On April 2, a Jiaozhi Forbidden Army stationed north of the Red River collapsed under the attack of the Song Army's cavalry. Its total number was as high as 7,000.

This news reached Thang Long City and immediately caused an uproar.

The shadow of war began to envelope Thang Long City like a huge iron curtain.

Anxiety quickly spread throughout the court hall of Thang Long City.

Seven thousand forbidden troops were defeated in one day, and the same question appeared in many people's minds: How many troops did the Song Dynasty come this time?

In this chaotic moment, rumors are already flying all over the sky before the truth has come to shore.

Privy Councilor Zhang Boyu said: "This news has yet to be confirmed."

So his words spread quickly.

The original rumor was: Our imperial army was defeated, and we may still need to verify it.

But soon someone said: Our imperial army was not defeated at all.

Then someone said: Our country has a hundred thousand troops stationed north of the Red River, and it is impossible to be defeated quickly.

Someone else said: The news is confirmed, the Song army came with 50,000 troops, but was defeated by an elite force of our army yesterday and is now on the run.

Others said: The Song army was severely beaten by our army as soon as it arrived in the capital. Now it has lost its armor and armor. Our army is pursuing it with all its strength. If nothing goes wrong, our army will be able to enter the Song Dynasty in a month.

Finally, someone said: The Song Dynasty's millions of troops marched south and were defeated by our army yesterday. They were defeated like a mountain. In less than two months, the Emperor of the Song Dynasty must surrender as a token of surrender.

This kind of public opinion method is caused by the psychological rebound caused by group panic when the information is opaque, which is unconscious.

So on the afternoon of April 2, Li Yanghuan, the leader of the Jiaozhi Kingdom, received a very strange public opinion in Thanglong City. Many people agreed that the Song army had been defeated on the north bank of the Red River.

Some people even think that this was just a small accident that has been calmed down and life will continue as usual.

After all, groups have great inertia of thinking, and they cannot realize that those infected people in the hospital... Oh no, they cannot realize that this is not an accidental event.

Such public opinion made Li Yanghuan almost think that the Song army was really defeated.

However, the cold battle report was right in front of him.

A Forbidden Army stationed on the north bank was raided by the Song army, and the entire army was defeated and fled.

The Song army received a large amount of supplies for this purpose.

Li Yanghuan is now facing a very embarrassing situation.

Should he tell his subjects the truth?

What should you do if your notification causes great panic?

If not informed, most people will still indulge in comfort, while the enemy has already arrived at their doorstep.

Li Yanghuan said to Liu Tanqing: "What do you think of the rumors in the city now?"

Liu Tanqing said: "I believe that your Majesty should tell everyone the truth immediately and call on the people to unite to resist the Song army."

Zhang Boyu said: "You must not do it. This is digging your own grave. If the people know that a forbidden army of the imperial court was defeated by the enemy in one day, there will be a lot of panic, which will definitely affect the morale of the troops in the city."

Liu Tanqing retorted: "If we don't inform the people, how can we quickly mobilize the military and civilians for defense in the city?"

"Your Majesty, there is no need for the whole city to be defended." Zhang Boyu said, "The capital has the Red River as a natural moat. If the Song army wants to attack the city, they must cross the river. However, I have issued the order of King Qin and organized the forbidden troops to deploy in the city. The Song army

If you come deeper, it won't be long before you get sick like before and be forced to withdraw your troops. At that time, our army will go all out to pursue and kill the Song army!"

Li Yanghuan was obviously more willing to listen to Zhang Boyu's answer. He said: "That's it for the time being. We can't tell you the real situation in the city. Just say that everything is under the control of the imperial court."

Liu Tanqing said: "Your Majesty, what should we do with the merchants at the ferry?"

"What should we do? We can't let the court worry about everything." Zhang Boyu said, "The people must understand the difficulties of the court!"

Early in the morning on April 3, Wu Lin was standing under a tree, pouring water from a basin to take a shower.

He lamented to Yan Pei next to him: "The humidity and heat in the southwest make me very uncomfortable."

"Commander, when the Cochin Kingdom is destroyed, we can go back."

Wu Lin said: "This time the mission may be a little longer. In order for the court to have stable control here in the future, a group of people must die."

Yan Pei was stunned for a moment and said, "How many people are you planning to kill, Commander?"

"At least half." Wu Lin said casually, "And the imperial court named the puppet royal family..."

He made a cutting gesture.

It means to kill them all and never leave anyone behind.

Yan Pei said: "The official wants to not only kill the royal family of the puppet dynasty, but also kill half of the landlords and gentry, and then move the other half of the ordinary people to Guangnan West Road, and then move the population from Guangnan West Road into Jiaozhou, otherwise someone must be secretly doing it

Make waves."

Wu Lin said: "I think Zhang Lingcheng and Ding Zhuangjie can take advantage of it. When the enemy armies enter a period of great rout, let them absorb the surrenderers and let these surrenderers submit certificates of surrender."

At this moment, the people below came running: "Report to Commander Wu that an envoy from Jiaozhi Kingdom has been sent, requesting to see the Commander-in-Chief."

Yan Pei said: "They must be here to discuss peace and delay time."

Wu Lin picked up the cloth on the branch, wiped the water on his body, put on his clothes, and said, "Let's go and meet the messenger."

"Wu Shuai, if the other party mentions negotiating peace, we will agree."

"I know what to do."

Not long after, Wu Lin met Wang Qian, the Minister of Rites sent by Li Yanghuan.

Wang Qian saluted Wu Lin, and then said in a spicy tone: "I have heard for a long time that the Celestial Empire is a country of etiquette. Why do you want to raise unknown masters today to kill the people of our country? Is this the work of a country taught by saints?"

Wu Lin sat there with a calm expression, his eyes were as cold as ice, and he said in a calm tone: "Your country colluded to seize the city and detain the merchants of the Song Dynasty. The evidence for this is conclusive. You also instigated people to sell our people of the Song Dynasty on Guangnan West Road. This is a heinous crime.

It is in line with the laws of nature for the imperial court to summon troops to investigate crimes."

Wang Qian said: "This was instigated by the little thieves who occupied the city. As for human trafficking, it was actually done by civilian thieves and has nothing to do with this dynasty."

Wu Lin stopped talking.

Wang Qian continued: "General, why don't you withdraw your troops to show the good relations between the two countries? Our country is willing to continue to offer sacrifices to the heaven."

"You can also withdraw the troops. If you pay 100,000 guan as compensation, I will withdraw the troops immediately."

"General, I will take it back."

Wang Qian returned to Shenglong City and informed Li Yanghuan of Wu Lin's words.

Zhang Boyu said: "This is Song Jun's treacherous plan!"

Li Yanghuan said: "One hundred thousand guan is not difficult. What does Wang Shilang think?"

Wang Qian said: "I went to the Song camp to watch the Song army. The number of the Song army was not very large, and judging from the accent of the commander, he was not from Guangnan West Road, but probably from the north. He is not willing to stay here for a long time."

"You mean, what he said is true?"

"I believe that the Song army has penetrated deeply into our country and cannot stay for a long time. It is better to give them one hundred thousand guan, which can be regarded as a step forward."

Li Yanghuan asked Zhang Boyu: "In this case, do you still need Qinwang's troops from all over the country to come?"

Zhang Boyu couldn't make up his mind for a while. A trip to the capital by King Qin's army would cost a lot. If the Song army really withdrew, it would be a waste of money.
Chapter completed!