SWDnovel Chapter 21 Urgent Report from 8 Miles Away: Han People, Hold Your Heads High!
Chapter 21 Urgent Report from 8 Miles Away: Han People, Hold Your Heads High!
Such courage, such spirit!
Gao Shun, the commander of the Trapped Camp, also left a illustrious name in history.
The more than 700 soldiers he led were as powerful as a thousand men, well-equipped, and invincible, and were known as the Trapped Camp!
Their ability to train troops was second to none, even during the Three Kingdoms period!
However, at this moment, they have not yet shown their true strength.
Ding Yuan did not recognize their potential.
Li Qing won over these two outstanding generals with just one sentence.
easy!
Through the system panel, Li Qing could clearly see Zhang Liao and Gao Shun's various data.
With both martial prowess and leadership exceeding 90, he is undoubtedly a top-tier general.
However, their loyalty was only 80, perhaps because it was the first time they met.
This is not a problem; Li Qing is confident that he can make them completely loyal to him.
Lü Bu said, "Wen Yuan, Bo Ping, this is the Magistrate Li Qing I mentioned!"
"My godfather has agreed. From now on, the three of us will become Magistrate Li's retainers."
"He is the lord we must serve from now on!"
Zhang Liao and Gao Shun bowed down at the same time.
"Wen Yuan and Bo Ping greet our lord!"
"Boping greets his lord!"
Li Qing burst into laughter and stepped forward to help the two of them up.
"With the help of Wen Yuan and Bo Ping today, I, Li Qing, feel like a tiger with wings!"
"Come on, follow me into the city!"
Dong Zhong had already prepared a welcoming banquet.
The liquor is strong, and the dishes are simple with little meat.
This is already the most honorable way to receive guests in Linrong!
Meanwhile, in Luoyang, a thousand miles away.
Inside Chengde Hall.
It was the time for the morning court session.
Emperor Liu Hong of the Han Dynasty, dressed in a dragon robe, sat upright on the dragon throne.
His face was slightly pale, and his expression showed fatigue.
But that imperial majesty still awes people.
In the hall, civil and military officials shouted in unison.
"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"
"Alright, all of you, rise."
Liu Hong waved his hand, looking slightly impatient.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
The officials rose, and the civil and military officials lined up in their respective positions.
"If you have something to report, present it; if not, the court may adjourn!"
Zhang Rang shouted loudly, his voice shrill.
Upon hearing this, the civil and military officials exchanged glances, their expressions grim.
Since the Yellow Turban Rebellion, the people have lived in poverty.
Although the emperor sent Lu Zhi, Huangfu Song and others to suppress the Yellow Turban Rebellion, the Yellow Turban forces were powerful and spread like wildfire.
Although Zhang Jiao, the ringleader, has been executed, the remnants of the Yellow Turban Rebellion remain active and continue to encroach on the territory of the Han Dynasty.
The Ten Attendants in the palace colluded with each other, and those who disobeyed were killed, thus disrupting the court.
All the civil and military officials felt the danger, but the emperor was still kept in the dark.
Beyond the Great Wall, the Xianbei and Wuhuan people coveted the territory of the Han Dynasty.
Recently, rumors have circulated that the Xianbei have breached Yanmen Pass, causing widespread panic and soaring grain prices.
Beset by internal and external troubles, the situation is turbulent.
Some officials even believed that the fate of the Han Dynasty was sealed.
"Is everything alright? Then let's call it a day and leave me alone."
Liu Hong waved his hand unhappily, preparing to leave.
Huangfu Song suddenly stepped forward, his face cold, with a determination to die for his cause.
"Your subject, Huangfu Song, has important matters to report!"
Liu Hong frowned.
"What is it?"
Huangfu Song's gaze turned icy as he suddenly turned to look directly at General He Jin, who was standing in front of the ranks of military officers!
The anger on his face was obvious.
He Jin felt a chill run through his body under his gaze and trembled involuntarily.
Huangfu Song shouted, "I want to impeach General He Jin! He holds a high position but does nothing!"
"Concealing crucial military intelligence, missing crucial opportunities, and severely damaging the interests of the Han Dynasty!"
The courtiers were shocked.
Everyone wore expressions of astonishment.
These words carry immense weight!
This is practically tantamount to declaring war on Ho Chin!
As is well known, He Jin's sister was deeply favored by the emperor.
To challenge him lightly is to invite trouble.
Especially Lu Zhi, Cai Yong, and others, who had always had a good relationship with Huangfu Song, had drastically changed their expressions at this moment.
