Chapter 41 An Act of Suicide?

"I am guilty, please punish me!"

The ministers all knelt down in front of Li Zhao, their heads already touching the ground.

However.

The crown and beaded curtain worn by the emperor fluctuated violently, showing that its owner was not in a peaceful state of mind.

Under Li Zhao's calm face, hidden was a huge wave of anger.

These ministers in front of them are not asking for forgiveness. Instead, they are more like forcing the emperor to get a palace. They are confident!

"Zhao Shangshu, you said that there are currently hundreds of thousands of troops in the capital, but there are no ten thousand people to fight the rebellion?!"

When asked by Li Zhao, Zhao Kuang admitted his mistake without saying a word: "Your Majesty, I apologize for causing the corruption of the capital camp."

However.

Before Li Zhao could say anything, ministers rushed to find compensation for Zhao Kuangyin.

"Your Majesty! The reason why Beijing Camp is like this today is definitely not the fault of Zhao Shangshu, but the fault of those martial nobles who are lying on their backs!"

The person who said this was the Minister of War.

"There are four guards from Zuoying in front of us. The number of soldiers originally planned to be 60,000, but a thorough investigation found that there are less than 30,000, and most of the remaining soldiers are old, weak, sick and disabled!"

"The five guards of the right camp were also newly built by Mr. Zhao the year before last. The soldiers are poorly trained and the armor is insufficient."

As for the three guards in the middle camp, they have always been the basic base of the martial nobles, and they are nominally the emperor's personal army.

But in fact, many Wuxun families in the capital are quite close to the Zhao Kuangyin brothers and have a close relationship.

Hearing this, Li Zhao looked at Wu Xun's row, the burly generals in front.

Niu Jizong, who felt the emperor's gaze, had a thin layer of cold sweat on his forehead.

He is one of the Eight Dukes of the Former Emperor's Wuxun and the direct son of the Niu family. He is now the first-class uncle of Xijue and is in charge of the three guards of the central camp.

These three guards have a real salary of 30,000, and are nominally the most capable in the Beijing camp.

But Niu Jizong is very aware of the current situation of the three guards in Zhongying.

All I can say is, it’s a complete mess!

Although the shortage is not as shocking as that of Zuoying, there are only 20,000 poorly trained soldiers.

Let him, a noble man of martial arts, lead these soldiers with less than a month's training to suppress those madmen of the White Lotus Sect.

Isn't this just asking him to die? !

However, facing the emperor's gaze, Niu Jizong knocked his head to the ground with a clang.

"Your Majesty! I apologize."

Niu Jizong, who was almost on his knees, immediately explained that the current situation of the Zhongying camp was unbearable.

He is a descendant of the eight princes specially gifted by the late emperor, and he will retire with the country.

This sin was not enough for the new emperor who had just ascended the throne to test his sword.

This is also true.

Li Zhao was so angry that he felt evil, but he didn't say anything.

If the middle camp led by Wu Xun is removed, will it be possible for Zhao Kuangyin to take control?

"Zhao Qing, it seems that you are the only one who can lead the right battalion to quell the rebellion against the White Lotus Sect."

Li Zhao tried to make his voice sound pleasant.

But the next moment, someone stopped him.

"Your Majesty, no!"

"Now the number of combatable troops in the capital is no more than the five guards of the right camp. If they are transferred out of the capital, the White Lotus Sect's thieves will have an opportunity to take advantage of them!"

"Yes, this right camp must not leave the city!"

After hearing this, some ministers who were not from Zhao Kuangyin's faction also quickly helped to speak.

If the White Lotus Sect is really allowed to invade the capital, they will be the unlucky ones.

Li Zhao's face was expressionless.

It was hard for him to imagine that less than forty years after the founding of Li Tang, the ministers in the court had already become a bunch of insects.

Li Zhao took a deep breath and asked Zhao Kuangyin how to put down the rebellion.

