"Sir, I'm afraid this guy has already considered this, otherwise the Taiping Army would not have withdrawn from Lujiang and Bashan so obediently. He obviously wanted to wait to see the conflict between the empire and the Lin family intensify, and then wait for an opportunity to take action. Profit." Ling Tianfang never underestimated his opponents.
"Well, it's just that the great changes in the situation in Kansai seem to have little impact on us. According to intelligence, the strength of the Taiping Army in Xikang has been greatly reduced. I guess they are transferred to Longdong to annihilate the empire's westward advancing army. Now I find that although it is a bit late, but If we really want to attack Xikang, we're afraid it's too late. However, I'm thinking whether it's worthwhile to attack Xikang right now?" Wu Feng has already focused on the Xikang Mansion in the south.
Capturing Xikang will inevitably tie down some of the troops. The economy of Xikang Prefecture is not very developed, and its population is the smallest among the six prefectures in Guanxi. Its strategic location is not as important as other prefectures. The only advantage is that it can be controlled by controlling this place. From a high position, you can overlook Bashan Prefecture in the south and Hanzhong Prefecture in the east, but because there are mountains blocking the two prefectures, the transportation is not convenient, and it is not even as convenient as taking a detour to Longdongnan.
"Sir, in the opinion of my subordinates, there is no need to go south now. It is more appropriate to hold our position steady and wait and see how the situation changes." Ling Tianfang put forward his opinion bluntly.
"Well, let's see, where has the second division moved to?" Wu Feng did not directly answer the other party's suggestion, but asked about the second division of the Northwest Army that moved east from Taixuan.
"We have arrived at the junction of Lulong and Taixuan, and the First Independent Cavalry Division has also moved near Taixuanfu City." Frowning, Ling Tianfang guessed that his boss seemed to have some new ideas.
"According to the current situation, the Taiping Army has suffered a heavy setback in the north. Although the Imperial City Guards have not made any major moves, it is estimated that it has also caused a great shock to the areas controlled by the Taiping Religion. The people of the Taiping Religion will not ignore this. , then I judge that the chance of the Taiping Army attacking Lalong in the near future is very slim, and if the Kaman people do not have the Taiping Army to take the lead, I believe they will not be stupid enough to take the lead." After saying this, Wu Feng paused After a pause, he said, "I plan to return to Qingyang immediately to see how the negotiations between Su Qin and the Kaman people are going. I also want to see the changes in the situation in Northern Luzon. If necessary, I We are also planning to enter Northern Luzon again.”
"Sir, what about this?" Ling Tianfang wanted to say something, but he knew that once his boss decided something, few people could change it, so he swallowed his words.
"I'll leave this to you. You have full authority to arrange everything." Wu Feng didn't give any more instructions. He believed in his subordinates, and he didn't trust his subordinates. This was his consistent principle.
The great changes in the situation in Kansai once again shocked the imperial government and the public. One hundred thousand troops fought fiercely for a week and achieved nothing. The enemy was actually able to seize the retreat and successfully attacked. The westward advance plan fell short, but suffered a great loss of vitality. It was blocked on the western route of the empire. The thorn in the side still exists, and the western trade route, an important economic route, is still firmly in the hands of the Taiping rebels. For a time, the Heshuo area adjacent to Longdong was also in turmoil, and the situation suddenly became tense.
At this moment, the Linlang family in the south of the empire, which had been holding back, suddenly made trouble again and launched a massive force to the north. Although the empire was temporarily unable to regain Kansai, the actions of the Linlang family were neither authorized by the empire nor even the empire. They didn't receive any notification in advance, and they didn't realize it until the two armies had already begun to attack the city and plunder the land. In just over a week, it was announced that the two provinces in the southern part of Kannan, Fertile Field Qianli, had changed hands.
Wave after wave of impact stunned the empire's government and the public. Faced with these situations that changed three times a week, the empire's ministers could not even respond correctly. However, a strong reaction soon broke out among the people. The empire's 100,000-strong army was actually defeated by the Taiping rebels in Longdong, and it was just half a month after the empire won the victory in the Battle of Qinghe. This simply made the people of the empire, especially The people of the imperial capital could not accept it, and the public was as angry as a volcano waiting to erupt. At this time, the news that the Lin Lang family once again sent troops to occupy the Lujiang and Bashan prefectures reached the imperial capital, like pouring water into a boiling oil pan. A scoop of water stirs up huge waves.
The enemy is also the Taiping rebel army in Kansai. Why did the empire's 100,000 elite regular army suffer a bloody blow in front of them, losing troops and generals but gaining nothing, while the two local armies of Lin Lang were able to attack the city and overthrow the stronghold with ease? Just take Lujiang and Bashan Prefectures into your pocket? Is this the low combat effectiveness of the Imperial Army, or is it the corruption and incompetence of the Imperial Army's top brass? Why did the fighting power of Lin Lang's two armies appear so powerful and eye-catching that the Taiping rebels fled after hearing the news
Neither the Imperial Central Committee nor the Linlang family nor even the Taiping Sect could have imagined that the connection of these events would cause such a big stir. Once the public's emotions were aroused, it would produce an irresistible shock wave. Even the Imperial Central Committee felt that This wave is so fierce that if you are not careful, it may affect the rule of the empire.
