12dz Chapter 2298 Disagreements 1
Chapter 2298 Disagreements 1
Han Xing took a few heavy breaths, as if he had used up all his strength, before uttering his last and most important piece of advice:
"In my humble opinion, Your Majesty should... should immediately withdraw your troops and return to the capital!"
"With the might of victory and the force of thunder, return to the capital to take charge, rectify the court, eliminate the remaining rebels, and appease the people!"
"This allowed the military and civilians in the Jianghuai region and other areas to recuperate and recover their vitality."
"At the same time, we must strengthen our military, accumulate funds and provisions, and consolidate the foundation of our Great Chu."
Han Xing's gaze swept over the generals in the hall, finally settling on Chu Ning. His tone was resolute, filled with certainty about the future:
"Your Majesty, of the nine great dynasties in the Central Plains, after a century of annexation, only our Great Chu remains, standing in opposition to the Tang Dynasty."
"The Tang Dynasty has suffered heavy losses this time. Its main force that marched south was almost completely wiped out. Li Shimin fled back home, causing shock and severely damaging the country. In the short term, it will be unable to launch another invasion southward, nor will it have the strength to stop our northward advance!"
"Our Great Chu... only needs a few years to recuperate, until the national strength is restored, the army is well-trained and the food supply is sufficient, and the government is stable."
"When the time comes, we will raise our mighty army again and march north with the overwhelming force of Mount Tai. Then... the Tang Dynasty will be like autumn leaves falling, and we can conquer it in one battle! The unification of the country will be just around the corner!"
"Your Majesty, at this critical moment, stability is more important than haste!"
This lengthy remonstrance is well-organized, clearly distinguishing between advantages and disadvantages, and analyzing the issues from military exhaustion and the decline of people's livelihood to internal political concerns and strategic opportunities.
Ultimately, it boils down to the core principle of "returning home in triumph, recuperating and waiting for the right opportunity."
After Han Xing finished speaking, he seemed to have exhausted his last bit of strength. His body swayed, and he almost couldn't stand up. He was only able to hold on by sheer willpower.
But those eyes remained fixed intently on Chu Ning on the throne, awaiting his divine judgment.
Inside the council chamber, you could hear a pin drop.
The embers in the brazier occasionally emitted a soft popping sound.
Everyone held their breath, their gazes shifting between Han Xing, who was barely breathing but had a burning gaze, and Chu Ning, who remained silent.
Han Xing's words undoubtedly represented the sentiments of a considerable number of civil and military officials who had experienced the great war and were well aware of the current state of the country.
While pressing forward at this moment may seem tempting, the enormous risks and potential domestic crises behind it cannot be ignored.
Is it a hasty Northern Expedition to achieve victory in one fell swoop?
Should we postpone our military action and first consolidate our foundations?
All eyes finally focused on Chu Ning's calm and composed face, awaiting his final decision.
This decision will determine the fate of the Great Chu for the next few years.
Han Xing's heartfelt and painstaking remonstrance, like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, stirred up ripples throughout the council hall.
This also brought the individual thoughts and inclinations of everyone present into the open.
The old general, despite being critically injured and ill, offered the strategy of "rest and recuperation, consolidating domestic affairs, and waiting for the opportune moment."
Undoubtedly of great significance, it directly addresses the real predicament and potential crisis facing the State of Chu after the great war.
Chu Ning sat upright in the main seat, his face calm and serene, his fingers unconsciously tapping lightly on the smooth rosewood armrest.
He listened to Han Xing's words and was well aware of the implications.
However, with such a significant strategic shift, he needs to hear more voices and weigh the opinions of all parties.
His gaze slowly swept over the assembled officials in the hall before he finally spoke: "General Han's words are wise and insightful, and they hit the nail on the head regarding the current problems."
"However, should we press on to the north and settle the score in one fell swoop, or should we temporarily cease hostilities, consolidate our foundations, and plan for future moves?"
"This matter is of great importance, and I would like to hear the opinions of my esteemed ministers."
As soon as the words were spoken, a loud and urgent voice rang out from the ranks of military officers on the left:
"Your Majesty! In my humble opinion, now is the perfect time to press on and launch a northern expedition against the Tang Dynasty!"
