In the 36th year of Chengkang in Hokuin, Xiongnu led his troops south and broke through the northern border of Hokuin, directly approaching the city of Yanyuan.
When the news spread, the entire court was shocked.
Summer was the season of lush vegetation outside the Great Wall. Xiongnu's troops had never invaded at this time. The northern border was lax in the summer, which gave Xiongnu a good opportunity to invade.
In the court, there was a disturbance because of this matter.
"I think this matter should be reported to the Emperor immediately and let him return to the court to deal with it." As the leader of the old officials, Han Wenfu strongly believed that this matter should be handed over to the Emperor to decide.
"The Emperor is sick. He has already ordered the two princes to deal with this matter. This matter should be decided by us. We should not disturb the Emperor." Xiao Ze objected.
Another official who stood with Han Wenfu said, "Xiongnu invaded and the war started again. How can we decide on such a big matter?"
Xiao Ze's eyes were like torches. "The Emperor has already ordered the two princes to govern. Asking for help is like putting out a fire. The situation on the battlefield changes rapidly. How can we delay it until the Emperor returns?"
The old official was silent for a moment. What he said was right. The matter of the battlefield could not be delayed. The Xiongnu would be able to break through the city within a day. If the court continued to argue, they would not be able to bear the consequences once Yanyuan City was broken through.
Xiao Ze saw that the others were silent. He immediately turned around and bowed. "Your Highness, this matter is urgent. Please give us your orders."
Huan Zhuo heard the discussion of the court officials and knew that this matter could not be delayed. He said, "Immediately send people to help Yanyuan."
For the first time, Xiao Ze did not oppose the Duan Of Silla's suggestion. He nodded and said, "Your Highness is right. Who does Your Highness think is suitable?"
Huan Zhuo looked at the court officials. Almost half of the court officials were Xiao Ze's people. At this time, the Emperor was sick. No one was willing to leave the capital at this time. If something happened, they would be too far away to help. After thinking about it, he said, "I think Cao Guozhi is suitable for this position."
The Assistant Minister of the Ministry of War, Cao Yuanzhi, was the commander of the Divine Guards. He was a subordinate of Prime Minister Xiao Ze.
As soon as Huan Zhuo finished speaking, the officials didn't look at Cao Yuanzhi, but at Xiao Ze's expression.
Xiao Ze's gaze remained unchanged as he glanced at Cao Yanzhi. "Cao Yanzhi is the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of War. He still has to weigh the decisions of the Imperial Court. I'm afraid he won't be able to leave for the time being."
"Cao Guozhi was born in a family of generals and is well versed in the ways of the battlefield. When he was in the Ministry of War, he had Minister Shangshu to share the burden, so it's not a big problem." Huan Zhuo argued.
"The soldiers under Cao Guozhi's command are all brave and skilled in battle. I think it's feasible." Han Wenfu stood out to support Huan Zhuo.
"Although he's the Imperial Physician Commander, he lacks experience on the battlefield. Xiongnu's army is vicious and merciless. It's not easy to deal with them. In addition, the supply outside the Great Wall is abundant at this time. Their fighting strength is even more different than before. I think it's better to choose another fierce general." Huan Xuan interrupted the argument between the two.
"Then who does His Highness Cheng Wang think is suitable for this position?" Han Wenfu asked.
"Yi Ling." Huan Xuan's gaze darkened as he looked at Yi Ling, who had been silent all this time.
Everyone followed his gaze. Yi Ling's expression was calm, as if the matters of the Imperial Court had nothing to do with him.
"General Yi's troops are stationed at the Yanyuan border. In the past, the general's prestige shook Xiongnu. He's the best choice." Huan Xuan continued.
Yi Ling had never made his stance clear in the dispute between the two parties. This was a critical time. No one knew how ill the Emperor was. If he left the capital at this time, it would be irreversible if something happened. Neither party wanted to send their own people out, and Yi Ling was clearly the best choice.
