"After the new dynasty was established, the battles of Guliang and Yunjing did indeed cost a great deal of silver, and no one knew the exact amount better than Marquis Qingdong."

Zhao Cheng glanced at Qingdong Marquis and continued, "But how many of you here know that the court's military budget has long been depleted? I have an agreement with Qingdong Marquis that no matter how difficult the war is, the Ministry of Revenue cannot lack funds for other projects of the court."

"But war is about fighting people, but even more so about fighting for money."

"So this part of the military pay was paid by my Zhao family."

"If you really look into it, it's not that I owe the court anything, but that the court owes me!"

Zhao Cheng pointed at the crowd and said, "I am using my private property to uphold the dignity of the empire, yet you say I am wasting public funds and manpower. Yes, speaking of wasting public funds, the first thing I'm wasting is my own money!"

Zhao Cheng's words caused an uproar in the room.

Many people looked surprised.

Xu Shouli said, "The General's words are all true. In order to protect the face of the court and not want everyone to worry, he instructed me and everyone in the Ministry of Revenue to keep this secret."

"General..."

"The Great General is truly a saint!"

Luo Mingyi knelt down in emotion, tears streaming down his face.

Upon seeing this, all the civil and military officials prostrated themselves.

"The General is selfless and impartial; we admire him greatly!!"

"With such a loyal minister as the Great General in the court, we, the people of Jing, have nothing to worry about!!"

"Gentlemen, there's no need for this. Please rise." Zhao Cheng helped some of the senior officials to their feet and looked at He Yin, saying, "Although I've added a lot of money to the military pay, I have a solid foundation and can still maintain the pace of the southern expedition. Lord He, are you still going to stop me?"

He Yin was silent for a moment, then said, "Money isn't the only problem. Our army has already suffered two defeats, morale is low, and Yun Jing is on the verge of falling. If you launch a southern expedition at this time, I'm worried that Xi Jing will take advantage of the situation."

"It's good that Lord He has thought of this; this is the proper attitude for discussing politics."

Zhao Cheng stood with his hands behind his back and said, "But there is no need to worry about Xijing."

Why?

"When Xiao Luofeng went on his expedition, I transferred elite members of the flying squadron from the Yiwen Society and had them closely monitor the movements of the Western Jing. According to reports, the Wen Tai uncle and nephew are not currently focused on the Eastern Jing, but on the Western Regions. They have already shown signs of launching a westward military campaign."

He Yin thought for a moment and asked, "Could it be Wen Tai's trick?"

Zhao Cheng said, "I have discussed this matter with my father. Based on my father's understanding of Wen Tai, he believes that Wen Tai genuinely wants to go west."

Zhao Cheng took a few steps forward and continued, "After the founding of Xijing, Wen Tai and his nephew acted tyrannically and barbarically controlled the government. However, Wen Hu murdered the emperor first, which displeased many royalists. Later, he suffered a major defeat in Guliang County, which also affected the morale of the army."

"Although Yuan Li is a puppet, he is quite capable and has a strong foundation in the court. Wen Tai and his nephew are in a very awkward situation. If they can take over some small countries in the west, they will gain more benefits than sending troops to Dongjing."

As the officials pondered Zhao Cheng's words, Zhao Zhan added, "If I were Wen Tai, I would also raise an army and march west. Think about it, let's not even discuss whether Wen Tai is confident in defeating us. Even if he wins, he will only gain the former territory of Da Jing and subdue its former officials. Both Eastern and Western Jing have only recently been established, and many people subconsciously still consider themselves subjects of Da Jing. Even if Wen Tai takes Changsui, will these people be more inclined to side with him or Yuan Li?"

"But taking over a few small kingdoms in the Western Regions would be a different story. The people there have no feelings for Yuan Li and the Yuan family. Wen Tai can also use this opportunity to expand his own power and establish greater military and political prestige. Only by solving his own problems can he be confident in invading Dongjing. This is also why Wen Hu signed an alliance with my elder brother."

Upon hearing this, Minister of War Tie Ge clasped his hands and said, "Your words have enlightened me!"

With that, Tie Ge turned to Yuan Wushang and said, "Your Majesty, I support the General's southern expedition!"

Luo Mingyi also said, "I support it too!"

"I second that proposal."

"I second that proposal!"

"We second that proposal!!"

"These are all just your guesses!" Liu Ying stepped out from the crowd and shouted, "What if Wen Tai doesn't play by the rules and launches a full-scale invasion while the General is on his southern campaign? What should we do then?"

Zhao Cheng countered, "Even if they really come, what's there to be afraid of?"

Liu Ying said, "General, you seem so confident. Could it be that you have already devised a plan to repel the enemy?"

"I haven't decided yet."

"That general is blindly confident; he's gambling!"

"I haven't thought it through, but does it matter whether I've thought it through or not?"

Zhao Cheng suddenly smiled, looked around at the assembled officials, raised his arms, and said, "Although I have gone on a southern expedition, there is still a man in Changsui City. His fighting skills are ten times better than mine, and his ability to defend the city is a hundred times better than mine. With him here, what are you worried about?"

“You mean…” Liu Ying asked.

"My father! The Prime Minister of the Imperial Court, the Dragon General of the Empire!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Ying dared not utter another word, and He Yin also closed her eyes.

Yuan Wushang slowly stood up and laughed, "Yes, yes, the General is right! With the Prime Minister here in Dongjing, what do we have to fear from Wen Tai and his nephew?"

Seeing the emperor and his officials' expressions, Zhao Zhan's lips curled into a cold laugh.

Just then, a guard came to report.

"Yuan Fei is outside the hall and has urgent business to discuss with the General!"

"Let him in."

Yuan Fei quickly entered the hall, first bowing to Yuan Wushang, then stood up and looked at Zhao Cheng.

"Just say what's on your mind."

Zhao Cheng knew that if it was something that could only be known to him alone, Yuan Fei would never make a big fuss about going to the palace to find him.

Yuan Fei said, "The Yiwen Society has learned that the Southern Zhou has reinforced Yang Qingzhi's troops to 300,000, and they have already arrived in the three cities of Yun Jing, Yun Shui, and Yun Meng. Yang Qingzhi's main army has not moved, but he has sent 10,000 men northward first. Instead of attacking cities and seizing land, they have been divided into ten teams to scout day and night, covering an area of ​​one hundred li!"

After he finished speaking, the officials in the hall were stunned at first, and then their faces all turned ugly.

After they had made a ruckus for a while, Zhao Cheng raised his hand and pressed it down, signaling the officials to be quiet.

"My lords, what are your feelings upon hearing this news?"

Zhao Cheng glanced at Yuan Wushang, then alternately scanned He Yin and Liu Ying's faces.

"Three hundred thousand."

"Search day and night, covering an area of ​​one hundred li."

"This is preparation for a large-scale northern expedition."

Do you still think Yang Qingzhi is just dabbling in this?

"Do you think that if we don't launch a southern expedition, the Southern Zhou will be content with their gains and only want the Yun and Jing regions, thus giving up a great opportunity?"

"The question is no longer whether we fight or not. If we don't want to fight, then Your Majesty, please surrender!"

Zhao Cheng looked at He Yin and said, "Lord He, are you willing to surrender?"