Ran Ming stepped forward.
He was tall and strong, with a resolute face. At this moment, his face was flushed with excitement, and his voice was booming:
"Our army has just defeated the main force of the Tang army, killed the Hu chieftain, captured and killed the rebels, and our morale is high, like the sun at its zenith!"
"With the Tang army suffering repeated defeats, Li Shimin fled back in panic like a stray dog. His country must be in a state of shock and his army's morale must be low! This is a golden opportunity that will come once in a lifetime!"
"If we withdraw our troops now, wouldn't that be tantamount to letting a tiger return to the mountain, giving the Li Tang dynasty a chance to catch its breath?"
"Once they recover their strength and reorganize their military, it will take an unknown amount of manpower, resources, and money to fight again, and countless soldiers will have to sacrifice their lives!"
"Your Majesty, speed is of the essence in war. Hesitation will only lead to chaos! This humble general is willing to be the vanguard and march straight to Chang'an!"
Ran Ming had a fiery temper and advocated continuing the offensive, which was consistent with his usual style and also represented the sentiments of some generals who were eager to make achievements and completely eliminate the threat from the north.
Immediately afterward, another tall and composed veteran stepped forward; it was Guan Yun.
He clasped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, General Ran's words are not without reason. Although our army is exhausted, a desperate army is bound to win!"
"The Tang army has just suffered a defeat, and its decline is already established. If we advance north now, riding the momentum of a great victory, we can achieve a crushing victory."
"Moreover, of the nine kingdoms in the Central Plains, only Chu and Tang remain. This is the final juncture for the unification of the world. If we hesitate and do not advance, there may be unforeseen changes."
"This humble general seconded General Ran's suggestion that we continue the advance."
Guan Yun was a senior and highly respected figure, and his statement added weight to the side advocating for continued attacks.
However, dissenting voices soon arose, and from a more prominent direction.
Xue Huaide slowly stepped forward, his steps still steady, his voice not loud, yet carrying a penetrating power born of experience:
"Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, General Han's proposal is the wise and prudent way to govern the country."
He glanced at Ran Ming, who was flushed with excitement, and Guan Yun, whose expression was solemn, and continued.
"It is true that our army has won a new victory, but this victory was a Pyrrhic one, bought with the blood of more than 200,000 loyal and brave soldiers and the suffering of countless people in the Jianghuai region and even the northern frontier!"
"Nearly two-thirds of our troops have been lost, our food and weaponry have been depleted, and our soldiers are exhausted both physically and mentally. They urgently need rest and replenishment. This is the first point."
He turned north, his gaze deep: "Although the Tang army was defeated and its main force was damaged, its foundation in Guanzhong remained unshaken, and the natural defenses of the mountains and rivers were not lost."
"Although Li Shimin has been defeated, he is still the emperor of the Tang Dynasty. If our army penetrates deep into the territory, he will surely call on the whole country to resist, and the war will inevitably become a stalemate."
"Our army is on a long expedition with a long supply line. If the war is prolonged, our morale will be worn down, and the consequences will be unimaginable. This is the second point."
Xue Huaide looked at Chu Ning one last time, his tone earnest: "Your Majesty, what I am most worried about is the troubles within the country."
"Although the traitorous King Chu Xuan has been executed, his faction has been purged after years of cultivation. Are there any people in the court who secretly collude with him?"
"Your Majesty has been away from the capital for a long time, and now you have just experienced a major battle. Are the people in the court and the country at ease?"
"If we devote all our efforts to looking north now, and something changes in the country, all our previous efforts will be in vain, and we may even face the danger of collapse!"
"Your Majesty, I humbly request that you adopt General Han's advice, withdraw your troops first, stabilize the court, and appease the soldiers and civilians. Once the nation's strength has been restored and internal troubles have been eliminated, then we can plan a northern expedition. This is the most foolproof strategy!"
Xue Huaide's analysis, from military logistics and enemy potential to domestic concerns, is thorough and comprehensive, going deep into each layer.
This echoes Han Xingzhi's views and is highly persuasive.