Li Feng's entire body swayed. Changgeng watched expressionlessly as he fell onto the throne in the golden palace. A cruel pleasure suddenly rose outside of his rationality. However, he was very harsh on himself. In an instant, he quietly pinched his palm and suppressed the bloodthirsty pleasure. He knew that it was Wu'er's bone causing trouble and not his true nature.
Changgeng said without much sincerity, "Brother, take care."
It was as if he wasn't the one who kept saying that he wanted to kill Li Feng.
Once Yanbei Of Gojoseon spoke, the stunned civil and military officials in the hall immediately reacted and echoed, "Your Majesty, take care."
Li Feng's gaze slowly fell on Chang Geng. Nominally, Chang Geng was his only younger brother, but he didn't often pay attention to him. Ever since the Fourth Prince Li Min was conferred the title of Prince and entered the Imperial Court, he didn't make much noise in the Imperial Court, nor did he deliberately make friends with the court officials. He didn't even borrow Gu Yun's influence to talk to the generals. He only occasionally chatted with a few poor scholars about poetry.
Changgeng didn't seem to notice his gaze at all. His expression didn't change as he said, "General Zhao has died for the country. The East Sea no longer has a barrier. If the foreigners turn north, they will immediately be able to reach Dagu Harbor. Things have already reached this point. It's too late to say anything now.
Li Feng knew this, but his heart was a mess. For a moment, he couldn't speak.
At this moment, Uncle Wang, who had been tormented by the rumors in the streets for the past few days, glanced at the Emperor's expression. Gathering his courage, he said, "Your Majesty, there is only one Beidaying in the suburbs of the capital. The surrounding areas are all plains, a vast expanse of flat land. If we fight here, our military strength is certainly not enough. Besides, the matter of Tan Hongfei's rebellion has yet to be concluded. Beidaying has almost no one to command it. If the flood dragons of Jiangnan are all wiped out, can Beidaying do it? Who can protect the peace of the Imperial City? For today's plan, why don't we … uh … "
Before Wang Bao could finish his words, the gazes of all the generals in the hall were fixed on him.
This old thing hadn't cleaned up his own mess yet. Now, he dared to urge the emperor to move the capital. If it weren't for the internal and external troubles, everyone would have the heart to divide him up and eat him.
Wang Bao swallowed his saliva dejectedly and bent his waist, not daring to get up.
Li Feng's expression was uncertain. After a moment of silence, he ignored Uncle Wang and said, "Let Tan Hongfei be reinstated. Give him a chance to redeem himself … I called you all here to discuss matters. If anyone says any more nonsense, get out!"
The Emperor was so anxious that he even shouted vulgarities. The entire hall was silent. Wang Bao's face turned red and white.
Li Feng turned to the Minister of War in a slightly irritated manner. "Minister Hu, you're in charge of the Ministry of War, and you're in charge of the drumming order. Speak."
The Minister of War's face was sickly and two feet long. His name, "Hu Guang," sounded a bit like "Hu Guang," so in private people called him "Hu Guang."
Hearing Li Feng's words, Hu Guang's face was full of blisters and he became a bitter gourd. In name, the drumming order was issued by the Ministry of War, but did the Ministry of War dare to issue it for no reason? He was just a pen in the emperor's hand. Did a pen dare to have ideas?
Hu Guang wiped the cold sweat off his brow. Lacking confidence, he said righteously, "Uh... Your Majesty is right. The capital is entrusted to the throne of our Great Liang. It is also a place where tens of thousands of people go. How can we allow foreigners to barge in? What a scandal! Even if we have one soldier left, we will fight to the death. If we retreat now, won't it shake the army's morale? "
Li Feng was impatient to listen to his wheel-like nonsense. He cut him off and said, "I'm telling you how to fight!"
Hu Guang, "…"
Everyone was staring at Wang Bao, but Wang Bao was right. If the Jiangnan navy commander had already died for the country, who could be a general in the East Sea region? If the flood dragons were scattered, how could they move the troops?
If the foreigners went North, how many rounds of cannons could Beidaying and the Imperial Guards block?
From a certain perspective, Wang Bao could be considered courageous. At least he said the truth that no one dared to say.
Hu Guang immediately became a bitter gourd. The cold sweat on his head was like rotten juice.
At this moment, Changgeng suddenly spoke.
The young Yanbei Of Gojoseon came forward and said, "Brother, would you listen to me?"
