ke so much. They don't even care about the few grains of rice in the common people's granaries. What they covet is the imperial funds, tens or even hundreds of thousands of taels of silver and benefit...Chapter 1182: He Wishes He Could

Back at the Eastern Palace, Li Chen immediately received two important pieces of news.

One of the messages was a handwritten letter from Wu Qingcang.

After opening and reading the letter, Li Chen pondered for a long time with his eyes closed. He then summoned Su Zhendong and Hu Shifan, the newly appointed Grand General of the Logistics Department.

"I, Su Zhen'ting, pay my respects to Your Highness."

"Old minister, Hu Shifan, pays respects to Your Highness."

The two arrived in haste and, upon reaching the side hall of Xizheng Palace, bowed in respect.

"No need for ceremony."

Li Chen looked up at Su Zhen Ting and said, "Is there any further news from Yueya Pass"

Su Zhenting immediately said: "I just received the latest battle report half a day ago. At present, 600,000 Liaoning troops are divided into three routes, besieging Yuanyeguan. Yuanyeguan is still holding on, but the casualties are heavy. Every day, letters requesting aid are sent from the front line like snowflakes. The Liaodong army has advanced to the territory of Gansu and Shaanxi, and it will arrive at Yuanyeguan within three days."

"That's good."

Li Chen nodded and looked at Hu Shifan, asking, “General Hu, you have led the Liaodong Army for over ten years. Tell this palace honestly, what role can the Liaodong Army play”

Hu Shifan's snow-white beard trembled, and his face grew heavy as he said, "Your Highness has asked, so this old minister dares to speak frankly. I am afraid the Liaodong army's role will be insignificant."

Because the Liaodong Army was accustomed to open plain warfare on the Liaodong Peninsula, the entire force was light and mobile, with flanking and encirclement tactics. While this made them flexible, they were unable to utilize these strengths in defensive warfare within a city situated in the loess desert.

"If it were a large-scale group battle involving multiple armies, the Liaodong Army could act as a mobile force, using its flexibility to conduct short-range raids. However, the situation at Yueya Pass currently restricts the Liaodong Army's movements."

Hu Shifan's words made Li Chen's face heavy, but he couldn't get angry.

Because Hu Shifan was speaking the truth.

It's not fair to blame the Liaodong Army for their lack of ability. It's just that, like people, armies have strengths and weaknesses.

If you play to your strengths, you can unleash 120% of your fighting power. But if you're all weaknesses, your combat effectiveness will be significantly reduced.

Su Zhendong chimed in at this moment, "When I arrived, I just received a reply to the official letter from King Ning."

Li Chen raised his hand and said, "Bring it here."

Wan Jiaojiao got up and took the official letter from Su Zhen's hand, then turned around and handed it to Li Chen.

Li Chen opened the official letter, finding that it contained only a few dozen words, written in a hasty and messy scrawl. It was clear that the person who had penned this letter was quite carefree and did not take the matter of submitting it to the imperial court very seriously; he had simply scribbled it down at random.

At a glance, Li Chen had a general idea of the content.

He closed the official letter, slammed it on the table, and sneered: "Prince Ning, Prince Ning!"

“His words were full of excuses. He claimed that the soldiers lacked training and supplies, unable to reinforce Yueya Pass. Most outrageously, he said an epidemic had broken out in the camp, with six out of every ten soldiers sick, refusing my order to send troops and even demanding money and grain from me. What a despicable King Ning!”

Su Zhen'ting obviously had already read the letter. He spoke in a heavy tone: "Prince Ning shies away from responsibility and offers excuses, precisely because he calculated that the court would definitely do everything in its power to protect Yueya Pass. As long as Yueya Pass stands, his territory will be as stable as Mount Tai. This means forcing the court to mobilize the entire nation to ensure his safety."

Li Chen suddenly stood up and said, "He's daydreaming!"ing and saying, "Where did such a blind guy come from Get out of the way, with so many people here, are you afraid of a beast The fire gun in this palace's hand is not for decoration.""Could it be tha...