vstars Chapter 2297 Pyrrhic Victory and Persuasion
Chapter 2297 Pyrrhic Victory and Persuasion
After listening to Xue Huaide's report, Chu Ning remained silent for a moment, stopped typing, and slowly spoke:
"Our army suffered 230,000 casualties, while annihilating 270,000 enemy troops..."
He raised his eyes and glanced at the crowd: "The casualties are so close, it's almost a one-for-one exchange."
"Although this battle drove back the Tang army, quelled the internal strife, and annihilated the barbarians, nearly two-thirds of our Great Chu's elite troops were also lost. The Jianghuai region has suffered from the ravages of war, and the military and civilians are exhausted. This is not a great victory, but a Pyrrhic one."
He spoke the words "pyrrhic victory" lightly, yet they carried immense weight, echoing clearly in the council hall and revealing the painful price behind this victory.
No one spoke up to refute it; everyone knew that His Majesty's words were true.
Although many enemies were annihilated, the blood shed by themselves was equally shocking.
The nation's vitality has been severely damaged by this battle.
In the midst of this heavy atmosphere, a sudden, increasingly violent cough broke the silence.
"Cough...cough...cough..."
Standing in the ranks of military officers, Han Xing suddenly covered his mouth with his sleeve, his body hunched over violently, and his shoulders trembled incessantly.
The cough was heart-wrenching, as if it were trying to cough up all the internal organs.
"General Han!" Ran Ming and Ma Chao, who were nearby, exclaimed almost simultaneously.
Chu Ning's expression changed slightly, and his gaze immediately focused on Han: "General Han, your injuries..."
As the coughing subsided, Han Xing slowly straightened up and lowered his sleeves.
To everyone's horror, a striking dark red stain appeared on the plain-colored cuff!
His already pale face was now even more ashen, and fine beads of cold sweat trickled down his forehead. His breathing was weak and rapid, as if the cough he had just coughed had exhausted all his strength.
"Your Majesty...cough cough...your humble servant...is alright..."
Han Xing tried to straighten his back, but his voice was so weak that it was almost inaudible. He tried to wipe the corner of his mouth.
But with her fingers trembling, the bloodstain became even more noticeable.
"No problem?"
Chu Ning's brows furrowed tightly, her eyes filled with undisguised worry and seriousness.
Han Xing was not only a veteran general on the battlefield, but also his trusted confidant. His imprisonment by Chu Xuan this time clearly showed that he had suffered greatly.
Finally, Ma Chao couldn't hold back any longer. He took a step forward, clasped his hands in a fist salute to Chu Ning, and spoke in a voice filled with sorrow and suppressed anger:
"Your Majesty! General Han... he was captured by the traitorous King Chu Xuan and imprisoned in a dark and gloomy camp, where he was tortured and forced to reveal military secrets!"
"The traitors are ruthless, and General Han is already old. How can he withstand such torture?"
"When I rescued General Han yesterday, he... he was already on the verge of death!"
"After examining him, the military doctor said that General Han's internal organs were severely damaged, and he had lost too much blood. Coupled with his grief and anger, his body... is probably..."
As he spoke, his voice choked with emotion, and he abruptly turned his head away, unable to continue. Tears welled in his eyes.
The hall was deathly silent.
The inhuman torture Han Xing suffered was vividly brought to life before everyone's eyes through the grief and indignation of Ma Chao, a fierce general on the battlefield.
The blood on his cuffs, his deathly pale face, and his weak breathing all corroborated Ma Chao's words.
Chu Ning's face darkened completely, and a storm brewed in his eyes.
He slammed his hand on the armrest of the chair. Although it didn't make a loud noise, the action revealed his anger and regret.
"Someone come here!"
Chu Ning said sternly, "Immediately help General Han down, summon the best military doctors, and use the best medicine! Do everything you can to save him!"
Two guards standing outside the hall heard the noise and were about to come in.
"Your Majesty, wait!"
Han Xing, who had been breathing weakly and seemed about to collapse at any moment, suddenly found a surge of strength and raised his voice. Although it was still hoarse, it carried an undeniable determination.
He even staggered forward half a step and bowed deeply to Chu Ning.
The movement aggravated the internal injury, triggering another bout of violent coughing.
But he forced himself to look up, and a strange blush appeared on his ashen face, while his eyes looked at Chu Ning with unusual determination.
"Let me... finish speaking!"
He spoke slowly and deliberately, each word seeming to be squeezed out from the depths of his lungs, carrying the scent of blood and foam.
Chu Ning frowned even more deeply, looking at Han Xing's resolute and persistent eyes. He knew the old minister's temperament well.
After a moment's hesitation, he finally raised his hand and waved to the two guards who had already reached the door.
The guards understood, silently withdrew, and closed the hall door again.
Inside the hall, everyone's eyes were focused on Han Xing.
What could this old general, who had endured so much suffering and seemed on the verge of death, possibly have to say to His Majesty at this moment, with his severely wounded body?
A more solemn and dignified atmosphere spread out.
Despite the excruciating pain in his chest and waves of dizziness, Han Xing struggled to steady his swaying body.
He took a deep breath, but the breath seemed to carry the smell of blood and rust, and each breath pulled at his damaged internal organs.
He knew that his time might be running out, and there were some things he had to say at this moment, in front of His Majesty and his colleagues.
He bowed deeply to Chu Ning again, his movements slow and solemn, as if he had used all his strength.
When he raised his head, his forehead was covered in cold sweat, but his eyes, which were slightly cloudy due to injuries, gleamed with a keen insight into the world and a shrewd mind for governing the country.
"His Majesty,"
Han Xing's voice was hoarse and weak, yet it echoed with unusual clarity in the silent council hall.
"This northern expedition, although...although it completely drove out the Tang invaders, quelled internal rebellions, and slaughtered the barbarians, achieved remarkable results."
"Indeed, Your Majesty's words about a Pyrrhic victory are... insightful and to the point. This old minister... wholeheartedly agrees."
He paused, then couldn't help but cough twice, covering his mouth with his sleeve, dark red seeping through his fingers again.
But he seemed oblivious and continued, "Although our army annihilated nearly 300,000 enemy troops, we also suffered more than 200,000 casualties!"
"The Jianghuai region has long suffered from war, leaving the people impoverished and the land scarred."
"Our Great Chu... its national strength, military strength, and people's strength are all exhausted after this battle. It is truly... like a spent arrow, unable to pierce even the finest silk!"
He raised his hand with difficulty, as if wanting to point north, but then let it fall limply, his gaze fixed earnestly on Chu Ning:
"Your Majesty, this old minister dares to offer my advice: now... is absolutely not the time to rush into attacking the Tang Dynasty while we are victorious!"
"Although Guo Ziyi was defeated and Li Shimin fled, the foundation of the Tang Dynasty remained. Guanzhong was strategically important and fortified. Even a centipede with a hundred legs will not fall down after it dies."
"If I were to lead my weary army on a long and arduous expedition into enemy territory, the transport of supplies would be difficult, the soldiers would be homesick, and... the country has just been pacified..."
At this point, Han Xing's eyes suddenly sharpened with worry, and his voice rose a few decibels, carrying a warning tone:
"Although the traitor King Chu Xuan has been executed, he has occupied Youzhou for many years, and his followers may not have been completely eliminated."
"This time, their collusion with foreign enemies and their rebellion will surely cause unrest and turmoil throughout the court and the country!"
"If His Majesty were to remain away from the central government for an extended period at this time, on a distant expedition, I fear... I fear unforeseen events might occur, giving unscrupulous individuals an opportunity to exploit the situation!"