Upon hearing this voice, Wei Lin couldn't help but raise his head, seeing the person standing in the main hall.
"Lord Kong!"
Wei Lin's face showed a look of surprise and joy, as if a drowning person had found a life-saving straw, filled with excitement.
"What's the panic? You are also an official of a prefecture. What kind of demeanor is this?" Kong Li reprimanded.
Wei Lin felt a bit embarrassed at this moment, but still said excitedly, "Lord Kong, you've finally returned. This subordinate hasn't slept well these past few days, constantly worrying about the safety of Ningxia Prefecture!"
Kong Li's official rank was actually much higher than Wei Lin's. After all, Kong Li was not only the Prefect of Ningxia Prefecture but also the Grand Protector of the Protectorate, an old minister of four dynasties, with far greater seniority than Wei Lin.
What's more, Kong Li had been the chief examiner when Wei Lin took the imperial examinations. Wei Lin was technically Kong Li's disciple, but Kong Li disliked forming connections and did not allow Wei Lin to pay student courtesies.
However, seeing Wei Lin, it was perfectly acceptable to reprimand him.
Kong Li said to Wei Lin, "Don't panic. Things haven't reached a point where they cannot be handled. You are an official of a prefecture, so why are you thinking about sacrificing yourself for the nation now? It's not too late to think about it at the very end."
Wei Lin felt a little embarrassed and said, "This subordinate lost composure for a moment."
Kong Li didn't say any more, and asked, "Tell me properly, what exactly is the situation Ningxia Prefecture is facing."
Wei Lin recounted the current situation of Ningxia Prefecture to Kong Li, word for word.
After listening, Kong Li pondered for a moment and then said, "So be it. It's not much different from what I've learned."
Wei Lin looked at Kong Li and couldn't help but ask, "My lord, where have you been during this time?"
Kong Li replied, "I just went to handle some of my personal affairs. There's nothing worth mentioning."
Wei Lin wanted to say something but stopped.
Kong Li remained silent for a moment and said, "I bear a heavy responsibility yet abandoned my post, leading to Ningxia Prefecture's current predicament. I have no face to face the imperial court. After securing Ningxia Prefecture, I will personally resign from my post."
"My lord need not do so."
Wei Lin defended Kong Li, saying, "No one expected the Roman invasion, and it's also because the Western Army's battles have not been going well..."
"Enough," Kong Li waved his hand. "Let's not talk about these useless matters. I did abandon my post after all. There's nothing to argue about. Let's focus on the current situation."
Kong Li said solemnly, "Currently, the storm has slowed down the Romans' advance, but the storm will gradually dissipate. The immediate task is to use this time to properly arrange the defenses of the prefectural city."
"Some smaller county towns have low walls and are not of great defensive value. Abandon them if possible."
Wei Lin nodded and said, "The common people have received the news and have begun to evacuate voluntarily. It will be easy to empty some county towns now, as long as orders are issued to the local officials."
"I'm afraid some officials have already fled in the face of the enemy," Kong Li asked coldly.
Wei Lin was momentarily speechless. This was natural; cowardly acts were always common. Just as there are heroes who sacrifice themselves for righteousness, there are also cowards who flee in the face of the enemy.
Kong Li said sternly, "Record all those who fled from their posts and distinguish them from those who are still holding their ground. They will be dealt with later!"
Listening to Kong Li's tone, Wei Lin couldn't help but silently mourn for those fleeing officials.
One had to know that the reason Kong Li could establish a foothold in the fierce Western regions and become an untouchable figure was not only due to his imperial authority but also because Kong Li himself was a ruthless and decisive person.
Kong Li treated everyone impartially, a rigorous, even harsh and unapproachable person. In the past, there was little justice in the Western regions.
The relatively closed environment, the robust folk customs, and the powerful magnates meant that the local governments in the Western regions had little authority.
However, after Kong Li took charge of Ningxia Prefecture, he single-handedly turned the prevailing atmosphere of the Western regions around.
This was not achieved with mere words or writings, but by hard steel and blood that transformed the customs of the Western regions. Kong Li was even known as the "Bloodthirsty Scholar."
Many people rumored that Kong Li enjoyed drinking human blood, and thus killed so many people to satisfy his own desires.
Now that he had attracted the attention of the "Bloodthirsty Scholar," it was highly likely that those fleeing officials could be pronounced guilty and sentenced to death.
Kong Li didn't elaborate further on this matter, but continued, "The defensive strength of the prefectural city is still too weak. From now on, the yamen runners and prefecture guards from various counties should be concentrated in the prefectural city."
"Also, order the Western Army to quickly dispatch troops to reinforce the prefectural city. Without the Western Army, it will be very difficult for us to defend the prefectural city."
Wei Lin frowned and said, "This subordinate sent several documents to the Protectorate, but the Western Army has been making excuses."
Kong Li raised his eyebrows slightly and said, "Then at that time, I will personally issue an order to the Protectorate to reinforce the prefectural city."
Wei Lin nodded. After all, Kong Li was the Grand Protector, and with his personal order, the Protectorate would not dare to make further excuses.
Kong Li sighed deeply and said, "This is the current situation. Once the prefectural city and the areas east of it are stabilized with the Western Army, I expect the imperial reinforcements will arrive in some time."
"At that time, we can discuss how to repel the enemy."
Wei Lin interjected, "Actually, if the Western Army were properly trained, it might not be impossible to repel the enemy."
Kong Li raised his hand to stop Wei Lin from continuing and said, "I know you want to use this to lessen my guilt, but there's no need for that."
"In the current situation, the Western Army may win or lose. If they win, everyone will be happy. If they lose, it may lead to the complete ruin of the Western regions and the complete loss of control of the Great Wei's Western frontier."
"Therefore, it is better to wait for the imperial reinforcements to arrive steadily."
"Besides," Kong Li chuckled self-deprecatingly, "I am already so old. If I can just save my life and return home to live out my remaining years peacefully, that would be great. The rest will be left to fate."