Han Wenfu and the others' gazes met. They already understood what they were thinking. So they didn't say anything else.
Huan Xuan turned to Huan Zhuo and asked: "What does Er Di think?"
Huan Zhuo thought for a moment. His gaze met with Han Wenfu's and he understood. He nodded, "Imperial Brother is wise."
The matter was settled. Yi Ling received the order to lead the army out.
The expedition was imminent. The military affairs were complicated. The provisions had already been resupplied ahead of the army. Early tomorrow morning, Yi Ling would lead the army out.
The night was dark. After the silence, the sound of insects was even clearer. Gu Yan lay in bed, tossing and turning. She felt that the summer nights in the capital had become dreary.
"A Nuo, A Nuo."
A Nuo was already sleeping soundly in the outer room and didn't respond.
Gu Yan felt that the heat was unbearable. She got out of bed and put on a moon-white coat. Barefoot, she stepped on silk shoes and wanted to open the window to get some fresh air.
Opening the window, a cool breeze blew in. Along with it, the moonlight flowed in like water.
The moonlight was bright, like a silk handkerchief hanging down from the sky. This kind of night made her think of Nan Hua and her family. They were thousands of miles apart. She didn't know what they were doing at this moment.
Thinking of this, Gu Yan couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. She turned and pushed the door open, wanting to sit alone in the corridor.
As soon as the door opened, a tall figure stood not far away. Gu Yan was startled. She let out a low cry of surprise.
He didn't expect her to suddenly come out. After a moment of surprise, he walked a few steps closer.
Gu Yan saw that it was Yi Ling. She let out a sigh of relief, "Why are you here, General?"
Yi Ling looked at her and asked in return, "Why aren't you asleep yet?"
"I'm a little bored," Gu Yan replied. She then asked, "Why are you here, General?"
"I'm going to the barracks. I'll be leaving early tomorrow morning. I came to see you."
Perhaps it was because of the imperceptible gentleness in his voice, or perhaps it was because the moonlight disturbed Gu Yan's heart. She suddenly had a strange feeling. She was disappointed, depressed, and reluctant to part with him.
Her heart couldn't help but beat faster. She didn't dare to raise her head to look at him every time she faced him.
Yi Ling took two steps forward to get closer to her. He lowered his head to look at her and said, "The Emperor is sick. Xiongnu is heading south. More things will happen in the future. Imperial Consort Yi has already sent us away. After I leave, you have to be very careful. If anything happens, you have to inform me immediately."
Hearing him say so much in one breath, she knew that he was worried about her. Gu Yan's heart softened. Even her voice softened as she said, "I know. You have to be careful too. I …" She hesitated for a moment and finally said, "I'll wait for you to come back."
As soon as she finished speaking, he pulled her into his arms. She was instantly drowned in his masculine scent.
He hugged her tightly and said in a low voice, "Wait for me."
He had never been afraid of parting, but this time was different. This determined and smart woman made him reluctant to part with her.
His embrace made her feel at ease in a foreign country thousands of miles away from home. It even made her feel a little greedy. She had never felt this way before. Gu Yan hurriedly threw this thought out of her mind.
After a long time, he let go of her. The two of them were very close, but he had no intention of moving away. He reached out to tuck her messy hair behind her ear. When his fingertips touched her cheek, the numb feeling made Gu Yan tremble unconsciously.
Their breaths intertwined. The ambiguous atmosphere made Gu Yan feel even more stuffy.
Yi Ling lifted her cheek. Their eyes met. She saw her own appearance in his eyes, and the deeper emotions in his dark pupils.
He bent down and gently kissed her lips.
The sound of the insects, the leaves, and the wind seemed to be drowned out in an instant. Gu Yan couldn't hear anything. Her body stiffened and she forgot all her movements.
It was only a light touch, but he let go.
"I'm leaving." He turned and left.
Gu Heng watched as his figure gradually disappeared into the night. Everything that had happened just now was like a dream. Her heart almost jumped out of her chest. The air seemed to be even hotter than before.
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