In a one-sided massacre, the Song army was driven back by the Jin army like they were herding sheep. How could they collapse thousands of miles away?
"It's over! It's over!"
Zhang Xiaochun looked at the corpses stretching to the sky. Almost all of them belonged to the Song Army.
"At least 20,000 people died!"
Ma Kuo murmured that this defeat came too suddenly, and his heart was full of ups and downs, and his dissatisfaction gave rise to a feeling of sadness like the death of a rabbit or a fox.
This battle completely defeated the Taiyuan Prefecture reinforcements, and Taiyuan Prefecture was already an isolated city.
…
Tokyo, morning.
Today is the first time that Crown Prince Zhao Huan goes to court. There are so many people attending the court meeting. Almost all the civil and military officials from Tokyo are here.
Everyone understands that the Crown Prince is the first heir to the throne and the only legal heir. Now that the Emperor is seriously ill, the Crown Prince should inherit the throne. This first court meeting of the new Emperor cannot be missed.
Even the princes arrived, including King Yun Zhao Kai, King Su Zhao Shu, King Jing Zhao Qi, King Ji Zhao Xu, King Yi Zhao Chu, King Kang Zhao Gou, King Qi Zhao Mo, King Shen Zhao Zhi, King Yi Zhao Pu, King Xu Zhao Di...
Behind the princes, Zhao Ji's queen and concubines were sitting behind the curtain.
Zhao Huan's biological mother, Queen Xiangong Wang, died when Zhao Huan was eight years old. Now these queens and concubines in the harem are not here to support Zhao Huan, but to support all the emperors.
Although Zhao Huan is the legal heir to the throne, no one will give up the throne easily. Zhao Huan is still the crown prince. As long as Zhao Huan is not the emperor for one day, there is still hope for the throne.
The court meeting still started according to the etiquette system, and all the officials were greeted by the ceremony, but the princes only bowed slightly, and did not perform the courtesy of monarchs and ministers, but just as if brothers were meeting.
The chamberlain who presided over the ceremony saw everything, and the officials also saw everything, but no one spoke. They all looked at it with their eyes, nose, and heart.
The fight for the throne has happened throughout the ages, and there is never any benefit to hurriedly taking sides. These are royal matters, and the smartest people who serve as courtiers are just outsiders. It is not too late to show loyalty when all the dust has settled, and it will not be left until the new emperor ascends the throne. Open ministers to govern the country.
The eunuchs also pretended to be invisible. Zhao Huan did have the highest status among the princes and was the most respected among the princes. However, Zhao Huan was only one person. His mother, Queen Xianggong and Wang, left early and there was no one to support him in the harem. The other princes were all behind him. It was supported by the imperial concubine and relatives.
In the eyes of everyone, Zhao Huan is indeed the first choice for the throne, but Zhao Ji is not dead. If Zhao Huan does not officially ascend the throne and proclaim himself emperor, he will not be considered a true emperor, and everything is still uncertain.
Zhao Huan didn't seem to notice the perfunctory attitude of his brothers. There were still tears and a touch of sadness on his face, as if he was worried about his father Zhao Ji's condition.
"Your Highness, I am so happy. We have good news from Hedong. The army has recovered five cities!"
An official suddenly left work and reported victory with a smile. Today was Zhao Huan's first morning court meeting, so the first news was naturally a happy event.
"Very good!"
The sadness on Zhao Huan's face disappeared, and he shouted with joy, Tokyo has not received good news for too long.
All the officials also had relaxed expressions on their faces, the good news came too soon.
"Brother Imperial, the people in the city are now unsettled. The city has been besieged due to floods and food rations have been cut off. My brother, please open a warehouse to help the people!"
Seeing that no one was interested in talking anymore, Zhao Gou clasped his fists and said politely. He spoke appropriately, neither humble nor overbearing. He not only gave Zhao Huan face, but also shouldered his responsibilities.
"Ninth brother is right. Stability in the city is very important. Ninth brother should be responsible for this matter. Kaifeng Mansion will fully cooperate!"
