“Your Majesty, Duke Wei has arrived!” Yuan Qing hurried in, followed by Duke Wei Peng Huaichu, who had rushed to the palace.
Upon entering, Peng Huaichu noticed that Lin Zhang and Lin Xie were both in the hall, with Zheng Baishi standing to the side. Outside the hall doors, officials from various divisions of the Ministry of War were waiting. One look told him something major was happening. Peng Huaichu nervously paid his respects, “May I know why Your Majesty has summoned this humble servant so late at night?”
Yan Han didn’t want to speak. He glanced at Lin Zhang, signaling him to explain.
Lin Zhang then related the incident of how Luo Xiucheng’s guards from Ying Zhou had brought news with the Golden Feather Arrow. During this time, Yan Han unconsciously glanced toward the door.
Zhao Yu hadn’t yet sent anyone back with news, and Yan Han desperately wanted to resolve Yan Chi’s matter before the Northern Territory Army caused trouble.
“What?! The Northern Territory Army has attacked Ying Zhou?! But… but there’s still no news of the Empress and Crown Prince!”
Peng Huaichu hadn’t expected such major events this late at night. Lin Zhang said, “The Empress and Crown Prince’s whereabouts remain unknown. Tonight, there was a fire in the southern part of the city, and two people died in the blaze. Initial suspicions are that one of them might be the Crown Prince’s consort. If the Crown Prince’s consort is truly deceased, likely, the Empress and Crown Prince have already left the capital. The Northern Territory Army must have received this information early, and their southward march from the northwest is likely aimed at directly attacking the imperial capital.”
Peng Huaichu trembled inwardly, “This… the capital’s garrison only has fifty thousand troops, I fear…”
Yan Han spoke with dark eyes, “Marquis An Yang, leading Jin Zhou’s forces, has already passed Yuan Zhou and will reach the capital in five days. The garrison troops from Luo Zhou have been ordered to mobilize, but they’ll also take four or five days to reach the capital.”
Four or five days… yet Ying Zhou was only a day’s journey from the capital…
Peng Huaichu hurriedly asked, “Then what is Your Majesty’s intention?”
Yan Han narrowed his eyes, “Currently, we have only two options. First, led the patrol forces and outer garrison troops to reinforce Ying Zhou, leaving only the Imperial Guard to defend the capital. Second, keep all forces in the capital for defense and wait for the Northern Territory Army to arrive – we can certainly hold out for eight to ten days then.”
Hearing this, Peng Huaichu dared not speak. The first plan was somewhat risky. The capital currently had only twenty thousand Imperial Guards, ten thousand patrol troops, and twenty thousand garrison troops. Though it seemed like many, very few had actual battle experience. If they sent just over twenty thousand troops to reinforce Ying Zhou, the city might already have fallen by the time they arrived. If something went wrong en route and the Northern Territory Army defeated them, the capital would be left with only twenty thousand defenders.
Though the capital was as solid as iron and gold, who knew how long it could withstand an all-out assault by the Northern Territory Army?
But if they chose the second strategy, letting the Northern Territory Army reach the capital’s gates, what would become of the imperial family’s face? How could the capital withstand warfare?
The best outcome would be using the first strategy, reinforcing Ying Zhou and dispersing the Northern Territory Army there. However, the two messengers’ reports were unclear, and who knew the current situation in Ying Zhou?
Peng Huaichu’s mind was in chaos. He looked at Yan Han and Lin Zhang and said, “Your Majesty speaks truly. We have only these two options. How to choose depends on Your Majesty’s decision.”
Yan Han knew Peng Huaichu wouldn’t dare make such a major decision, and having relinquished military authority for several years, he couldn’t think of a better solution now. After a moment’s contemplation, Yan Han said, “Send word to Luo Zhou immediately, and dispatch eight hundred li urgent orders to Marquis An Yang, telling him to rush to the capital at full speed.”
Lin Zhang acknowledged, and Yan Han continued, “I lean toward the first plan. Ge Yang has already gone north, and if the Northern Territory Army sends all its forces south, they’ll effectively abandon Cang Zhou. Therefore, I suspect they only have twenty to thirty thousand troops making this unorthodox move. If so, Ying Zhou won’t fall quickly.”
Yan Han quickly made his decision. Years of being emperor had honed his decisiveness beyond question. “Have the Ministry of War officials enter. Before dawn, arrange the vanguard force. Send five thousand men at full speed to Ying Zhou first, preferably to gather intelligence about the military situation there immediately. The rest must leave the capital before noon.”
There were still over two hours until dawn. Arranging an army of over twenty thousand to meet the enemy involved complex issues of military supplies, provisions, commanders, and troops, all of which had to be decided within an hour, leaving the remaining time for troop deployment and arrangements, to meet Yan Han’s stated departure time.
Yuan Qing went out to summon people, but just as he left, an Imperial Guard hurried over, “Eunuch Yuan! The Senior Princess Consort Gong requests an audience with His Majesty—”
Yuan Qing was stunned, “What? Who did you say?”
The guard was covered in sweat, “Princess Consort Gong, the Senior Princess Consort Gong!”
Yuan Qing stood shocked, unable to react for a long moment, “You mean… the… Princess Consort…”
Since the incident at Prince Gong’s mansion, the Princess Consort had secluded herself for years, never leaving home. She didn’t even enter the palace during festivals. Her last outing was for Prince Rui’s funeral procession. Why would she enter the palace on such a late night? This thought occurred not only to Yuan Qing but also amazed everyone who heard it.
“You… you wait a moment… I’ll go report this immediately.”
Yuan Qing dared not delay, completely forgetting to summon the Ministry of War officials, and turned to enter the hall.
“Your Majesty… Princess Consort Gong is requesting an audience outside the palace gates. Your Majesty, should we receive her or not?”
Yuan Qing spoke with trepidation. As soon as he finished, everyone in the hall was shocked, all staring at Yuan Qing as if they had misheard.
Looking over, they saw the Emperor’s expression change slightly. However, at such an urgent time, no one expected the Emperor would meet this Princess Consort who never left her home.
“Lin Zhang, take everyone to discuss matters in the side hall.”
This statement shocked everyone again – the Emperor intended to meet Princess Consort Gong! To set aside such urgent military matters to meet this Princess Consort!
“Yes, this servant will go now…”
Lin Zhang turned to leave, with Peng Huaichu and others following after a moment’s hesitation. After everyone had left, Yan Han slowly looked at Yuan Qing, “Summon her.”
Yuan Qing nodded and turned to instruct the Imperial Guard. After the guard left, Yuan Qing stood dazed under the eaves.
By now, the officials had all followed Lin Zhang to the side hall, leaving only Yuan Qing and his young apprentice Wang Fu under the eaves before the steps.
Wang Fu carefully approached, “Master, how is it that Princess Consort has entered the palace at this time, and His Majesty even…”
Yuan Qing turned to look at Wang Fu, who was startled and quickly swallowed his remaining words.
Yuan Qing looked away and took a deep breath, “In this palace, don’t say even a single word that shouldn’t be said. We are merely His Majesty’s humble servants; we need not understand all the reasons.” After a pause, watching a distant lantern light approach, Yuan Qing instructed, “Have all the attendants move far away. Whatever you see or hear later, pretend you are blind and deaf.”
Wang Fu responded fearfully, not daring to ask more.