Just as the Beijing army was about to set off, an urgent report arrived that the Tatars were stationed near the border and refused to retreat, and were even eyeing Juyong Pass.

Juyong Pass is the closest pass to the capital.

Dayan Khan's ambitions were not small.

Furthermore, spies have secretly reported that the Tatars have become bolder after years of defeats and are attempting to break through the Great Wall and penetrate deep into the heart of Daliang. They are currently lingering in places like Datong and Xuanfu, and may even be secretly colluding with the Doyan Three Guards in the east to invade Shanhaiguan from the east.

The Doyan Three Guards, also known as the "Uriyangkhai Three Guards," were Mongol tribes that surrendered to the Liang Dynasty.

The Duoyan Guard was located between Xifengkou and Xuanfu, the Taining Guard was located between Jinzhou and the Liao River, and the Fuyu Guard was located between Shenyang, Tieling, and Kaiyuan.

The Three Guards established horse markets in Guangning, Kaiyuan and other places to maintain trade relations with Daliang, and were the three tributary guards of Daliang.

Just in case, Lu Xingjian and the Ministry of War discussed and made early troop deployments, even sending military officers to guard Zijing Pass in the southwest, making them armed to the teeth.

Meanwhile, Prince Ning, who had recently suffered heavy losses, was like an ant on a hot pan.

Over the years, his private army, under the guise of bandits, plundered everywhere, accumulating great wealth in the Liang Dynasty.

But it was clear that the imperial court had its eye on him, this lucrative prize.

Now, the imperial court must do everything in its power to deal with the border troubles, but where will the money and supplies for dealing with the border troubles come from?

Should we weaken the power of the princes? Increase taxes? Or... target these imperial nobles?

He could almost see Lu Xingjian's unfathomable, cold eyes, scrutinizing him and his wealth across thousands of miles.

"Your Highness,"

Chief Secretary Ma Kui bowed deeply, his voice low and deliberately worried.

"With the northern border in dire straits, the national treasury will inevitably be strained."

"The extravagance of clansmen in various places, their encroachment on farmland, and their arbitrary killing of innocent people have long caused uproar and given others ammunition against them."

"If someone with ulterior motives takes advantage of the border situation to use the pretext of reforming the imperial clan to actually strip them of their power..."

He paused at just the right moment, leaving endless room for imagination.

Prince Ning turned around abruptly, a fierce glint in his eyes: "How could I not know?"

He paced back and forth irritably.

"Those fools only know how to indulge in pleasure and exploit others. Sooner or later they will cause a great disaster and implicate me!"

He walked to the desk and jabbed his finger hard into several of the most offensive loan requests from members of the imperial family. "Look at this! This is the bloodline of the imperial family—parasites, vermin!"

Ma Kui lowered his head even further, but a barely perceptible smug look flashed in his eyes:

"Your Highness is wise. Rather than waiting for others to make trouble, it is better to strike first."

"The Prince is the head of all the regional vassals in Jiangyou, and is highly respected for his virtue and character."

"If you can take the initiative to submit a memorial, vehemently exposing the long-standing problems of the imperial clan and requesting strict restraint and discipline, firstly, it will show that the prince is wise and righteous, prioritizes national affairs, and is commendable for his loyalty and diligence; secondly, it will also silence public opinion and prevent the court from causing trouble for the prince's fiefdom for the time being. This is a strategy of sacrificing a pawn to save the king."

"Sacrifice a pawn to save the chariot..."

Prince Ning pondered these four words, his gaze sweeping back and forth between the map and the letters from the imperial family on his desk.

He knew perfectly well that Ma Kui meant for him to step forward and use those incompetent relatives who had angered the public as targets in exchange for the court granting him temporary exemption from the Ning Princeship.

This was indeed a seemingly brilliant move.

He slowly sat back in the armchair covered with white tiger skin, his fingers unconsciously tapping the smooth rosewood tabletop, making a soft, tinkling sound.

After a long silence, a resolute glint flashed in his eyes, tinged with a cold calculation:

"I intend to submit a memorial! I want to thoroughly expose the evils of the imperial clan!"

