When Nanzhijin came to Qinzheng Hall, it was already dark. There were a group of officials standing outside the hall. Some shouted loudly to guard the capital to the death, some suggested taking a long-term plan, and some swore that they had found someone to calculate that the enemy could not pass Xiaozhou City.??

In the hall, more than ten important officials were surrounding the prime minister and raised questions one question after another. Zhuo Ruhe was overwhelmed and immediately waved to him to come when he saw Nan Zhijin.

"If you don't say much, when you encounter such a thing, your Majesty must be the ruler. However, if your Majesty is not here, the imperial edict will not be received for a while. We can only discuss a solution first. The Censor Nan knows His Majesty better and lets him guess what His Majesty will do. Let's do it."

The ministers looked at Nan Zhijin. Some were familiar with him, while others only heard of his name. However, their expressions were the same at this time, cold and stern, as if he was a prisoner who was called to the lobby to confess.

Nan Zhijin saluted everyone one by one and accurately called out each person's official position and surname, especially to his immediate superior Qu Zixi, who bowed deeper.

Zhuo Ruhe waved his hand and said, "Time is tight, so less vain. Just say something when you have something to say."

Even the prime minister didn't want to abide by the "rules". Nan Zhijin pondered for a moment and said, "I guess your majesty's idea is a serious crime..."

Qu Zixi said: "Time changes and things change, but this time you are not considered guilty."

Nan Zhijin bowed again and said, "If I guess, Your Majesty will never abandon the capital."

Zhuo Ruhe nodded, feeling a little confident.

"Your Majesty is very scheming, and persevering, and never give up easily. I don't understand military affairs, but I think that if Your Majesty is here, he will not only defend the capital, but also send troops to assist Xiaozhou City, Mancang City and Yumen Pass, and an inch of land will fight for. Your Majesty's idea is this: the brave will win when they meet on a narrow road. As long as the Chu army retreats, it will be a strong ambition to destroy its own power. The enemy will take advantage of the victory to expand, and the Chu army will lose its fighting spirit and lose again and again."

"But the enemy is obviously more powerful than the Chu army. Where can I mobilize enough troops in one go?" Cui Hong asked.

Nan Zhijin shook his head, "I don't know, I can only guess that even if His Majesty compromises, he will have to wait until the front line stabilizes his position before negotiating with the enemy."

When it comes to military affairs, Cui Hong is the only one among the ministers. He thought for a while and shook his head, "There are not many defenders in the capital, and they cannot divide their troops to support the front. Xiao Zhou City has nearly 100,000 troops stationed at this moment, including tens of thousands of southern troops. It is best to be able to defend it. If you can't defend it, it is useless to send people there. The walls of the capital are high and thick, making it easier to guard it. Another line of defense is Hangu Pass, which is also a place where one person blocks the pass and tens of thousands of men cannot open..."

"Same as Shenxiong Pass." Zhuo Ruhe said in the mouth. Shenxiong Pass was once considered impeccable, but in the end he lost it.

Cui Hong suppressed his anger and bowed, "Of course, Your Majesty is not here, everything is governed by the Prime Minister. If the Prime Minister thinks that he should support Xiaozhou City, I will lead the troops out immediately. At worst, I will go but never return and be loyal to the country."

Zhuo Ruhe shook his head, "I don't mean that. Grand Tutor Cui should also guard Hangu Pass and escort the nobles in the palace."

Cui Hong nodded.

Zhuo Ruhe said: "Don't worry about Xiao Zhou City for now. It's decided to defend the capital. The most urgent thing is to choose a general who defends the city. Do you have any recommendations?"

Except for Cui Hong, the Qinzheng Hall was full of civil officials. They could make decisions but could not arrange troops. However, most of the Ministry of War and the General's Mansion were brought to Jincheng by the emperor, and there were not many generals left.

If it were normal, everyone would rush to recommend their own people, but no one spoke at this time. Cui Hong recommended a few people. He had just returned to Beijing and didn't understand the situation. None of the people recommended were here.

Nanzhi said: "I recommend two people. One of His Majesty will agree, you don't, the other one agrees, but your Majesty may not."

"It's time, don't go around in circles." Zhuo Ruhe urged.