Zhao Huan nodded and said, now his father is seriously ill, he has just taken charge of the government, Tokyo is besieged by floods, and the stability of the city is the top priority.
"yes!"
Zhao Gou bowed and stepped aside.
This move made the officials look at him, and Zhao Gou's behavior made everyone nod slightly. In such a precarious time, King Kang could put the overall situation first, which won everyone's praise.
"Your Majesty, the evil thieves of Qi State have occupied the entire Hebei Province, and now everything north of the Yellow River has fallen into the hands of thieves. I ask your Majesty to send troops to destroy the thieves!"
One of the censors suddenly left the office and spoke. With these words, the joyful atmosphere in the court instantly cooled down, and the entire court became silent.
"Who has any idea?"
Zhao Huan looked at everyone and asked. He already lacked independent opinions. Where did he have any ideas when facing this kind of problem?
"Your Majesty, facing the thieves, there is no other option but to fight!"
Li Gang came straight out of work and spoke. His voice was rich and penetrating, which immediately attracted everyone's attention. Even the princes looked sideways, and the concubines behind the curtain seemed to be whispering.
"war?"
Zhao Huan's face was full of hesitation. The word "war" was simple, but they faced the Qi State and suffered repeated defeats. How could they fight?
Zhao Huan looked at Tong Guan, seeking the opinion of the Privy Envoy of the Song Dynasty. He could not decide this war alone.
"Now that the city of Tokyo is besieged by floods, food and grass are being used to help the people, and the war may have to be postponed!"
Tong Guan did not object to the war. He was the privy envoy and was in charge of the world's military affairs. Faced with the enemy's attack on the city, he could not avoid war, but he was unwilling to continue the war with Sun Lei. He was already afraid. He had suffered too many defeats. .
"It makes sense!"
Zhao Huan nodded repeatedly, Tong Guan's words came to his heart. Nowadays, things are complicated and it is not appropriate to start a war now.
Li Gang frowned when he heard that. Tong Guan's words were obviously delaying, but he couldn't refute. Tong Guan's words made sense. Although things in Hebei were urgent, things in Tokyo were even more urgent.
Li Gang hesitated for a moment and then returned to Chaoban. Things in Tokyo were important.
"His Royal Highness, the Emperor is seriously ill. Although the imperial doctor has stabilized his condition, His Majesty is not in good spirits. I would like to recruit people with strong Taoist skills to hold the Luotian Jiao to pray for good fortune!"
Someone else spoke after leaving work.
"Yes, yes, yes, we are going to hold a ceremony. Please invite the supreme beings from all over the world to bring blessings to our great Song Dynasty!"
When Zhao Huan heard this, he clapped his hands with great joy. He had always believed in the art of Shinto. Now that someone mentioned that he wanted to hold the Luotian Dajiao, he immediately became energetic. He hoped that all his troubles could be solved by Shinto.
"Go and do it quickly. Only those with profound Taoism can retreat from this flood!"
Zhao Huan looked at the official who had spoken just now and said, even handing over the flood to the art of Shinto.
"Your Highness, the flood comes from the Yellow River bursting its banks. How does the Taoist priest solve this problem? We still need to communicate with Liang Shanbo about this matter and block the river bank to reduce the flood!"
Censor Chen He came out of class and said.
"Nonsense. The profound Taoist teachings can stop the flow of the Yellow River. What does a small flood mean?"
Zhao Huan said, he firmly believed in the power of Taoism.
"His Royal Highness, you are not talking about strange power and chaos! Your Highness is now presiding over the government, how can you listen to partial beliefs? This Shinto technique is illusory. When Dayu controlled the water, it was better to block it than to dredge it. If the Yellow River stopped flowing and the floods accumulated, wouldn't Tokyo be the same? More dangerous?"
However, Chen He did not give the emperor a good look. As the imperial censor, he not only had to supervise the ministers, but also urged the emperor.
"you……"
Zhao Huan was speechless by Chen He. All the brothers looked at him with smiles. Zhao Huan knew that he could no longer be willful. Although he had no independent opinions, he was not a fool after being a prince for so many years. (End of chapter)
