Chapter 65: The Prince and the Dragon's Grandson are afraid of death
"Your Majesty, please calm down. Although we don't know the details of General Zhou's death wearing a dragon robe, how do we know that this is not a plot by the enemy to sow discord? Otherwise, why did the Hu people lead their troops to attack us just after General Zhou died?"
The prime minister, the head of all officials, knelt down, and other ministers, knowing that the matter was serious, also knelt down to persuade him. The emperor's anger was suppressed by the words of the courtiers, and he gradually regained his composure.
Yes, it is possible that Zhou Junyuan's death was caused by the enemy. Now that the enemy is attacking, it is not the time to hold Zhou Junyuan accountable for wearing the dragon robe. Putting the cart before the horse will not save the border which is in danger.
"The border is in danger now. Your Majesty, please select a suitable leader as soon as possible and don't fall into the trap of the Hu people!"
The minister who spoke was truly terrified. The news of Zhou Junyuan's death was followed closely by news of the border being attacked. Anyone with a brain would know that now was not the time to discuss whether Zhou Junyuan was suspected of treason.
The border is unstable and all words are empty talk. As for the dragon robe case, it may not be impossible to settle the score later.
This is the truth, but emperors are the most suspicious, especially the emperor. Even though he has calmed down now, it would be a lie to say that he has no doubts in his heart.
"Lord Zhou was murdered by the enemy. Now the Zhou family only has a male child under five years old. It is really sad. Lord Zhou has made countless contributions to the country and was a meritorious minister of our dynasty. This time he died unjustly and the Hu people wanted to frame him and destroy his reputation!"
The emperor snorted coldly, seemingly expressing his indignation for Zhou Junyuan's death, but in fact he was just speaking for show.
When the emperor mentioned that the Zhou family only had a male child under the age of five, his expression softened slightly. No matter what happened to Zhou Junyuan's death, the Zhou family would not make any waves afterwards.
"Your Majesty is wise! How could you be deceived by such a crude trick of the Hu people?"
Immediately, some ministers began to flatter the emperor. At this time, they just wanted the emperor to expose the matter as soon as possible.
"Lord Zhou was concerned about the country and the people during his lifetime. His death was unjust. You must take my words back and take good care of General Zhou's body. After the war is over, send his body back to the capital. I will order the Ministry of Rites to bury him with honor."
The emperor's resounding voice echoed in the hall, and the messenger kneeling in front of the hall accepted the order: "Your Majesty, I will obey your command."
After arranging Zhou Junyuan's matters, it is time to arrange another more important matter.
"What suggestions do you have for someone who can lead the three armies?"
The emperor's voice was neither loud nor soft. The kneeling courtiers looked at each other. No one spoke for a while and there was a dead silence in the hall.
All the civil and military officials knew what kind of people the deputy generals at the border were. They were equally capable and resourceful, and none of them would submit to the other. In addition, their achievements were not much different, so when it came to the battlefront, they all had their own ways of fighting, and no matter who became the main general, he would not be able to stabilize the people's hearts.
"I'm asking you questions. Why are you all silent?" The emperor shouted impatiently when he saw that no one had made any suggestions.
Under the emperor's pressure, someone finally spoke up, and it was the prime minister who took the lead in making the proposal.
"Your Majesty, Li Yong and several other generals are equally talented. A general often needs someone more talented or of a higher status to suppress him. Among the generals of our dynasty, General Zhou is the best."
While explaining the situation in the court, the prime minister secretly sighed in his heart. There had not been any military talents in the court in recent years. The prime minister didn't know what the emperor was thinking, but he was very anxious anyway.
If it is true, it would be fine if nothing happens, but if something happens, border control will be paralyzed and the whole country will be in chaos.
There is currently no general in the court with ability above Zhou Junyuan. Everyone is aware of this, so they are all waiting for the prime minister to continue.
"Since the first method doesn't work, you might as well select someone of high rank to go to the border to stabilize the situation for the time being."
The Prime Minister's method is a painstaking effort, and there is actually no better way to think of.
The court officials all thought that this was an excellent idea, but several princes and royal brothers in the court all looked sad. Undoubtedly, they were all afraid of leading troops in battle, and none of the princes and royal brothers wanted to take on this tough job.
After all, according to what the messenger said, the Hu people's attack is very fierce, and it seems that they are taking advantage of the news of Zhou Junyuan's death to attack. I don't know if they have any other strategies. If I lead the army to fight at this moment, I will most likely die.
"My dear minister, what you said is very true. I wonder if you have any suitable candidates to recommend, or if anyone would like to recommend themselves to go to the border to guard it?"
The emperor's majestic voice was like a death warrant, causing the already anxious princes and grandchildren to lower their heads.
The emperor was such a shrewd man that he could see that his sons and the princes had no intention of taking on this hot potato. He sneered, "You usually comment on the country and the people's livelihood, but now you are asked to lead an army and you are all speechless?"
Among the princes of the same generation as the emperor, most of them were mediocre in their ability to lead the army and never wanted to show their talents in the court. In the past, the emperor was satisfied with their restraint and knowledge of current affairs, but now he just felt that these people were useless.
Except for a few princes who were used to playing the game of smoothing things over, the emperor's princes were even less willing to go. They knew that if they went to the border to guard it, even if they did not die, the war would never end, which could last for a few months or even several years, which was enough time for the capital to undergo earth-shaking changes.
It is unknown when the army will return. The emperor is now in worse health than before, and who knows if any accidents will happen?
If the person in charge of guarding the border wins, it's fine if the emperor is still alive, but if the emperor is no longer alive, then the person guarding the border can forget about trying to please him. It would be good if the new emperor would not be afraid of him and kill him because he has seized power.
"Prince, General Zhou has always praised you highly. Now that the border is in trouble, are you willing to personally lead the army and take charge of the border?"
Since no one spoke, the emperor didn't want to waste time talking and started calling out names directly.
The crown prince turned pale when his name was called, and he quickly walked to the front of the palace and knelt down: "Please forgive me, father. General Zhou is just being more respectful to me because of my status as the crown prince. However, I have never been on the battlefield, so how can I lead the three armies?"
The prince knelt in front of the palace, holding a jade sceptre in his hand. His defense was powerful and humiliating, but he was telling the truth.
"The war situation at the border is tense. Even if the commander is not good at fighting, he must be familiar with the art of war. Things on the battlefield are not a joke. I am willing to die for my country, but if the command is wrong, it will affect the lives of millions of people. I really can't bear it."
He said a lot of things that he was not qualified to do, and the emperor's face became darker and darker as he explained.
But the fact is that the prince is indeed not a talented general. Letting him go would only be a facade, just a showpiece.
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