After ten years of accompanying me in my studies, the entire court begged me to shut up.

Chapter 128 Five Fathers-in-Law

In early February, Zhu Houzhao and his entourage finally arrived in Liaoyang.

General Liu Xiang of Liaoyang led local civil and military officials out of the city to welcome the emperor.

Zhu Houzhao asked in a low voice, "Yang, have you found out anything about Liu Xiang?"

Yang Shen replied, "I had already inquired before I set off. Liu Xiang's ancestors came from Miyun Guard and were also a family that had fought in the Jingnan Rebellion. He had no sons, only two daughters. His eldest daughter married Sun Wenyuan, the commander of Haizhou Guard, and he also had a young daughter who was sixteen years old this year and was a good match for Your Highness."

Zhu Houzhao shrank his neck and asked, "You're three years older than me!"

Yang Shen said, "As the saying goes, 'A woman three years older than you is like a golden brick,' Your Highness is truly blessed!"

Zhu Houzhao murmured, "Jiang Ji of Shanhaiguan, Han Liangbi of Jinzhou, Zhang Mao of Ningyuan, Li Gao of Guangning, and Liu Xiang of Liaoyang—along this journey, I've gained five more fathers-in-law!"

"Your Highness will have to take concubines sooner or later. It's always better to choose them yourself than to have someone force you to take them, don't you think?"

"Hmm, that makes sense!"

Zhu Houzhao quickly compromised and then followed Liu Xiang into the city.

The city wall of Liaoyang is not high, and large areas of the bricks have peeled off.

The flag on the city gate tower also had a tear, and it fluttered weakly in the wind.

After entering the city, there were only a few scattered shops on both sides of the street, most of which were closed, with the paint peeling off the doors. The people on the road were pale and thin, and hurried past with their necks hunched. When they saw this group of people, they would just avoid them from a distance and dare not approach.

Every now and then you could see a few wounded soldiers. When they saw Liu Xiang, they would force themselves to stand up and salute him.

Zhu Houzhao saw this and the smile on his face gradually disappeared.

Upon arriving at the General's residence, Liu Xiang invited Zhu Houzhao to take the seat of honor, while he himself sat to the side below.

The others stood on either side, each with an anxious expression on their face.

Zhu Houzhao sat down and asked directly, "General Liu, what is the current situation in Liaoyang?"

Liu Xiang sighed, clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Your Highness, the snowstorm this year is particularly severe, and several outer military forts have collapsed under the weight of the snow."

"The Huozhe tribe of the Uriyangkhad took the opportunity to move south and plunder the outskirts of Liaoyang. They killed and captured officials, soldiers and livestock at the six western forts of Liaoyang and the border repair area of ​​Haizhou, committing extreme cruelty. A few days ago, they also invaded Qinghe and Xianchang, and they are still gathered here."

"I have already evacuated all the people outside Liaoyang back into the city, but now we don't have enough food."

He then looked up at Zhu Houzhao, his eyes filled with anticipation: "May I ask, when will the imperial troops and provisions arrive?"

Zhu Houzhao remained silent for a moment.

The room fell silent, and everyone stared at him.

Zhu Houzhao said, "I have brought five hundred Imperial Guards with me, and they are all here."

Liu Xiang opened his mouth, but couldn't say anything for a long time.

The generals nearby exchanged glances, their faces growing even uglier.

Zhu Houzhao added, "As for food—I didn't bring any, but I did bring you cotton-padded clothes, sweaters, and medicine, especially medicine for treating frostbite."

He pointed to Wang Zongli sitting to the side: "Speaking of which, we should thank Imperial Censor Wang. His family is in the medicinal herb business, and this time he donated thousands of bottles of frostbite medicine free of charge."

Wang Zongli snorted, his face expressionless, but his heart was bleeding.

Thousands of bottles of frostbite medicine—that's a lot of money!

After hearing this, Liu Xiang's expression softened slightly. He clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Having warm clothes and medicine for frostbite can solve our immediate problem, but—"

"The Huozhe tribe is eyeing the city covetously outside. If the imperial court doesn't send troops, I'm afraid Liaoyang will fall. Furthermore, our food supplies are running low. If the court doesn't provide more food, I fear the soldiers will collapse without a fight!"

Zhu Houzhao looked at Yang Shen.

Yang Shen stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "General Liu, it's unlikely that grain can be transported from the capital."

Liu Xiang frowned and sized up the young man. He was young, dressed in a blue robe, and stood there politely, speaking with neither servility nor arrogance.

"May I ask your presence—"

Yang Shen said, "I am Yang Shen, the tutor of the Crown Prince."

Liu Xiang was taken aback, clearly having heard of this person.

