Chapter 238 - The Chu Prefecture Was Lost
Duke Ann of State boldly questioned, “What is the King implying? Are you suggesting the Crown Prince is at fault?” He continued, “Even if the Crown Prince erred, can we really fault the Crown Princess?”
With a contemptuous snort, the King of South Jin retorted, “Do you believe such a ludicrous excuse can deceive me? Do you truly think I am blind? Under the law, clandestine troop deployments constitute a capital offense! Due to familial ties, I presently refrain from pursuing the Crown Prince's transgressions, but as for the rest of you…”
The King of South Jin's lips curled into a sneer, his tone dripping with coldness, “Do not presume this emperor refrains from action against the Crown Prince out of concern for the nation's safety. Do not presume to openly conspire against me under the guise of national interest!”
“What is the King implying? While the Crown Prince may have erred, he has not violated the law. Moreover, he has consistently served the interests of South Jin. From his youth, to his philanthropic endeavors, all have been for the betterment of South Jin. Why does the Great King question his motives?”
“Is his loyalty to South Jin genuine, or self-serving? As the Crown Prince, he should prioritize the welfare of the public. Should he be granted impunity for his actions simply because of past deeds?”
“Allow me to inquire, Great King, is it a boon or bane for South Jin to possess such an exceptional army? Besides the Crown Prince, who else in South Jin possesses the capability to train such skilled generals? If the Crown Prince is held accountable, who else will serve the nation?”
“I have yet to witness these purported elite soldiers and generals. Let us reserve judgment until they have vanquished the North Yue army,” declared the King of South Jin, dismissing them with a wave of his hand.
Tang Yue cautiously observed the King of South Jin, uncertain whether he was included in the dismissal.
Before he could decide, Duke Ann grasped his arm firmly, pulling him out of the hall. His countenance grim, Duke Ann remarked, “It appears the plans of His Highness and the Crown Princess are ill-advised.”
Tang Yue offered a strained smile, “It was a temporary measure.” Admitting its flaws, he acknowledged, “It was never an ideal strategy.”
Their reliance rested solely on the King of South Jin's valuation of the army's importance in the ongoing war. As long as victory remained his objective, relinquishing control of such a formidable force was improbable.
Yueyang Marquis placed a consoling hand on his son's shoulder, sighing deeply. “We must proceed cautiously. Let us pray for the Crown Prince's triumphant return. Only then can we advocate on his behalf.”
Tang Yue shared his father's sentiments, though he recognized victory wasn't guaranteed merely by wishful thinking. The uncertainty of its timing loomed over them.
Upon his return to the manor, another eunuch arrived bearing the King of South Jin's latest decree. Tang Yue was permitted freedom within Ye City but prohibited from crossing its gates.
This restriction extended to Little Luoyuan as well. For the first half of each month, he was to remain within the palace for ten days. Ostensibly for the Crown Prince's absence, it was a thinly veiled attempt to oversee his great-grandson's education personally.
Nonetheless, Tang Yue understood that this surveillance was merely a precautionary measure.
Tang Yue had no intentions of fleeing or causing harm to the King of South Jin or the nation. Hence, he was indifferent to his circumstances.
A fortnight later, he received the inaugural missive from Crown Prince Zhao, informing him of their arrival at Chuzhou City. He had anticipated a period of keeping a low profile, but to his surprise, the day before their arrival, North Yue dispatched 120 thousand soldiers to besiege Chuzhou City. In a single night, Chuzhou City fell.
News of the fall of Chuzhou City sent shockwaves throughout Ye City, alarming officials and civilians alike. Chuzhou was a prominent border city with robust fortifications surpassing even those of Qinyang City. Moreover, State Duke Lu's 100 thousand troops were stationed there. Despite their equal strength, they succumbed in a single night, instilling dread in everyone.
The Crown Prince withheld the specifics from Tang Yue in his correspondence. It was only three days later that Tang Yue learned the details from State Duke Heng.
Unbeknownst to all, the deputy city lord of Chuzhou City was a North Yue spy, an aged official who had served diligently in Chu Province for years and had weathered three Nanbei Wars as a valiant defender of the city.
No one could have foreseen that this veteran official would betray his post on the night of the enemy's assault, allowing them easy entry into the city and resulting in the catastrophic defeat.
Subsequent to the incident, State Duke Lu led the remaining 80,000 troops and retreated to a canyon 50 miles from Chuzhou City, a strategically advantageous position for defense.
