The generals looked at each other, and Tang Kaijia said: "General, although Zhou Lie has naval talents, he cannot be exempted from the control of military law. Not to mention how much loss Zhou Lie's defeat in this battle has caused us, let's say that he is

The dignified commander of the Liaodong Navy dispatched the navy's three main warships to go to sea to suppress the bandits. Without direct confrontation with the pirates, all three warships were destroyed. Such incompetence, if spread, has greatly damaged the Liaodong Navy.

Prestige."

"That's right." Another general said loudly: "General, the warship was ambushed and the navy officers and soldiers were in chaos. Zhou Lie actually fled the battlefield with a few people. How is this different from a coward? Liaodong Army

Being brave and good at fighting, even if he is at a disadvantage, the leading general should lead his soldiers to fight to the end."

Others said one after another: "Exactly. General, how can such a coward be spared lightly after suffering such a huge defeat?"

Wang Xingchao saw this and knew that all those present were inclined to execute Zhou Lie.

In fact, Wang Xingchao was certainly furious when Zhou Lie suffered such a defeat, but since he could sit in the position of general, he would not lose his mind because of his anger.

He knew better than anyone else that if Zhou Lie was killed on the basis of guilt at this time, it would only make the situation of the Liaodong Navy even more unfavorable.

Three warships of the navy were destroyed, and their vitality was indeed severely damaged. They almost no longer have the strength to fight at sea. However, the navy still retained one sea falcon warship. In addition, there were many small warships in the military port. This force

Although it can no longer be the same as before, it can still be used to protect Changsheng Port and even guard the offshore waters of Liaodong County.

In fact, he also understood that Zhou Lie's defeat was not due to incompetence, but because the enemy was so cunning that he devised a fire attack tactic. Otherwise, if the two armies fought, Zhou Lie would never suffer such a disastrous defeat.

If Zhou Lie were executed like this, it would be equivalent to cutting off the arm of the Liaodong Navy.

However, these people present are all important generals of the Liaodong Army. These people all want to punish Zhou Lie severely. If they try their best to protect Zhou Lie, they will make these people dissatisfied. Under the current circumstances, the Liaodong Army will definitely have to punish Zhou Lie.

Tongxin, if the generals are at odds because of Zhou Lie, it is certainly not what Wang Xingchao wants to see.

He was thinking to himself when he suddenly heard the sound of footsteps. Everyone looked at the sound and saw someone walking out quickly from the side door.

The person who came was wearing armor and no helmet, but it was Zhou Lie, the commander of the navy.

Seeing Zhou Lie's sudden appearance, Wang Xingchao frowned, but the other generals showed disdain.

Although Zhou Lie has outstanding talents, he is withdrawn and has no party in the army. If it were not for Wang Xingchao's care, he would not be able to take the position of commander of the navy.

He didn't have much friendship with the generals present. Now that he was defeated and returned, naturally no one would intercede for him.

Walking into the hall, Zhou Lie knelt down on one knee, raised his head and said, "General, I am really incompetent when I finally lose the battle. I beg you, General, to act according to military law." Wang Xingchao's eyes twitched slightly.

In fact, the plan to lure the snake out of the cave and then ambush and attack was planned by him. He sent Wang Heng to Jiangnan to lay out bait, and then ordered Zhou Lie to ambush and attack. He thought the plan was perfect, but who could have imagined that it would end like this.

After Zhou Lie came back and explained the situation in detail, Wang Xingchao immediately understood that he had been plotted by Linghu Xuan from the beginning. The moment Zhou Lie led his troops to sea, he had actually stepped into the opponent's trap.

So if you really want to say it, he, the great general, is also to blame for this defeat.

However, the truth of the matter must not be known to the generals, otherwise he would be plotted by Linghu Xuan this time, resulting in the navy's defeat. If word spread, his prestige would definitely suffer a heavy blow.

"Commander Zhou, you know that you are guilty and take the initiative to plead guilty. You are still a man." Tang Kaijia said solemnly: "There is something I really want to ask you for advice?"

Zhou Lie just glanced at him and said nothing.

"Commander Zhou, how did you escape from death with all your warships destroyed?" Tang Kaijia said coldly: "I heard that when you came back, there was enough water and food on the ship. Can I ask, which one?

Where did the boat come from?”

Zhou Lie did not hesitate and said: "After escaping from the fire scene, we encountered an enemy ship. Linghu Xuan, the leader of the Taihu Pirates, was on the ship. He did not kill me. Instead, he sent a ship for us to return to Liaodong."

