Qin Zhong said irritably, "How would I know? The Datong defense line is so long. I only guard West Third Post. If you're asking about West Third Post's defenses, then I can tell you this: the defense line is still holding, but it's already hanging by a thread. We've suffered grievous losses in manpower, equipment, and warhorses. Without further supplies, we won't be able to hold after two charges by the Northern Hu."
He paused, and his voice lowered. "The defenses at the other Wei Suo won't be any better than ours."
Pan Yu clenched the letter in his hand, paced in place twice, and asked in a low voice, "Did you go to the Duke of England?"
Qin Zhong nodded and said heavily, "I did. I reported everything truthfully."
Pan Yu quietly let out a breath.
Qin Zhong also felt much of the tension in his heart ease. "Now, we can only place our hopes on the Duke of England."
Pan Yu looked at the letter in his hand. After a long while, he shook his head. "No. We can't place our lives and the lives of our comrades entirely in someone else's hands."
Qin Zhong said, "What, are you going to remonstrate before His Majesty yourself?"
"What use is remonstrance? The Emperor has to be willing to listen," Pan Yu said. Due to his family background, he had been steeped from childhood in the Emperor's tendency to heed one side and trust blindly. He held no expectations for him. "We need to make preparations ourselves. If we truly encounter the Oirat great army, what should we do?"
Qin Zhong said, "What else can we do? All we can do is fight the enemy bravely. It's not as though we can run away."
Pan Yu choked on his words.