Can I get to the other side?

Jia Xu was injured and fell into a coma, which no one expected.

Nowadays, Jia Xu is responsible for all matters in Chang'an City. His coma shocked and panicked many people.

At such a critical moment, without Jia Xu as the backbone, can Chang'an still hold on?

Weiyang Palace, inside Chengming Hall.

The ministers all gathered here, with deep worries on their faces. From time to time they looked up at the seat where Jia Xu should have been standing before, but was now vacant.

Although they kept talking about what Jia Xu was doing, everyone had to admit that if it hadn't been for Jia Xu, Chang'an would have been breached long ago.

Now that Jia Xu is down, who will take charge of the overall situation?

Yang Biao, Fu Wan, Cui Yan or Dong Zhong?

While the ministers were discussing, Fazheng walked into the Chengming Hall. Seeing this, the ministers gathered around him and asked about Jia Xu's situation.

"Fa Yushi, how is Zhongshu Ling?"

"Yes, is Zhong Shuling's injury okay? It's not serious, right?"

"I have a magical elixir from the Western Regions at home, which is great for treating external injuries. If you need it, feel free to give it to Zhongshu Ling."

"Nothing will happen to Zhongshu Ling."

…

Fazheng had just returned from Jia Xu's residence, and he was already in a bad mood. He became even more irritated after hearing the voices of the ministers.

However, in the face of the concerns of the officials, he could not show his face. He could only say patiently: "The Imperial Physician Hua has already diagnosed and treated Zhongshu Ling."

"Although Zhongshu Ling was hit by an arrow, his heart was not injured. His life is not in danger. He just needs some time to recover."

"Now Zhongshu Ling is in a coma due to blood loss. Before he fell into coma, he asked me to take charge of all matters on his behalf."

Fazheng briefly talked about Jia Xu's situation.

To be honest, Jia Xu was hit by an arrow without wearing armor, and it was God's blessing that he was able to save his life.

This situation is too dangerous.

After Fazheng finished speaking, the ministers were not relieved, but even more worried - what was the difference between Jia Xu who was unconscious and dead?

Still can't stand up and take charge of the overall situation!

Although Fa Zheng was asked to handle matters on his behalf before he fell into coma, how could a young man like Fa Zheng be able to withstand such a heavy burden?

Of course, although they thought so in their hearts, the ministers would not say it verbally.

However, Fazheng knew what they were thinking by looking at their faces, and said very calmly: "Everyone, please relax. Although Zhongshu Ling was injured and unconscious, it will not affect the city defense. Chang'an is still impregnable."

"I don't think so."

As soon as Fazheng finished speaking, someone spoke up to refute.

The person who spoke was Cui Yan.

He narrowed his eyes slightly and looked at Fazheng, saying: "I have visited the city walls and military camps in the past few days after the war. As far as I can see, there are not many defenders left in Chang'an City." ”

"Many common people in their forties and fifties put on armor and went up to the city walls as soldiers to kill the enemy. There were even old soldiers with disabilities."

"Is this what Fa Yushi said, is Chang'an City still impregnable?"

There are not many troops in Chang'an City, but for such a long time, Jia Xu has always claimed to the ministers that the troops are sufficient and the enemy troops outside the city are not a concern.

Cui Yan is not a fool, how could he keep believing it.

So he investigated secretly.

The result was completely different from what Jia Xu told them - the situation in Chang'an City was already very critical!

As soon as these words came out, the expressions of the officials all changed.

Then he focused his attention on Fazheng.

Yang Biao frowned and said in a deep voice: "Fa Censor, is the situation in Chang'an City really what General Cui Zhonglang said?"

His words asked the thoughts of the ministers. If so, he was simply deceiving them as fools!

Fazheng never expected that Cui Yan would suddenly say these words.

Facing Yang Biao's inquiry and the scorching gazes of the officials, Fazheng fell silent and suddenly felt a little tired.

He looked up at Cui Yan and asked: "General Cui Zhonglang, what is the purpose of asking these questions now?"

"Would knowing the truth help the situation?"

The reason why Jia Xu concealed the truth was to stabilize people's hearts and avoid panic, but Cui Yan broke through this fig leaf.

Fa Zheng's words are tantamount to admission.

Cui Yan's face was gloomy and he said in a cold tone: "The situation is unfavorable. Fa Yushi and Zhongshu Ling can discuss it with us instead of hiding it again and again!"

"We are also Hanchen, are we so unworthy of your trust?"

"Could it be that the Censor of the Fa and the Secretary of the Central Committee thought that as officials of the Han Dynasty, after learning that the situation was unfavorable, we would open the city and surrender to the traitor Ma Chao?!"

