"Former General, this is the latest battle report sent by Chang'an."

"Well, let me see... OK, General Gou Dao was executed, Youzhou has been completely pacified. Pingzhou, which is further away, also expressed submission. Even Goguryeo, Yuwen Xianbei, and Murong Xianbei all sent envoys to Jixian to pay homage to the general."

"It's not only that, the former general and the lower magistrate heard that Goguryeo also expressed his intention to send envoys to Chang'an to worship His Majesty."

"Hmph, these barbarians... don't care about this anymore. But that villain Cui Ti is really too shameless. If you change it, why can my brother tolerate such villain?"

"Aren't you going to set up a sign now? How can you deal with Cui Ti at this time? However, according to the following officials' years of understanding of the Grand Sima, when the war is over, Cui Ti will definitely not die well."

"Hey, although I understand it very well, it still makes people feel uncomfortable. Forget it, Ziying (Xiang Chong), how many people are there in our army now?"

"After returning to the general, five days ago, our army once again attacked the Tongguan city wall, and the losses increased a lot. Now, there are only more than 8,000 soldiers in the entire army who can be engaged in combat at any time. There are more than 2,000 minor injuries, and they can go to the battlefield again after recuperation."

As time comes, March 273, the weather has completely warmed up. On the Qinling Mountains on the south side of Tongguan, there is already a scene of spring flowers blooming.

Starting from coming to Tongguan in May last year, Zhang Zun's army was the first to invest in combat, and the most casualties: nearly 20,000 people were reduced, accounting for about 70% of the entire army.

The sacrifice was huge, but the results were also significant: because they always put continuous pressure and threats on Tongguan. As a result, Luoyang always couldn't make the decision to drive all the central army out and concentrate superior forces in Bingzhou to fight against Guanyi (Sima Yan did not do a one-time deal, either winning all or losing all). This restraint really greatly supported the advancement of the battlefields of Bingzhou and Youzhou.

Now, when both the Bingzhou and Youzhou battlefields have achieved irreversible advantages, what Zhang Zun and others need to consider is withdrawing their troops - the entire army has only more than 8,000 combat power, and they must return to Huayin to defend at this time. Otherwise, what if Jin State suddenly goes crazy and sends heavy troops to Tongguan to attack Huayin to threaten Chang'an? These more than 8,000 people will not play much role in the field.

It is actually a very simple thing for Zhang Zun to withdraw troops before the enemy: Huayin and Tongguan are too close. If all the supplies are abandoned and the entire army is running, it will only take a day. Moreover, the area near Tongguan is very narrow.

"The wounded soldiers have retreated, right?"

"It has been withdrawn three days in advance."

"Shan, then let's withdraw our troops tonight. Before leaving, we gather all kinds of supplies and block them at the intersection and burn them. I see if Ma Xiaoxing comes to chase him!"

Of course Ma Long would not come to chase after him. In fact, on that night, Ma Long saw the fire in the Han army camp opposite and observed it on the city tower. He just returned to the room in silence to write a report to his emperor.

The most depressing person in the war has been fought until now.

I took the initiative to tell Your Majesty that you don’t have reinforcements, and you can mobilize the Luoyang Central Army and drive to other places. How many ministers like me are there who take the initiative to take responsibility? But what about you? The 100,000 Central Army and 20,000 Prince Guards have been sitting stupidly in Luoyang. I watched Meng Shushi and Gou Dao in Youzhou, and Du Yuankai was in trouble in Bingzhou. I really don’t understand? We don’t have the surname Sima! It would be fine if you don’t help, but why would you still cause trouble!

"I am reporting to Your Majesty. On March 12th, the enemy troops under Tongguan City had retreated... The current situation can only be maintained. If you want to break the deadlock, you should be in Youji. I want to take the General (Chen Qian) as the commander, and 100,000 central troops head north and fight with Jiang Bo in Jizhou. With the ability of the General and the Central Army several times the power of the enemy, you should be able to fight and defeat it. In this way, the two states of Youping will be restored. Then the Great Wall will be out of the Great Wall and the enemy's main force will be copied. The enemy will retreat... If not, I am afraid that officials and families in Jizhou and Qingzhou will have a collapse.