However, it was only heard that the Crown Prince had a study companion who was Yang Tinghe's son and was exceptionally intelligent.

His tone became slightly more polite, but still tinged with doubt: "Does Yang mean that the imperial court won't provide grain?"

Yang Shen explained, "The grain was transported from the capital, and by the time it reached the people and horses, probably less than ten pounds of it would remain out of a hundred. Furthermore, with the Mongols roaming the area, the grain convoys would likely become their targets. Therefore, transporting grain from the capital is a poor strategy, and might even benefit the enemy."

As soon as he finished speaking, a young officer stood up abruptly.

The man, in his early twenties and lean in build, angrily exclaimed, "If the imperial court doesn't provide grain, are we supposed to starve?"

Yang Shen looked at him and asked, "What is this general's name?"

Liu Xiang hurriedly introduced, "This is Sun Wenyuan, the commander of Haizhou Guard. He is young and impetuous, with a volatile temper. I hope His Highness the Crown Prince and Yang will forgive him."

After hearing this, Yang Shen understood immediately; it turned out he was Liu Xiang's son-in-law.

Sun Wenyuan, however, was unmoved, stubbornly saying, "Your Highness, please forgive my bluntness! But I simply cannot accept what Yang, the attendant, has to say! Without provisions or troops, what good is that little bit of frostbite medicine?"

Yang Shen looked at him, not annoyed, but simply asked, "How long can the current food supply last?"

Liu Xiang replied from the side, "If we eat sparingly, it will last at most two months."

Yang Shen nodded and said, "That's good! General Liu, you only need to hold out for a month, and I guarantee the Mongols will withdraw. If you can hold out until the second month, I'll find a way to get you some food."

Upon hearing this, Sun Wenyuan let out a cold laugh.

"Yang Ban Du is truly arrogant! How can the Mongols just withdraw like that? They've lingered here, clearly taking advantage of Liaoyang's weakness to make a fortune. What makes you think you can force them to leave?"

"Besides, can you conjure up food? Do you think you're a god?"

Yang Shen looked at him, not angry, and said calmly, "Commander Sun, don't be anxious. His Highness has come in person to resolve the issue."

Don't rush things.

Sun Wenyuan was about to speak again when Liu Xiang quickly stopped him: "Wenyuan! Don't be rude!"

Sun Wenyuan held his breath, sat back down angrily, his face full of resentment and indignation.

Liu Xiang turned to Yang Shen, his tone filled with anticipation: "Yang, although Wen Yuan was rude, what he said was true. If you really have a solution, could you reveal a little bit about it? That would put our minds at ease."

Yang Shen said, "There is only one way to make the Mongols retreat: hold your ground and not engage!"

Sun Wenyuan couldn't help but say, "I thought Yang had some brilliant plan, but it turns out he's just hiding in the city like a turtle!"

Yang Shen chuckled and said, "What is the Mongol's purpose? Do you think they're fighting for nothing? They also lack food, even more than we do. Therefore, their only goal is to seize food! The Mongols are skilled in horsemanship and archery, and can break through small military fortresses, but they are helpless against Liaoyang City. As long as we hold out for a few waves of attacks, they will retreat once their food supplies are exhausted."

Liu Xiang said worriedly, "I'm afraid the soldiers' morale is low and they've lost the will to fight."

Yang Shen said, "Isn't it enough that Your Highness is personally guarding the city?"

"His Highness's personal presence can boost morale in the short term, but in the long run—"

Liu Xiang didn't continue, but his meaning was clear: the Crown Prince was merely a formality and couldn't be a long-term position.

Liaoyang City was located on the front line and was constantly facing invasions from the Mongols.

Even if we can hold out today, what if the crown prince leaves tomorrow?

Yang Shen said, "Don't worry! Your Highness won't leave until the Mongols retreat! Also, I've heard that General Liu's second daughter is still unmarried, and Your Highness intends to take her as a concubine. I wonder what General Liu's opinion is?"

After hearing this, Liu Xiang was completely stunned and didn't know what to say for a moment.

Sun Wenyuan frowned as well. The Crown Prince wanted to marry his sister-in-law. Would the two of them then be carrying loads together?

This news was enough to boost morale for the entire garrison in Liaoyang.

Liu Xiang snapped out of his daze and exclaimed excitedly, "What merits has my daughter accumulating to receive the favor of His Highness the Crown Prince?!"

"Report!"

A scout rushed in and knelt on one knee.

"The Fire Warriors are advancing!"

Liu Xiang hurriedly replied, "Please rest assured, Your Highness, I will immediately assemble my troops and vow to live and die with Liaoyang!"

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