At the end of October of the first year of Zhongping, the revolving gate of Luoyang's eastern gateway was closed, and the guard Lu Zhi died in battle. Subsequently, the Eastern Route Army attacked the eastern counties of Luoyang, and the troops approached Luoyang.
In mid-November, the North Route Army and the South Route Army that besieged Luoyang successively broke through the besieged checkpoints, also captured the cities in the north and south of Luoyang, and surrounded Luoyang with the East Route Army. At the end of the month, the West Route Army attacking from the direction of Chang'an also successfully broke through the pass, and the four armies successfully joined Luoyang City.
At this time, in Luoyang City, Emperor Ling looked horrified. He was extremely anxious and worried about his confidants. He discussed with many ministers in the court how to resist the rebel attack now
It's a pity that no matter what the Ling Emperor asked, most of the ministers looked evasive, spoke only submissively, and rambled here and there, but couldn't come up with anything useful.
These ministers have long received letters from their families, and they have already understood what kind of rewards their families and themselves have received in the imperial country, which covers an entire county.
Then how could he give up the opportunity to become a lonely country and help the Ling Emperor defeat the person who gave him benefits
So now I just stand in the court, acting as a scarecrow, making up for the situation, but not providing any useful strategies to Emperor Ling, just watching him worry here.
Even if you are here to make up your mind now, your wealth and life are still in the hands of Emperor Ling. The whole of Luoyang is controlled by soldiers and horses loyal to Emperor Ling, so you have to come.
Looking at the ministers under him with evil intentions, Emperor Ling couldn't help but feel a burst of sadness in his heart. Could this be the ministers he had been with for decades
I couldn't help but lament in my heart, and blurted out: "Is it possible that I have been raising scholars for four hundred years, but there is no loyal person?" The words were full of desolation.
Among the ministers in the hall, some looked ashamed after hearing these words, but most of them were expressionless, but sneered in their hearts. You used to favor eunuchs and be extravagant. Now the world is in chaos and civil unrest is everywhere. But by saying this, who do you want to pity
However, the Han Dynasty, which had been inherited for four hundred years, had some loyal ministers after all. General Huangfu Song, who had been demoted from the rank of Zhonglang because of his ineffective battle to pacify Xiliang, was also in the lobby at this time.
This man has an upright character and is loyal and unyielding. His loyalty to the Han Dynasty can be said to be unparalleled. Hearing such worrying and desolate words from his ancestors, he couldn't help but feel ashamed in his heart, and replied loudly with an angry look on his face and a sad and indignant voice.
"Your Majesty, why do you need to do this? Even if the Han Dynasty is going to perish now, you still have to be upright and upright, so as not to lose the identity of the king of a country. The majesty of the Han Dynasty for four hundred years, if your Majesty does not give up, I am not talented, I am willing to lead the troops to fight against the enemy! "
Emperor Ling saw that the whole hall was filled with silence and silence, and suddenly he heard a cry for war and resistance. He couldn't help but look happy, and quickly turned his head to look at the source of the sound, but his face froze.
It turned out to be him, Huangfu Song. At this most critical moment, the person who could stand up and share his worries turned out to be Huangfu Song. Not only had he demoted his official position and reduced his fiefdom before, but now, he was actually willing to stand up and share his worries.
This made Emperor Ling feel ashamed for a while, but after all, he had been the emperor for decades. He quickly came to his senses. Now, to keep his country and the country, the position under his butt is the most important. Other face You can give up anything.
"Do you have a good plan, dear? Kill the enemy troops and protect our country!" Ling Emperor looked expectant, as if the person in front of him could give him a satisfactory answer, allowing him to keep his current status.
"I have no good strategy, but only a desire to serve the country with fists and fists. I am willing to lead my troops to shed my last bit of blood for the Han Dynasty, so that the southern barbarians will not dare to underestimate the power of the Han Dynasty!"
Huangfusong's face froze, but he immediately replied loudly, telling the reason why he came out just now. The Han Dynasty had to have a strong person to stand up and protect the majesty of the Han Dynasty.
Emperor Ling's expression changed after hearing this, and he was full of disappointment. He thought he had some good strategy, but it turned out to be a stalking strategy. His Luoyang City now only has a mere 20,000 defenders, and even if he recruits young men, it can only be ten. Ten thousand people.
However, these troops outside the city already have 800,000 people after this recruitment, and they cannot fight based on their numbers alone. Not to mention the shortage of food and grass in the city. The enemy troops outside the city only need to surround the city. In less than a month, the city will be in chaos due to lack of food.
At that time, the city will be starved to death, and the people will eat each other. How can Emperor Ling accept this! However, the lack of food was not the reason why Emperor Ling refused to hold on, but because he hoped that the hungry people in the city would go crazy and attack the palace, and his life would be even more insecure by then.
If you go out of the city to challenge, it will be even more unreliable. If you throw the 100,000 people against the 800,000 people, they will be extinguished with a few splashes at most, and then you will be at the mercy of others.
In fact, no one knew, and Emperor Ling also understood at this time that the Han Dynasty was coming to an end. I also want to surrender in my heart, but it's just how those people have treated the king of the subjugated country in all dynasties.
It made him feel a little chilly. He was afraid that he would die immediately after surrendering, so he hesitated and lingered between resistance and surrender.
Therefore, Huangfusong's proposal was naturally rejected by Emperor Ling. Even if Emperor Ling does not veto it, many ministers in the court will not let this proposal succeed.
Otherwise, what if the imperial army outside the city knew about it and they heard Huangfu Song's suggestion in the court hall and did not stop it, thinking that they had second thoughts
When the time comes, the rewards received by your family may be reduced? Will he still be blamed? That's why I can't even cry.
Therefore, they fully agreed with Emperor Ling's veto, and repeatedly praised Emperor Ling's move as a wise and mature strategy to protect the country.
In fact, these ministers had received hints from Yuguo long before the Lingbi meeting, asking them to try their best to persuade Lingdi to surrender, so that Yuguo could completely accept Luoyang City, which had been inherited for hundreds of years, to avoid more losses. .
Therefore, the ministers were hinting to Emperor Ling that he could open the city and surrender, and the army outside the city would ensure the safety of Emperor Ling and the treatment of the entire Han clan.
As for Lin Li, he also knew what was going on in these ministers' minds, but he just couldn't let go of his own status and went to discuss with his former ministers how to surrender? Allegiance to the same master.
And he is reluctant to give up his power and position. From now on, he will be a minister whose life and death is in the hands of others. After becoming the supreme emperor, it is difficult to accept and admit that he is now a humble minister.
However, the constant struggle did not last long. Soon, following an order from a palace guard, the awkward atmosphere in the lobby was instantly cleared.
"Report, Your Majesty, there is a man outside the city who claims to be General Zhengdong of Yuguo. He says he is on an envoy on behalf of Yuguo. The general of the city gate asked me to come and report to Your Majesty whether you can open the door to let that envoy in!"
For a moment, everyone in the hall who heard this sentence was surprised, angry, confused, and expecting, and the Ling Emperor was even more full of expectations and entangled expressions.
(End of chapter)