The second year of Qing'an was destined to be an uneven year. On the third day of the new year, an urgent report was sent from the border. Forty thousand Tatar cavalry from outside the customs invaded the border, broke into three border towns in a row, kidnapped tens of thousands of people, and looted
There are countless mules and horses carrying gold, silver and food.
When the battle report reached the palace, the government and the public were immediately shocked!
No one expected that the Tatars would take advantage of the freezing weather to advance in large numbers. No one expected that the border troops who guarded the border so impregnably would suffer such a huge defeat!
Emperor Qing'an was so furious that he immediately summoned the six ministers, two pavilion elders, and a group of military generals to the Hall of Supreme Harmony to discuss countermeasures!
General Yuan also entered the Hall of Supreme Harmony. General Yuan, who was over seventy years old and had white hair and beard, had always been in good health, but today he suddenly looked much older. After entering the hall, he knelt down without saying a word.
All the ministers were shocked.
Emperor Qing'an immediately stood up and stepped forward, helping his old father-in-law up with his own hands: "General Yuan, get up quickly."
General Yuan's face was full of sorrow and self-reproach: "The border army suffered a huge defeat, suffered heavy casualties, and lost three border cities. I really have no face to see the emperor!"
The Yuan family has guarded the border for generations. After General Yuan took office a few years ago, his eldest son Yuan Qing became the commander-in-chief of the border army. There are also more than twenty nephews and nephews of the Yuan family who are in the army, with different official positions, and they are all generals.
.It is not an exaggeration to say that the frontier army is the Yuan family army.
Now that the frontier army has suffered a huge defeat, the Yuan family cannot escape the blame. It is natural for General Yuan to go to the palace to plead guilty.
Emperor Qing'an forcibly suppressed the anger in his heart and comforted General Yuan: "Victory and defeat are common matters for military officers. The Tatars have never been out in the cold winter of the twelfth lunar month, and the border troops were not well-prepared. It was inevitable that they would suddenly engage in battle and suffer defeat."
Now is not the time to hold anyone responsible. The most important thing is to stabilize the situation and defeat the Tatar cavalry."
General Yuan then held his hands in tears and thanked Tian En.
Emperor Qing'an winked at the prince, who hurriedly stepped forward and helped General Yuan steady.
As the commander of the emperor's personal guards, Shen You is always at the emperor's side and in the Hall of Supreme Harmony. However, on such occasions, he has no right to speak.
Even the prince Zhu Yun could only listen in.
"Your Majesty!" Mr. Xu Ge said in a deep voice: "The border has been stable for several years, but this time the Tatars suddenly invaded in large numbers and robbed the people of Qi. We must not tolerate it."
"Your Majesty, please order the border troops to guard the border with all their strength and defeat the Tatar cavalry."
Elder Zheng Ge cupped his hands and said, "I think the imperial court should send troops and horses to reinforce the border."
The border army was defeated, with many casualties and low morale. To defend the border, we must increase our troops immediately.
Emperor Qing'an nodded slightly, with a serious expression on his face: "My dear friends, you may wish to discuss how many soldiers should be sent and who should be the general."
Yuan Hai, who had become the Minister of War, recommended General He.
General He was in his prime, good at leading troops, and he was from the Yuan family army. The imperial court sent troops to reinforce the border army, and General He was an excellent candidate.
Emperor Qing'an thought for a moment and nodded in approval. Immediately afterwards, they discussed how many reinforcements and when to set off. The preparations for food, grass, baggage, weapons and horses also had to be carried out immediately. The army must be set off in the shortest possible time.
Shen You also led troops out of Beijing several times. Hearing the ministers discussing military affairs, his heart was filled with enthusiasm.
According to Emperor Qing'an's habit, when sending General He for reinforcements, he would also appoint several deputy generals. He had fought two battles with General He before.
This time, does he have another chance to go to war?
…
Feng Shaojun stood guard outside the palace. Listening to the excited voices coming from inside the palace from time to time, Feng Shaojun frowned slightly.
The Tatar cavalry invaded the border and the border army was defeated?
The big battle in the previous life took place two years later. In this life, it was two years earlier. Moreover, the battle was obviously not going well. The imperial court wanted to send troops for reinforcements. If General He became the commander-in-chief, who would Emperor Qing'an make his deputy?
Will Shen You be allowed to go?
Thinking of this, Feng Shaojun frowned even more.
Until noon, the small court meeting did not break up. Emperor Qing'an sent people to the imperial kitchen to deliver the meal, and the ministers stayed in the Hall of Supreme Harmony to have lunch and continue to discuss war strategies.
After more than half a day, all the ministers came out of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, each with a solemn look on his face. The Minister of War and the Minister of Hubu walked very quickly. When there is a war, the most busy people are the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Hubu. The Ministry of War wants troops and prepares weapons and horses. The Ministry of Household Affairs has to prepare food and wages. In the next few days, the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Household Affairs will have a difficult time.
Emperor Qing'an left only General Yuan and Yuan Hai, his father and his son. He felt relieved and ordered Prince Zhu Yun to send them out of the palace.
Now is the time for troops to be deployed, so we must not chill the hearts of the frontier soldiers. We must also try our best to appease the Yuan family.
Zhu Yun also understood the truth. He sent his grandfather and father-in-law to the palace gate and whispered: "Grandfather, father-in-law, just relax. If the war is temporarily defeated, my father will not punish you for it."
General Yuan gave a wry smile, looked at his direct grandson and grandson-in-law, and sighed: "In recent years, the border has been relatively peaceful, and there has been no major battle. Your uncle is more than capable of defending the city, but lacks courage. After a big defeat, I'm afraid I am panic-stricken, and the next war will not go smoothly."
The eldest son, Yuan Qing, has been in the army for more than 20 years and has fought many battles, large and small. However, Yuan Qing's methods are not sharp enough and his temperament is a little soft. You can't tell it on weekdays, but when it comes to defeat, At this critical moment, I'm afraid Yuan Qing won't be able to withstand it.
General Yuan was so anxious that he wished he could ride to the border in person. However, time is not forgiving. He was already over seventy years old and could no longer wear armor and ride a horse to fight again.
Yuan Hai also knew his brother's temper. He sighed secretly in his heart and said: "Father, don't worry too much. The border army is strong and they are all elite soldiers. They will definitely be able to withstand it."
At least it can last until the imperial reinforcements arrive.
Zhu Yun had been close to his maternal family since he was a child, and they became even closer after marrying Yuan Min. At this time, seeing his grandfather's anxious face and his father-in-law forcing a smile on his face, Zhu Yun felt quite uncomfortable, and quickly made a decision.
After seeing off General Yuan and his son, Zhu Yun returned to the Hall of Supreme Harmony and said to Emperor Qing'an: "Father, I want to go with the army to the border army to supervise the war!"
Emperor Qing'an's brows moved, and his eyes suddenly became sharp, passing across Zhu Yun's face like a blade: "Whose idea was this?"
Emperor Qing'an was able to defeat the other princes and become the prince and successfully ascend the throne, which was indispensable without the full support of the Yuan family. Emperor Qing'an was not someone who would burn bridges by crossing rivers. After he ascended the throne, he remained close to the Yue family.
However, this does not mean that he will tolerate the Yuan family instigating the prince to go to the border army to supervise the war.
Zhu Yun faced Emperor Qing'an's sharp gaze and responded calmly: "Father, please calm down. This matter has nothing to do with the Yuan family. It is my own idea."
"The frontier army was defeated, suffered a defeat, and had low morale. The imperial court sent troops for reinforcements, and also sent people to supervise the battle. I am the prince of Da Qi, and I am responsible for this important task!"
