"General Dong, no!"
Dongfang Yingzheng never expected that Dong Zhan's temper would be so explosive that he even planned to commit suicide to apologize.
But seeing Dong Zhan's actions, the other generals in the council hall did not make the slightest move.
Even Dongfang City, who usually loved his soldiers like his own son, was stuck there like a piece of wood, his eyes, nose, and heart motionless, as if he hadn't seen Dong Zhan's behavior at all.
However, he couldn't think too much at this time. In desperation, Dongfang Yingzheng's energy surged, so he had to take action himself and grabbed Dong Zhan's hand.
Although Dongfang Yingzheng reacted quickly, Dong Zhan's sword had already penetrated deeply into his waist and abdomen, and blood flowed all over the floor in an instant.
If Dongfang Yingzheng had been later, this sword would have directly stabbed Dong Zhan through.
"Now that the national war is at hand, General Dong, why do you need to do this?"
Looking at Dong Zhan with a determined look on his face, Dongfang Yingzheng said in a complicated tone.
And Nangong Jian couldn't help but persuade him:
"General Dong, the Zhao Kingdom is coming this time with eager eyes, and the situation is tense. What our Xia Kingdom lacks most right now is loyal soldiers like you, General!"
"In this situation, how can you commit suicide for the sake of your own reputation? If the army loses a general like you, the strength of our Xia Kingdom will definitely be damaged. How can you not put the overall situation first!"
"It's better to keep a useful body, make up for your mistakes on the battlefield, and charge for the Xia Kingdom."
After hearing Nangong Jian's words, Dong Zhan held the hand on the hilt of the sword, slowly let go, and finally fell to the ground weakly.
"You're right. I'm short-sighted and only care about my own honor and disgrace."
As he spoke, Dong Zhan couldn't help but shed tears in his eyes. He continued:
"Your Majesty, this general is short-sighted and does not know how to take the overall situation into consideration!"
Hearing this, Dongfang Yingzheng helped Dong Zhan up, ordered someone to call the military doctor, and then said seriously:
"It's good that General Dong understands. It's better to go down and bandage it quickly. Now is the time to employ people. General Dong must focus on the war!"
Standing firm with the help of the sergeant, Dong Zhan saluted Dongfang Yingzheng with a grateful face.
"Thank you, Your Majesty. I will never disappoint Your Majesty's expectations!"
With that said, Dong Zhan left the meeting hall with the support of the sergeant and returned to his camp.
However, when the sergeants helped him to the door of the meeting hall, Dong Zhan, who looked loyal, showed a sneer on his face.
However, the sneer on his face was fleeting. Everyone in the meeting hall, only Ye Yun, who had been observing Dong Zhan, noticed the sneer.
…
After the council meeting was dismissed, Dongfang Yingzheng, Ye Yun and others moved into the barracks in the fortress.
In the dead of night, Dongfang Yingzheng's study was brightly lit.
At this time, Dongfang Yingzheng was standing in front of a table, with a map of Zhao and Xia spread on the table.
"Boom!"
A finger landed heavily on the map, opposite the Shuangfengguan Fortress, on the territory belonging to the State of Zhao.
The eyes of King Dongfang Yingzheng of Xia burned with blazing fire. This was originally the territory of Xia State, but when Xia was in civil strife, Zhao State took advantage of it and seized a large area of land outside the Shuangfeng Pass Fortress.
If the late king and countless Xia soldiers had not sacrificed their lives to block the Zhao invaders from the Shuangfeng Mountains and built the Shuangfengguan fortress here, the Xia Kingdom today would probably have no choice but to stay in the Zhao Kingdom. Living under the iron heel of the enemy.
Just looking at the map, Dongfang Yingzheng couldn't help but think about the battle recorded in the history books. Countless Xia generals died in this wilderness, including several brothers of the late king.
"Your Majesty, it's late at night, it's better to go to bed early!"
Just when Dongfang Yingzheng was deep in thought, an old voice suddenly sounded outside the study.
"Is this the old general? Come in quickly!"
Hearing this voice, Dongfang Yingzheng quickly ordered his chamberlain to bring the people in.
Sure enough, the person speaking outside the study was Dongfang Cheng.
"Old General, you're up so late. Do you have something to say to me?"
After entering, Dongfangcheng saluted Dongfang Yingzheng. However, when hearing his question, Dongfangcheng did not answer.
Instead, he stared straight at the map on the desk, and a trace of reminiscence flashed in his eyes.
He still remembered that it was here that his brother meditated on the map every night, but at that time, they did not have this magnificent fortress, they only had countless soldiers who were willing to risk their lives for the Xia Kingdom.
In the end, with the fortress made of flesh and blood, they blocked Zhao's attack and allowed the Xia people in the rear to live a stable life.
But many of his brothers stayed here forever.
In the past few decades, he has been unwilling to leave here because he couldn't bear to leave his brothers and comrades who were buried here.
Dongfang Yingzheng did not disturb Dongfang City who was lost in memories.
However, Dongfang City was in a daze for a while and then recovered.
"The general is old and easily gets emotional. I hope Your Majesty will not blame you!"
Blinking his eyes hard, Dongfangcheng confessed his crime to King Dongfang Yingzheng of Xia.
"It doesn't matter! I wonder what the old general wants to do when he comes here now?"
After hearing this and waving his hands, Dongfang Yingzheng asked doubtfully.
After gathering his emotions, Dongfangcheng said calmly:
"Your Majesty, the general is here to remind your Majesty of something!"
"Dong Zhan is untrustworthy!"
Hearing Dongfang Cheng's words, Dongfang Yingzheng couldn't help but show an expression of disbelief on his face.
He never thought that Dongfang City came here to tell him this.
Previously in the council hall, Dong Zhan even committed suicide to apologize in order to prove his loyalty. Now Dongfang City actually says that Dong Zhan cannot be trusted!
Dongfang Yingzheng: "Old General, did you make a mistake?"
"Dong Zhan is a very loyal man. He always goes to the front in every war. He has made great military exploits for the Xia Kingdom over the years. Why can't he be trusted?"
"If loyal ministers and good generals like him cannot be trusted, how many trustworthy people can I have in this great Xia Kingdom?"
However, after hearing Dongfang Yingzheng's rhetorical question, Dongfangcheng just sighed, and then said calmly:
"Your Majesty must also know that I have worked with Dong Zhan for more than ten years. I have almost watched him grow from an ordinary soldier to a general who governs the country. I know Dong Zhan more thoroughly than Your Majesty."
"Originally, I admired Dong Zhan very much at first. He was strategic, brave in battle, and treated his soldiers like brothers."
"At the same time, his journey has been really smooth, and he has made a lot of contributions. Afterwards, when the general reviewed it, it was as if it was a gift from Zhao Guo."