"Those who use the guise of selecting imperial ceremonial guards or appointing military officers to extort money; those who condone wicked servants, seize farmland, and disregard human life... write them all down for me!"

"Your words must be sincere, and your concern for the country and its people must be fully displayed!"

"Finally, I implore Your Majesty to make a firm decision, issue an edict to strictly admonish and punish them, and grant me, as the head of the clan, permission to first instruct and restrain the lawless branches of the Jiangyou clan!"

"Your Highness is wise!"

Ma Kui immediately responded, a relieved yet obsequious smile on his face, "Once this memorial is submitted, His Majesty and the ministers will surely admire the Prince's loyalty and dedication to the country!"

Prince Ning's memorial was like a boulder thrown into the deep pool of the imperial court, creating ripples far exceeding expectations.

"Your subject, Prince Ning, is filled with trepidation and fear, and I would gladly bow a hundred times in reverence..."

When the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial read out the opening of Prince Ning's memorial during the court assembly in the Wenhua Hall in his distinctive, monotone voice, the hall fell silent.

The contents of the memorial quickly spread.

Every word is written in tears, every sentence is filled with sorrow.

The text lists various branches of the imperial clan, which are described as "growing increasingly numerous, often using the pretext of selecting officials and appointing military officers to extort money from the people and indulge in tyranny," leading to "ubiquitous public resentment and a shaken foundation of the state."

The Prince of Ning was heartbroken and said he could not eat or sleep properly. Finally, he humbly begged His Majesty to remember the hardships of his ancestors in establishing the dynasty and to pity the suffering of the people. He requested that His Majesty issue an edict to thoroughly reform the past abuses and grant him the responsibility of the head of the clan to strictly discipline the lawless branches of the clan, so as to set the record straight and bring peace to the people!

"Excellent! What a loyal and patriotic individual!"

After the court session ended, Shi Jie, the Right Vice Censor-in-Chief, clapped his hands in his duty room, his face showing an almost sarcastic admiration.

"Prince Ning's move is truly a heroic act of cutting off his own arm! He has punctured the festering sores within the imperial clan himself, saving the court so much trouble!"

Liu Chun, the Minister of Rites, stroked his beard and nodded repeatedly, his tone carrying a rare hint of ease.

"What General Shi says is absolutely right. Prince Ning is the head of all the vassal states in Jiangxi, holding a high position and enjoying great prestige. Yet he did not conceal his own faults but instead pointed out all the abuses. His heart is as clear as the sun and moon! Such loyalty and diligence should serve as a model for all the vassal states!"

He looked at Lu Wan, the Minister of War who had been silent all along, and said, "Grand Marshal Lu, at this time when the northern barbarians are pressing in and there are many troubles, if the imperial clans can take this opportunity to rectify their ways and pacify their regions, it will be of great benefit to us so that we can concentrate our efforts on dealing with the border troubles!"

Lu Wan was cautious by nature, but at this moment he deeply agreed.

Military reports from the border came in like snowflakes, each requesting reinforcements and increased pay, leaving him overwhelmed.

Prince Ning's move undoubtedly relieved the court, especially his Ministry of War, of a huge burden that could have exploded at any time.

He said in a deep voice, "What Lord Liu said is very true. Prince Ning is able to see through the ills of the times, set an example by taking the initiative to restrain his relatives. He is truly righteous and considerate of the overall situation."

"I believe the Cabinet should immediately draft a resolution praising Prince Ning's loyalty and diligence, and request His Majesty to issue an imperial edict as Prince Ning has requested, to admonish and proclaim to all members of the imperial clan throughout the land, and to grant Prince Ning the special authority to discipline the Jiangyou branch of the imperial clan. This is a sound strategy that accords with the will of Heaven and the people, secures the internal affairs of the imperial clan, and defends against powerful foreign invaders!"

Soon, a memorial jointly signed by Shi Jie, Liu Chun, and Lu Wan was presented to the emperor.

The memorial praised Prince Ning to the skies, saying that he was "the leader of all the vassal states in Jiangxi, who did not conceal his own faults but pointed out all the abuses, which can be called loyalty and diligence," and strongly advocated that "the memorial should be issued as a warning, edict, and instruction to Prince Xu."