While Li Jiangyao and his comrades were planning the next move of the Xinjiang Suppression Army, an important meeting was also taking place in the imperial capital thousands of miles away.
Those attending the meeting included: Prince Ronya of the Temple, Marshal Helianxiong, Prince Kosta, Commander of the Second Army, Duke Druhan, Commander of the Polar Army, Deputy Marshal Marquis of Durham, as well as the eldest prince Chili and the second prince Tanli and Princess Hesijia of Yingyang.
It is not difficult to see that those who are qualified to attend the meeting are all the core figures of the Golden Tribe of the Turkic Empire. Even the royal consort Yun Qianxue, the young master of Yunhe, who has always been deeply trusted by Ashina Zhijin, has been excluded from the meeting.
In the majestic and open Tai Chi Hall, Ashina Zhijin occupies the imperial throne. This special position was once occupied by thirty Emperors of the Holy Tang Dynasty, but now, it is occupied by the leader of a foreign race.
Ashina Zhijin was wearing a set of pure white robes and quietly listened to Ronya reporting the military situation at the foot of the imperial court:
"Great Khan, this is basically the situation. Xu Youchang led his army to approach Lanzhou, with a total strength of about 300,000 to 350,000, and it was extremely sharp. At present, he still maintains restraint and only treats our army only He launched several tentative attacks, but I judge that he can launch a large-scale attack at any time, and with the existing strength of our army in the direction of Lanzhou, I am afraid it will be impossible to resist."
Tanli put his head close to Hesijia's ear and whispered: "Sister, I heard someone say before that Xu Youchang seems to admire you very much? Are you interested in him?"
Hesijia felt disgusted, glared at Stanley, and said angrily: "Second brother, is now the time to joke?"
Tanli laughed shamelessly: "I'm not entirely joking. If you really have a relationship with Xu Youchang, maybe..."
Before he finished speaking, Chili, who was standing next to him, lowered his voice and said coldly: "Shut up! Listen to Father Khan!"
Just listen to Ashina Zhijin say at this time: "Do you think Li Jiangyao really has the courage to face our army alone?"
Ronya hesitated for a moment and answered seriously: "Great Khan, I have fought against Li Jiangyao twice. When I was the governor of Western Xinjiang before, I also had an indirect fight, so I still have a certain understanding of this person. I I believe that Li Jiangyao is a genius and a madman. In many cases, this person cannot be judged by common sense. Since he can fight alone for many years surrounded by powerful enemies, and he can also pretend to surrender when our army is pressing down, then , what’s impossible about the Zhenjiang Army launching a decisive battle against us alone?”
He Lianxiong said solemnly: "With the Zhenjiang Army alone, he is looking for death! Although we have suffered a slight defeat, the Eastern Expedition troops still have nearly 300,000 troops, and more than 60% of them are elites of the Golden Tribe. . If you dare to provoke us in the Guanzhong Plain, then Li Jiangyao will be torn to pieces!"
Among the top military officials of the Golden Tribe present, only the old marshal had never dealt with the Zhenjiang Army, while the others had all been repaired more or less by Li Jiangyao. Therefore, in the face of He Lianxiong's heroic words, no one was embarrassed to raise their arms and respond loudly.
Ashina Zhijin seemed to have read everyone's thoughts and smiled lightly: "The Grand Marshal is the first warrior of the Turkic Empire and also my senior. Although he is older, his lofty fighting spirit is still the same as before. You should all learn from it. "
Chili nodded repeatedly: "Father Khan is absolutely right. Old Marshal He Lianxiong has always been a role model for our generation of soldiers! No matter the Western Continent or the Eastern Continent, he will always win every battle."
Tanli saw that his elder brother was deliberately flattering and eager to praise He Lianxiong. He was just thinking about the battle for the succession of the Khan. He couldn't help showing a sneer on his face and said: "Father Khan called us here today to discuss the next strategy." Plan. According to what the old marshal just said, do you plan to concentrate on dealing with Li Jiangyao first? "
Although He Lianxiong didn't take the Zhenjiang Army seriously, he was not confused about the overt and covert fighting in the court. When he heard what Tanli said, he immediately shook his head and said: "Your Highness, that's not what I meant just now. What should I do? Whoever you deal with first will still have to listen to the Khan."
Ashina nodded and said with a smile: "I called you here because I want to hear different opinions. Feel free to speak freely."
Ronya coughed lightly: "Khan, the current situation is full of dangers. If you are not careful, it will lead to a more difficult situation. I think we should first strengthen Lanzhou's front-line defense forces to stop Li Jiangyao Head east.”
Duke Druhan of the Arctic agreed: "The prince is right. If the Zhenjiang Army moves forward, it will threaten the imperial capital. The Great Khan is here and there is no room for failure. We should concentrate our forces to defend the western front. .”
Ashina's uncle and old prince Kesta said solemnly: "Blank defense is not the answer. If we block Li Jiangyao today, we may not be able to block it tomorrow. The enemy's strength is increasing sharply every day, and we will eventually be completely trapped. A day of disadvantage.”
