In order to travel quickly, they had passed by the gates of each city without entering, so this was the first time they heard about this.
A trace of mockery flashed across Song Jingchen’s face. “As expected, our emperor is short-sighted.”
Although Xunyang was barren and sparsely populated, it stood on its own. Together with the natural barriers of the surrounding mountains, it formed a solid defense.
To put it simply, Xunyang was like a key to opening the gates of Great Xia.
Emperor Chong’an was actually going to personally deliver such a key to the Huns. It could be said that he was mocking them.
They probably felt that Xunyang was unimportant because there was a Qilin Mountain between Xunyang and Liang County.
However, they only knew that Mount Qilin was steep and was the second gate that Great Xia could use to stop the Xiongnu army.
However, Qilin Mountain traversed the entire Liang County. If they ascended the mountain, wouldn’t it be easy for them to enter Liang County or even the Qiuning County behind it?
That person probably didn’t expect Emperor Chong’an to make such an arrangement, right?
Just as South Wind had said.
Emperor Chong’an received Xunyang’s urgent message when the Xiongnu army of 200,000 troops arrived.
“Your Majesty, this…” Eunuch Li stood at the side and waited on the brush and ink. He happened to see the contents of the report clearly. In his shock, he forgot that he had lost his head and spoke.
“Huh?” Emperor Chong’an glanced at him coldly.
Eunuch Li suppressed his urge to kneel down and beg for mercy. He smiled awkwardly and said, “If you don’t drink the nourishing soup sent by Her Highness, it’ll get cold. Your Majesty, do you want to drink some first?”
“Otherwise, the noble consort will blame me for not serving His Majesty well.”
Emperor Chong’an looked at him coldly for a while and suddenly laughed. “You old thing, tell me how many benefits you received from the imperial consort.”
“Oh my, Your Majesty, you’ve wronged me. I’m thinking about Your Majesty’s health.” Eunuch Li knelt down in fear to express his loyalty.
Emperor Chong’an seemed to be amused by his appearance. He waved his hand in a good mood. “Alright, no need to go overboard. You don’t have to serve me here anymore. You can leave first.”
“Yes.” Eunuch Li slowly stood up and bowed a few steps before turning around. His gaze lingered on the courier for a moment.
After Eunuch Li left, the smile on Emperor Chong’an’s face disappeared. He narrowed his eyes at the messenger kneeling below him and asked in an unreadable tone, “the Xiongnu army is at the border, Xunyang is trapped, and Lord An Le is in danger?”
“Yes.” The courier’s forehead was covered in cold sweat from the pressure of the superior’s aura.
“You saw other ministers along the way to the palace?”
The courier was stunned, not understanding why Emperor Chong’an would ask such an unimportant question. However, he still replied respectfully, “No.”
Emperor Chong’an nodded and closed the report. “I understand. You can leave first.”
“Shouldn’t the ministers be summoned for a meeting urgently?” the courier thought.
“Your Majesty…” The courier called out anxiously. When he met those dignified eyes, he immediately stopped and kowtowed. “Yes.”
The hall was silent for a moment. Emperor Chong’an knocked on the dragon table, and a masked man appeared out of thin air.
Emperor Chong’an placed the report on the candle and lit it. He instructed casually, “Go and deal with him.”
As soon as he finished speaking, the masked man immediately disappeared.
It was as if this report had never appeared in front of Emperor Chong’an. It was not until the second letter was sent to the royal court three days later that it caused an uproar among the ministers.
In the past, the Xiongnu people often harassed the border, but it was all small skirmishes. They would retreat after receiving some small benefits. This time, a total of 200,000 troops were pressing on the border. No matter how one looked at it, it was impossible for them to deploy so many troops just for some small benefits.
The ministers were divided into three factions. One faction, led by General Xiao, naturally felt that they had to fight back. They requested Emperor Chong’an to send troops to support Xunyang.
There was also the first prince Shangguan Pu’s faction, who was led by Prime Minister Liu. The officials of Shangguan Pu’s faction suggested abandoning Xunyang because it was barren to begin with. Moreover, the snow disaster in the south at the beginning of spring caused the treasury to be empty now. It could not withstand the war.
The rest of the people did not express any opinions. Emperor Chong’an’s decision was their decision. They called themselves royalists, but they were actually cowards.
What was surprising was that Grand Tutor Zhao also stood up to support the pro-war faction.
It had to be known that Lord An Le was in Xunyang. Back then, when Lord An Le’s position as the crown prince was abolished, Grand Tutor Zhao had contributed the most. Everyone felt that if anyone wanted Lord An Le to die the most, it would definitely be Grand Tutor Zhao. After all, the two of them had long formed a death feud.
If Lord An Le didn’t die, Teacher Zhao would have to worry about him making a comeback.
Therefore, his words could not help but shock everyone. At the same time, everyone felt that Grand Tutor Zhao was indeed a noble person. He could disregard his master’s friendship and report the crown prince, and now, he could also speak up for the citizens of Xunyang City.
The final outcome was obvious.
This was what South Wind had found out.
“Your Majesty, the Second Prince requests an audience.” Eunuch Li walked into Yangxin Hall and bowed.
Emperor Chong’an looked up from a pile of petitions and pondered for a moment. “Let him in.”
Not long after, Shangguan Yu walked into Yangxin Hall under Eunuch Li’s lead.
Shangguan Yu bowed and cupped his hands. “Greetings, Father.”
Emperor Chong’an waved his hand to get him up. “Why are you here today?”
This son was not like the others who liked to make their presence known in front of him. That was why Emperor Chong’an asked this question.
Shangguan Yu lifted his robe and knelt down. “I beg Father to send troops to support Xunyang.”
Emperor Chong’an’s expression darkened. He leaned forward slightly and stared at Shangguan Yu sharply. “You’re also here to beg on behalf of your brother?”
He really could not understand this son of his. Which other prince did not want that unfilial son to die? Only he had come to plead for that unfilial son several times.
Shangguan Yu lowered his head and said, “I grew up with Fifth Brother, so I naturally don’t want anything to happen to him.”
“Moreover, Xunyang City is a strategic location. It’s easy to defend but difficult to attack. It’s an important barrier for Great Xia to defend against the Xiongnu. We really shouldn’t abandon it.”
Emperor Chong’an looked at him for a moment and could not determine any other motives. He waved his hand impatiently and said, “I understand. You can leave.”
“Father…” Shangguan Yu wanted to continue.
After receiving the instructions, Eunuch Li quickly went over to help him up. “Your Highness, His Majesty has been in a bad mood recently. Please don’t anger him anymore.”
Shangguan Yu clenched his fists and dodged Eunuch Li’s outstretched hand. He cupped his hands again and said, “Can I go and see Mother? After all, Mother raised me. I beg Father to agree.”
Emperor Chong’an was stunned for a moment before he reacted. He originally wanted to refuse, but he thought of something and changed his tone. “I agree.”
“Thank you, Father.”
Lianshan had been waiting outside Yangxin Hall. When he saw his master coming out, he quickly went up to him. “Your Highness, has His Majesty allowed it?”
Shangguan Yu shook his head and was about to speak.
An extremely arrogant voice came from behind him. “Hey, isn’t this Second Brother? Did you have enough free time to enter the palace today?”
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