"You know nothing! Daizhou has already fallen, do you think this Taiyuan City can still be held? Even if I lead troops back to Hebei now, I'm afraid Hebei will be completely lost before I get there. Instead of taking these soldiers back to die, it's better to take them directly back to Bianliang and hold our ground outside the city. Perhaps we can still put up a fight!"
After a few gulps, Tong Guan immediately found a high-sounding excuse for himself.
"But, but..."
"But what? Are you going to disobey orders?"
Before Wang Anzhong could finish speaking, Tong Guan glared back fiercely.
At this, even Wang Anzhong dared not say another word.
He cupped his hands towards Tong Guan, then quickly turned and walked out of the room.
"Lord Wang, how does Grand Chancellor Tong plan to arrange the troops?"
When Wang Anzhong arrived at the training grounds, Zhang Xiaochun had already assembled all the remaining 5,000 elite soldiers in Taiyuan City.
"Arrange the troops? I'll let you in on a secret, Grand Chancellor Tong plans to lead the troops to defend Bianliang!"
Even though he was a confidant of Tong Guan, looking into Zhang Xiaochun's eyes, he couldn't help but lower his voice and whisper into his ear.
"What did you say? Defend Bianliang? What about Hebei? What about Hedong? If Taiyuan City is lost, the gateway to Guanzhong will be completely open. Without Guanzhong, can Bianliang be defended?"
After hearing Wang Anzhong's words, Zhang Xiaochun could hardly believe his ears.
How foolish could someone be to say such a thing!
"Lord Zhang, you know why I'm telling you this! I'm also in a difficult position. Please don't make things difficult for me. When will the remaining 5,000 men arrive?"
With a wry smile, Wang Anzhong could only helplessly cup his hands towards him.
"Hoo—"
"There are only five thousand elite soldiers left in Taiyuan City at this moment. Lord Wang, if you take them all away, Taiyuan City will be handed over to the Jin people on a silver platter!"
Taking a deep breath, Zhang Xiaochun finally managed to stabilize his emotions.
"I have no say in such matters. While there's still some time, if you wish, you can try to persuade the Grand Chancellor. However, I can't wait for you for too long. You only have half an hour..."
Looking up at Taiyuan City in the distance, Wang Anzhong finally relented.
"Thank you for your kindness, Lord. On behalf of the people of Taiyuan City, I thank you!"
As Zhang Xiaochun said this, his eyes were already moist.
"Alright, it's this late, you should hurry!"
Waving his hand helplessly, Wang Anzhong could only close his eyes in pain.
Tong Guan was still his superior at this moment. What he had done was already the extent of his ability.
Turning and walking out of the training grounds, Zhang Xiaochun directly snatched a warhorse and galloped towards Tong Guan's mansion.
He hadn't even dismounted when he saw Tong Guan preparing to leave under the escort of his personal guards.
"Grand Chancellor!"
Seeing this, Zhang Xiaochun couldn't care less. He urged his horse forward and blocked Tong Guan's path.
"Zhang Xiaochun, what do you think you're doing?"
Seeing Zhang Xiaochun blocking his way, Tong Guan's face immediately turned displeased.
"May I ask where you, the Grand Chancellor, are planning to go?"
After dismounting, Zhang Xiaochun didn't even bother to bow and directly asked.
"Do I need to report my destination to you, a mere clerk?"
The more guilty he felt, the uglier Tong Guan's expression became.
"The Jin army is pressing hard. As the Pacification Commissioner of Hedong, don't I have the right to ask about the Grand Chancellor's overall plan?"
Zhang Xiaochun, who already knew this guy was going to escape, spoke with a tougher tone now.
"Since you want to ask, then I, this Grand Marshal, will tell you. The Jin are powerful, and I will lead these soldiers back to Bianliang!"
"What about Hedong? May I ask the Grand Chancellor, if Hedong is lost, where else in the northwest can the Great Song defend?"
Seeing this man's shamelessness, Zhang Xiaochun's voice began to tremble...
"What about Hedong? What does Hedong have to do with me? You are the Pacification Commissioner of Hedong. I, the Grand Marshal, have no responsibility to defend the land. If you dare to speak further, don't blame me for beheading you!"
"Hahahaha, well said, no responsibility to defend the land! You old scoundrel Tong Guan, you, you will die a horrible death!"
Hearing Tong Guan's shameless rhetoric, Zhang Xiaochun couldn't help but tremble, and spat out a mouthful of black blood towards the sky.
"Father! Father!"
Still dozens of paces away, seeing Zhang Xiaochun collapse, Zhang Ji shouted.
Looking at the Taiyuan local soldiers rushing towards them from the end of the street, Tong Guan hesitated for a moment. He said nothing, just waved his hand and left the city with his dozens of personal guards.
When Zhang Xiaochun opened his eyes again, it was completely dark.
"Father! Father!"
Seeing him open his eyes, Zhang Ji hurried forward to help him up.
"How many soldiers are left in the city?"
Listening to the pattering rain outside, as soon as he opened his eyes, Zhang Xiaochun asked with a bitter expression.
"Father, please put the affairs of the city aside for now. The doctor said earlier that you are overworked and extremely anxious. You cannot overwork yourself any further. You should rest for a few days!"
Looking at his pale face, devoid of any color, Zhang Ji spoke while tears streamed down his face.
"Rest? How can I rest? The Jin have already moved south, and Daizhou has fallen..."
As Zhang Xiaochun said this, Zhang Ji's mind buzzed...
"What about Taiyuan? Wang Anzhong, under Tong Guan's orders, has taken away all the elite soldiers in the city!"
"Hahahaha, heaven wants to destroy our Great Song..."
After hearing his son's words, Zhang Xiaochun, lying on his sickbed, couldn't help but weep.
"Father, why don't we leave too..."
After taking several deep breaths, Zhang Ji quickly wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes and whispered in a low voice.
Seeing the fear in his son's eyes, Zhang Xiaochun's face was filled with reluctance. However, after letting out a long sigh, he forced a smile:
"Leave? How can I leave? As the Pacification Commissioner of Hedong, if even I leave, how will the remaining soldiers cope? Ji'er, you are not an official. Protect your mother and sister, and leave..."