Nine dragons fight for the throne, I don't want to sit on this throne

Ran Ming was angry!

Xue Huaide frowned upon seeing this and patiently explained:

"General Ran! This isn't about boosting others' morale, but a matter of national importance. How can it be treated as a joke?"

"If the eastern front collapses, the entire situation will be passive! Chang'an City is right there, we can't escape!"

"Once the crisis on the eastern front is resolved, we can come back and get it. It will be as easy as taking something out of a bag!"

Zhao Yu also said coldly: "General Ran, have you forgotten that our soldiers have been fighting bloody battles for days and are already exhausted?"

"We urgently need to rest and resupply right now. How can we immediately launch a difficult siege? If the siege goes against us, morale will be crushed. Then, news of the defeat on the eastern front will undoubtedly shake our military spirit!"

"Stop that! Don't you understand the principle of a strong first effort, weaker second, and ultimately exhausted third?"

Ran Ming got angry and refused to listen to reason. His face flushed and he yelled:

"You are just cowards! You are afraid of Li Jing! You are afraid of Chang'an City!"

"Ran Ming! Stop your nonsense! This is a strategic decision, not just a momentary impulse."

Xue Huaide was also angry.

"Who are you calling nonsense? I think you've been frightened by the Han army and have become timid!"

The three of them started arguing in front of Chu Ning, their voices getting louder and louder, and the atmosphere suddenly became a little tense.

Seeing this, some of the other generals came forward to persuade him, while others remained silent and watched, waiting for His Majesty's final decision.

Chu Ning sat quietly in the main seat, watching his three most capable generals arguing fiercely over the strategic direction.

There was no anger on his face, but instead his eyes were deep, as if he was weighing the pros and cons of every option.

The crisis on the eastern front, the temptation of Chang'an, the fatigue of the soldiers, the overall situation in the future...all kinds of factors were swirling rapidly in his mind.

This debate was exactly what he needed.

What he wants to hear are the most authentic voices and different perspectives from the front lines.

In the lobby, the argument between Xue Huaide, Zhao Yu and Ran Ming intensified. Their faces flushed and they each insisted on their own opinions. The atmosphere seemed a little deadlocked for a while.

The enthusiasm of those who advocated taking Chang'an directly and the caution of those who advocated stabilizing the eastern line first clashed fiercely, and neither side could convince the other.

Just as the argument was going on, Chu Ning, who was sitting on the main seat, slowly stood up.

He didn't say anything, nor did he deliberately release his pressure, but this small action seemed to carry an invisible force, instantly quieting the entire noisy hall.

All the generals, including the three who were arguing, immediately shut up and focused their eyes on the emperor, waiting for the final decision.

Chu Ning's gaze swept calmly over everyone, and finally lingered briefly on Xue Huaide and Ran Ming's faces. The argument just now did not seem to make him angry, but instead made the decision in his eyes more determined.

"All right."

Chu Ning spoke, his voice not loud, but clearly heard by everyone, with unquestionable authority.

"I will take Chang'an. I will never lose the eastern Wei territory."

With just one sentence, he set the tone.

Both must be taken into account, there is no trade-off.

The generals were cheered up, knowing that His Majesty had made up his mind, and they all held their breath and listened carefully.

Chu Ning walked to the huge hanging map, pointed his finger at the location representing Chang'an, then moved his finger to the eastern battlefield of Wei, and said in a deep voice:

"Ran Ming's words are not without reason. Chang'an is the symbol of the Han Dynasty. If we can quickly take him down, it will greatly deter the remaining Han people and achieve twice the result with half the effort."

"And what Xue Huaide and Zhao Yu are worried about is the advice of a seasoned statesman. If the eastern front is lost, the overall situation will be shaken, and my great cause will inevitably encounter setbacks."

He paused, turned to face the generals, and announced his deployment: "Therefore, I have decided to split the troops into two groups!"

"I will lead you all the way!"

Chu Ning's gaze fell on Ran Ming. "General Ran Ming will be your deputy. We will select 50,000 elite troops and march west to Chang'an to eliminate Dugu Jia and his mother and take over the Han Dynasty!"

"Another way..."

He turned his gaze towards Xue Huaide and Zhao Yu: "General Xue Huaide will be the commander-in-chief, and General Zhao Yu will be the deputy commander."

