Chapter 716: The Duke’s Advice

Yes, the most urgent thing is to think about how to deal with the prince.

After discussing for so long, things are back to square one.

"Is it true that we can't do anything if the deposed crown prince rebels?" Nangong Yue pondered. "If we really do nothing, won't we just sit there in the city and wait for death?"

The Duke pondered and said, "If Lord Zhao were to lead his troops there and join forces with Qingzhou to quell the rebellion, that would be enough to hold the Crown Prince back for a while."

"What? Qingzhou?" Hu Xin'er was stunned. "Where are the troops there?"

Qingzhou had just gotten rid of the two major cancers in Chenzhou, and now it was a time of reconstruction. How could it be related to suppressing the rebellion?

Duke Xuanyuan, however, smiled with a shrewd smile, "I've heard that Master Lu has found a good in-law in Qingzhou and is interested in becoming the prefect of Qingzhou. If he can seize this opportunity to shine, not only can he alleviate the court's urgent needs, but he can also restore the prestige of the Lu family. Isn't that wonderful?"

After these words were spoken, even Nangong Yue was stunned for a moment before she reacted.

What the Duke meant was that he wanted Lu Yunjue to take the troops of Qingzhou and unite with the local underworld forces, namely the Du family, to quell the rebellion together?

"You want to use my brother?!" Mu Qing was shocked and angry. "He used to be a scholar, so how could he have any experience leading troops? Besides, he and the Crown Prince are like water and fire. If he falls into the Crown Prince's hands, he will definitely do everything he can to deal with him!"

Hu Xin'er also hurriedly said, "This is absolutely not possible. Not to mention that Yun Jue is newlywed, even Qingzhou doesn't have many soldiers. How can they compete with the Crown Prince?"

Although she didn't understand the court situation, let alone war, she knew that there were many crises outside and the seven princes and the crown prince might unite at any time.

If Lu Yunjue led his troops to war, the prince would definitely regard him as a mortal enemy.

Seeing their anger, the Duke, instead of reflecting on his actions, revealed a look of discontent: "How can a man achieve anything without experiencing the battles of battle? One of you is a princess of this dynasty, and the other is the son of the previous prime minister. You keep saying you love your country and your family, and support the Crown Princess, but how come you're just hiding in the palace, talking about war on paper, and not doing anything practical?"

He demanded, "Were all your previous statements about wanting to share His Highness's worries all lies? Do you really just want to sit back and do nothing, and reap the rewards of your service?"

These words were extremely heartbreaking. If Hu Xin'er and the others really had other intentions, they would probably be so shocked by these words that they would kneel down on the spot and say they didn't dare.

But both husband and wife had a clear conscience about this matter, so they dared to argue for their rights.

Mu Qing sneered, "What you mean by sharing your worries is sending others out to be cannon fodder? Yun Jue is my biological brother. Even if I lead the troops to war myself, I will never let him be in danger."

"I'm afraid only Lu Yunjue can do it at this moment," the Duke said leisurely. "Although Qingzhou's military strength is small, if many martial arts masters come to help, they will surely be able to contend with the Crown Prince's army. I heard that the ancestor of the Du family was the leader of the martial arts world and has many friends in the martial arts world. He also has hundreds of disciples. If they can be gathered together..."

What he meant was that Qingzhou should form its own army to fight against the prince.

This time, even Nangong Yue frowned. "Isn't this inappropriate? Jianghu people are untrained and mostly free-spirited. How can they form an army?"

Although he had never seen how the army trained, he knew that a man of the world like Yin Li would never be easily manipulated by others.

The Duke said, "As long as we issue a decree of peace and let those gangsters know that they can submit to the court, I think many people will agree for the sake of the Du family. As for freedom and laxity..."

He patted the wrinkles on his sleeves calmly and said, "We just need to let our regular army protect Lu Yunjue and let the people from Jianghu fight."

Nangong Yue seemed to understand: "Is this also a new tactic? To use it to maximize the martial arts of the Wulin people? It seems to be a feasible method. I believe that the heroes have a patriotic heart and will definitely join the army."

She excitedly went to find a pen. "Then how do we write the imperial edict? The Crown Prince is still in the early stages of his rebellion, so the scale must be small, with only a few hundred to a few thousand men at most. As long as Lu Yunjue cooperates with the court to suppress him, even if he isn't completely wiped out, he will definitely have no chance to breathe and lose the opportunity to expand his army."

As long as he cannot expand the scale, he will not be able to accomplish anything.

Nangong Yue and others took this opportunity to discipline all seven kings, so that they could initially eliminate the biggest threat and secure the throne.

Hu Xin'er looked at Mu Qing doubtfully, "My husband, do you think this is true? Having all the regular troops from Qingzhou surrounding Yun Jue, why do I feel like there's something wrong?"

Mu Qing shook his hand and said coldly to the Duke, "That sounds nice, but isn't that just using the people of Jianghu as cannon fodder?"

The Duke said quietly, "This is the price they paid for becoming good people."

"You sent these sincerely patriotic heroes to the front line to die?" Mu Qing questioned.

Hu Xiner suddenly understood what was going on. The Duke's words just now sounded nice, but in fact he was using the imperial edict to trick martial artists into working for him.

Moreover, the Duke had no intention of forming an organized and disciplined army. Instead, he wanted to let those martial artists fight randomly, as long as it could help the capital city delay time.

There's no organization or discipline, and the recruited heroes even have to bring their own weapons and healing potions. What kind of world is this? The Du family has spent a hundred years of accumulated reputation and fame to summon all their friends, but in return, all they get is a clean bill of health?

"If that's the case, the Du family will definitely not agree to it," Hu Xin'er said flatly. "If they want to become an army, then they should train the soldiers well and give them the treatment they deserve, instead of using tricks to trick them into joining. This will chill everyone's hearts!"

The Duke said, "Whether the Du family agrees or not, that depends on your ability. I don't care if you steal, cheat, or rob, and I don't care how many people die. As long as you find a way to stabilize the situation for a few days, I will wait for the opportunity to teach the Seventh Prince a lesson and restore peace to the world!"

"This..." The couple looked at each other in bewilderment. The task was actually assigned to them by the government.

On one hand, there is an imminent crisis, and on the other hand, disciples of the Du family may be sent to the front line to die. How can they make a decision?

Nangong Yue frowned and said, "Are these the only two options? Xin'er and the Du family are only newly married relatives. If we force them to do this and deceive them, how will Lu Yunjue cope with this?"

It is said that brothers should settle accounts clearly. If they act recklessly based on their deep affection, then even if the Du family once promised to become one family with the Lu family, there will eventually be a rift between them.

When Lu Yunjue married Miss Du, would he ever think about how many innocent people he had implicated by using the title of son-in-law?