"Xie Cun, the son of Zanhou, is young, but he has participated in the Battle of Jincheng, the Battle of Yunmengze, and his Majesty's several tours. He has been very appreciated. This time he stayed in the capital because he got sick."

Some of the ministers recognized Xie Cun, "He was only twenty years old, and he was just a small gang general in the Guards."

"When hiring a person, age and position are not important." Nan Zhijin no longer followed the rules.

"Who is the other person you recommend?" Zhuo Ruhe asked, feeling that Xie Cun was not suitable.

"The former Junyang Hou Hua Bin once led the army and was highly praised by Emperor Wu."

The ministers were even speechless. Hua Bin had committed a serious crime of treason and was still under house arrest. Being able to survive was considered a blessing from the emperor, and it was impossible to explain to the emperor if he re-opened it.

Zhongsi Lin Liu Jie hurried in and handed the Empress Dowager's decree to Zhuo Ruhe, "The palace has almost been prepared. When will it be moved to the palace?"

Zhuo Ruhe looked at Cui Hong, and Cui Hong said: "Tonight's fourth update, try not to disclose the news, so as not to disturb the people in the city."

Liu Jie withdrew.

Everyone continued to discuss the candidates for the general who defended the city. They all felt that Xie Cun and Hua Bin had their own problems and were embarrassed to have great responsibilities, but for a moment they could not find a more suitable candidate.

Seeing that the night was getting darker, Cui Hong took the leave first, and he had to prepare for something.

Zhuo Ruhe called in several ministers, which only made the debate even more intense.

Nan Zhijin was forgotten aside, no one asked him for his opinion, and no one asked him to leave. Nan Zhijin observed silently, quietly approached Zuocha Censor Qu Zixi, and nodded to him through several people.

Qu Zixi just said that his mouth was dry and his tongue was dry. Seeing Nan Zhijin nodding, he couldn't help but be slightly stunned. He quickly woke up and was stunned again. After thinking again, he felt that this was the only choice. What's strange is that he had never thought of it.

"I recommend another person who is older than Xie Cun and more trustworthy than Hua Binzhong." Qu Zixi said loudly.

All the ministers stopped their voices and saw them.

Qu Zixi took a step forward, "It's me."

All the ministers were stunned, and Zhuo Ruhe frowned and said, "Mr. Qu understands military affairs?"

"I have read some books and it's not that difficult to defend the city. Are there many generals in the city? It's just that the position is not high enough, and with their help, there should be no problem."

Nan Zhijin on the outside whispered: "Thank you, Hua and the other two can also use it."

"Yes, let these two people come and help me."

Qu Zixi glanced around, and the ministers did not agree or object, all of them looked thoughtful. Qu Zixi said angrily: "The enemy has entered the country, and the capital is in danger. Even if you don't think about the people in the city, you should consider it for yourself. Who else is willing to come out to take responsibility for the real city? Let me stand up. If there is no one, make a decision as soon as possible."

Zhuo Ruhe said: "Okay, Lord Qu will take over the position of guarding the city."

When the prime minister spoke, the others naturally would no longer object. They immediately appointed the Zuo Cha Censor Qu Zixi as the admiral of Guanzhong in the name of the prime minister, and also led the minister of the Ministry of War. They set up a shogunate in the Ministry of War outside the south gate to command all the Chu troops in the Guanzhong area.

Qu Zixi bowed to Zhuo Ruhe and said, "I will be responsible for defending the city. The prime minister will handle other matters, so don't interfere with me."

Zhuo Ruhe led his ministers to send Qu Zixi to the Qinzheng Hall personally.

The major event has been decided, and the Prime Minister's trouble has just begun. Several ministers came to persuade the Prime Minister to move the court to Luoyang. "Mr. Qu guards the city, and keeping our group of civil officials will only make a mistake."

Zhuo Ruhe was determined, "No one can leave. The reason why the capital is the capital is because the court is here. If the imperial court abandons the city, it will show weakness to the enemy. The inclination of the Great Chu begins from this point. Who can bear this responsibility?"

Several ministers entered the Qinzheng Hall before they were summoned, and Wang Guojiu also mingled in it. At this time, he shouted: "If you want to stay, stay. Why can the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Rites leave?"

