Xie Yue and Xu Weizhi naturally knew that Ma Cheng was right and nodded in tacit understanding.
"It's only right for the Governor to report to Your Majesty. Things like mobilizing troops and horses are complicated. The Governor is devoted to the country and rushed over as soon as he heard that there was trouble. This is a sincere heart. Your Majesty will definitely understand."
"Yes, the Governor is righteous. This old man really admires him."
Xie Yue and Xu Weizhi echoed each other and praised Ma Cheng.
Ma Cheng was a red-faced man. When he heard this, he waved his hand and said with a smile, "This is my duty."
Even though he had been rashly transferred here, and there was a risk that he would be accused of using troops without authorization, but he knew Pang Xiao's character and sense of responsibility. Moreover, there was a reason for this matter. He believed that this misunderstanding would be resolved after he reported it to the Emperor.
Therefore, Ma Cheng didn't show too much emotion. He only ordered the 3,000 troops to set up camp nearby while he followed Xie Yue and Xu Weizhi into the camp to rest for a while. He could draft a memorial to the emperor first or pay a visit to Wang Ye later.
Magistrate Cheng had been kneeling not far away. He saw and heard everything clearly. He couldn't help but be surprised when he saw that Wang Ye still sent his counselor to explain the situation to the troops despite the heavy reward. He didn't seem to have any intention of venting his anger on the people of Danfu County.
He didn't expect that such a famous person on the battlefield would have such a benevolent side. Such a person was truly worthy of respect.
%
In the imperial palace in the capital.
In the imperial study, Li Qitian was wearing a tea-colored wide-sleeved robe. He wore a purple-gold crown on his head and a golden jade belt around his waist. He was pacing back and forth in front of a desk covered with a bright yellow tablecloth. The red carpet on the ground was soft and thick, so Li Qitian's every step was silent. Even though his steps were a bit heavier due to his anxiety and anger, they still didn't make the slightest sound.
Ji Zeyu was wearing a bright red brocade robe with arrow sleeves. His fair and handsome face was expressionless. His back was as straight as a javelin. He lowered his eyes and looked at the embroidery on the bright yellow tablecloth without saying a word.
"This Pang Zhixi, no matter where she goes, she doesn't plan on letting us live in peace! Why did he secretly mobilize his troops?! That Ma Cheng must have eaten a bear's heart and leopard's guts. Without my permission, he actually dared to leave immediately! Could it be that the Yun guy wants to rebel?! "
A dark look flashed across Ji Zeyu's bright eyes, but he managed to conceal it perfectly. "Your Majesty, please calm down. Perhaps things aren't as they seem."
"No?" Li Qitian's nostrils flared. He took a few deep breaths before he gnashed his teeth and said, "If he didn't have the intention to rebel, why would I do this? We also know that it was only because the time wasn't ripe that he didn't make a move. Now that something like this has happened, do you still want us to remain indifferent? We never fight an unprepared battle, Ji Lan. "
"Your subject is here."
"If you are really ordered to lead the Three Thousand Battalions, the Five Armies, and the Divine Strategy Battalion to quell the chaos, how confident are you?"
Ji Zeyu said expressionlessly, "Your Majesty, Prince Zhong Shunqi has at most three thousand troops …"
"We can also mobilize the Tiger Army and the Dragon Stallion Army to help you. I only want to ask you, how confident are you in defeating Pang Zhixi with numbers?!"
Li Qitian's expression was too serious. Ji Zeyu knew that he was serious this time. Whether it went well or not, whether it went well or not, Ji Zeyu's heart spun countless times. Emotionally, it was one thing. Rationally, it was another thing. For the sake of long-term planning, he couldn't make a scene with Li Qitian face to face.
"Replying to Your Majesty, if it was someone else, I can say that I have elites in my hands. Since we have numbers, I am 99% confident. However, if the opponent is Prince Zhongshun, I am only 50% confident. Pang Zhixi and I are evenly matched."