Hu Guang cast a pair of grateful eyes toward Changgeng. Changgeng smiled gently and elegantly at him. "Brother, please calm down. Spilled water cannot be taken back. Even if a person dies, they cannot be brought back to life. The predicament of the four sides of the border has already become an established fact. There is no use in arguing and getting angry. Rather than panic ourselves, why don't we first think about what we can do to make up for it?"
He had probably been with monks for a long time. There was not a trace of smoke or fire on his body. Standing in front of the palace like a jade tree in the wind, he was so quiet that it refreshed one's heart. The boiling anger couldn't help but calm down with him.
Li Feng secretly exhaled and waved his hand. "Speak."
Changgeng said, "Right now, the Central Plains are on fire. The soldiers and horses have already moved, but the provisions have not yet moved. To prevent another shortage of supplies, I ask you to open the national treasury and release all of the purple gold. This is the first."
"Yes, you reminded me." Li Feng turned to the Ministry of Revenue. "Immediately order people to coordinate …"
"Brother," Changgeng calmly interrupted him. "What I am talking about is releasing all of the purple gold. During this time of emergency, the order to beat the drums has become a constraint. The claws and teeth of the generals are still shackled. Does brother want to tie them up and send them to the battlefield?"
If these words were said by anyone else, it would be extremely offensive. But for some reason, when it came from Yanbei Of Gojoseon's mouth, it didn't make people angry.
Hu Guang, who had just been thrown to the side, hurriedly said, "Chen agrees."
Without waiting for Li Feng to speak, the Ministry of Revenue had already exploded. The assistant minister of the Ministry of Revenue said in a clear voice, "Your Majesty, you must not. Releasing the purple gold at this time will indeed solve the urgent situation. But I have to say something unpleasant. If it drags on and we can't get through today, what will happen in the future? Will we eat in the future? "
The commander of the Imperial Guards probably really wanted to tear off the assistant minister's head and control the water inside. He retorted in court, "The bandits have already come to our door, but all of you are still thinking of living a careful life. This has really opened my eyes. Your Majesty, if we can't solve the urgent situation, why are we still talking about the 'long term'? If the four realms are trapped to death, we can't just rely on the small amount of purple gold in our country. Even if we dig three feet into the ground, we won't be able to last long!"
Hu Guang seemed to be afraid that he wouldn't be able to get a word in edgewise. His face and neck were red as he shouted, "Chen agrees!"
Changgeng hadn't even said a word about how to retreat from the enemy and had already caused a big argument. He didn't say anything and stood patiently to the side, waiting for them to come to a conclusion.
Li Feng's head was about to explode. He suddenly felt that all the 'pillars' of the imperial court were staring at his trifling territory. His territory was not even as big as a bowl. If he sent all of them to the imperial kitchen, they might be able to create a new cuisine that was as grand and magnificent as the Lovely Land.
"That's enough!" Li Feng shouted.
The surroundings were quiet. Changgeng took the opportunity to say, "Chen Di hasn't finished speaking. Secondly, Imperial Brother needs to be prepared to withdraw the military forces."
As soon as he said this, the officials were once again in an uproar. Even the anger of the Emperor couldn't suppress the uproar below. A few old officials looked like they were about to hit the pillar with their heads.
Li Feng's eyes twitched. A mouthful of anger rushed to his throat. He forcefully suppressed it and didn't let out a Changgeng. He frowned as if he was holding his breath and warned in a low voice, "Ah Min, there are some words that you should think carefully before you speak. Our ancestors passed down the country to me, not for me to sacrifice the land to feed the tiger."
Changgeng's expression didn't change. He said, "Chen Di wants Imperial Brother to check your wallet. How much territory can we support with the current strength of the entire country? This isn't about sacrificing the land to feed the tiger, but rather, it's about a brave man cutting his wrist. When it's time to cut, it can't be cut continuously. I'm afraid that we'll have to wait until we're deeply poisoned and the entire country has been beaten to a pulp by the westerners before we cut. "
His calm tone was like a basin of cold water that was poured on Li Feng's head without mercy.
Changgeng didn't raise his head to look at the Emperor's face. He continued, "Thirdly, Wang Daren is right. Right now, the Black Iron Battalion is in the northwest. Even if we suffer heavy losses, we can still hold on. The most urgent thing is the mutiny in the East Sea. Once the foreigners go north, Beidaying's military strength will be worrisome. Our reinforcements will be tied down and may not be able to arrive in time.
What will Imperial Brother do then? "Li Feng was forced to age ten years in an instant by his words. After a long time of dejection, he finally said," Announce the decree … Go and invite Imperial Uncle here. "
When Changgeng heard this decree, he didn't even blink. He didn't show any joy or resentment. It was as if everything was as it should be, as if everything was within reason.