"You're underestimating us!"

Cui Yan's tone was full of anger. Jia Xu had previously concealed the news of Ma Chao's attack, just to prevent them from abandoning Chang'an and fleeing.

Now they are already grasshoppers on the same rope, but they are still hiding it from them. If this isn't looking down on them, what else could it be?

How could he endure such humiliation!

Fazheng didn't want to argue with Cui Yan and said calmly: "As General Cui Zhonglang said, the situation in Chang'an City is indeed not optimistic."

"In today's battle, the cavalry outnumbered our elite troops and caused heavy casualties to our army. The west wall was almost lost."

"If we hadn't repelled the enemy with the power of ten consecutive powerful crossbows, Chang'an City might have been breached today."

Fa Zheng explained the bad situation in Chang'an City one by one, and finally said: "If Ma Chao continues to send out elite troops to attack the city, and His Majesty's reinforcements still have not arrived, Chang'an City will undoubtedly be destroyed."

Don’t you want the truth?

I'll tell you the truth!

After saying these words, Fazheng felt relieved and the burden on his shoulders seemed to be lifted.

For more than half a month, he and Jia Xu have been under great pressure, and they have to pretend as if nothing has happened, for fear of being discovered, and they are already exhausted.

Now that I have said it, I feel relieved.

After Fa Zheng finished speaking, Chengming Palace fell into silence, and many ministers had looks of horror on their faces.

Chang'an... has actually reached this point?

Cui Yan didn't expect the truth to be like this. The situation in Chang'an City was even worse than he imagined, and he didn't know what to say.

After a moment of silence, he spoke: "When Ma Chao attacks the city next time, I will bring my tribe to the top of the city to kill the enemy."

"Even if I die, I will not let down your majesty or this man!"

The destruction of the city means nothing but death.

It’s not like he doesn’t have this awareness!

What's more, if you die to defend the city, even if you die, you will die well. A celebrity will last forever. If you are selected by the emperor to enter the second floor of Lingyun Pavilion in the future, you will not be able to escape.

Moreover, his Cui family is rooted in Qinghe County, Jizhou. Even if the Chang'an line is dead, it will not affect the continuation of the family.

"I hope Cui Zhonglang will be able to practice what he preaches."

Fazheng's expression didn't change much when he heard this, and he stabbed Cui Yan lightly, which immediately made Cui Yan furious.

Just when he was about to reply, Yang Biao spoke up: "Stop arguing. In a situation like this, we need to unite as one and work together. How can we continue to fight internally?"

"Since the Royal Censor has told us the truth about the situation in Chang'an, we should find a way to delay it until His Majesty's reinforcements arrive."

"otherwise……"

Before Yang Biao finished speaking, a rush of footsteps suddenly came from outside the hall, and everyone looked towards the entrance of the hall.

The person walking in was Pound.

Seeing Pang De, Fa Zheng took a step forward and asked, "General Pang, what happened? But the enemy launched another siege?"

Pang De is responsible for guarding the southern city wall and usually does not enter the palace. Now that he suddenly came here, there must be something important.

This sentence also made everyone's hearts hang.

What Fazheng just said was very clear. Chang'an's current military strength is seriously insufficient. As long as Ma Chao sends out all his elites to attack in a large scale, Chang'an will definitely be defeated!

"No, the enemy is not attacking."

Pound shook his head.

Fazheng and the ministers were relieved when they heard this, and then he asked: "What is that?"

Pang De hesitated for a moment, then said: "Just now, Ma Chao sent people outside the city to shout, saying that as long as we are willing to hand over the queen as a hostage and three thousand carts of food and money, they will withdraw."

The error-free version is being read! 6=9+Book_Bar debuts this novel.

"If we don't agree, they will continue their attack tomorrow."

Pang De truthfully told the news sent by Ma Chao.

Everyone was stunned when they heard this.

Hand over the Queen and 3,000 carts of supplies... then retreat?

For a moment, the hall fell into a brief silence.

But soon Fazheng came to his senses and cursed angrily: "This thief is simply wishful thinking!"

"If he wants to attack, let him attack!"

It would only be enough to hand over three thousand carts of food and grass. For the sake of Chang'an's survival, it is not impossible to swallow his anger for the time being.

But handing over the queen as a proton is simply a joke!

Queen, the emperor's wife, the master of the harem.

Handing over the queen is simply a humiliation to the entire Han Dynasty, a humiliation to the emperor, and a slap in the face of the court!

This is absolutely impossible!

