Map of the Kingdom's Warfare.

Summary

The chapter details a tense meeting among officials discussing the dire military situation in Jiangxia, where the Tang army faces severe defeats against the Sui forces. Jiang Qing De reveals that the Tang troops are running low on supplies, leading to surrenders and urgent requests for help from the court. The discussion is abruptly interrupted by the Xuanwu Jingwei guards, who arrest the officials for allegedly speaking against the court, highlighting the oppressive atmosphere in Chang’an. Meanwhile, in the Wude Hall, a heated debate erupts between Crown Prince Li Jian Cheng and his brother Li Shi Min over the strategy for Jingzhou, with Li Jian Cheng advocating for a strategic withdrawal due to the court's financial crisis. Despite Li Shi Min's strong opposition, the majority of officials support the withdrawal, emphasizing the dire state of the nation. The Emperor, upon reviewing a confidential report, ultimately agrees with the need to abandon Jingzhou, suggesting that they may find a way to recover from the situation by dealing with Wang Shi Chong, who poses a new threat. The chapter concludes with a sense of impending conflict and uncertainty regarding the future.

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