Chapter 1657 Returning to Beijing in Embarrassment
The heavy rain for a long time has stopped, but the Xuzhou city under Han Du's feet is already a swamp.
Seeing the city of Xuzhou submerged by the raging Yellow River, it was not difficult for Han Du to imagine what the land of the Yangtze and Huaihe Rivers was like.
"Zhu Di, I will kill you! I will kill you!"
"Han Du! Calm down!" Geng Bingwen quickly grabbed Han Du.
Han Du was so angry that he lost his mind, "How can I calm down? There are millions of people in the Jianghuai land, how can Zhu Di dare to dig up the Yellow River embankment!"
When Han Du first came to Xuzhou City, he made a special trip to see the Yellow River Embankment. After all, this embankment is right next to Xuzhou City. If there was any accident, it would be a huge disaster.
Originally, Han Du thought that Zhu Di would not risk the disapproval of the world, so he only sent people to patrol occasionally. After all, Zhu Di wanted the Ming Dynasty and would not do anything to the people. Even if he climbed to the Nine-Five Supreme Throne, he still needed to win over the world.
What about the people’s hearts!
I never thought, never thought... He Zhu Di really dared to be the enemy of the world!
What is even more troublesome is that in the past, when the Yellow River burst its banks, half of the river water would flow into the canal, which in disguise reduced the power of floods.
However, in order to prevent Zhu Di from going south along the canal, Han Du ordered people to block the canal. Things that were extremely beneficial to Han Du in the past have now turned him into an accomplice in harming the people. This is really difficult for Han Du to accept.
Geng Bingwen grabbed Han Du's arm forcefully and shook him violently.
He shouted sternly: "Please wake up, now we are trapped in Xuzhou, unable to advance or retreat. Zhu Di can bypass Xuzhou from the upper reaches of the Yellow River and go straight to the capital."
"The most important thing now is to find a way to return to the capital immediately and let the capital prepare early. Otherwise, once Zhu Di takes advantage of the capital's unpreparedness and appears under Jinling City, the world will be truly in danger!"
Han Du was suddenly shocked. Isn't this the way Zhu Di used to attack Nanjing in history?
Geng Bingwen reminded Han Du that he could not care about the people who were suffering from this disaster. If something happened to Zhu Biao, let alone the people, he would be finished!
But then Han Du's eyes darkened, and he sighed helplessly: "All our ships have been lost. How can we get out without ships?"
Geng Bingwen said quickly: "There are no ships, but I cut some wood from the mountain and made a wooden raft. Let's see if you dare to take the risk and give it a try!"
A wooden raft can be used to cross the river, but it is extremely risky to cross such a large country. Losing direction is not a bad thing, but the unlucky thing is that if the raft hits some rocks, it will be destroyed and everyone will be killed.
Han Du nodded heavily, "Okay, then ask Changxing Marquis to prepare the raft."
Geng Bingwen nodded quickly, "Don't worry, we know you care for the people. After the water recedes, we will send people to rescue as many people as possible. You don't have to worry about this. The most important thing now is that you must arrive in the capital and do everything in advance.
Be prepared."
"Don't worry, Marquis Changxing, I will do my best!" Han Du nodded.
As for why Han Du didn't stay here and let Geng Bingwen return to Beijing, that's because we still need to be prepared for Zhu Di's sneak attack. Without Geng Bingwen, Han Du wouldn't have been able to withstand the attack of Zhu Di's army.
Knowing that Duke Zhen was going to risk crossing the water on a raft, a group of people came to Han Du to ask for his life.
"My lord, I will be willing to escort my lord back to Beijing!"
Han Du glanced at these people, they were the ones who blew up Zhu Di's gunpowder.
"Are your injuries healed?"
The captain grinned: "Thank you for your concern, sir. It's just some superficial injuries and they're all healed!"
Han Du paused and said with a serious expression: "Do you really want to go with me? You know, I may have a narrow escape from death."
Everyone laughed after hearing this.
The captain clasped his fists again and said, "Sir, weren't we going to die without a chance of survival that time?"
"That's true." Han Du nodded expressionlessly, "Then I will leave my life to you!"
"Thank you so much, sir! I will fight to the death to escort you to the capital safely!" the captain replied solemnly.
The reason why Han Du agreed to these people escorting him was because they were really the most suitable candidates.
There can only be a few people on a wooden raft, so of course it requires real elites. And these people are the best in terms of marksmanship, force, and overall ability, and their ability to survive in the wild is extremely strong.
With them following you, even if something unexpected happens, you won't starve to death!
"Your name is Zhao Wenqing, right?"
Zhao Wenqing was stunned for a moment, and then nodded suddenly: "Could it be that you still remember the last general?"
"Of course I remember. You are all trained by me with a lot of hard work, how could you not remember?" Han Du sighed slightly.
Then he said nothing more and waved his hand: "Go and bring everything you need. Without further ado, let's set off immediately!"
"Yes, sir!" Zhao Wenqing clasped his fists quickly.
...
Ever since the news of the great victory in Xuzhou came, Zhu Biao had put aside his worries and was in good health and eating well.
After finishing the meal, go to bed early.
When he was half asleep, Zhu Biao felt Wang Yue calling him in his dream.
"Your Majesty... Your Majesty..."
Zhu Biao opened his eyes drowsily and listened carefully to make sure he was not dreaming.
"Wang Yue? Come in."
Wang Yue stood outside the palace door, rubbing his hands and stamping his feet anxiously. When he suddenly heard these words, he felt like hearing fairy music.
"Your Majesty, your servant has come in."
