On a cold night, the waning moon shines brightly.
Shijiang City.
The remnants of the Great Shang army fled in embarrassment and rushed for several days before finally meeting up with King Donglin.
There were less than 20,000 Qingyu troops left, and almost everyone was injured. The remaining troops were defeated and no longer had the vigor of the past.
In the battle at Baidi City, Dashang was severely injured. Dashang, who had always been proud, had now completely lost his pride.
"Your Highness."
As the remnant army entered the city, King Donglin looked at the embarrassed eldest prince in front of the team and asked with concern, "Are you okay?"
"fine."
Mu Yuan looked tired and shook his head, saying, "Sorry, I couldn't fulfill my promise to defend Baidi City."
"The matter is a foregone conclusion, and His Highness does not need to blame himself too much."
King Donglin responded, "The most important thing now is to find a way to prevent the Mobei cavalry from continuing southward and prevent them from threatening my capital of Dashang."
"Everything will be subject to King Donglin's arrangements."
Mu Yuan knew that he was now a man of merit, so his attitude was much more humble and he could speak the truth.
"We will discuss this matter tomorrow. His Highness has been running around for many days and is tired. I will ask someone to arrange a resting place for His Highness."
King Donglin said something, looked at the guards behind him, and motioned to take the eldest prince and his party to rest.
The two personal guards took the order and left with the eldest prince and others.
Outside Shijiang City, behind the Qingyu Army.
Five thousand Rakshasa cavalry followed at the end of the team and followed them into the city one after another.
On the war horses, the Rakshasa Army officers and soldiers looked equally tired. They had traveled a long distance to save the eldest prince and protected him all the way. Both men and horses were exhausted.
"I have met King Donglin."
Five thousand Rakshasa cavalry were in front of them. Li Ziye dismounted and saluted politely.
"Thanks for your hard work."
King Donglin looked at the person in front of him, his expression became much kinder, and he said, "Thanks to the Buyi Hou this time, otherwise, the 20,000 Qingyu Army might not be able to come back."
Although there are some problems with this commoner's way of serving as an official, his talent is beyond question.
Big businessmen need such talented people.
"The king of Donglin is overly praised."
Li Ziye sighed softly and said, "It's still a step too late and failed to prevent the Mobei army from breaking the city."
"This is not Buyihou's fault."
King Donglin said with a complex expression, "You only have five thousand cavalry. Even if you arrive at Baidi City in time, nothing will change."
Even he didn't expect that the 70,000 Qingyu Army would not be able to defend Baidi City for a day.
Even if they were caught off guard by the Mobei army, with the Baidi City's defenses, the city should not be broken in one day.
There is no doubt that the eldest prince made serious mistakes in his decision-making.
"It's my first time to lead an army. Your Majesty can give you five thousand cavalry, which is already a great favor." Li Ziye said seemingly unintentionally as he looked at the Rakshasa cavalry entering the city one after another.
King Donglin was stunned for a moment, then quickly recovered and realized something.
It is not that the great merchants did not have generals to lead troops.
Rather, there is no right.
This Buyihou is a capable person, as he has proven in the Western Region and Baidi City.
"Buyihou."
King Donglin looked at the person in front of him and asked seriously, "If I make you a general, can you afford it?"
Now is a special period, we can no longer stick to the old routine!
The general must be changed!
"It is my duty to serve the great merchant!" Li Ziye replied without any politeness.
"Okay! I will fight for you!" King Donglin said solemnly.
"Thank you, King Donglin."
Li Ziye cupped his hands and saluted again.
I’ve been waiting for today!
A clever woman cannot make a meal without rice, and how can she fight without soldiers?
"Buyi Hou has been tired for several days. Let's go and rest first." King Donglin said.
"Resign."
Li Ziye didn't stay any longer and walked away.
King Donglin looked at the former's back, his expression condensed.
The Mobei Iron Cavalry will continue to move south soon, and by then, he will no longer be able to cooperate with an incompetent person like the eldest prince.
Neither he nor the soldiers can rest assured when they hand over their back to the eldest prince.
The great merchants still have soldiers, but the person in charge of the soldiers can no longer be the eldest prince.
The Buyi Hou's thousand-mile raid to rescue the eldest prince was considered a great achievement, and the court must have noticed it.
royal palace.
Shou'an Hall.
Candles are brightly lit.
Emperor Shang looked at the memorials on the table that suggested peace talks, and his face was livid.
This bunch of rubbish!
They usually show off their power, but at critical moments, they are all as timid as mice.
During the peace talks, Dashang had never done such a shameful thing since the founding of the dynasty.
There are still many soldiers around the capital. Although they are local defenders, when assembled, they can number tens of thousands.
In addition, there is no fighting on the southwest border and the southern border for the time being, and some troops can be transferred back.
The Buddhist Kingdom and the Southern Xinjiang Witch Clan must find ways to stabilize themselves, otherwise they will be in trouble if they attack again.
"Your Majesty, the Queen is here."
At this time, a chamberlain walked over quickly and said respectfully.
Hearing this, Emperor Shang came to his senses, nodded and said, "Let the queen come in."
"yes!"
The chamberlain took the order and turned to leave.
Not long after.
In the hall, Empress Changsun walked forward, bowed and said, "I have met Your Majesty."
"No need to be polite, sit down." Emperor Shang raised his head and said.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Empress Changsun came forward and sat down, looked at the memorials on the table, and asked, "Your Majesty is still worried about the affairs of Baidi City?"
"A bunch of losers are asking for peace."
Emperor Shang said coldly, "I am very pleased with the fourth son's performance in the court this time. The prince of Great Shang should be so proud."
Queen Changsun was silent and did not want to talk more about political affairs.
"Queen, I want to recall the King of Southwest or the King of Guanshan. Who do you think is more suitable to call back?" Emperor Shang thought for a while and asked.
"I don't know."
Queen Changsun shook her head and responded.
"Queen, don't worry, tell me what you think."
Emperor Shang said seriously, "Even if you say something wrong, I won't blame you."
Queen Changsun hesitated for a moment and said, "Both King Wu are battle-hardened generals. Whoever they call back can alleviate the current predicament. However, there are hidden dangers in both the southern and southwest borders. I am worried that once someone is captured, If you recall, the southern Xinjiang shaman tribe or the Buddhists will take advantage of the situation and move in."
"I also have this worry."
Emperor Shang nodded and said, "Last year, the eight tribes in Mobei raised their troops, and they took the opportunity to feel sad. However, now that the army in Mobei is unstoppable, one of the kings of Southwest or Guanshan must be called back. Now, I am a little undecided. "
"To call back the two Martial Kings, we must stabilize the Witch Clan or the Buddhist Kingdom."
Empress Changsun said softly, "I have a suggestion for your Majesty. Your Majesty can consider it and listen to it."
"Your Majesty, please speak." Emperor Shang responded.
"Your Majesty, you still remember that when Li Jiaoxi went south to Nanling, he passed by the Wu Clan. There was a lot of trouble at that time. Li Jiaoxi was captured by the Witch Queen of the Wu Clan. However, not long after, Li Jiaoxi He left the Holy Land of the Witch Clan unharmed, presumably some agreement was reached."
Empress Changsun reminded, "I feel that since Li Jiaoxi can talk to the Witch Queen of the Wu Clan, it is better for Li Jiaoxi to go to the Wu Clan in southern Xinjiang and express the goodwill of my great merchant to the Wu Clan on behalf of the court. As long as the Wu Clan is stabilized, , King Guanshan will be able to bring his troops back as soon as possible without any worries."
Emperor Shang's expression condensed after hearing the reminder from the queen in front of him.
He had forgotten about it.
