Chapter 42: Defeat!
"Well, well, let's just leave it at that. Youyue, take Youyou with you to get ready and go to the inner palace to get some more silver."
"Everything outside costs money, unlike in the palace. Don't make yourself miserable when you go out. Eat the best food and live in the best place!"
Ye Youyue also felt Xiao Yan's concern for her from his words.
"I understand, but what about the emperor? What if something unexpected happens..."
Xiao Yan shook his head and said, "It doesn't matter. I will send someone to keep an eye on them. I won't give them a chance. But you!"
"You will definitely not be safe when you go out this time, so you must be extra careful."
"Youyou, this is your biological sister. Others may have selfish motives, but you must absolutely protect your sister's safety."
Ye Youyou nodded seriously: "Got it!"
Xiao Yan quickly wrote a note.
"Take this to the inner court. They will tell you how many silver bells you will be given. If it's not enough, we'll tell you later!"
After taking the note from Xiao Yan's hand, the two women left and Xiao Yan finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Then he gently wiped the place that had just been kissed.
"This girl!"
Then he shook his head helplessly.
"Your Highness, something terrible has happened, urgent report from the border!"
Sande hurried in and presented the letter in the book to Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan hurriedly unfolded the letter.
After recaptured Youzhou, Li Guang let the army rest. After the soldiers recovered, he led the army deep into the grassland.
In fact, supplies were already insufficient before we went deeper, but there was no other way. This was the only chance and we absolutely could not miss it.
So in order to pursue the enemy, they sent troops deep into the enemy's territory without waiting for supplies to arrive. However, they were caught off guard by the Huns due to insufficient supplies.
The loss is not small.
"Hasn't there always been a 50,000-man army in charge of the supply? Why can't the baggage be delivered?"
Upon hearing this, Sande said, “Your Highness, although there are special troops escorting the supplies, there must be supplies!”
"What else would they send?"
Xiao Yan immediately understood the reason.
"San De, summon all the ministers to the court. Whoever does not come can retire and return home!"
In the court.
"Is there anyone who hasn't arrived yet?"
Sande looked at the heads and said, "Your Highness, they are all here!"
Xiao Yan did not hesitate: "I'm sure you have heard that my army on the front line suffered a defeat. What do you want to say?"
Everyone looked at each other, unsure of Xiao Yan's attitude.
"I have something to say!"
It was Hu Zhenghe who stood up first.
"speak!"
Hu Zhenghe heard this and said, "Your Highness, Li Guang led his troops deep into the enemy's territory without considering whether there were sufficient supplies. He was eager for quick success and instant benefits, which led to our army's defeat."
" I think such a person is not qualified to be the commander of the army. I would like to ask Your Highness to remove Li Guang from the position of commander and replace him with someone else."
Xiao Yan frowned when he heard this. He was afraid that this matter could not be avoided and was definitely related to Hu Zhenghe.
"What does Prime Minister Hu recommend?"
Hu Zhenghe smiled slightly when he heard this, and thought to himself: "It seems that you still have no vision. The person you choose is not good enough, but this time Jedi will send one of his own to this position."
"Your Highness, I think it would be more appropriate to let General Wu Ping be the commander."
"Li Guang knew that the supplies were insufficient but he still led his troops deep into the enemy's territory alone. This is not what a general should do."
"I believe he is suspected of treason and collusion with , please order him to surrender his military power and escort him back to the capital for investigation!"
"At the same time, stop pursuing the Xiongnu and order General Wu Ping to guard the border to prevent the Xiongnu from coming back."
After Hu Zhenghe finished speaking, the court suddenly became quiet.
It's okay to say that Li Guang was eager for quick success, but treason was a bit too much.
"Master Hu, you are too serious. I know exactly who Li Guang is. Is he a traitor to the country?"
"Isn't this a bit too much? Besides, the Xiongnu have been beaten so badly that they can only flee. If we don't pursue them now, are we going to wait until they are stronger and stronger before we attack them?"
"You still don't see the essence of the matter?"
"I'm here to ask, the failure this time was due to the lack of supplies, so I want to ask who is responsible for the allocation of these supplies."
As soon as these words were spoken, Yang Zhi and Liu Zhenghui both stood up.
"Your Highness, the allocation of materials was arranged by us, and the materials were allocated a long time ago without any delay."
Xiao Yan nodded when he heard this. This made him believe that the two of them did not dare to make a fuss about the baggage.
"That's strange. Since the supplies were already allocated long ago, why haven't they been sent to the front line yet?"
"Could it be that someone is holding up the supplies and they can't be delivered to the front line in time?"
Yang Zhi and Liu Zhenghui both looked at each other, as if thinking about something.
"Who is responsible for the baggage transport?"
Yang Zhi said quickly, "Your Highness, this is the responsibility of my assistant minister of the Ministry of War. This time, because the matter is of great importance, he is in charge of it personally."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan looked at the Minister of War who had kept his head lowered.
"He Zijin? Do you have anything to say?"
"Why can't this baggage be delivered? I need an explanation!"
He Zijin knelt down immediately upon hearing this: "Your Highness, because...ah because..."
Xiao Yan's anger suddenly swelled: "Why? Tell me!"
"If you can't explain it today, I'll skin you alive!"
He Zijin broke out in a cold sweat when he heard this, and didn't know how to explain it for a moment.
"Master He, just say whatever you want to say. Think it over before you speak. Why are you so nervous?"
Hu Zhenghe reminded at this time.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan was furious and said, "Let him speak. Did I ask you to speak? Shut up!"
Hu Zhenghe had no choice but to grit his teeth and say, "I obey your order!"
If Hu Zhenghe didn't speak up, I couldn't confirm that Qinghe Hu Zhenghe was related to this matter.
But as soon as he opened his mouth, his presence would definitely be there, not to mention that his words just now were quite threatening.
"He Zijin, have you thought about it? Tell me, why can't the supplies be delivered?"
He Zijin shuddered when he heard this.
"Your Highness, there are too many supplies for these hundreds of thousands of troops. Moreover, the journey to the northern grasslands is long, and the soldiers escorting them are exhausted."
"I am quite helpless. I understand the importance of supplies, but we are short of manpower. I really have no other choice. Please forgive me, Your Majesty!"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan stood up immediately: "Bullshit, insufficient manpower?"
"I gave you a 50,000-man escort force and you said you were short of manpower?"
"Do you really take me for a fool?"
"Fifty thousand baggage troops are more than enough to manage an army of 250,000, even 400,000 is more than enough."
"What supplies are you sending to the army? They are so short of manpower?"
"Tell me, what is the real reason? If you can't tell me today, then don't even think about leaving this hall upright."
Xiao Yan was really angry this time. He had lost Youzhou due to military supply issues before, and now his entire army was almost wiped out due to supply problems. They all deserved to die!
