Gan Ning and Jiang Qin led more than a hundred soldiers to gather soldiers along the road, and the number gradually increased.
At first, there were only about a hundred people following Gan Ning, but by the end, nearly two thousand people had gathered.
A group of people were dressed in rags and looked very miserable.
Halfway through, Gan Ning had someone send the news of the defeat back to Jiangxia, and also informed Wang Can of the detailed process. This was also a method agreed upon by Gan Ning and Jiang Qin, to give Wang Can a buffer time first.
On the way back, Jiang Qin seemed uneasy again.
When Jiang Qin tried to persuade Gan Ning at the beginning, he appeared to be very rational and knowledgeable about justice.
But when it was his turn, it was difficult to calm down.
Jiang Qin followed Gan Ning and said in a low voice: "Old Gan, we have lost nearly 80% of our navy this time and more than 30,000 soldiers. How do you think the Lord will punish us two?"
Gan Ning was ready to go back and be punished. He looked like he didn't care and said casually: "Gong Yi, the matter has come to an end. Is there anything else to consider? Anyway, you are going back to plead guilty. Whatever the Lord decides, you will do it. You
I’ve thought too much, but I can’t guess what my lord is thinking. Let’s go, let’s hurry up and return to Jiangxia as soon as possible.”
At this time, Gan Ning was more open-minded than Jiang Qin.
Jiang Qin looked helpless, shook his head and followed Gan Ning, continuing on his way.
…
Jiangxia, inside the city.
In the hall of the Prefect's Mansion, Wang Can sat on the main seat with a solemn expression.
Below, Jia Xu, Guo Jia, Xu Shu and Zhou Tai had serious expressions, and the atmosphere seemed very heavy. Everyone knew the news of the defeat of the Jiangdong navy, and everyone was silent.
All this happened too suddenly.
Finally, Jia Xu said softly: "My lord, the defeat of this battle was not due to the two generals Gan Ning and Jiang Qin, but to the unpredictable weather. This was a fault of nature, and the two generals were not at fault."
Xu Shu went on to say: "The soldiers have suffered such heavy losses. If we don't punish them, it will definitely not work."
Jia Xu nodded helplessly, unable to refute.
Tens of thousands of living lives were suddenly killed, and no one dared to ignore it easily.
Zhou Tai is the second-ranked general in the navy and the deputy governor of the navy. Apart from Gan Ning, Zhou Tai is the eldest. He is also a general of the navy, but he is not among them because he protects Jia Xu. It is not easy to interrupt now.
.
Wang Can looked at Guo Jia and asked, "Fengxiao, what do you have in mind?"
Guo Jia smiled and said: "My lord has his own opinion on how to punish him. There is no need for Jia to talk too much."
Wang Can rolled his eyes at Guo Jia, waved his hand and said, "It seems you can't give a suitable answer. Go down and I'll think about it myself. When Gan Ning and Jiang Qin come back, let them see me immediately."
"promise!"
Jia Xu, Xu Shu, Guo Jia and Zhou Tai replied and left quietly.
Wang Can sat alone in the main hall, lost in thought.
In fact, if you think about it carefully, Gan Ning and Jiang Qin did not have any fault, and the wind direction did not change. It was Wu's warship that was burned, and it could not be Gan Ning's self-inflicted crime. However, even if the blame is not on Gan Ning,
However, more than 30,000 people died. This was a mistake made by Gan Ning in leading the army, and Gan Ning could not shirk his responsibility.
So, this is where Wang Can has a hard time making a choice.
Dealing with Gan Ning would be unfair to both Gan Ning and Jiang Qin; not dealing with Gan Ning would make it difficult to convince the public. After all, tens of thousands of soldiers died, which is not a small number.
"well!!"
Wang Can sighed, stood up and walked to the door of the hall, looking at the blue sky and thinking constantly.
After standing for more than half an hour, Wang Can breathed a sigh of relief.
The tense expression on his face also relaxed. The expression on Wang Can's face turned from cloudy to sunny, and he smiled, but the sunny weather suddenly turned gloomy, dark clouds gathered, and it started pouring rain.
"Tick! Tick!!!"
The rain kept falling and formed a straight line.
