When Wang Tao heard what Gao Hong said, he felt that it was very reasonable. Besides, Kaipingwei was the gateway to Xuanfu Town. If something happened and the consequences would be disastrous, he hurriedly ordered Liu Yu to be summoned to the study.
Liu Yu rested in the porter for a while, and then heard the order from Jiedushi Wang Tao, asking him to meet in the study.
Liu Yu did not dare to neglect, and staggered towards the study under the leadership of the messenger. He was so embarrassed. First, he was exhausted because he had not rested on the horse for a day and night. Every step he took was a mental support. Second, he was so embarrassed.
The middle of his legs has been bruised and dripping with blood. Every step he takes now is in excruciating pain.
Seeing his condition, the soldier nearby who was delivering the order couldn't bear to wait, so he rushed up to help him, then carried him on his back, like Wang Tao's study, and trotted away.
The messenger carried Liu Yu into the study, and Wang Tao had been waiting for a long time. Suddenly, a person was carried on the soldier's back, and everyone was shocked. Looking at the person carried by the soldier, he was already snoring like thunder during this short distance.
When Wang Tao saw this situation, he no longer doubted that it was an emergency military situation. Gao Hong was also anxious at this time and asked the ordering soldiers to put Liu Yu on the ground. He went up and slapped his face himself. Liu Yu woke up after only a few times and raised his head first.
He looked around for a moment, then suddenly sat up with excitement.
Regardless of etiquette, he said to Jiedushi Wang Tao: "Mr. Jiedushi, something bad has happened. The Tatar Khan has led 50,000 to 60,000 cavalry to attack Kaipingwei. Now Kaipingwei is in danger. Please send reinforcements as soon as possible to avoid Kaiping.
Wei Yi is in ruins." After saying that, he took out Jia Ke's letter from his arms and put it in front of Wang Tao with both hands.
Wang Tao took the letter, tore it open and took out the letter inside to read.
What is said in the letter is very similar to what Liu Yu said. The final signature not only has the seal of Kaiping Wei Qianhu, but also Wu Li's signature.
Wang Tao read the letter and passed it to Gao Hong. Gao Hong read it and passed it to the next staff member.
While they were reading the letter, Wang Tao said to Liu Yu: "Sending troops is of great importance. I want to discuss it with everyone. You can go down and rest first." After that, he ordered people to send Liu Yu to the guest room so that he could have a good rest.
After everyone had read the letter, Wang Tao asked them, "What do you think now?"
When everyone heard Wang Tao's question, they couldn't think of any good ideas. After all, this time the Tatar Khan personally led 50,000 to 60,000 cavalry to attack. Moreover, this matter is not trivial, and if you are not careful, it will lead to a big mistake.
At this time, Gao Hong winked at Wang Tao, and then suggested: "My lord, this matter is extraordinary and cannot be decided hastily. It is better to recruit Xuanfu Town and discuss it together with the officials, big and small."
Wang Tao immediately understood that what happened this time was different from the previous small group invasions. If he did not discuss it with the officials, it would be enough to repel the Tatars regardless of whether it was fighting or defending. If the war went unfavorably, I am afraid that the final responsibility would fall on him.
One person should bear the responsibility. If this is the case, it is better to summon all officials to make the decision together, and in the end everyone will bear the responsibility together.
As soon as Wang Tao figured it out, he immediately ordered the messenger to summon all the officials of Xuanfu Town to meet in the lobby of Jiedu Envoy's Mansion.
Soon, all the officials arrived. Wang Tao came out from behind and sat in the middle of the lobby.
Wang Tao sat on it and looked down, and saw that the civil and military officials had arrived. He said majestically: "The Kaiping Guards have just sent urgent military information. The Tatar Khan has led 60,000 cavalry and has arrived outside the Kaiping Guards. Kaiping Guards requested
Support. What do you think? Say it and let’s discuss it.”
When the officers under Jiedushi heard about this situation, they all had different opinions. Some said that they would send troops to support, while others believed that all troops should be used to defend Xuanfu Town. Otherwise, if Xuanfu Town is lost, the capital will be destroyed.
The door is wide open.
