Taiyuan has fallen!
These four words were like a bolt from the blue, suddenly exploding within the spacious Bai Fu Hall, instantly stunning everyone.
Although the banquet had just begun and everyone had only managed to drink a cup of wine, their minds were already swirling with countless thoughts. Yet, despite the differing thoughts, the sa notion sprang up in everyone’s mind at that mont—
How could it be!?
How is that possible?
Just a few days ago, Princess Qiancheng had sent them a letter, and they had assessed the situation in front of them, sending a letter to Yu Wencheng, who was guarding Taiyuan, instructing him to be ready to fortify the city. If Ashina Shali were indeed to mount an attack on Taiyuan, with Taiyuan’s city defenses, it should have been able to hold out until reinforcents from Chang An arrived.
This also seed to be the most prudent decision at the ti.
But no one had expected just a few days later, Taiyuan had actually fallen!
How could it have fallen? And so quickly!?
Yu Wenye’s eyes turned red instantly, but before he could say anything, Yu Wenqian urgently asked, "Taiyuan has fallen? What about our third brother then?"
Perhaps he was too anxious, directly asking this question and forgetting the decorum between ruler and ministers. Fortunately, Yu Wenquan also paid no mind to such things at this mont, rely looking up at him with a deep expression, "He is safe for now."
"..."
"This letter was sent by him with great urgency."
Hearing this, Yu Wenqian imdiately breathed a sigh of relief.
But in the next mont, his expression also turned sowhat grim, especially after realizing that everyone in the hall, even Su Qinglan, who completely lacked military knowledge, changed their expressions upon hearing Yu Wenquan’s words. Clearly, they all thought of one question—
If Yu Wencheng, who was guarding Taiyuan, was unhard, how did Taiyuan fall? Moreover, how did it fall so quickly?
Finally, Yu Wenye spoke, "Father, what on earth happened with Taiyuan? Even if Ashina Shali really dispatched troops personally, with Taiyuan’s strong city defenses and— our third brother and Huang Gongyi guarding it, it shouldn’t have fallen so quickly!"
Yu Wenquan’s expression beca a shade darker.
At this mont, he also couldn’t concern himself with the fact that today was supposed to be a banquet rewarding those who’d contributed to controlling the plague, nor with the fact that there were three won at the feast. He simply stated with gravity, "The attackers on Taiyuan weren’t only the Western Turks."
"What!?"
Upon hearing this, everyone was once again taken aback.
Amidst the exchanges of glances, only one pair of eyes, underneath the surface panic, managed to remain calm and composed.
Of course, this calm and composure also completely caught the attention of Shang Ruyi’s bright eyes filled with restrained brilliance, who was sitting across from Yu Mingyue. She subtly watched Yu Mingyue and carefully listened to each word from Yu Wenquan, unconsciously clenching her palms on the table, which were covered in cold sweat.
Yu Wenye asked in a low voice, "Besides the Turks, who else was there?"
Yu Wenquan looked at him, his eyes deeper than before, and then stated solemnly, "There was also Wang Shaoji!"
"What?!"
This ti it wasn’t Yu Wenye who exclaid, but Shang Ruyi, who had been staring at Yu Mingyue. It was as if she couldn’t believe her ears. Despite her best efforts to maintain regular breathing and heartbeat, she couldn’t help but falter. Once she spoke out, realizing her transgression, she quickly said, "Forgive , Father."
Yu Wenquan waved his hand lightly.
He didn’t bla Shang Ruyi, as his daughter-in-law was not so delicate flower; she had taken part in campaigns in both Yann County and Fufeng County. This wasn’t her first encounter with Yu Wenye against Wang Shaoji.
Yu Wenquan spoke solemnly, "Wang Shaoji, leading an army of 400,000, was moving north from Jiangdu, but along the way, soldiers continuously deserted, leaving him with less than 200,000 troops at the mont."
"..."
"Originally, we thought his power would continuously weaken, such that by the ti he reached Luoyang or Chang An, even if he had any troops left, they wouldn’t pose a threat; however, we never expected he would collude with the Turks. Three days ago, he sent people to infiltrate Taiyuan City, disguising themselves as guards, and opened the city gates at midnight. The Turkic soldiers seized the opportunity to attack the city. Our forces—"
His voice choked at this point.
The rest was naturally unnecessary to say. Since Taiyuan had already fallen, even if the city’s defenders had discovered the enemy and resisted that night, there must have been severe casualties, ultimately unable to withstand the pincer attack from the two fronts, resulting in their retreat from the city.
It seed like a miracle that Yu Wencheng was still alive!
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