"Your Majesty!"
Urgent footsteps and calls disturbed Yelu Xiezhen's solitude, and he was freed from his melancholy mood. He was still the king and military commander of the South Campus with heavy troops and the power of Liaodong Road.
Seeing his anxious staff members hurriedly climbing onto the tower, Yelu frowned slightly and asked in a deep voice, "What's the matter?"
Someone came closer and reported, with a very solemn expression and tone: "Your Majesty, Shizhong Xiao just led a group of soldiers to forcefully break out of the city and head west!"
After saying this, the gloom between Yelu Xiezhen's brows suddenly deepened a bit more, and the hand caressing the city wall couldn't help but tighten, and there were a few dust traces.
"Finally I couldn't hold it any longer!" Yelu Xiezhen sneered: "This Xiao Siwen! General Ximen, why don't you stop each other and violate our military orders?"
"Xiao Shizhong said that he wants to return to the capital to report. After all, he is an envoy of the imperial court. The gatekeeper will not dare to push him too hard and break out for him!" the staff replied.
With the two major defeats of the Liao army in Jinzhou and Liaohe, the conflicts and differences between Xiao Siwen, a relative, an important minister of the imperial court, an envoy of the emperor, and a supervisor of the army, and Yelu Xiezhen became increasingly serious.
As the situation in Tokyo Road became more and more unfavorable, Xiao Siwen had long wanted to get rid of it. Now, the struggle for power is secondary. The more important thing is that Xiao Siwen does not want to accompany Yelu Xiezhen to continue.
Xiao Siwen, who has a deep city and a keen sense of smell, has long seen the disappointment and dissatisfaction of the court with Yelu Xiezhen, and the outcome that Yelu Xiezhen will face after a series of crazy preparations for war.
Xiao Siwen was eager to get rid of this trapped beast and the broken ship on Tokyo Road that was about to become silent. Previously, he led an army of 30,000, came east for reinforcements, participated in the Yaozhou counterattack, achieved great victory, defeated the Han army, and also provided support to Jinzhou. He was still the main force participating in the Liaohe Battle.
After a series of battles, the 30,000 troops also suffered heavy losses, which also made Xiao Siwen lack of confidence when facing Yelu Xiezhen. What made Xiao Siwen even more angry and dissatisfied was that Yelu Xiezhen sent out the remaining more than 10,000 reinforcements to Beijing to suppress the rebellion, essentially depriving Xiao Siwen of his military power, which made Xiao Siwen even more insecure.
Now, She Jun rushed out of the door, which was considered a helpless resistance. Yelu Xiezhen was naturally aware of Xiao Siwen's little thoughts and actions. After depriving him of his military power, he paid little attention to it. However, he never expected that at this time, Xiao Siwen would choose to escape regardless and forcefully walk westward.
It is conceivable that if Xiao Siwen is allowed to return to Beijing, there will inevitably be an impeachment complaint, and perhaps it will be said that he forced him to leave...
As a confidant of Yelu Xiezhen, he knew something about the discord between the king and Xiao Siwen. Seeing his cold expression, he couldn't help but said: "Your Majesty, if Xiao Shizhong is here and returns to the capital, he will inevitably be impeached, slandered, and blamed. You will be even more disadvantaged. Don't send cavalry to chase him back while he is not far away..."
Facing his subordinate's suggestion, Yelu Xiezhen thought about it, shook his head slightly, turned his eyes to the west, and sighed sadly: "That's all, since people want to leave, why force them to stay! Now that the matter is over, what else do I need to worry about? Yes? Just do your best in personnel matters and all ministers will be loyal, that’s all!”
"Your Majesty, the people in Tongyuan City are already in a state of panic and the military's morale is uncertain. I'm afraid that Shizhong Xiao's departure will damage morale!" the subordinate reported with worry.
"Go back to the Yamen!" Yelu Xiezhen didn't know it. He frowned and waved his hands to leave. Before he got off the tower, he paused, raised his hand, and ordered in a cold tone: "General Ximen, behead him! Reiterate the prohibition. Generals, if anyone violates my order again, no matter who he is, he will be dealt with according to the military law and there will be no mercy!"
After hearing this order, the surrounding officers and soldiers were all solemn, but they showed no more emotions. Nowadays, Yelv Xiezhen has no human feelings at all...
After returning to the Yamen, as expected, several generals of the Liao army came to inquire about the news. Some even speculated whether they had decided to withdraw to Beijing. The fluctuation of military morale was evident. In response to these generals, Yelv Xiezhen could not help but reprimand them and force them to unify their thoughts. Of course, in the end, he still tried his best to appease them, and then he could barely stabilize the people's hearts.
Sitting alone in the hall, only two scattered oil lamps flickered with dim light. The Liao army was in such a situation that even the lamps and candles used for lighting needed to be saved.
"Your Majesty, General Xiao wants to see you!"
"Let him in!"
The person who came was Xiao Talin, the young general who had come east with Xiao Siwen before. He came to the hall with a serious face and prostrated directly. His facial muscles trembled slightly, but there was a sense of determination.
Looking at Xiao Taolin, Yelu Xiezhen also concealed the fatigue and sadness on his face, and asked calmly: "You didn't go back to Beijing with Xiao Siwen?"
After hearing the question, Xiao Talin raised his head, his eyes were clear, and he said in a deep voice: "Back to the king, before leaving, the servant did call me, but I refused! I will not be a deserter, general!"
Noting that there was no pretense in his demeanor, Yelv Xiezhen was slightly surprised: "Xiao Shizhong is a knowledgeable man. He has left. It shows that he is completely disillusioned with the situation on Tokyo Road and is eager to get out of this quagmire. The Han army is about to move north again. You are a young and talented person from the last four tribes. Wouldn't it be a pity if you were trapped here?"
Hearing this, there was no cowardice or worry in Xiao Taolin's eyes. He did not answer, but asked: "Isn't the king also insisting on staying here and leading the army to resist the Han army?"
Yelu Xiezhen: "My duty lies, there is no other way!"
Xiao Taolin said calmly: "Although the general has no talents, he only has the courage to fight against the Han army! In this national crisis, as a Khitan tribesman, what other options can the general have?"
What Xiao Talin said was so resolute, his attitude was decisive, and his eyes were firm that even Yelu Xiezhen was stunned for a long time. The admiration in his eyes could no longer be suppressed, and showed it. He nodded gently. Yelu left his seat and stepped forward. He personally helped Xiao Talin up and said solemnly: "There are such enthusiastic loyal ministers and brave generals like the general." , Daliao still has hope for the future!"
Xiao Talin didn't understand what Yelu Xiezhen meant, but he replied seriously: "I only want to follow the king and fight the enemy to the death!"
Patting his shoulder, Yelu Xiezhen affirmed: "There will be a time when you fight hard!"
In the past few months of war, the Liao army suffered too many casualties, whether they were generals or veterans. During this period of military reorganization, Yelv Xiezhen also promoted some generals, but none satisfied him more than Xiao Taolin.
"Your Majesty! Good news!" At this time, an official came in hurriedly, shouting, holding a military report in his hand.
"Say!" Yelu Xiezhen's face didn't change much.
The subordinates said excitedly: "Good news from Huanglong Mansion. General Yelvxiu has defeated the Jurchen coalition forces, chased and annihilated the rebels on the bank of the Huntong River, killed more than 4,000 enemies, and seized a large number of war horses and food. The Jurchens were defeated and fled to the north of the Yangtze River. In the same city, the crisis in Huanglong Mansion has been resolved!"
