readytorunbook Chapter 268 Two Conditions
Chapter 268 Two Conditions
Ning Yi refused to obey the order and acted as if he didn't want to go.
This is understandable, although the Sixth Prince did win two battles before.
In fact, it was a surprise attack from the rear that took down Hushan Pass and captured the Dingguo Mansion, leaving Fang Chengyu without food and grass. He seized the opportunity to deal with the hungry and thirsty Fang family army.
The second scene was a slow march following behind King Huai. It didn't feel like they were going to a battle, but more like they were going to see him off.
He waited until the battle between King Huai and King Ji was over before he led 30,000 cavalrymen from the northwest to show off his power and force King Ji to withdraw.
No matter from which angle you look at it, Ning Yi is just taking advantage of the situation.
There is no real solid record.
And now the decisive battle at Hushan Pass is a real head-on confrontation with the barbarians.
How could we allow Ning Yi to take advantage of the situation? That could really lead to death.
But a bunch of talkers immediately stood up to criticize.
"Sixth Prince, as a member of the royal family, you actually retreated like this when the country was in danger. What do you want to do?"
"Do you intend to wait in the capital for the barbarians to attack, so that you can launch a rebellion from within and without?"
"If you don't go, it will be considered the demise of the Great Wu Kingdom, which just proves that you are indeed colluding with the barbarians."
They all plot treason at the slightest provocation.
Even the Martial Emperor was unhappy and said, "Sixth Brother, this time we are just defending, not attacking. Haven't you always been good at defense? Why are you unwilling?"
Emperor Wu also did not want to order others to go to war by force. After all, if they went to war and were defeated, the capital would really be destroyed.
But Lao Liu is the most suitable candidate, and Emperor Wu is also someone who can lead troops to fight.
He had long known that Ning Yi's cautious attitude whenever he led his troops was very suitable for defense.
As a member of the royal family of Dawu Kingdom, why can't you fight for the country? What's the use of having you as your son?
Ning Yi saw that Emperor Wu was already angry.
He should have had enough control, so he immediately bowed and said, "Father, I can lead the troops to support Hushan Pass and ensure that Shanhu Pass is not lost."
"But please allow me two conditions. If you can, I will ensure that Hushan Pass will never be lost."
Ning Yi had already made such a promise, so Emperor Wu said, "Speak."
Ning Yi took the lead and pointed at the few people who were talking nonsense. "First, please ask your father to order the execution of these people. They actually slandered me. How can my reputation be tarnished by them? Otherwise, where will the face of the royal family be?"
The group of talkative people were frightened. Just now, Ning Yi said he would kill them, and they were not afraid, but now it was different.
Ning Yi is going to use troops to make a point.
Emperor Wu frowned. He didn't want to deal with these verbal attacks, as they would ruin his reputation. "When Taizu first established the censors, he allowed them to discuss matters in the court."
Ning Yi immediately said, "But Taizu wants them to tell the truth, not to speak nonsense and slander. If they insult others at will, even including the royal family, then it will be regarded as Taizu's ancestral teachings."
Emperor Wu looked at their verbal attacks, and they all knelt down, their faces pale. "Your Majesty, please spare us. We are only worried about the court and want to help it, not to slander the Sixth Prince."
Emperor Wu looked at them, then at Ning Yi, who showed no sign of backing down.
He said calmly, "Although they are censors, slandering the royal family is indeed a serious crime. They will be imprisoned first and dealt with after the war."
This means that let Ning Yi go to fight first, and then we can talk about it after he's done.
This is enough to establish your authority in the court and prevent others from talking nonsense.
A bunch of talkers were taken away.
Emperor Wu said, "Tell me, what else is there?"
Ning Yi immediately said, "If we want to defend Hushan Pass to the death, I need to ask my father to allow me to lead 30,000 Beijing troops, 30,000 Northwest Cavalry, and 10,000 Imperial Guards."
Emperor Wu was unhappy when he heard this: "The Beijing Camp doesn't have many soldiers to begin with."
He also wanted Ning Yi to not take any soldiers with him and fight the barbarians.
Ning Yi smiled bitterly and said, "Father, if I don't bring tens of thousands of elite soldiers with me, how can I resist the barbarian attack? Can I rely on the fifty thousand soldiers at Hushan Pass?"
"The child can't do it."
"Of course, I will only take the 30,000 elite infantrymen who have just been transferred to the Beijing camp from the south, the cavalry from the northwest, and the 10,000 imperial guards."
After hearing this, Emperor Wu thought about it and looked at Yang Long.
As the Minister of War, Yang Long looked at the Sixth Prince. To be honest, he didn't want Ning Yi to lead the troops.
After all, if Ning Yi had not allied with the barbarians, it would have been too dangerous to go to Hushan Pass.
But at this point, I had to let go.
He took the initiative to bow and said, "Your Majesty, I feel that the Sixth Prince must not fail in his journey to Hushan Pass. Otherwise, if Hushan Pass is lost, the barbarian army will surround the capital."
"The capital city has no strategic location to defend, and no reinforcements. It's an isolated city, so Hushan Pass is particularly important."
Emperor Wu thought for a while, and finally said, "The Imperial Guards cannot be taken away."
Ning Yi was speechless. Emperor Wu still felt sorry for his Royal Guards.
After all, those were his real elite troops, used to save his life. How could he take them away casually?
However, the Emperor Wu added, "The Beijing Camp can take an additional 10,000 soldiers and horses, along with 30,000 Northwestern Cavalry, for a total of 70,000 elite troops. This, combined with the 50,000 defenders at Hushan Pass, should be sufficient."
"Sixth Brother, please promise me that the Beijing Camp is well-trained and strong enough. Don't let me down."
"As for the issue of money and grain, I will ask all departments to fully cooperate."
Ning Yi had nothing more to say, so he shouted, "I obey your command. I am willing to live and die with Hushan Pass."
Although Ning Yi accepted the order.
However, many people are not optimistic, because everyone has the impression that the Beijing Army is still in its previous cowardly state.
And this time, they were facing a barbarian army of 200,000 soldiers and horses.
Such a wolf-like and tiger-like barbarian tribe is not what King Huai and Duke Dingguo are looking for.
If other vassal kings had captured the capital, these powerful ministers would still have a way to survive, and the only option would be to surrender.
But the barbarians don't care whether they are powerful or not, they will beat them into slaves and make them lambs.
It is said that the border city was broken and the people inside were miserable. They don't want to go through that kind of hardship.
This time it was because the barbarian army was approaching.
Emperor Wu personally gave the order, and all departments quickly became busy.
Ning Yi also ordered a quick assembly. This time he took away two Beijing camp guards from the south, both of whom were troops he trusted.
There are also 30,000 Southern Guards. Although these Southern Guards have good combat effectiveness and have been training continuously for several months, it is time to replace their weapons and equipment.
He never withheld military pay or rations, and was very grateful to Ning Yi.
Another 30,000 elite Northwestern cavalry will also go into battle.
They are one of Ning Yi's important targets. If he wants to annex these troops, he must let them participate in the war.
At the same time, Ning Yi quietly sent a message to the base, and the First Army and the First Cavalry Army moved north one after another.
Of course, they were heading north in the name of the Beijing Camp Army. Ning Yi happened to be the commander-in-chief, so they felt much more at ease. However, they still needed to keep a low profile along the way.
Go to the mountains west of Hushan Pass and secretly prepare for an attack with the Third and Fourth Armies.