"Yizhen, you can't talk nonsense!"
Zhang Rang smiled with satisfaction, a mocking glint in his eyes.
For He Jin, this setback was undoubtedly a great joy!
Huangfu Song was completely unconcerned: "With such a great general in our Han Dynasty, the country's power is declining day by day, and the country is unstable!"
……
"You're talking nonsense!"
"I have wholeheartedly served Your Majesty and relieved the Han Dynasty of its troubles, with utmost loyalty. Huangfu Song, you are slandering me!"
When Liu Hong spoke, his imperial authority was unmistakable.
"In the imperial court, one must not speak recklessly. Huangfu Song, what solid evidence do you have to impeach He Jin?"
Huangfu Song said angrily, "Just a month ago, the Xianbei Left Wise King Tuoba Zhao personally led an army of 250,000 to invade Bingzhou!"
"The Yanmen Pass of my Bingzhou has been breached by the Xianbei enemy!"
"The people of Bingzhou suffered immense hardship, even being brutally massacred!"
"Zhang Yi, the governor of Bingzhou, also died a tragic death at the hands of the Xianbei!"
"Faced with a critical military situation, General He Jin deliberately concealed it from the public."
"The situation in Bingzhou was extremely precarious, yet he did not send reinforcements."
"I question the General: Isn't Bingzhou part of the Han Dynasty's territory?"
"Aren't the people of Bingzhou subjects of the Han Dynasty?"
Upon hearing this, all the ministers changed color.
The rumors of the Xianbei invasion have actually come true!
Yanmen Pass was the barrier of Bingzhou, and Bingzhou was the barrier of Luoyang.
If the Xianbei really break through Yanmen Pass, the road ahead will be smooth sailing.
They will take advantage of the situation and directly threaten Sili, and even Luoyang!
If this were to happen, the Han dynasty would indeed be in danger of collapse.
This statement, if made by someone else, might not have had such a great impact.
But Huangfu Song's identity was extraordinary; he was the son of Huangfu Jie, the former governor of Yanmen!
Having operated in Yanmen County for many years, they must have numerous intelligence sources.
The information about Yanmen Pass is highly credible!
Liu Hong's expression suddenly changed. He abruptly turned around and stared directly at He Jin, asking sternly, "He Jin, is what you said true or false?"
He Jin remained expressionless, clenched his teeth, and lowered his head to speak.
"The Yellow Turban rebels have already caused Your Majesty much worry and exhaustion. I am concerned about Your Majesty's health, so I have not reported this yet."
"absurd!"
Liu Hong suddenly overturned the imperial desk, stood up abruptly, and angrily cursed.
"Not reporting it for now?"
When do you plan to submit the report?
"Do we have to wait until the Xianbei occupy the entire Bingzhou, or until their army besieges Luoyang?"
"Or perhaps the Xianbei have a knife to my throat!"
"He Suigao, you are ruining the future of my Great Han Dynasty!"
He Jin broke out in a cold sweat, hurriedly knelt down, and said urgently, "Your Majesty, please calm your anger!"
Liu Hong was furious.
None of the ministers dared to speak out.
At that moment, a guard rushed over and urgently reported, "Your Majesty!"
"A message from Bingzhou, delivered with utmost urgency, is awaiting us outside the main hall!"
"An urgent dispatch?"
Inside the main hall, the faces of the civil and military officials immediately changed upon hearing these words.
This represents the highest level of emergency communication.
Only extremely urgent and important intelligence would be sent via the 800-li express courier service.
With Yanmen Pass already fallen, does this urgent 800-li dispatch mean that Jinyang City has also fallen?
Next, Shangdang and Hanoi will also face threats.
Then, it's Luoyang!
A sense of foreboding immediately arose in everyone's hearts.
The current Han Dynasty is weak, far weaker than during the reign of Emperor Wu.
The cavalry has lost its former glory.
There will never again be a warrior like Huo Qubing who could make the grasslands tremble.
If even Yanmen Pass couldn't be defended, how could Jinyang possibly be defended?
The people will suffer, and the Han Dynasty will perish!
Although the specific details of the urgent dispatch were still unknown, an atmosphere of pessimism and despair permeated the hall.
Liu Hong's face turned pale instantly, and he staggered, almost falling over.
Zhang Rang reacted quickly and immediately stepped forward to help him up.
A sharp sound immediately rang out inside the hall.
