Luo Jing.
After the news of the defeat came back, the government and the public were shocked.
There are timid rich people among the people who have begun to pack up their belongings and run away.
There was also a lot of discussion among the government and the public:
Some people believe that the main responsibility for the failure of the battle should naturally be borne by Zhou Han;
Some people also said that Huangfu Longting retreated too quickly, and fierce fighting started on the front line. Why did you run back?
There is also Zhou Che, who is outside Jiguan, criticizing him for watching the whole show and only knows how to play music and dance...
And no one knows to what extent the army trapped on the north bank has fallen.
Some say they are still resisting, some say they have been wiped out, some say they have surrendered, and some say the entire army has begun to flee...
All in all, the noise caused panic and excitement in Luojing City.
In the past two days, there has been fierce controversy among the ministers.
Until today's court meeting, another big news dropped - Zhou Han is back!
When the news came from General Huangmen, the emperor and the ministers who were discussing at court were stunned.
Zhou Han is back?
The army didn't come back, so he ran back by himself?
Leaving the army behind and fleeing, the three Yi tribes are guilty!
However, Zhou Han’s household registration book includes the emperor himself...
"Father!"
Soon, Zhou Han, half covered with blood and soaked to the skin, knelt down in the hall.
He had lost his armor, and had unloaded his armor on the north bank. He was only wearing single clothes and a makeshift ring-head knife.
How miserable, how miserable.
The emperor's eyes were calm, and he still couldn't tell whether he was happy or sad: "How did you come back?"
As for the ministers, they all held their breath and concentrated, not daring to say a word.
Zhou Han, who had always been arrogant, choked with sobs and said: "My son is fighting in the bandit camp, and the enemy's ten-layer camp has broken through to six layers."
"At this moment, news suddenly came from the rear that Huangfu Longting burned the camp and escaped."
"As soon as the news spread, the morale of the army was immediately in chaos. Seeing the situation, I could not do anything, so I could only lead the troops to break out south."
"Furthermore, due to the loss of the rear, the logistics were in chaos, and the troops were scattered along the way. After approaching the river, the sentries of Erchen reported that the ferries and pontoons had been burned, and the morale of the army collapsed again."
"My son led thousands of men to break out of the encirclement first. In an attempt to revive the morale of the army, tens of thousands of Guo thieves intercepted and killed him... In the end, only nineteen of them swam back!"
There is a huge difference in whether he takes the initiative to leave his troops and flee back, or whether he fails to break out and only a few passively flee back!
The emperor's eyes slightly closed: "So, on the other side of the river, 20,000 soldiers have been abandoned and they are leaderless? Tell me, how can I explain to the army? How can I explain to the elders of the six counties!"
Among the forbidden troops, most of them came from the good families of the six counties.
These people have been in the military for generations, have received many favors from the emperor, are brave in battle, and are quite loyal.
It can be said that it is an important foundation for the emperor's military force?
"My son is guilty!"
Zhou Han immediately kowtowed and said quickly: "When I broke through the encirclement, I commanded the front to start the battle. I ordered General Tang Jiye to lead the Chinese army to accompany him."
"After being intercepted, Tang Jiye has already retreated... I made an agreement with him in advance. Once the breakout fails, no matter whether I rush out or die in battle, he must return to the mountain and wait for help!"
Cao Yanqing beside him immediately said: "Your Majesty! We were betrayed so miserably, but our own camp became surrounded by the enemy... In order to lead the army to break out, His Highness personally broke the formation and killed dozens of people with his own hands, and was seriously injured."
"Your Majesty, the top priority is to stabilize the Guo thieves first to protect Luo Jing." Cao Zheng, the Minister of War, also stepped forward in time and said: "The second prince and the soldiers fought bloody battles in the front. Huangfu Longting resisted in the battle, so I The army was defeated and he should be the first to bear the responsibility!"
The emperor pondered for a moment and said: "What happened on the front line has yet to be clarified. But there seems to be no doubt about Huangfu Longting's disobedience? Yilu, how should we deal with it?"
Cao Zheng raised his hand and said, "Execute the clan!"
"No!" The eldest prince spoke quickly: "The Huangfu family has guarded the northwest for generations. They have made great contributions to the country and have a high reputation in Liangzhou. If Huangfu is killed, he will lose the heart of the northwest!"
"Whether it is to kill or to punish the clan, let's discuss it later." The emperor waved his hand and his eyes fell on Zhou Han again: "Second brother, do you have anything else to say?"
Zhou Han gritted his teeth and said: "I am willing to bring up the elite again, cross the river to defeat the Guo thieves, and rescue our soldiers!"
"I think it's inappropriate!" a voice sounded.
Zhou Han looked at the sound and found that it was Zhou Minghou, with a fierce look in his eyes: What does this old fifth mean? ?
"Now that the Guo thieves are victorious and their morale is strong, how easy is it to break up the talks?"
"If we had waited to summon the county soldiers, I'm afraid the trapped army would have been destroyed long ago."
"If we further mobilize the imperial troops such as Huben and Yu Lin in the city, if there are any more losses, Luo Jing will not be protected!"
Zhou Ming didn't look at Zhou Han at all, but bowed to the emperor: "I think it's time to recruit him."
"The troops trapped on the north bank are all from good families in the six counties. Even if they really bowed their heads temporarily, Guo Zhenyue would not dare to use them."
"And if we kill them all, it will definitely anger the imperial court and the people of the world. This is not what Guo Zhenyue wants to see."
"At this moment, we can first make some conditions and grant Guo Zhenyue some empty names, and the two sides will stop fighting for the time being..."
"Nonsense!" Zhou Han refuted angrily: "Yow down to the thief, where do you put the dignity of the royal family and the court?"
Zhou Mingpi smiled but said: "Does it mean that you have dignity after defeating the battle?"
"you……"
"Second brother, shut up." The emperor looked at Zhou Han: "You must know that you are guilty."
Zhou Han felt a chill in his heart and quickly bowed his head in agreement.
Zhou Mingze continued: "After the conditions have been negotiated, we will retrieve the soldiers and stabilize the Guo thieves...then concentrate our efforts and plan for it slowly!"
The emperor closed his eyes and meditated.
Then, he glanced at the other civil and military officials: "Do you have any other opinions?"
Most of the people were silent, but a few supported it.
Finally, the emperor nodded: "Come here and prepare an edict."
"First, capture all the members of the Huangfu clan in Beijing and send them to prison."
"Secondly, the Ministry of War drafted a document requesting the Sixth Prince Che to withdraw his troops... After withdrawing his troops, he will be held accountable for the crime of neglecting the war!"
Zhou Han secretly breathed a sigh of relief when he heard that he was fine for the time being.
"You think you escaped?"
The emperor's voice suddenly sounded above his head.
Zhou Han was shocked and fell to the ground with his face: "I don't dare, I know my sin..."
"You go and take Huangfu Longting's place."
"If the Guo thieves cross the river and invade, you will risk your life."
The emperor shook his head and his eyes turned cold for a moment: "I am very disappointed in you and Lao Liu."
"My son is guilty!" Zhou Han could only kowtow.
Zhou Ming almost laughed out loud.