At this time, Xu Hu, the magistrate of Xuanfu Town, stepped forward to salute Wang Tao, and then said: "My lord, I think we should concentrate our forces to defend Xuanfu Town. Otherwise, Xuanfu Town will be conquered by the enemy, and the capital will be in danger. At that time, your Majesty
Let’s take the blame. None of us can afford it!”
Wang Tao looked at Xu Hu carefully and knew that Xu Hu had a grudge against Jia Ke. As soon as Jia Ke arrived at Kaiping Guards, he killed Xu Hu's brother-in-law to rectify the military law. This not only brought shame on him, but also broke his life.
He had a way to make money. At that time, Xu Hu had no way to deal with Jia Ke, but now she came up with the idea to sit back and watch Jia Ke be surrounded without saving him. I am afraid that she was more revengeful towards Jia Ke than worried about the safety of the capital.
But this idea is exactly what Wang Tao wants. Although Wang Tao is a warrior on the battlefield, he has been pampered over the years and is no longer as brave as he used to be. Besides, he is also very afraid of the Tatar cavalry. He thinks that with these soldiers under his command, he can go to the battlefield.
A field battle with the Tatar cavalry will definitely lead to defeat. It is better to stick to Xuanfu Town, wait and see what happens, and make plans later. As for the Kaiping Guards, they can only leave it to fate.
So Wang Tao said: "What Magistrate Xu said makes sense. Do you have any other opinions? If you have nothing to say, let's do it. All ministries have concentrated all their troops in Xuanfu Town to defend with all their strength to prevent the enemy from sneak attack.
.”
Just when Wang Tao thought that the matter had been settled, something happened. He saw a man coming out from below and said to Wang Tao: "Jiedu Envoy's words are wrong. If we only defend Xuanfu Town, once Kaipingwei is captured
If we conquer, then north of Xuanfu Town, countless people are still being ravaged by the Tatars. In return, my lord, I sent reinforcements early and cooperated with the Kaiping Guards to defeat the Tatars."
Wang Tao was very angry when he heard this. He looked down and saw that it was He Tong, the commander. This He Tong was upright and did not like flattery. Although he was respectful to himself, he did not know how to read his words. He went against his will several times and often contradicted him.
As for him, he had long disliked him, but he had accomplished military exploits, had extraordinary martial arts, and was quite prestigious in the army. He still needed him, so he tolerated him for the time being. Unexpectedly, he would violate his words again.
will.
So Wang Tao said angrily: "Such a big matter is decided by me, how can you say anything? Why don't you back down?"
He Tong didn't know whether it was intentional, or he really couldn't see Wang Tao's face, so he continued: "Sir, you just let us speak freely, why do we have to act arbitrarily now? Then what's the use of calling us here?"
After hearing what he said, Wang Tao couldn't bear it anymore and said angrily: "You are a little commander, how dare you disobey military orders, come here. Drag me out of the hall and beat you with thirty military sticks."
Be a warning to others.”
As soon as Wang Tao finished speaking, several soldiers rushed in, wiped He Tong's shoulders and arms, tied him tightly, and dragged him out. They beat him with thirty military sticks outside the lobby. That He Tong was also a man with a biting tongue.
Zhuya remained silent.
Not long after the beating was over, He Tong was dragged back to the lobby. Wang Tao asked in the lobby: "How is it? Do you accept it?"
He Tong replied: "It doesn't matter if you beat me today. Unfortunately, hundreds of thousands of people will die at the hands of the Tatars."
Wang Tao heard that he still didn't admit his mistake and wanted to beat him again. Gao Hong, the military priest on the side, quickly came out to stop him and said to Wang Tao: "My lord, I remember that he still had some minor achievements in the past, so let him be spared this time. If
If he plays good or bad, he will not be able to answer to the court in the future."
After hearing this, Wang Tao felt that Gao Hong made sense. He Tong was just trying to persuade him, and there was nothing wrong with him. If he had dealt with it, the court would probably pursue it.
So he said to the people below: "Kick this He Tong out of the lobby. I don't want to see him again." He waved his sleeves and went back to the back hall.
So everyone in the hall dispersed in groups. Only He Tong was alone, limping out.
This was his friend, deputy commander Wang Wei, who hurriedly stepped forward to help him out. While helping him walk out, he complained: "No one opened their mouths, but you were the only one who spoke. Are you worried about not being beaten?"