Zhu Biao turned over and sat on the edge of the bed, looking angrily at Wang Yue who walked in quickly.
"What's wrong? You have to come to see me in such a hurry?"
Wang Yue knelt on the ground and said, "Your Majesty, Duke Zhenguo is back."
Zhu Biao's expression suddenly changed, and he shouted sternly: "Isn't he in Xuzhou? Why did he come back?"
After finishing speaking, without waiting for Wang Yue's response, he immediately said: "Quickly pass!"
"According to the order." Wang Yue quickly bowed and shouted to the eunuch outside the palace: "The emperor has an order to summon the Duke of the town to see him."
He stood up and said, "Your Majesty, my servant will change your clothes."
...
Han Du waited anxiously outside the palace. After receiving the notification, he followed the eunuch inside.
When Zhu Biao saw Han Du's ragged clothes, he was shocked and subconsciously stood up, "What's wrong with you?"
Zhu Biao never expected that Han Du would become like this. He immediately thought that something had happened during the Xuzhou War.
But it shouldn’t be. The victory in Xuzhou has just killed 100,000 people. What else could happen to Xuzhou?
Han Du immediately knelt down, raised his head with tears in his eyes, and said with great sorrow: "Your Majesty, Zhu Di blew up the Yellow River embankment and flooded Xuzhou, causing millions of people in the Jianghuai River to be displaced."
"What?" Zhu Biao shouted in shock, pacing back and forth anxiously, "How dare he! How dare he do such a thing that is so harmful to the world and will be infamy for thousands of years!"
Zhu Biao has never been so angry as he is now. The Yellow River burst its banks and flooded thousands of miles. Even if such a disaster is a natural disaster, there will still be criticism on his head.
Now it has been exploded by Zhu Di, and the entire royal family will be ashamed of it!
"Where is Xuzhou? How is Xuzhou?" Zhu Biao reacted instantly. Han Du looked like he had escaped.
Could it be that Xuzhou...
"Xuzhou has been defeated," Han Du solemnly nodded, "but the army has withdrawn from the city in advance, and there are no casualties except the baggage."
Upon hearing Han Du's words, Zhu Biao's heart suddenly rose to his throat. Fortunately, the second half of Han Du's sentence put Zhu Biao's heart back again.
As long as the people are still there, it's fine. Although the baggage is a pity, there's nothing we can do about it.
"Then what are you?" Zhu Biao glanced at Han Du, who was all dirty and torn.
Han Du sighed: "Zhu Di flooded Xuzhou, so he would definitely bypass Xuzhou and go straight to the capital. I was worried that the emperor would not get the news in time and lost his preparedness, so he risked his life to cross the flood and rush to the capital."
Han Du was also very surprised at his luck this time. He managed to survive the flood so smoothly.
Zhu Biao nodded with lingering fear, "It's a good thing you came back in time, otherwise I'm afraid the fourth brother would have come to the city with troops before I got the news."
"Your Majesty, how many soldiers and horses are there in the capital now? We must immediately build up the defense of the capital." Han Du said in a hurry. Now is the time to race against time. If you prepare a minute earlier, your chances of winning will be greater.
Zhu Biao was stunned when he heard this, and then his face instantly turned pale.
Wang Yue, who was standing aside, also looked frightened, and the fly whisk in his hand trembled slightly.
"Your Majesty!" Han Du's eyes widened and he asked in disbelief: "Haven't King Qin's army arrived yet?"
Zhu Biao looked very ugly. He nodded first, then slowly shook his head.
He sighed and said, "I gave an order to King Qin, but except for the King of Shu who sent 30,000 soldiers and horses, all the other kings shied away with various reasons."
"Because there are too few troops, even if we invest in Xuzhou, it is of little significance, so I will leave these 30,000 troops in the capital."
Han Du looked a little bad and asked in shock: "Does the capital only have these 30,000 soldiers and horses now?"
"There are still 20,000 defenders in the Fifth Army Governor's Mansion!"
Thirty thousand plus twenty thousand, a total of fifty thousand. Is this the total strength of the capital?
Even though the capital's city walls were the best in the world and its overall defense was also the best in the world, a mere 50,000 soldiers and horses had to face Zhu Di's army of at least 400,000, which made even Han Du feel terrified.
"Mei Yin! Your Majesty, Mei Yin still has 400,000 troops in his hands. Please order him to come to support the capital immediately."
Han Du suddenly thought of Mei Yin in Huai'an.
"Okay, I will issue an order immediately!" Zhu Biao then looked at Wang Yue.
Wang Yue quickly took out the imperial edict and pen and ink, and Zhu Biao immediately issued an imperial edict to Mei Yin.
Han Du felt slightly relieved when he saw it. As long as Mei Yin arrived in the capital before Zhu Di, there would be no worries.
But whether Mei Yin can arrive before Zhu Di is the question.
Han Du has never been one to sit still and wait for death. He always prepares for the worst and will not pin all his hopes on Mei Yin.
"Your Majesty, there is something that may be able to defeat the Yan army."
"What is it? Where is it?" Zhu Biao also knew that distant water could not save a nearby fire. Mei Yin was far away in Huai'an, and it was still unknown whether he could reach the capital before the Yan army.
If what Han Du said is true, then of course it is the best.
"It's at the Ordnance Bureau."
Zhu Biao perked up and immediately said: "Quick, show up to the weapons bureau!"
It was the first time since the founding of the Ming Dynasty that a banquet came out of the palace in the middle of the night.
Wang Yue didn't complain at all and hurriedly ran out of the palace to make arrangements.