"You!" Li Qitian was anxious and angry. He couldn't help but raise his voice, "Even if I give you several times more troops than him, you still don't dare to say that you are confident in defeating the entire province?"
"Your Majesty, I cannot lie to you. On the battlefield, it has always been resourceful to fight with fewer troops. Pang Zhixi is a godly commander and good at using tricks. Your Majesty already knows that. I can guarantee you that I can defeat anyone, but against Pang Zhixi, I am not confident. "
Therefore, Pang Xiao was a difficult opponent to deal with.
When Li Qitian heard Ji Zeyu's objective analysis, he was so anxious that he almost shed a few tears.
As the Emperor, he had sacrificed a lot for the country. He was truly worried sick. But how many of the officials in the court could truly understand him?
Pang Zhixi had a good reputation now. There were also many rumors among the common people about how he, the Emperor, had abandoned the bow after the birds were gone. It was as if Pang Zhixi had suffered a great grievance! How could he not be worried when the people's voices were so loud?
However, Pang Zhixi didn't know how to behave himself. He had disappeared from Wanfo Temple for many days. No one knew what he had done in private. Now, he had secretly mobilized the cavalry of the five military camps. He didn't even have a tiger tally, but he had arranged for the troops to leave with just one sentence!
To Li Qitian, this was more unbearable than a slap to the face.
As a subject, Pang Xiao didn't know how to avoid arousing suspicion. Could he be blamed for worrying too much?
However, that guy was so good at using troops!
Ji Zeyu was also a talented general, but he didn't dare to make any guarantees in front of Pang Zhixi. He couldn't defeat Pang Zhixi head-on. If he wanted to protect himself, he had to find other ways.
Li Qitian gritted his teeth. After a long time, he said, "Perhaps this battle is unavoidable. When the time comes, I will have to rely on you to protect the country. Ah Lan, I'm afraid I will have to rely on you. "
Ji Zeyu lowered his eyes. There was no emotion on his handsome face.
Li Qitian was already used to Ji Zeyu's calm appearance. He said faintly, "The three of us brothers didn't expect things to turn out like this. However, I'm already riding a tiger and can't get off. Ah Lan, you should understand me, right? "
Ji Zeyu lowered his head and cupped his hands. He said, "This subject understands."
Li Qitian nodded in relief. Just as he was about to speak, a high-pitched and slightly shrill voice came from outside the hall. "Your Majesty, there is an urgent report from Danfu County!"
"Bring it up." Li Qitian's expression changed. He walked around the table and sat down on the dragon chair.
Grand Eunuch Xiong Jinshui walked in quickly with the letter in his hands. He bowed and walked over quickly to present it.
Li Qitian hurriedly opened the letter. After reading it carefully, he raised his eyebrows in surprise.
Xiong Jinshui had already gone to stand in a corner. It was as if he had become one with the decorations of the imperial study.
Ji Zeyu was surprised by Li Qitian's expression.
Li Qitian threw the letter in front of Ji Zeyu. "Take a look."
"This subject obeys." Ji Zeyu cupped his hands in acknowledgment. He bent down to pick up the letter that had fallen to the ground. He opened it and read it carefully. Then, he said calmly, "It's not a rebellion? This is a good thing. "
Li Qitian raised his eyebrows. "You believe it just like that?"
Ji Zeyu said, "Ma Cheng is an honest and upright person. This information should be true."
His words were quite artistic. Although he was trying to exonerate Pang Xiao, he didn't directly talk about Pang Xiao's character. Instead, he talked about the honest and upright Ma Cheng.
Li Qitian was, after all, the founding emperor of the empire. He had experienced many battles, big and small. He had some understanding of the generals in the imperial court.
When he heard this, he thought of Ma Cheng, that boorish fellow. He couldn't help but feel relieved.
However, he had been so terrified just now because he was frightened by the possibility of Pang Xiao's rebellion. When Ji Zeyu saw his ugly behavior, Li Qitian felt that he had lost face.
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