"Oh?" Tang Kaijia asked: "You said Linghu Xuan was on the ship. What evidence is there?"

Zhou Lie said: "I saw it with my own eyes, and it's true."

"That is to say, you have no evidence to prove that your opponent is Linghu Xuan?" A general on the side said: "Let's not say who he is, since they spent all their efforts to set up a trap and destroyed three navy warships.

Ship, and hundreds of sailors were killed or injured, why were you allowed to return to Liaodong? You returned to Liaodong without two, and the hundreds of sailors who accompanied you to the battle also returned one after another. Commander Zhou, don’t you think this is really strange?

?”

Tang Kaijia sneered and said: "That's right. The ones that the pirates are most afraid of at sea should be you, Commander Zhou and his navy. Logically speaking, they can only kill you before they can have any worries at sea. In this case, there is a chance to kill you

Catch them all, of course they will not show mercy, especially you, Commander Zhou, who has a great reputation. Now that they have captured you, there is no way they will let you go." He leaned forward slightly, looked at Zhou Lie and said, "Zhou Lie, why did they let you back?"

Zhou Lie realized something and his face changed slightly.

All the generals present were staring at Zhou Lie. They were comrades in arms, but at this moment they seemed to be looking at a prey.

"Why, Commander Zhou can't explain it clearly?" Tang Kaijia said coldly: "Or is there some ulterior motives here?"

Zhou Lie was furious and said in a deep voice: "General Tang, if you think there is any ulterior motives, just come up with evidence." He looked at Zhou Lie and said: "General, Linghu Xuanfang is back at the end of his career. The reason is also

It's very simple. He said that the Bohai people have been preparing for war for many years and are very ambitious. If they find an opportunity, they will definitely take action. The Bohai navy is not weak. Once troops are sent out, they will definitely advance by land and water. Without the Liaodong navy, it will be difficult to resist in the future.

If the navy lives in the Bohai Sea, the consequences will be disastrous."

"Bohai people?" Tang Kaijia laughed and said: "Those grandsons were beaten so hard by us that they knelt on the ground and did not dare to move. They still have the guts to covet the Northeast? Linghu Xuan is just a fool, how can he be like this?

experience?"

The other generals also laughed.

One of them said: "Commander Zhou, you commanded the main force of the navy to ambush the pirates, but they returned defeated. You couldn't even wipe out the pirates. Do we still expect you to deal with the Bohai navy? Isn't this ridiculous?"

"General, in my opinion, why Zhou Lie was able to return to Liaodong safe and sound must be thoroughly investigated." Tang Kaijia said coldly: "Who knows whether he has reached any agreement with the pirates?"

"The pirates are obviously backed by the Long Rui Army." A general said solemnly: "Zhou Lie, have you betrayed the general and secretly defected to the Long Rui Army? Otherwise, it cannot be explained why they would let the tiger go back to the mountain."

Zhou Lie obviously did not expect that the generals would accuse him of colluding with Long Ruijun. He was an upright person, so it was naturally unbearable for him to be slandered. He said sternly: "The general is loyal to the general, how can he join Long Ruijun?"

?If you have evidence, show it, otherwise I will never be slandered."

Wang Xingchao looked stern and said in a deep voice: "Don't make any noise." He ordered: "When someone comes, take Zhou Lie down first."

The warrior outside the door came in immediately, but Zhou Lie had already stood up, looked around, snorted coldly, and then looked at Wang Xingchao and said: "General, although Linghu Xuan is a bandit, some of what he said is not unreasonable.

The Bohai Yuan was ambitious and had its eyes fixed on the Northeast. In recent years, our Liaodong Army has neglected its military. Many people only know how to amass money and follow the example. The morale in the army is also low. What if the Bohai people really come to kill them?

How to deal with it? Long Ruijun is certainly hateful, but if we focus all our energy on Long Ruijun, and even end up causing the Tang army to kill each other, the only ones who are cheaper will be the Bohai people...!"

As soon as these words came out, not only the generals present, but also Wang Xingchao's face became hard to look at.

"Then what do you think we should do?" Wang Xingchao asked calmly.

Zhou Lie said: "The general would like to ask the general to send someone to negotiate with Qin Xiao. Qin Xiao's original intention of leading the troops out of the border was to train troops in the northeast. In this case, let him train troops in western Liaoning. If we allow him to train troops in western Liaoning, they are also willing

Opening up trade is not a bad thing for both sides. As Long Rui's army trains, our Liaodong army must also reorganize its troops and prepare for the ambitions of the Bohai people...!"
Chapter completed!