Zhu Xiaojiao didn't even dare to breathe loudly in response. Just as he was about to leave, Chang Geng suddenly opened his mouth to remind the emperor, "Your Majesty, the imperial prison is only sending Eunuch Zhu to announce the decree. Isn't this a joke?"
He instinctively didn't trust any of the eunuchs around Li Feng, including this person who had been secretly helping Gu Yun in name.
Li Feng said weakly, "What time is it now? Why do we still care about these empty formalities? Beloved Official Jiang, run an errand for me."
Zhu Xiaojiao followed Jiang Chong with small, quick steps. He couldn't help but glance at Changgeng from afar.
He was an old man in the palace. He was familiar with all of the civil and military officials in Daliang. Only this Yanbei Of Gojoseon was closely protected by Gu Yun in the marquis's fu since he was young. After he grew up, he traveled everywhere "without any proper occupation" and rarely showed himself. Other than mixing in with the crowd to attend court hearings, he didn't even enter the palace alone. At most, he would come with Gu Yun to pay his respects during festivals … Almost everyone knew nothing about him.
Ignorance meant that there were variables.
Jiang Chong and Zhu Xiaojiao didn't stop to rest. They left the palace and went straight to the imperial prison. When they were about to arrive, Zhu Xiaojiao suddenly remembered something and said in a throaty voice, "That's not right, Lord Jiang. Marquis is going to enter the palace to meet the emperor. How can he wear a prisoner's uniform? Why don't I immediately ask someone to take a look at this year's newly made first-rank marquis' court uniform and bring one over? "
Jiang Chong was filled with grief and indignation from the destruction of his country and home. Suddenly, the old eunuch's voice brought him back to his senses. He didn't know whether to laugh or cry, "Eunuch Zhu, what time is it now? You're still thinking about these trivial matters. I …"
Before he could finish speaking, he saw a person riding a horse over. In the blink of an eye, the person arrived in front of him. He dismounted and bowed. It was the marquis's fu's household general, Huo Dan.
Huo Dan nimbly cupped his fists, "Lord Jiang, Eunuch Zhu, this lowly one is the household servant of the Marquis of Stability's fu. I'm here to deliver this item to Marquis under His Highness' orders."
As he spoke, his hands came into contact with a set of court uniform and armor.
Jiang Chong's heart skipped a beat. Although Yanbei Of Gojoseon was a meticulous person at first glance, was there a need to be so petty to this extent?
Who was His Highness guarding against?
In the prison, Gu Yun was bored to death as he held the fat rat's tail and made him swing. Sensing that the wind behind him was not blowing in the right direction, he turned around in surprise. He vaguely saw three figures barge in from outside. The person in the lead walked like the wind and seemed to be wearing court attire.
Following that, the prison door was unlocked. A unique palace fragrance wafted into Gu Yun's nose. It was also mixed with a bit of Li Feng's unique sandalwood scent.
Gu Yun narrowed his eyes and recognized that the plump fatty was Zhu Xiaojiao.
If they wanted to interrogate him, there was no reason for them to send Zhu Xiaojiao directly. A person like Li Feng would not slap his own face and let him go again and again. Then, it could only be …
The smile on Gu Yun's face disappeared. He thought, "What happened?"
Jiang Chong quickly said something, but Gu Yun could not hear him at all. He only caught the words "enemy attack … Zhao …" and was confused. He could only blankly pretend to be steady and unmoved even if Mount Tai collapsed. He responded to all changes by remaining unchanged and nodded.
Jiang Chong was infected by his unmoving calmness. His heart calmed down for a moment. The anxiety that had been fluctuating between hot and cold fell into his stomach. He almost cried, "Daliang has a pillar like Marquis. It is the blessing of the people."
Gu Yun was confused. He thought, "My dear mother, what are you talking about?"
On the surface, he just casually patted Lord Jiang's shoulder and ordered, "Lead the way."
Fortunately, Huo Dan stepped forward at this time. At the same time, he handed over his court attire and untied a wine pot from his waist, "His Highness asked me to bring this to Marquis to drive away the cold."
Gu Yun opened the lid and smelled it. He knew it was medicine. He immediately breathed a sigh of relief as if he had been granted amnesty and drank it in one gulp.
Huo Dan quickly helped him change his clothes and tidied him up. The group of people went straight to the palace. The deaf and blind Marquis of Stability mixed in with them. For the first time, he hoped that the medicine would take effect quickly.