On February 8th in the mainland calendar, all major newspapers and periodicals in the empire published the report on the official occupation of the two southern prefectures of Kansai County by Lin Lang's two armies as front-page headlines and added extensive comments. The two major newspaper giants, "Empire Shimbun" and "Daily Express", respectively used the titles "Crying Kansai" and "A Brief Opinion on the Great Changes in the Kansai Situation Since January" to lash out at the incompetence of senior imperial officials. He lost power and humiliated the country, causing the country to fall to bandits and bandits, and was actually controlled by the imperial vassals. He strongly demanded that the imperial government severely punish those who harmed the country, and demanded that the empire recover as soon as possible the areas that were already controlled by the two vassals of Lin Lang.
Some other newspapers and magazines also published articles to echo the news. For a time, there was a turmoil, and the imperial capital looked like a storm was about to come.
On February 9, many social groups, including the Empire General Chamber of Commerce and the Empire Culture and Art Exchange Association, submitted applications to the Imperial City Police Department for a demonstration and petition, requesting that it be held on February 10, five days before the traditional Spring Festival festival of the Tang people. The content of the march and rally was to demand that the central government of the empire respond positively to the changes in the situation in Kansai and ensure that the interests of all classes in the empire were not harmed.
"Two dear friends, what do you think of the current situation?" Situ Mingyue has been happy at first and then worried during this period of time. He is relieved that the situation in the north is stable, but the situation in Kansai The twists and turns troubled him again, but he did not expect that the defeat of the imperial army in Longdong and the Lin Lang family's sudden dispatch of troops to the north at this critical moment would cause such a big disturbance in the imperial capital. Not only the ministers of the DPRK and China were talking about it, , and it also aroused such a great response among the people outside the court. Gentlemen, businessmen, workshop owners, landlords, and ordinary people all rose up to criticize the government. This was something new that had not happened in decades, and it also brought great pressure to the emperor. Added a little bit of worry.
"According to His Majesty's arrangement, the internal affairs department has conducted a careful investigation. So far, no signs of interference from outside forces have been found. However, the mood of the people in the imperial capital is indeed relatively high. Due to the defeat in the Longdong Battle, Heshuo The situation in the region is tense, and they are very worried about the safety of the imperial capital." Lu Wenfu seemed very calm. Although he had never encountered these situations, years of ups and downs had made him develop a character that would not change even when the weather is strong.
"Huh, worries are unfounded. There is still an army regiment stationed in the Heshuo area. Could the rebels fly over?" Situ Mingyue couldn't help but interject.
"Your Majesty, there is no need to be too anxious. The emotional reactions of the people are also normal. At least they still have a heart for the empire. At least they are far better than those guys who hide in the dark and quietly gloat." He Zhiqiu, the Minister of Military Affairs, had a slightly expression on his face. Somewhat white, but extremely calm. Many of the public sentiments were directed at the Imperial Ministry. Although the Battle of Longdong was not planned by him, the whereabouts of the instigators are unknown and most likely died in the rebel army. Naturally, this responsibility should be borne by him, the Minister of Military Affairs.
"Well, I understand. I have called you here today just to hear your opinions on Lin Guoxiong and Lang Yongquan's recapture of Lujiang and Bashan. Now I am under a lot of pressure, so I want to hear from you first. Thoughts." Situ Mingyue touched her forehead with her hand, obviously also worried.
He and Lu looked at each other and both lowered their heads, probably thinking about their words. Finally, the Minister of Military Affairs spoke first: "Is Your Majesty thinking about how to regain Lujiang and Bashan?"
"Well, there are constant appeals both inside and outside the government, and many neighboring countries are also watching the evolution of this storm. Without a clear explanation, I am afraid it will be difficult to convince the public. I also know that we are not strong enough now, but after all, Lin Guoxiong and Lang Yongquan Still my subjects, can He Aiqing and Lu Aiqing have a proper way to get Lin Guoxiong and Lang Yongquan to withdraw from these two places and let the imperial garrison take over?" Situ Mingyue knew that this was a bit embarrassing, but when she thought of the pressure from the outside world in the past two days, even he The emperor also felt a headache, so he had to reluctantly bring it up.
The quiet room was as silent as death for a moment, and the two people sitting down were thinking carefully about the request made by His Majesty the Emperor.
"To ask Lin Lang and two people to withdraw so directly, Wei Chen estimates that these two people may not agree easily. If we can come up with some conditions in exchange, maybe we can still negotiate." Lu Wenfu pondered for a while, and finally said, His tone was very reluctant, and even Situ Mingyue could tell that he didn't have much confidence.
"The conditions can be negotiated. As long as it is within the scope that the empire can bear, I can consider it. I don't want this matter to cause trouble in the city. It would be best if it can be done within the smallest scope. I am thinking about this. There is no need for people from the foreign affairs department to get involved in this matter. After all, this is also a family matter of the empire. Lu Aiqing, I have entrusted this matter to you. I hope Aiqing can handle this matter for me in the shortest possible time." Seeing the Minister of the Interior nodding silently, Situ Mingyue seemed to have put down a big stone in his heart. He felt much more relaxed and yawned tiredly. The position with tens of millions of people staring at this seat was undoubtedly a heavy burden for him, but he I had to bear the burden again.
At 8 pm on November 13th, an interview with Regan, the author of "The Legend of Jiangshan Beauty" and "The Troubled Times of the Three Kingdoms" will be held in Sanjiang Pavilion. Everyone is welcome to come and support him. I would like to express my sincere thanks again to friends who support Regan. See the Qidian homepage for details.