Not only Fa Zheng, but also other ministers were filled with indignation and cursed when they heard the conditions proposed by Ma Chao.

"How dare Ma Chao'er be so arrogant!"

"No compromise! Absolutely no compromise!"

"We will live or die together in Chang'an!"

"I can't agree even if I die!"

…

As Hanchen, they still have the basic integrity, and there is no way they would agree to such ridiculous conditions.

Otherwise, they will be infamy for thousands of years!

However... there is only one exception.

Fu Wan frowned and listened to the shouts and curses of the officials around him. He did not agree, but his turbid old eyes turned slightly, seeming thoughtful.

After the scoldings of the ministers subsided, he walked out on crutches and said slowly: "Everyone, I think... it's not that I can't agree to this condition."

After Fu Wan's words fell, all sounds suddenly stopped again.

All eyes were on him.

Each and every one of them had shock, surprise, anger and disbelief in their eyes.

"Fu Guozhang, are you an old fool?!"

Cui Lin was the first to speak, his words were not polite at all, and there was an angry look on his face.

"Handing over the Queen is a humiliation to His Majesty and the court! Is there any such example in the past?"

"What's more, the queen is your daughter. How can you bear to send your daughter into the tiger's mouth with your own hands?"

Cui Lin's tone was full of hatred that iron cannot be transformed into steel.

In his opinion, Fu Wan was simply greedy for life and afraid of death. In order to survive, he was willing to agree to such ridiculous conditions!

Not only Cui Lin, but others such as Fazheng, Cui Yan, Yang Biao, Dong Zhong, etc. also cast strange looks at Fu Wan.

"well……"

Fu Wan looked gloomy and sighed after hearing this.

"Everyone, I am sixty-seven years old this year. I am already at the age when half of my body is buried in the loess. How can I be greedy for life and afraid of death?"

"When I was in Xuchang, I dared to point my finger at the traitor Cao Cao. Now, am I cowardly when facing Ma Chao?"

Cui Lin said coldly: "Since Fu Guozhang is not afraid of death, why did he agree to such ridiculous conditions?"

"Are you going to let Your Majesty and the Queen suffer such humiliation?"

Facing Cui Lin's questioning, a complicated expression appeared on Fu Wan's face, which was one part pain, three parts intolerance, three parts helplessness, and one part tragic.

He said slowly: "I made this choice not for myself, but for Chang'an and the millions of people in Chang'an City!"

Fu Wan's tone was extremely sad, and he said with tears: "Fa Yushi has said that Chang'an City is now unable to withstand Ma Chao's full attack."

"If you don't agree to Ma Chao's conditions, then when the city of Chang'an is destroyed, won't countless people be in ruins? Won't the other concubines in His Majesty's harem also suffer?"

"The queen is my daughter and the blood of my Fu family. How can I not feel heartbroken? But if I can sacrifice my daughter in exchange for Chang'an being preserved, I think it's worth it!"

Fu Wan said, crying all the time.

He raised his hand to wipe away his tears, but his heart was unusually calm, and he kept thinking about the stakes.

Queen Fu was disliked by the emperor and would be deposed sooner or later. He knew this very well, so he sent his youngest daughter to the palace as a concubine.

Originally, he didn't have much hope for the position of queen. After all, with Lu Lingqi and Zhen Mi here, these two people were strong contenders for the throne.

But now Lu Lingqi has not given birth to a son, and Zhen Mi has been implicated because of the Zhen family's suspected rebellion, and has lost the right to compete for the queen's throne.

As a result, the position of queen became vacant again.

"As long as Shou'er is willing to feed a tiger and be captured by Ma Chao as a hostage in order to protect Chang'an, then once the news spreads, my Fu family will gain unprecedented prestige!"

"The position of queen will definitely fall into the hands of my Fu family!"

"As long as Shou'er is allowed to leave the city as a hostage and then commit suicide, your majesty, whether to show off to the world or to appease people's hearts, will have to grant the position of queen to my Fu family!"

Fu Wan was so excited that he almost laughed out loud.

This is an opportunity that just comes to your doorstep!

No one can say that they agree to Ma Chao's conditions, but he is qualified to say so because he is the head of the country and the queen is his daughter!

The most important thing is that he occupies the moral high ground. From the perspective of the safety of the people of Chang'an and the harem, no one can criticize him!

After suppressing the excitement in his heart, Fu Wan continued to look sad and said: "If you think that I am greedy for life and afraid of death, you might as well ask the Queen for her opinion."

"If the queen is also willing to go out of the city to protect Chang'an, then there is nothing more to say, how about it?"