"Lead the main force of 120,000 troops and march eastward immediately to support Feng Anguo and Han Xing. You must keep Li Jing's coalition forces out of the country and stabilize the situation on the eastern front!"

When this strategy of dividing the troops came out, all the generals in the hall looked thoughtful.

Your Majesty's personal expedition to Chang'an undoubtedly demonstrated his determination to seize the orthodoxy of the Han Dynasty, and sending the main force to support the eastern front also showed the importance he attached to the border crisis.

It seems that this is indeed the best win-win solution that can be thought of at the moment.

However, after the initial surprise, coach Xue Huaide frowned again.

He stepped forward, bowed, and asked, "Your Majesty is wise! The strategy of dividing the troops is indeed a good idea for the time being."

"However...I have a concern that I must express."

"Tell me." Chu Ning looked at him.

Xue Huaide's tone was filled with deep concern: "Your Majesty, Chang'an City is one of the most fortified cities in the world, with high walls and deep moats, and complete defense equipment."

"Dugu Jia currently has 60,000 troops. If she learns of Liu Xiu's defeat, she will be like a frightened bird. She will definitely withdraw her forces and defend Chang'an to the death."

"By then, she will be holding a strong city and have ample food and fodder. With only 50,000 men, it will be difficult for us to conquer her quickly."

"If the war drags on and reaches a stalemate, and if things continue to go wrong on the Eastern Front... I fear both fronts will be put on the defensive!"

He paused and added, "Besides, although the Han army has lost all its main forces, there are still many county soldiers and city guards in various places."

"If they knew that Your Majesty was leading only 50,000 troops on the Western Expedition, it is unclear whether they would fight to the death."

"50,000 soldiers and horses, we have to face the fortified city of Chang'an, and also divide our forces to deter and take over the vast Han territory. Is this really enough?"

Xue Huaide's concerns were very practical and also represented the thoughts of many generals in the hall.

Fifty thousand people attacking a fortified city with a garrison of sixty thousand, while also taking into account the acceptance of the entire Han territory, is risky no matter how you look at it.

However, after hearing this, Chu Ning did not show any doubt on his face. Instead, an unfathomable arc appeared at the corner of his mouth.

He did not directly answer the question of whether the troops were sufficient, but said slowly in a confident tone:

"I already know what General Xue is worried about."

"Although Chang'an is a fortified city and Dugu Jia has 60,000 soldiers, I have my own ways to force her to open the city walls, or even to cause her troops to collapse without a fight."

There was a strange certainty in his words, as if everything had already been calculated by him.

He swept his eyes over everyone, finally fixing them on Xue Huaide's face: "What I want is not to attack Chang'an by force, but... to take over Chang'an."

"I know this matter well, General Xue, don't worry."

"Do you have a way?"

Xue Huaide was slightly stunned. Like other generals, he had no idea how His Majesty could make Dugu Jia, who was defending a strong city and had tens of thousands of soldiers, surrender without a fight.

Is it a bid to persuade them to surrender? To sow discord? Or is there some hidden scheme they're unaware of?

But Chu Ning obviously didn't intend to explain at this moment.

He waved his hand and said in a firm tone, "This matter is settled! No need to discuss it further!"

The emperor was determined and seemed confident. Even though Xue Huaide still had thousands of questions in his mind, he could only swallow them back and bowed with the other generals:

"I will obey your orders!"

Chu Ning nodded with satisfaction and issued his final order: "Pass on my order, the entire army will rest for three days! Treat the wounded, replenish food and equipment, and comfort the surrendered soldiers."

"Three days later, follow the plan and march out from both armies simultaneously!"

"Yes!"

The generals received the order and left the hall one after another to prepare.

Although they still had some doubts about the western expedition to Chang'an, His Majesty's self-confidence and previous meticulous planning gave them enough confidence.

As for the support route on the eastern front, the mission is clear and the pressure is huge.

Chu Ning stood alone in front of the map, his gaze once again cast on the point representing Chang'an, his fingers tapping lightly on the table, his eyes flashing with a complex and deep light.

"Dugu Jia, Liu Xiang, Chang'an City!"

He whispered to himself, "I'm here. I hope you like the gifts I've prepared for you."