Wang Can looked at the splashing ground in the yard, sighed softly, and turned back to the backyard. An hour later, Dian Wei hurried in and reported: "My lord, Lao Gan and Jiang Qin are back.
"
Wang Can raised his eyebrows and asked, "Where is he?"
Dian Wei replied: "We are waiting outside the mansion, and the situation looks very miserable."
"pass!"
After Wang Can finished speaking, he went straight out of the backyard and walked towards the hall. When Wang Can walked into the hall, Gan Ning and Jiang Qin were already kneeling in the hall, waiting for Wang Can to come in.
After Wang Can took his seat, Gan Ning and Jiang Qin paid their respects and said, "The guilty general Gan Ning (Jiang Qin), pays homage to the lord."
The two of them came in in the rain and were still covered in rainwater.
A pool of water has also formed on the ground.
Wang Can asked: "I already know about you and the cause of the whole thing. Do you have anything to say when you two return to Jiangxia?"
Wang Can's eyes fell on Gan Ning and motioned for Gan Ning to speak first.
Gan Ning kowtowed to the ground and said in a deep voice: "My lord, this time the naval force lost more than 80%, and the soldiers lost more than 30,000. Everything is the fault of the guilty general. Please punish me, lord."
Wang Can frowned and said, "Apart from that, nothing else?"
Gan Ning raised his head and said in a deep voice: "The general's crime cannot be forgiven. Whether he wants to be killed or beheaded, it is all at the discretion of the lord." After saying this, he kowtowed to the ground again and stopped talking.
Wang Can looked at Jiang Qin and asked, "Gongyi, do you have anything to say?"
Jiang Qin said politely: "My lord, the crime is the same as that of Governor Gan. Please punish me."
Wang Can took a deep breath, waved his hands and said: "Gan Ning, go out and kneel down, and reflect carefully. As for Jiang Qin, you and Gan Ning wear a pair of underpants and go out and kneel down. Whenever you have something to say to me, come in again."
"Wang Can flicked his sleeves and asked the two of them to go out and kneel, while Wang Can sat in the hall.
Outside the hall, it was still raining.
The two of them knelt outside the hall, straightening their backs and motionless.
Rain dripped on the two of them, making them even more embarrassed. Fortunately, it was hot summer and the rain was not cold. It would have been unbearable to kneel in the rain in winter. Time passed, and an hour passed by in the hall.
Wang Can was motionless, and so were Gan Ning and Jiang Qin outside the hall, still soaked in the rain.
At this time, Jia Xu came wearing a raincoat.
Jia Xu first went to the hall to meet Wang Can and asked: "My lord, it is still raining in the sky. The two generals have been kneeling outside. I am afraid it is not good for their health. Besides, such punishment will not help."
Wang Can said: "Wen He, this is not a punishment for them, it's just that they haven't figured out the key to the problem yet."
"Oh, why is this?"
Jia Xu looked at Wang Can curiously, with a strange expression on his face.
Wang Can said in a deep voice: "They are all here to plead guilty."
After finishing speaking, Wang Can stopped talking.
Jia Xu narrowed his eyes slightly and glanced at Wang Can again, carefully considering Wang Can's words. Finally, Jia Xu smiled, cupped his hands and said, "My lord, I resign from my position."
Wang Can did not stop him and let Jia Xu leave.
When Jia Xu passed by Gan Ning and Jiang Qin, he whispered four words: "Dedicate yourself to meritorious deeds." He walked and spoke without any pause. When the words fell, Jia Xu had disappeared between Gan Ning and Jiang Qin.
In his sight, Gan Ning perked up after hearing Jia Xu's words. His slightly narrowed eyes suddenly opened, and a strange light flashed in his eyes.
Jiang Qin thought about it carefully, but there was some confusion on his face.
At this time, Gan Ning was heard shouting: "Lord, you will be punished for your crimes."
Regardless of anything else, Jiang Qin shouted: "Lord, the guilty will be punished." Anyway, Jia Xu has already made a move. Regardless of whether it works or not, he will give it a try first.
"come in!"
In the hall, Wang Can's voice came out.
Gan Ning and Jiang Qin walked towards the hall with water stains all over their bodies. After entering the hall, they bowed respectfully to Wang Can and then waited for Wang Can to speak.
PS: The third update is completed. Happy New Year everyone.