"Summon the envoy from Bingzhou immediately!"
"promise!"
A series of loud shouts immediately came from outside the hall.
"Summon the envoy from Bingzhou!"
"Summon the envoy from Bingzhou!"
The envoy from Bingzhou ran quickly, almost jogging, into the Chengde Hall, and knelt down with a thud.
He held up the sealed document in his hand.
"Your Majesty, an urgent message from 800 li away!"
All eyes were on the document.
The atmosphere inside the hall was tense and completely silent.
"Bring it up."
Liu Hong calmed down and said in a low voice.
Zhang Rang realized the urgency of the situation and hurriedly went down the steps to take the documents.
Liu Hong thought for a moment, then gritted his teeth.
"read!"
Zhang Rang quickly opened the document, his hands trembling, and read out the contents word by word.
The civil and military officials listened intently to every word.
"Ding Yuan, the Martial and Mighty Commandant of Bingzhou, reports: Tuoba Zhao, the Left Wise King of the Xianbei, has led an army of 250,000 to invade Bingzhou."
"Governor Zhang Yi has been killed in battle, and I have temporarily taken command of the army to carry out defense."
"Thirty thousand Xianbei troops split up to attack Shuofang. Li Qing, the magistrate of Linrong County, adopted a scorched-earth strategy and mobilized the people."
"annihilate 30,000 Xianbei cavalry and use their heads to build a huge mound of skulls."
"Tuoba Zhao was furious and led 150,000 Xianbei troops to counterattack Linrong."
"They were ambushed by Li Qing a hundred miles from Linrong County."
"In this battle, 80,000 Xianbei soldiers were annihilated and 60,000 were captured. The Xianbei Left Wise King Tuoba Zhao was also captured alive."
That night, Li Qing, the magistrate of Linrong County, once again used a clever plan, sending 5,000 elite troops to launch a night attack on Yanmen Pass, annihilating another 80,000 Xianbei defenders and recapturing Yanmen Pass.
"The crisis in Bingzhou has passed, Your Majesty, please rest assured."
Zhang Rang's shrill voice echoed inside the Chengde Hall.
Emperor Liu Hong, General He Jin, Huangfu Song, and all the civil and military officials were stunned.
This... is actually good news?
Zhang Rang, who was reading the report aloud, clearly showed a look of shock.
"This... a mere county magistrate, really defeated the Xianbei army?"
"Not just defeated, but completely annihilated! That was an army of 250,000 Xianbei!"
"This mere county magistrate actually managed to recapture Yanmen Pass?"
Civil and military officials discussed it amongst themselves, but no one believed it to be true.
But they knew in their hearts that under such an emergency, Ding Yuan's report could not possibly be false!
No one dares to joke about something that concerns the fate of the nation!
In an instant, the name Li Qing was deeply etched in the hearts of every king and noble.
Liu Hong's face went from pale to flushed, and he suddenly burst into laughter.
"Having performed such a great feat, Li Qing, do you intend to become my Marquis of Champion?"
All the ministers were astonished.
Marquis of Champion?
That was the highest honor the Han Dynasty had held for hundreds of years!
His status was even above that of a marquis!
But they also felt that it was well-deserved.
With the troops of just one county, they annihilated the Xianbei army.
Such an amazing achievement even surpasses that of Huo Qubing in the past!
Cai Yong was utterly shocked and couldn't help but mutter to himself.
"As long as Li Qing of Linrong is alive, the Xianbei will not be able to cross Yanmen Pass!"
These words echoed in the main hall!
"Well said! As long as Li Qing of Linrong is here, the Xianbei will be unable to cross Yanmen Pass!"
Liu Hong burst into laughter, then turned his gaze to He Jin.
"He Jin, you concealed this urgent military intelligence. Did you already know that there was such a steadfast pillar on the frontier?"
Upon hearing this, He Jin nodded hastily.
"Your Majesty is wise. I know that Li Qing of Linrong is capable of shouldering this important task, which is why I deliberately delayed reporting the military situation, hoping for good news from him!"
Upon hearing this, all the ministers showed expressions of disdain.
This general really knows how to pat himself on the back!
Wang Yun coughed lightly, stepped forward, and said in a low voice.
"Your Majesty, Li Qing has accomplished such a great feat, saving our country from crisis. He is a pillar of our nation!"
Such talent must not be overlooked.
"Li Qing's appointment as a mere county magistrate is a complete waste of his talents; it's disheartening!"
"We must carefully consider how to reward Li Qing."