In this way, the north of the Yellow River should not be owned by the country! Another person has discussed that the court should recruit another 30,000 troops from Yuzhou to enrich Luoyang. Then, 20,000 guards from each kingdom are strengthened to at least Fu's command to confront Guan Zifeng... There are still more than 23,000 elite troops under my command. After the enemy retreats, I have ordered people to repair the checkpoints and the city walls. I guarantee that Tongguan is solid, even if the enemy troops come to the entire army, they can also ensure that the pass is safe for half a year... Today's battle is a battle of life and death in the country. I have a little courage, and I hope Your Majesty will clearly observe."

On the afternoon of the 13th, Ma Long's report arrived at Sima Yan's desk.

Sima Yan, born in 236 AD, was only 37 years old this year. However, at this time, the emperor of Jin had already had frost on his temples, his forehead was full of ravines, and he looked like a fifty-year-old face.

After reading Ma Long's memorial and relaxing a little, a hint of regret quickly surged in Sima Yan's heart. But this regret was quickly replaced by another kind of worry.

Unlike many founding kings of all dynasties, they have experienced many hardships before they can start a business successfully. Sima Yan, the founding king, is simply too lucky: everything is done by his grandfather, uncle, and father. All he needs to do is complete a ceremony.

At this point, he was not as good as Cao Pi, the founding emperor of Cao Wei: when Emperor Wen of Wei was young, Cao Mengde's power was still very weak, so Cao Pi had fought on the battlefield many times in his early years. Moreover, compared with a good boy like Sima You, Cao Pi's two brothers Cao Zhang and Cao Zhi were not a good deal. In order to win the battle for the throne, Cao Pi suffered a lot of hardships and tortures.

In short, the emperor Sima Yan was so smooth in his early years. After his father who had been dependent on him passed away, he encountered a pervert like a time traveler. Therefore, after being repeatedly hit, he has become extremely unconfident, compared with the image of resoluteness and decisiveness he deliberately created in his early years. Hesitation, more resourcefulness and less decisions may be his nature.

Now, Ma Long puts the new strategy in front of Sima Yan. Of course, the emperor was very moved, but he was also very worried.

"You are all important officials of the country. Now the country is in danger. Xiaoxing is rare to be brave enough to take responsibility and proposed such a plan. Everyone discusses it and see what should we do next in the Great Jin Dynasty?"

Now, in the top circles in Luoyang, there are two factions: Sima You, the leader of King Qi, Sima Jun, Pei Xiu, Jia Chong, Chen Qian, Zhang Hua and others are one faction. On the other side are foreign relatives Yang Jun, and He Qiao, Yang Qing, Shao Ti and other clerks who have never been to the battlefield. Of course, the strength of these people is much weaker than the previous faction. The reason why they can compete with the King of Qi is because behind them is a group of princes from the Sima family, led by King Zhao Sima Lun, who have never been to the battlefield.

Sima You and others certainly supported Ma Long's proposal. Chen Qian also clearly expressed his willingness to lead his army to Jizhou to wrestle with Jiang Wei. The reason is very sufficient: the situation of the war is unfavorable. There are many reasons, but one of the important ones is that my Dajin was originally very limited, and he also left a total of 120,000 troops at home. This is like an ordinary person with no outstanding figure and strength. Faced with the provocation of a strong man, he took the initiative to tie up one hand to fight the other party. It would be strange if he was not abused.

Therefore, to turn the situation around, every point of strength must be mobilized. At this time, don’t consider the issue that too much recruitment will cause great harm to the country. Let’s get through the current difficulties first.

According to Chinese political tradition, the emperor fights the world with one person. Therefore, the ministers cannot unite. Any emperor with a little level will take the initiative to cultivate the ministers' opposition. However, Sima Yan's grasp of this aspect is obviously not good: the ministers are in opposition, but the two sides have accumulated grudges for a long time and have become a trend of party struggles.

Since it is a party struggle, it is not just a matter of fact. But I will definitely oppose it if you agree with it. Since your Qi Wang Party supports Ma Long's proposal, then our Yang Party (or the Zhao Wang Party) must oppose it.
Chapter completed!