Chapter 1248 - 924: Yet, There Are Two

Yu Wenye raised his head and countered, "May I ask, Father Emperor, do you intend to continue the campaign against the Eastern Capital, or abandon the Central Plains?"

Upon hearing this, Yu Wenquan’s brows furrowed tightly.

He hadn’t expected Yu Wenye to directly address the most sensitive issue—indeed, after Duke Shenwu’s death, his heart felt barren and desolate. At times, the thought of abandoning the eastward advance and retreating to hold only the Central Pass flickered in his mind, but the urgency of the current situation and inner longing shattered that thought instantly.

He understood clearly that if he didn’t launch an attack, sooner or later, Liang Shide would invade.

His ambitions should not be confined to just the Central Pass.

So he replied coldly, "What is your intent in asking this?"

Yu Wenye said, "I need an answer from Father Emperor."

Yu Wenquan’s brows knotted even more severely, yet he took a deep breath and said, "Since I have deployed troops, naturally I intend to win; there is absolutely no reason to abandon the Central Plains."

"That’s reassuring,"

Yu Wenye nodded and, without waiting for Yu Wenquan to speak further, quickly asked, "Then I dare to inquire, Father Emperor, if we are to continue the campaign, how should it be done?"

Clearly displeased, Yu Wenquan’s face already showed signs of discontent. After all, as Emperor, he was supposed to ask questions and others to answer him, yet this son repeatedly questioned him. Nonetheless, he patiently replied, "Naturally, by deploying more troops to reinforce Cijian."

Yu Wenye said, "So, Father Emperor, the next deployment will still set out from Cijian."

"Of course."

"Father Emperor, I believe that despite our defeat and losses this time, we still hold Cijian as a strategic stronghold. This place is exactly what Shen Tu Tai and Shen Wuzheng guard. If Father Emperor wants to punish them, then should their followers who stayed behind in Cijian also bear accountability?"

"..."

Yu Wenquan fell silent.

Beside him, Yu Wenqian’s expression faintly darkened upon hearing this.

He originally thought Yu Wenye would argue to offset the faults with the merit of holding Cijian as a future base, pleading Yu Wenquan not to punish Shen Tu Tai and Shen Wuzheng. If he indeed said that, although offsetting faults with merits is reasonable, it might feel like coercion. Furthermore, considering Shen Tu Tai’s sensitive background and identity, if anyone stirs up trouble, Yu Wenquan would surely not spare the "remnant" Shen Tu Tai of Wanggang Village!

However, Yu Wenye bypassed the "offsetting faults with merits" breakthrough and instead implicated their followers.

As we know, morale is the most crucial aspect of the front-line battlefield. Though the report sent back by Yu Wencheng might have softened the blow, he understood it was a disastrous defeat, with losses far exceeding the reported fifty thousand casualties. If they punish the Vice Commander and secretary now, would the troops holding fort at Cijian be demoralized?

If these people lose their morale, can they still defend Cijian?

If Cijian cannot be held, how can this battle be fought?

Indeed, Yu Wenquan said nothing, but his gaze flickered intensely, as if his turbulent emotions were roiling unstoppably, but there was no trace of anger on his face. After remaining silent for a long time, he slowly lifted his gaze towards Yu Wenqian: "Qian’er, what do you think?"

"..."

Yu Wenqian stood stationary but clenched his fists tightly within his sleeves.

After wrestling with his thoughts for a long time, he finally said, "Second Brother’s words are reasonable."

"..."

"Father Emperor, morale is crucial."

Yu Wenquan took a deep breath and nodded, "Indeed, morale is crucial."

"..."

"I may spare them from punishment, but Shen Tu Tai cannot lead troops anymore, nor can he continue as Vice Commander."

"..."

"Our immediate priority is to dispatch reinforcements to Cijian swiftly, preventing King Qi from falling into Liang Shide’s army encirclement."

Yu Wenye raised his head: "May I ask who Father Emperor plans to send?"

Yu Wenquan glanced at him, his expression slightly tightened, but he still averted his gaze. Yu Wenqian stepped forward and bowed: "Father Emperor, I recommend a person."

Yu Wenquan immediately asked, "Who?"

Yu Wenqian replied, "General Ningyuan, Lou Yingxiong."

From his words, Yu Wenquan seemed unsurprised, yet hesitated for a moment, while Yu Wenye already turned around to gaze at Yu Wenqian with sharp eyes beneath his indifferent gaze: "I always believed that my Imperial Brother appointed the worthy regardless of relations. To think this time he would recommend General Ningyuan."

Yu Wenqian said, "Recommending him—does it not align with appointing the worthy?"

"..."

"To appoint the worthy without eschewing kin, though he is Lou Liangdi’s father, Second Brother must not forget, he guarded Anyang for years. Among the current generals who fought against the people of Wanggang Village, even you, Second Brother, don’t compare to the number of encounters he had."

Yu Wenye said, "This time, we’re attacking Liang Shide; how related is Wanggang Village to this?"

Yu Wenqian answered, "But Liang Shide has long merged with the forces of Wanggang Village, and moreover, Jiang Xian and Liang Youying already escaped earlier. If I’m not mistaken, they’ve gone back to Luoyang. At that time, is it not just right to encounter them?"

Having finished, without waiting for Yu Wenye to speak further, he turned directly to Yu Wenquan: "Father Emperor, I believe we cannot afford to give Wanggang Village’s people a single opportunity!"

Originally listening to their conversation, Yu Wenquan was also pondering and wrestling with thoughts. Lou Yingxiong indeed fought the Wanggang Village forces most frequently and knew them well. Yet, throughout the years, he has achieved no victories, so success in this battle is uncertain. If the eastern flank fails again, he won’t be able to advance east ever again. Then, the situation becomes dire.

However, Yu Wenqian’s last words also reminded him.

Why did Shen Tu Tai become so bold?

Did Jiang Xian and Liang Youying truly return to Luoyang, linking with Liang Shide and Xiao Yuansui?

And Yu Wenye, what role does he play in all this?

He gravely observed his two sons before him—one civil, one martial, yet both exceptionally talented, having accomplished monumental deeds. If there were only one, any father would feel satisfied, as such talent alone could navigate these chaotic times to build a legacy, achieving monumental deeds.

But now, he has two.

Having two, just so.

Precisely because he has both, he isn’t satisfied; rather, he feels immense frustration, as if a single step might lead to catastrophe, bringing the collapse of this newly born, not fully established dynasty.

Thinking thus, Yu Wenquan suddenly felt a splitting headache, involuntarily reaching to clutch his forehead, a pained expression surfacing.

"Ugh!"

Seeing him this way, Eunuch Yu hurriedly stepped forward: "Emperor, Emperor what is happening to you?"

Yu Wenqian and Yu Wenye also hurriedly stepped forward: "Father Emperor!"