Crown Prince Zhao also rendezvoused with the army there, while the Black Armored Guard remained absent. Upon arrival, his first action was to reorganize the remaining eighty thousand troops.
The effectiveness of an army hinged on its morale. Unstable morale and disunity rendered them as ineffective as scattered sand, regardless of their numbers.
Morale was the second crucial factor; low morale signaled defeat from within. Even if the enemy utilized only a fraction of their strength, victory might elude them.
The South Jin army, reeling from a sudden and swift defeat, faced both these perils. The loss had shattered their confidence in their leadership, rendering even a single fortress commander incapable of rallying their spirits.
This time, Crown Prince Zhao abandoned secrecy and anonymity. Instead, he boldly entered the military encampment, announcing his presence with a resounding voice and riding a majestic steed into the midst of the camp.
His actions reverberated throughout the camp, garnering more trust in the Crown Prince than the aged State Duke Lu. With the Crown Prince leading the charge personally, morale received a considerable boost.
“Your Majesty, this humble servant proposes recalling State Duke Lu and entrusting His Highness with the task of reclaiming the lost territory!” suggested one minister.
“Your Majesty, I must object. Despite His Highness's martial experience and noble standing, he remains youthful. It might be wiser to assign an elder general to such a pivotal battle. In my view, recalling the Crown Prince to safety is paramount. The border's peril is profound, and the Crown Prince's welfare is paramount.”
The court assembly today was singularly fixated on this issue. Some advocated for the Crown Prince's command, citing his possession of the Commander Seal, while others fervently urged his return to the Palace. They seemed to overlook the fall of Chu Province and the looming crisis in South Jin.
“Enough!” the King of South Jin thundered, his head throbbing. “Whether the Crown Prince stays or departs is solely his prerogative. I cannot dictate to him! If Chu Province falls, which city will North Yue target next? Have you pondered this? 120 thousand troops. When did North Yue amass them, and when did they reach our borders? Have we dispatched scouts?”
The officials lapsed into silence. These queries were beyond their purview, mostly being civil servants with scant knowledge of warfare, let alone sound counsel in such matters.
For instance, State Duke Heng, State Duke Ann, and other venerable generals found themselves at a loss. Could they defend Chuzhou City if entrusted with its protection?
The fall of Chuzhou City served as a wake-up call. Advanced age hindered their cognitive and physical faculties. Leading troops into battle might not be in their best interest.
“Your Majesty, the border lies distant. It will take a month for news to spread. The information we receive now might be obsolete. Since State Duke Lu hasn't requested reinforcements, I believe he can manage the enemy,” a handful of officials retained their composure.
The King of South Jin handed the frontline report to the Prime Minister. “Minister, prepare swiftly. Until the last moment, defeat mustn't be an option. Enlist all males aged 15 to 30, barring sole sons, immediately.” His decree quelled the debate in the hall, redirecting focus toward soldier recruitment and stirring concerns over potential conflicts of interest.
War intertwined with every facet of governance, leaving few untouched. Following defeat, officials were consumed by agitation, unable to regain composure.
Chuzhou City's fall stirred the Imperial Court profoundly. Among civilians, it merely served as conversational fodder. Speculations regarding the enemy's next move or the outcomes of future battles abounded. Some even clandestinely established betting establishments to wager on war results.
Their seeming indifference stemmed not from callousness but from war's distant impact. Unless North Yue besieged their own city, conquests like Ye City hardly perturbed their daily lives.
In essence, the monarchy's fate held little significance to them.
Yet beneath this veneer of peace, many silently contributed to the war effort. Some donated funds, others resources, and some enlisted actively, each doing their part.
Since the Crown Prince's Palace proposed fundraising for provisions, the Imperial Court established a bureau to oversee collection of donations. After meticulous accounting and scrutiny, these contributions were dispatched to the border in batches.
Tang Yue harbored reservations, sensing the initial goodwill might soon be tainted by corruption among the officials tasked with oversight. As time wore on, his misgivings seemed increasingly valid.
Hence, he initially opposed establishing such a bureau. The King of South Jin, however, perceived the potential and advantages of fundraising, deeming the bureau's establishment inconsequential. He envisioned disbanding it once the war abated, expecting minimal repercussions.
Crown Prince Zhao heeded Tang Yue's counsel, appointing fundraising overseers from his own trusted circle. He hoped Tang Yue would find solace in this arrangement.
This 𝓬ontent is taken from fre𝒆webnove(l).𝐜𝐨𝗺