"This is all the fault of those bastards from the Yelun tribe!" Durham couldn't help but said angrily: "Gema gave up Western Xinjiang to Li Jiangyao, which not only cut off our retreat, but also allowed the other party to obtain a large amount of land. The population and wealth are getting stronger and stronger. Lamb! I can’t wait to kill all the Yelun clan!”
Ronya frowned: "What's the use of talking about this now? Can you cross the Western Xinjiang and attack the Yakut grassland?"
He Lianxiong asked curiously: "Didn't you send someone to mobilize domestic reinforcements before? How is the situation?"
Tanli, who was in charge of intelligence liaison, responded: "Something is not good. Li Jiangyao detained Gema for a long time. Unexpectedly, just after we sent a messenger back to the country to mobilize troops, he immediately released Gema and more than 10,000 troops. Yakut cavalry. This damn guy, Gema, traveled all night and night back to the Western Continent, repeatedly attacked our two garrison troops, and blocked the road from the Empire to Western Xinjiang."
Durham was furious when he heard this: "Damn it! It's the Night Wheel Clan again!"
Tanli glanced at him and continued calmly: "At the same time, the Persian Empire is also gathering troops, and the current intention is unknown. Although our border guards are not afraid of them, there is no guarantee that the Persians will not take advantage of it at this time."
"It seems like we can't count on reinforcements." Ronya's tone sounded a little dull: "We can only rely on ourselves for the rest of the battle."
Facing the serious-looking ministers, Ashina Zhijin seemed very calm. He glanced at everyone one by one and asked softly: "Besides resisting the Xinjiang Army with all your strength, do you have any other good ideas? Speak boldly and don't be afraid of making mistakes."
Tanli hesitated to speak, but in the end he did not speak out easily.
Hesijia suddenly spoke at this time: "Father Khan, I suggest that we start negotiations."
"Negotiation?" Ashina raised his eyebrows and looked at his favorite daughter, and asked with great interest: "Who are you talking to? What are you talking about?"
"Negotiate with Baron Metasequoia." Hesijia spoke softly, but her tone was very firm: "Ask him to clear the way for us!"
As soon as these words came out, all the ministers and generals had complicated expressions on their faces.
Shocked, angry, unwilling, doubtful.
However, no one said anything. Only the eldest prince Chili said angrily: "Hesijia, what are you talking about?!"
"Let her finish speaking." Ashina stood tall on the throne and said calmly: "Hesijia, what do you mean by asking Li Jiangyao to get out of the way?"
Facing everyone's gaze, Hesijia became more courageous than before, and responded loudly: "Father Khan, what I mean is that the whole army left the imperial capital, left the Holy Tang, returned to the Turks through Western Xinjiang, and returned to our hometown."
There was no trace of emotion on Ash's handsome face, and he only asked softly: "You want me to give up everything here? Give up the fruits of our victory?"
"Father Khan, this place is no longer the fruit of victory, but a heavy burden on the empire." Hesijia said loudly: "We are essentially trapped in a foreign land by the Shengtang army. Every day of delay, our strength is reduced." As it weakens a little, the living space shrinks a little. A huge rope is being put around the neck of the Eastern Expedition army, and it is gradually tightened until it is completely suffocated! Now in the negotiation, we still have chips in our hands, and we can also bring the elite Bringing the legion back to the Western Continent will also be able to maintain the security and dignity of the Turkic Empire."
"Your Highness the Princess..." He Lianxiong said solemnly: "You are a bit alarmist. Our Turkic warriors will not be defeated by the enemy. To give up everything in front of you is tantamount to surrender..."
Hesijia turned to look at the other party and responded calmly: "Grandpa Helianxiong, I grew up watching you and listening to your legendary achievements, so I admire you and the Turkic soldiers very much. Brave. However, war is not the only means to solve all problems, especially when the means of war are no longer easy to use. Once the Zhenjiang Army launches an attack, no matter whether the Shengtang court will help at the same time, we will all experience Heavy casualties. But if Li Jiangyao retreats, Ma Hongjie will come; if Ma Hongjie retreats, Murong Xue will come again! In their own territory, the Shengtang people can pounce on us endlessly, wave after wave. By that time At this time, does the Turkic Empire still have any choice?"
Hesijia's words struck everyone's heart, and none of the grown men could speak to refute.
Because what she tells is the hard truth.
The battlefield situation has fundamentally changed since the moment Li Jiangyao captured Zijin Pass.
The Turkic Eastern Expedition Army, which had its retreat route cut off, lost contact with the Western Continent and lost its source of troop reinforcements. It was like a trapped beast covered in wounds, locked in the Guanzhong area.
If it weren't for the rebellions and disputes within Shengtang, which made it difficult to unite forces, I'm afraid they would have mobilized a million-strong army to attack fiercely.
Ashina Zhijin was silent for a while and murmured: "Negotiation? Will Li Jiangyao agree?"
