Chapter 66 My Mind Is Made Up

"What?!"

Shang Ruyi was taken aback: "Are they going to attack Liaodong again?"

It should be noted that since the current emperor ascended the throne, several measures have exhausted the people's resources. Among them, the most tyrannical and oppressive measure, which has caused the people to suffer, is the conquest of the Gou Li Kingdom in Liaodong.

Gouli was originally a small country in Liaodong. Since ancient times, it had been a subject of the Central Plains dynasties. At the beginning of the Daye Dynasty, its ruler sent a letter of state to declare himself a vassal state, paying tribute and acknowledging his vassalage. He never dared to be negligent. Therefore, the late Emperor Chu Yin mainly appeased Gouli and rarely used force.

However, after Chu Yang ascended the throne, he launched several military campaigns against the Gouli Kingdom. Although Gouli was a small country, it was unwilling to back down after suffering such an undeserved calamity and instead mobilized the entire nation to rise up in resistance. Although the Daye Dynasty had a strong and well-equipped army, Liaodong was located in a remote area with treacherous terrain, making it difficult for the imperial army to achieve victory in a distant expedition. As a result, the campaign was expended countless resources and yielded no results, further fueling widespread resentment among the people.

Therefore, upon hearing that Liaodong was to be attacked again, Shang Ruyi frowned.

Before Yuwen Ye could answer her, Yuwen Yuan sent someone to summon them to the study to discuss the upcoming military campaign, and he also invited Shang Ruyi along.

So the two straightened their clothes and hurried to the study.

As soon as I approached the study, before I even entered, I heard Yuwen Yuan's heavy voice from inside: "You can't be so reckless with your health."

Both of them stopped walking at the same time.

A soft cough echoed in the study. After a while, Guan Yunmu said breathlessly, "My mind is made up. Don't try to persuade me. I won't listen anyway."

Yuwen Yuan grew anxious and said, "The Gouli Kingdom is a poor and desolate place; nine out of ten soldiers who go there never return. With your physical condition, wouldn't going there be—"

He couldn't even bring himself to say what came next.

Compared to his eagerness, Guan Yunmu appeared quite calm and said softly, "Don't argue with me about these things. This is the emperor's decree, and you can't disobey it."

The atmosphere in the study became even heavier.

At this moment, Yuwen Ye walked in: "Father, Mother."

Shang Ruyi followed him into the study and immediately saw Yuwen Yuan sitting in a chair with his brows furrowed, while Guan Yunmu sat on the other side of the desk, his face pale and looking very weak.

Upon seeing his son and daughter-in-law enter, Yuwen Yuan immediately waved and said, "Ye'er, Ruyi, you've come at the right time. Help me persuade your mother. I'm going to war on imperial orders, but she insists on going with me."

Yuwen Ye frowned: "The Emperor wants Father to go to Liaodong?"

Yuwen Yuan waved his hand and said, "It's not about fighting a war, but rather His Majesty has ordered me to go to the Liaoxi front to requisition military provisions."

"oh."

"But even so, the situation over there is very complicated, and your mother's body can't withstand it!"

Yuwen Ye thought for a moment, then turned to Guan Yunmu and said, “Mother, the army still needs some time to be mobilized. By the time the food and supplies are ready and the army sets off, it will probably arrive in Liaodong at the end of October. The climate in Liaodong is quite different from that in the Central Plains. In particular, after winter sets in, there will be a kind of freezing rain that is bitterly cold and difficult for ordinary people to withstand. Mother’s health is really not suitable for going there at that time.”

Guan Yunmu said calmly, "I know, you don't need to be so vehement."

She was so persistent that she couldn't be persuaded.

Yuwen Yuan sighed, "Why won't you listen to advice?"

Yuwen Ye remained silent for a while before saying, "I still have something to discuss with my father. How about this, Ruyi, you help Mother back to her room to rest first."

Shang Ruyi had been standing quietly to the side. Upon hearing this, she immediately stepped forward and said, "Mother, let me help you back to your room."

Guan Yunmu glanced at her, nodded, and got up to walk out.