"Your Majesty, the Duke of Wei has arrived!"
Yuan Qing hurried in, followed closely by Duke Peng Huaichu of Wei who had rushed to the palace.
Upon entering, Peng Huaichu immediately noticed Lin Zhang and Lin Xie both present in the hall, with Zheng Baishi standing nearby. Outside the hall doors, various department heads from the Ministry of War were waiting. This clearly indicated something major was about to happen. With some apprehension, Peng Huaichu bowed and asked, "Your Majesty, what instructions do you have for summoning this humble official so late at night?"
Yan Han didn't wish to speak himself. He glanced at Lin Zhang, signaling him to explain.
Lin Zhang then recounted how the personal guards under Luo Xiucheng from Yingzhou had brought news with the golden-feathered arrows. During this account, Yan Han subconsciously glanced toward the entrance.
Zhao Yu hadn't yet sent anyone back with a report. Yan Han absolutely didn't want Yan Chi's matter to remain unresolved while the Northern Garrison Army was causing unrest.
"What?! The Northern Garrison Army has actually reached Yingzhou?! But... but there's still no news of the Empress and Crown Prince!"
Peng Huaichu clearly hadn't expected such major developments this late at night. Lin Zhang continued, "The Empress and Crown Prince have been missing all this time. Tonight, a fire broke out in the southern city, where two people were burned to death. Initial suspicions are that one of them might be the Crown Princess. If the Crown Princess has truly perished, it's highly likely the Empress and Crown Prince have already left the capital. The Northern Garrison Army must have received this news long ago - they're marching south from the northwest, probably aiming to directly attack the imperial capital."
Peng Huaichu's heart trembled. "This... the capital currently has only about fifty thousand garrison troops. I'm afraid..."
Yan Han said with darkened eyes, "The Anyang Marquis leading troops from Jinzhou has already passed Yuanzhou and will reach the capital in five days. As for the garrison troops in Luozhou, if we send orders now, it will also take four to five days for them to arrive at the capital."
Four to five days... yet it only takes two days to travel from Yingzhou to the capital...
Peng Huaichu quickly asked, "Then what does Your Majesty intend to do?"
Yan Han narrowed his eyes. "Currently there are only two strategies. First, lead the Garrison Battalion and the troops stationed outside the city to reinforce Yingzhou, leaving only the imperial guards to defend the capital. Second, keep all troops stationed in the capital, waiting for the Northern Garrison Army to arrive, then hold out for eight to ten days - that shouldn't be a problem."
Upon hearing this, Peng Huaichu didn't dare speak. The first strategy was quite risky. The capital currently had only twenty thousand imperial guards, ten thousand Garrison Battalion troops, plus twenty thousand garrison troops. While the numbers seemed substantial, very few had actual battlefield experience. If only twenty thousand plus troops were sent to reinforce Yingzhou, Yingzhou city might already be captured by the time they arrive. If anything went wrong en route and they were defeated by the Northern Garrison Army, the capital would be left with only twenty thousand remaining troops.
Although the capital was strongly fortified, if the Northern Garrison Army attacked with full force, it was uncertain how long they could hold out.
But if they adopted the second strategy and let the Northern Garrison Army reach the capital gates, how would the imperial family save face? And how could the capital withstand warfare?
The best outcome would be implementing the first strategy - after reinforcing Yingzhou, scatter the Northern Garrison Army there. However, the two messengers had provided unclear information - who knew what the actual situation in Yingzhou was?
Peng Huaichu's mind was in turmoil. Looking at Yan Han and Lin Zhang, he said, "Your Majesty is correct - there are only these two options. How to choose rests with Your Majesty's decision."Yan Han also knew that such a major decision was beyond Peng Huaichu's authority to make. Having relinquished his military command years ago, Peng Huaichu could devise no better strategy at present. After a moment of contemplation, Yan Han declared, "Dispatch a message to Luozhou immediately, and send an urgent eight-hundred-li courier to summon the Anyang Marquis, ordering him to rush to the capital at full speed."
Lin Zhang acknowledged the command. Yan Han continued, "I lean toward the first strategy. Since Ge Yang has already headed north, if the Northern Garrison Army sends all its forces southward, it would mean abandoning Cangzhou. Thus, I suspect they have only twenty to thirty thousand troops taking this risky move. In that case, Yingzhou cannot be captured in a short time."
Yan Han quickly settled on a decision. His years as emperor had honed an unquestionable decisiveness. "Summon the officials from the Ministry of War's various departments. Arrange the vanguard forces before dawn—dispatch five thousand troops to advance at full speed to Yingzhou, ideally to assess the military situation there at once. The remaining forces must depart the capital by noon."
With slightly over two hours until daybreak, organizing an army of more than twenty thousand for battle involved highly complex matters of military provisions, equipment, and command assignments. A resolution had to be reached within one hour, leaving the remaining time for troop deployments and arrangements to meet Yan Han's stipulated timeline.
Yuan Qing went out to summon the officials but had just stepped outside when he saw an imperial guard rushing toward him. "Eunuch Yuan! Princess Consort Gong seeks an audience with His Majesty—"
Yuan Qing froze. "What? Who did you say?"
The imperial guard, drenched in sweat, repeated, "Princess Consort Gong, the elder Princess Consort Gong!"
Yuan Qing stood stunned, unable to process the words for a long moment. "You mean... Her... Her Highness..."
Since the incident at Prince Gong's royal residence, the princess consort had remained in seclusion for years, never entering the palace even during festivals. Her last outing had been on the day of Prince Rui's funeral. Why would she come to the palace so late at night? This thought arose not only in Yuan Qing's mind but also shocked everyone within earshot.
"You... wait here a moment... I will go and inform His Majesty."
Not daring to delay, Yuan Qing momentarily forgot about summoning the Ministry of War officials, turned around, and hurried back into the hall.
"Your Majesty... Princess Consort Gong is at the palace gates requesting an audience. Your Majesty, will you... see her or not?"
Yuan Qing spoke with trepidation. At his words, everyone in the hall was startled, all eyes wide with disbelief, wondering if they had misheard.
A glance showed the emperor's expression had shifted slightly. Yet, given the urgent circumstances, no one expected the emperor to receive this reclusive princess consort.
"Lin Zhang, take everyone to the side hall for discussions."
This command surprised them all—the emperor intended to see Princess Consort Gong, setting aside the critical military situation for her!
"Yes, Your servant will proceed at once..."
Lin Zhang turned and exited, while Peng Huaichu and the others hesitated briefly before quickly following. Once everyone had left, Yan Han slowly turned to Yuan Qing. "Summon her."
Yuan Qing nodded, went out to instruct the imperial guard, and after the guard departed, stood dazedly under the eaves.
By then, the officials outside had followed Lin Zhang to the side hall. Only Yuan Qing and his young apprentice, Wang Fu, remained under the steps and eaves.
Wang Fu cautiously approached and asked, "Master, why would the princess consort come to the palace at such a time? And His Majesty actually..."
Yuan Qing turned his gaze to Wang Fu, who immediately fell silent, swallowing the rest of his words.Yuan Qing withdrew his gaze and took a deep breath of the cold air. "In this palace, not a single unnecessary word should be spoken. You and I are merely the Emperor's humble servants—it is not our place to question the reasons behind anything." After a pause, Yuan Qing noticed a flickering lantern approaching in the distance and instructed, "Send all the attendants farther away. Whatever you see or hear later, consider me blind and deaf."
Wang Fu responded with trepidation, not daring to ask anything further.
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