan Hao's army to enter. As for the responsibilities of several adults, it is not
It’s still a secondary consideration.”
The officials nodded silently, but it was Prime Minister Lu who saw the situation clearly. Now that the border was in danger, the guilt of these people was indeed insignificant compared to the situation.
"But the guilty must be punished. Otherwise, how can the army be in good spirits? But the old minister thought that Lord Xia and Han Fan are the best choices to lead the northwest army. Victory and defeat are common for military strategists. Temporary negligence is also possible. People are very different.
How can a sage be so considerate? The old minister's opinion is to allow these few of them to serve their crimes, and it would be better for the emperor to consider the crime lightly."
How could Zhao Zhen not hear the meaning of protecting Xia Song in Lu Yijian's words? It was obvious that Xia Song had the greatest responsibility in this matter. Lu Yijian just tied up the four people to talk, and his intention was to make each of them gentle.
A slap is enough; Zhao Zhen also understands that at present, the only people in the DPRK who can stabilize the situation in the northwest are these four people. The others may not be able to use them, so it is the best way to go downhill.
"What Lu Aiqing said is reasonable. Those who are guilty should be punished. Otherwise, it will be difficult to support the morale of the people and the army. Pang Ji, Xia Song, Han Qi, Fan Zhongyan, you and the other four will listen to the order."
The four of them shouted long live and kowtowed to listen to the verdict.
"Pang Ji, as the Shaanxi Fourth Route Transport Envoy, failed to prepare for the incident and was guilty of dereliction of duty. However, I thought that Pang Ji could quickly remedy the situation and personally took command. The measures were considered appropriate, so I decided to send him to the Shaanxi Fourth Route Transfer Envoy.
He was demoted to the post of Shaanxi Fourth Route Recruitment Envoy and informed of Yanzhou; Pang Qing, you must fulfill your duties and do not let down my hard work."
Pang Ji shouted long live for receiving the decree to thank him. Although his lowered eyes pretended to be frightened, the joy he showed from time to time revealed his innermost feelings.
Anyone with a discerning eye can see that although Pang Ji lost his position as a transport envoy this time, he was appointed as a recruiting envoy. In fact, his responsibilities were even greater. This was like being demoted from provincial party committee secretary to provincial military division commander.
In terms of his position, although his level has been lowered, what is the biggest thing in the northwest now is naturally the war with Xixia. The military region commander is much more important than the provincial party committee secretary; and in this position, as long as there is no major issue,
In a basket, it is much easier to enter the center than to transfer.
"Xia Song listened to the order, and Xia Song neglected his duties, which led to this defeat. His crime cannot be forgiven. However, he has guarded the northwest for many years and has made great achievements. This time, he is extraneous to the law and is dismissed from the post of Shaanxi Fourth Route Economic and Comfort Envoy.
, I will sentence the Yongxing Army as a guilty person. You must exercise self-discipline and live up to my expectations."
A stone fell in Xia Song's heart, and his head was covered with sweat. This result was beyond his expectation. He thought he would be dismissed from his post, but he didn't expect that the emperor would still let him wait in the northwest for meritorious service. This was truly heavenly.
The big cake fell from the pan.
"Han Qi and Fan Zhongyan listened to the order. You two have made great contributions to guarding the border. However, this defeat is also due to poor planning. I am going to Shaanxi Province to appease the Deputy Envoy of Economic Strategy. Han Qi is demoted to the right to advise and know the Qin Dynasty.
In Yaozhou, Fan Zhongyan was demoted to the rank of Wailang, a member of the Ministry of Household Affairs. He still knows that the situation in the northwest is tense in Yaozhou. You two must be more careful and work together with Xia Song, the Pang family member, to turn the tide of the war and drive the Western bandits out of the country."
Han Qi and Fan Zhongyan both shouted long live, thanked him and accepted the order.
The four people finished announcing the decree one by one, and most of the officials in the court let out a long sigh. They thought it would cause a super earthquake, but they didn't expect that the emperor would downplay the matter. At this critical moment, the emperor's
Having a benevolent heart is indeed the best way to stabilize the morale of the country and the military.