mynovelweb Chapter 790 Separation of the Zhenxi Army
Chapter 790 Separation of the Zhenxi Army
Hu Jincai quickly explained: "Prime Minister, there are only 15,000 people left in the city, and the rebels have dispatched 80,000 troops this time. Naturally, they can't hold out for long."
Han Qi angrily said, "Almost a day has passed since the rebels attacked the city and it was captured. What have the Imperial Guards been doing right under the noses of the capital?"
Hu Jincai lowered his head and said nothing.
He sneered in his heart, you should ask Ma Buxuan about this matter, why are you yelling at me?
Han Qi was so angry that he lost his composure.
"One hundred thousand imperial guards were defeated by eighty thousand rebels right under their noses. I wonder how you will explain this to the emperor."
Hu Jincai nodded and replied, "Yes, it's time to reflect on this. Whoever delayed the war must be investigated and punished severely."
"you..."
Han Qi raised his finger and pointed at Hu Jincai, his lips trembling.
He said nothing for a long while, then finally flicked his sleeves and turned to walk out.
Inside the Kuncheng Command Center, Ma Buxuan was already running around in panic.
He issued orders one after another, but up to now, he had not heard of any troops heading to the battlefield outside the city.
Until now, when the battle report of Licheng being captured by the rebels was delivered to him, he grimaced, not knowing how to vent his anger.
"I will hold those who violated military orders and ignored the rebels' attack on the city accountable. If they don't chop off a few heads, they won't know the strictness of military discipline!"
He walked around the room a few times before barking out orders.
"Someone, bring Hu Jincai, the deputy commander of the Imperial Guard, to Kuncheng. He actually disregarded military regulations, disobeyed orders, and missed the opportunity to fight... hehe."
As soon as he finished speaking, the messenger turned and ran out.
The Imperial Guards have departments and teams specifically responsible for supervising military discipline. When the commander's order was passed to the supervision department, several responsible persons were immediately dumbfounded.
Take Deputy Commander Hu Jincai?
Isn't this crazy?
Everyone in the Imperial Guards, from top to bottom, knew that all the middle and upper-level officers in the army were from the Zhenxi Army.
Who is Hu Jincai?
He is the number one general under Lin Feng. If he makes trouble, he can be more powerful than the rebels.
The three leaders of the Imperial Guards Inspection Department looked at each other and thought that Ma Buxuan was crazy. Handling things in this way would only make the problem worse.
However, we have no choice but to obey the commander's orders.
The three of them put their heads together and started to discuss.
We could have stayed out of the city for a day or two.
However, without any reinforcements and with only 15,000 men, it was only a matter of time before the city fell.
These 15,000 troops are all from the Southern Frontier Army and are Luo Shidong's assets.
Therefore, Luo Shidong could not just abandon it.
Since you didn't come to rescue me, don't blame me for not fighting against the rebels.
Luo Shidong simply sent people to Licheng and ordered them to withdraw from the city through the west gate, which was not blocked by the 80,000 rebels.
Leaving an empty city for the rebels to garrison.
All of a sudden, the entire city of Kyoto began to panic.
Licheng was right under the nose of Kyoto City, and the imperial guards were able to defend it for less than a day before the rebels broke into the city.
This is a defeat that has never happened before.
Even the common people in Kyoto understood that with such a rapid retreat, the Dazong Dynasty was doomed.
Even the old men discussing national affairs on the street, the old ladies washing vegetables and pounding rice at the door, the eldest daughters and the young wives all knew that Dazong was finished.
The chaos in the city was like a plague, quickly spreading throughout the entire city. Officials and civilians alike began to rush to buy rice.
Since Kyoto was besieged once, such scenes have been staged frequently.
Everyone knew that if they were surrounded again, whoever had no food would die first, and no one would dare to rescue them.
Because no one can guarantee that you will be the next one to die.
In times of war, people are in panic, like snakes and insects startled by the beating of the grass.
Emperor Zhao Zhen was awakened from his dream.
His eyes were red, obviously he was still drunk.
After hearing that Licheng was captured by the rebels, he almost fell off the bed.
Fortunately, Concubine Wan reacted quickly and hugged his thigh, barely able to stabilize her body.
Then they shouted repeatedly: "Quick, go and invite Prince Rui to an audience, Han Qi, Tang Bingqian... and who else..."
His own mind was in a mess.
Concubine Wan and Concubine Du hurriedly stood up to help the emperor dress, regardless of the fact that they were not wearing anything.
The palace maids and eunuchs ran around in panic, looking for the emperor's headdress.
The bedroom was also in chaos.
Zhao Zhenmu let the two concubines serve him blankly, but he was thinking about the war in his mind.
Originally, the confrontation with Zhao Zheng across the river was going well. Under Lin Feng's management, the imperial guards outside the capital were strong and powerful, and the situation was very good.
How come the rebels suddenly captured an Acropolis and forced them directly to the gates of Kyoto?
At this time, Zhao Zhen was already sitting in the Chengde Hall, looking at the steps outside the hall in confusion.
Why can't you just let me be an emperor in peace and stability?
What do these ministers under you do all day?
You receive the royal salary and eat the royal food, but you don't do any good work for me.
Zhao Zhen pondered over it and felt extremely angry.
Prince Rui and others entered the Chengde Hall one after another. After paying their respects, they all stood obediently at the bottom, with their heads bowed and no words spoken.
Prince Rui, Prime Minister Han Qi, and the in poor health Tang Bingqian were all standing aside. Only Ma Buxuan, after being called into the palace, knelt on the ground at the palace gate. He did not dare to stand up until the emperor spoke.
"Ma Buxuan, tell me, there has never been a battle like this. An entire Acropolis was lost in less than a day. Is this how you command the Imperial Guards?"
Ma Buxuan touched the ground with his head.
"Your Majesty, it's all because of those Zhenxi Army soldiers who became the commanders of the various battalions of the Imperial Guard. They simply didn't obey my orders, especially the Zhenxi Army leader Hu Jincai. When the rebels arrived, he hid. I sent people several orders in succession, but he never showed up. This is why the rebels gained the upper hand and Licheng was captured."
Zhao Zhen squinted at him.
"Why, was it wrong for me to ask you to be the commander of the Royal Guards?"
Ma Buxuan looked up blankly.
"Your Majesty, I don't know if it is..."
Zhao Zhen slammed the dragon desk and said, "You are completely incapable of leading the Imperial Guards. How dare you accept my imperial edict without permission?"
"Ah, I am innocent, Your Majesty, it was those Zhenxi troops who disobeyed orders..."
Zhao Zhen sneered, "They won't obey your orders as commander. Do you think I should give the orders?"
When Prince Rui heard this, he thought that the emperor might want to find a scapegoat, otherwise how would he explain to his ministers?
"Royal brother, it is just as Commander Ma said. The Zhenxi Army has taken control of the entire Imperial Guard. They won't listen to anyone except Lin Feng and the others."
Zhao Zhen glanced at everyone.
"Why don't you think of a solution for me? Are you just going to stand aside and watch the fun?"
Tang Bingqian bowed and said, "Your Majesty, the Zhenxi Army must be eliminated from the Imperial Guards, otherwise, the capital city will be in danger."
"How do I clear it?"