Returning to the East Palace, Li Chen immediately received two important news.
One of the messages brought was a letter written by Wu Qingcang himself.
After opening the envelope and reading it, Li Chen closed his eyes and thought for a long time, then summoned Su Zhenting and Hu Shifan, who had just taken up his new post as General of the Logistics Office.
"Your Majesty, Su Zhenting, please see Your Highness."
"Old minister, Hu Shifan, please see Your Highness."
The two people arrived in a hurry and saluted as soon as they arrived at the side hall of Xi Zheng Palace.
"No need to be polite."
Li Chen raised his head and said to Su Zhenting: "Is there any further news from Crescent Pass?"
Su Zhenting immediately said: "I just received the latest battle report half a day ago. Currently, the Liao Kingdom's 600,000 troops are divided into three groups and are surrounding the Crescent Pass. The Crescent Pass is still being defended, but the casualties are very high. Letters asking for help are like snowflakes every day.
It was sent from the front line, and the Liaodong Army has already marched into the territory of Gansu and Shaanxi and can reach the Crescent Pass within three days."
"very good."
Li Chen nodded, looked at Hu Shifan and asked: "General Hu, you have led the Liaodong Army for more than ten years. Tell me the truth, how big a role can the Liaodong Army play?"
Hu Shifan's snow-white beard trembled, and he said with a heavy face: "Since His Highness has asked, the old minister will venture to say that the role played by the Liaodong Army may not be big."
"Because the Liaodong Army has been stationed on the Liaodong Peninsula all year round and is accustomed to coastal defense operations on open plains, the entire force is designed to be lightly armed and maneuverable. Although it is flexible, it has no room for urban defense operations in the loess desert."
"If it is a large-scale group battle involving multiple troops, then the Liaodong Army can be used as a mobile force and use its flexibility to conduct short-distance raids. However, the current situation at Crescent Pass has restricted the hands and feet of the Liaodong Army."
Hu Shifan's words made Li Chen look heavy, but he couldn't get angry.
Because what Hu Shifan said is true.
We cannot blame the Liaodong Army for its incompetence. We can only say that the army, like people, always has advantages and disadvantages.
If the strengths are brought into play, one hundred and twenty percent combat effectiveness can be unleashed. However, if the weaknesses are completely present, then the combat effectiveness will at least be greatly reduced.
Su Zhenting interrupted at this moment: "When I came, I had just received an official letter from Prince Ning."
Li Chen raised his hand and said: "Bring it here."
Wan Jiaojiao stood up and took the official letter from Su Zhenting, then turned around and handed it to Li Chen.
Li Chen opened the official letter and saw only a few contents, only a few crosses, and the handwriting was scrawled. It was obvious that the person who wrote the official letter was very casual and did not take the official letter that was to be submitted to the court too seriously and casually
And write.
With just one glance, Li Chen had an overview of the content.
He closed the official letter, slapped it on the table, and sneered: "Prince Ning, Prince Ning!"
"The words are all evasive, saying that the soldiers lack training, and lack of food, grass and baggage, and are unable to rush to the Crescent Pass. The most outrageous thing is that there is an epidemic in the military camp, and the soldiers are sick. Not only did I refuse to let him
He asked me to send troops, but instead he asked me for money and food. What a good Prince Ning!"
Su Zhenting had obviously read this official letter. He said in a deep voice: "The reason why Prince Ning tried to shirk everything is because he expected that the imperial court would do its best to protect the Yueyang Pass. If the Yueyang Pass is not lost, his territory will be as stable as Mount Tai. This is
The imperial court must use the power of the whole country to protect his safety."
Li Chen stood up suddenly and said: "He thinks beautifully!"
