"Please make a trip to Xuanfu and ask Yang Hong how the Xuanfu defense line was held," the Duke of England said gravely. "But regardless of the actual circumstances, Yang Jun delayed the battle and defended poorly—that is fact. This is a time when we need capable men. We can spare his life for now; once this battle is over and His Majesty returns to the Capital City, we can weigh his merits and faults."
Cao Nai pressed his lips tightly together and said in a deep voice, "Yang Jun allowed the Oirat army to slip behind our lines. No number of deaths could redeem his crime. He should be executed now, to kill one and warn a hundred."
The Duke of England sighed and demanded outright, "He cannot be killed—at least not before this great war has ended!"
Fearing that Cao Nai would act rashly, the Duke of England looked toward Chen Huai, Liang Cheng, Wang Xi, and the others. "They do not understand, but you military commanders should know that Xuanfu cannot yet do without Yang Hong."
The generals fell silent.
That was the truth. Yang Hong had built his influence in Xuanfu over many years, and the soldiers all looked to him. He himself had not committed any grave error. Replacing a commander during wartime was a great taboo and deeply unfavorable to the Ming Dynasty.
In peacetime, it would not have been much of a problem. But moving against Yang Hong at a time like this would bring enormous trouble upon the Ming Dynasty.
Seeing the fury on the generals' faces, restrained only with difficulty, Cao Nai and the others understood that the Duke of England's caution was justified.
Cao Nai immediately agreed and said solemnly, "I will certainly give the soldiers an explanation for this