It was not until they arrived at the foot of the palace wall that Gu Yun's ears slowly regained their senses.
He calmly gestured to Huo Dan. Huo Dan understood and hurriedly took two steps forward. He leaned close to his ear and repeated Jiang Chong's words in the imperial prison.
Gu Yun did not have time to finish listening. His head, which was already hurting so much that it felt like it was going to explode, snapped with a "hum". His eyes almost exploded with golden sparks. He staggered in a panic. Huo Dan supported his arm, "Marshal!"
Jiang Chong was startled. He did not know what had happened to the Marquis of Stability, who was so calm that he did not seem like a human. Seeing that Gu Yun's face was as unsightly as a corpse, he hurriedly asked nervously, "Marquis, what's wrong?"
"More than half of the Black Iron Battalion has been lost", "Northern border passes have been lost one after another", "General Zhao has sacrificed himself for the country", "The supply depot in the southwest has exploded" … Those few words turned into a cluster of deadly blades, spinning and stabbing into Gu Yun's limbs and bones. He felt a sharp pain in his chest and a metallic sweetness surged up his throat.
Blue veins appeared on his forehead, cold sweat trickled down his temples, and his eyes were somewhat unfocused. Although Jiang Chong knew that even in the imperial prison, no one would dare to torture the Marquis of Stability, he was still greatly frightened, "What's wrong with Marquis? Do you want this official to call a carriage? Where's the imperial physician? "
Gu Yun's body swayed slightly.
Jiang Chong said, "Right now, Daliang's safety is on Marquis' shoulders. You absolutely cannot have any mishaps!"
These words were like a sudden clap of thunder that streaked across Gu Yun's ears. His three souls and seven spirits that were about to scatter in all directions were fiercely shaken. They were deeply engraved in his bones and heart as they gathered back into his spine. Gu Yun closed his eyes and forcefully swallowed back a mouthful of blood.
After a pause, under Jiang Chong's fearful gaze, he laughed hoarsely as if nothing had happened, "I haven't seen the sun for a few days, so I have a bit of a headache. It's not a problem, it's just an old ailment."
As he spoke, Gu Yun lowered his head and slightly adjusted the light armor on his body. He pulled his arm out from Huo Dan's hand and threw over the grey rat that had been nestled in his arm. He warned, "This is my rat brother who has risked his life for me. Find some food for him, don't let him starve to death."
Huo Dan, "…"
After Gu Yun finished speaking, he turned around and walked into the palace.
At this moment, in the throne room, Changgeng's few words had caused a chaotic battle of words. When Zhu Xiaojiao's resounding and sharp voice called out, "The Marquis of Stability is entering the palace for an audience." Everyone was silenced. For a moment, there was a deathly silence in the hall.
Gu Yun raised his head and met Changgeng's eyes. The two people's gazes met and then separated. He could already see the indescribable turbulence in Changgeng's eyes.
Immediately, Gu Yun stepped forward and bowed as if there was no one else present. His indifferent appearance was as if he had not come from the imperial prison, but had just slept in at the marquis fu.
Li Feng immediately announced the dismissal of the court and chased out the quarreling talkers and good-for-nothings. Only Gu Yun, Changgeng, and a group of generals were left to discuss the reorganization of the capital's defenses.
Duke Feng Han, who was reflecting at home, had no choice but to leave the mountain again. The entire Lingshu Temple was brightly lit as he worked overtime to organize the capital's existing war preparations.
After an entire day and night, it was only after the fourth night watch period had passed that the sky had already turned white. Only then did Li Feng, who had dark circles under his eyes, let them go back.
Before leaving, Li Feng called out to Gu Yun alone.
In the hall, the left and right were dismissed. Only the monarch and subject looked at each other in dismay. Li Feng was silent for a long time until the palace lantern felt the sunlight and extinguished itself. With a click, Li Feng came back to his senses. He looked at Gu Yun with a complicated expression and said vaguely, "… I've wronged Imperial Uncle."
Gu Yun had a stomach full of words that he was already familiar with, and could blurt them out without thinking.
Nonsense such as "Thunder and rain are all the emperor's grace" and "What grievance is there to speak of when dying for the country" had been seamlessly linked together under his glib tongue.
But suddenly, his tongue seemed to be stuck. He tried a few times but could not say it. He could only smile at the Emperor Long An.
His smile was indescribably stiff and seemed a bit awkward.
For a moment, the two of them had nothing to say. Li Feng sighed and waved his hand.
Gu Yun lowered his eyebrows and restrained his gaze, then took his leave.
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