"The two parts of the map book and ritual vessels are the foundation for the comeback of the Great Chu and should not be left in danger." Zhuo Ruhe's decision was not opposed by the ministers, and they all understood the importance of these two things.

Wang Guojiu was still dissatisfied, "Where is Yuan Jiuding, the Minister of Personnel? I heard that he had already taken his family out of the city, so who let him go?"

"It is a serious crime for Yuan Jiuding to leave the city privately."

"No, I heard that the Prime Minister asked Yuan Jiuding to leave. His servant also sent a letter to the Prime Minister in the afternoon, and there were a large number of officials waiting for the Prime Minister to release him. Anyway, there were no outsiders here, so the Prime Minister might as well offer a price."

"Random!" Zhuo Ruhe could no longer bear it, so he took a few steps back, took out the letter from his sleeve, and shouted: "The letter written by Yuan Jiuding is here. Zhuo is not talented, but he will not be able to use public service to private affairs when the city is in danger. Does anyone see me giving anyone the order to leave the city?"

No one answered, and Wang Guojiu shut up.

Zhuo Ruhe has been depressed for a long time and doesn't want to hide it anymore as soon as he opens his mouth. "Yuan Jiuding claims that my wife interferes in the affairs of the court and distracts the family affection between Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager. I have nothing to say. Even your family members must not be innocent."

Zhuo Ruhe tore the letter apart a few times, "The city was destroyed and the people were killed. The name behind him was said to me, if I luckily save the capital, I will lie down to His Majesty and no one should threaten this matter anymore!"

As soon as these words were spoken, no one dared to speak.

Zhuo Ruhe felt happy, and suddenly it didn't matter. "Tomorrow, the ministers can follow up to two people. Men over fifteen years old are not allowed to leave Beijing. Zhuo's two sons, the youngest ones are sixteen this year, and they are all staying in the capital!"

The ministers were shocked, but some people supported the prime minister. Liu Zeqin, the Minister of Rites, took a step forward, "The Ministry of Rites wants to escort the gift vessels away from Beijing, but the Minister of Rites has to escort him in person, I will stay."

Zhuo Ruhe was a little surprised. Liu Zeqin was not from his sect and his relationship with the emperor was not harmonious. He actually stood up to express his support at such a critical moment.

The Minister of Revenue had no choice but to stand up and stay in Beijing.

Zhuo Ruhe said slowly: "Everyone, we are the court. We have more or less fought with Your Majesty for what? We are trying to prove that the court is correct. Now, what we prove right and wrong is not what we say, but what we want to do. You and I are all Chu ministers, and we have said a lot. Today we should do something practical."

The ministers bowed together, but only Wang Guogong took a moment of perfunctory treatment, turned around and ran outward, wanting to plead with the Queen Mother himself.

In the Ministry of War, Qu Zixi began to take over the army in the capital and ordered people to call Xie Cun and Hua Bindu.

Xie Cun's illness was not cured yet, his face was pale and his voice was nasal. After seeing Qu Zixi, he immediately said: "Does Lord Qu guard or abandon the roads and bridges outside the city?"

"Should you defend or abandon?"

"Send people to guard first. If the situation is wrong, you will wait for an opportunity to destroy it."

"You go and draw a plan."

Even if Hua Bin was surprised, she didn't show her face. Did Lord Qu send someone to burn Mancang City?"

"No."

"If the grain in the warehouse falls into the hands of the enemy, the capital will be trapped."

Qu Zixi then reacted and immediately called the general of the Suwei Army and transferred a thousand fires to Mancang City. As long as he heard that Xiao Zhou City had fallen, he would immediately burn the granary in the city. Before that, he would transfer the food and grass to the capital as much as possible.

Until the second half of the night, Qu Zixi finally came up with a general idea and said to Nan Zhijin beside him: "I have nothing to do, remind me."

"The court only wants to guard the capital and is unwilling to support Xiaozhou City, but I know that Your Majesty will definitely retreat, so please allow me to recruit rebels and go to Xiaozhou City."

Nanzhi paused for a moment, "This time I will stand on Your Majesty's side." (To be continued.)8
Chapter completed!