After all, this matter was originally his responsibility as Minister of War.

"Right now, the Beijing Camp needs time to train and recuperate. A capable general can lead the army to delay the spread of the White Lotus Sect's thieves."

Li Zhao was startled when he heard this.

"According to what Zhao Qing said, how long will it take to wait for the training in the Beijing camp?"

"Two months!"

Zhao Kuangyin told the time without hesitation.

Li Zhao narrowed his eyes slightly when he heard this.

Two months is indeed not a long time, but what kind of medicine did Zhao Kuangyin buy in his gourd?

"So, does Zhao Qing have any good generals to recommend?"

As soon as Li Zhao said this, Wu Xun and the others immediately became quiet, praying that they would not be named.

Seeing the appearance of these losers, Li Zhao's palms clenched tightly under his dragon robe, and he didn't even notice that his nails were digging into his flesh.

"I recommend Lin Chenjia to be the Commander-in-Chief of the Military and Horse Divisions of the Five Cities. This person has both military and strategic skills and a good plan. He can take on such a big responsibility!"

"If Lin Dutong doesn't want to, my brother Zhao Guangyi can do it."

Zhao Kuangyin's voice was sonorous, and the expression on his face was one of pure loyalty.

"Brother Zhao Guangyi?!"

Li Zhao suddenly gave out a chuckle that could not be detected by outsiders. He dared to think that Zhao Kuangyin was waiting for him here.

I finally took back some military power, but I would not let Zhao Kuangyin take it away with such a scheme.

"In that case, I order Lin Chenjia to lead the soldiers of the five-city army and horse division out of the city to put down the rebellion!"

Li Zhao, who had made a decision in his heart, issued the edict simply.

This made Zhao Kuangyin slightly frightened, wondering if the new emperor might have any other tricks up his sleeve?

Zhao Kuangyin was not allowed to think too much, and one of the eunuchs announced his resignation.

The meeting is over.

Zhao Kuangyin, who returned to the mansion all the way, went straight to a quiet place.

"Brother, the little emperor would rather let his confidants die than give up the Five Cities Army." Zhao Guangyi muttered at the side.

The five-city military division that guards the city gate is very important to their brothers' future plans.

If it weren't for a close confidant to hold this position, Zhao Kuangyin would be uneasy!

"Nothing." Zhao Kuangyin's face showed no emotion either. He just whispered, "When faced with two evils, choose the lesser one. This new emperor is a decisive person."

"What's the use? It's within your expectation, brother." Zhao Guangyi flattered with a smile.

Zhao Kuangyin shook his head slightly, turned to look at Zhao Guangyi, and lowered his voice: "You should contact the messenger and tell them about Lin Chen's armor. Afterwards..."

Zhao Guangyi's eyes turned cold when he heard this, and he nodded in understanding.

......

It was the first time that Lin Chen faced Li Zhao at such a close distance.

I don't know what means the new emperor used to make Lin Chen, a post-natal warrior, unable to distinguish the traces of disguise on his body with his six senses.

"Lin Qing." Li Zhao suddenly spoke.

"I'm here!"

Lin Chen immediately put away his thoughts and answered in a deep voice.

"Do you know that leading the army to delay the White Lotus Sect this time is a matter of life and death?"

"Working for His Majesty is the duty of a minister!" Lin Chen said righteously.

Don't forget that Li Zhao knows that he is still healthy and working in the palace.

From a certain perspective, he is his confidant and private minister.

"It's hard for you."

Li Zhao comforted Lin Chen with gentle words.

"Does Mr. Lin know the art of war?"

Hmm?

Seeing that Li Zhao changed the topic, Lin Chen hesitated for a moment and gave a vague answer: "I know a little bit."

Hearing this, Li Zhao's expression did not change much, and continued: "If Mr. Lin has any requests for this expedition, I will agree to them all."

Is this a pie in the sky for the possibility of his death?

"I am recruiting soldiers outside the city."

"I know."

...