The moment this absurd idea popped into her head, Lu Yunxue immediately pressed the button.
This is my own choice, and this is my own happiness.
His judgment was absolutely correct; the mistake was that Mu Zian publicly humiliated Pei Jianzhi.
Despite his exceptional martial arts skills, he deliberately concealed them and then humiliated his lover at the victory celebration banquet.
Isn't it just to prove that he is stronger than Pei Jianzhi?
Mu Yunxue took a deep breath. That's right! It's all Mu Zi'an's fault.
“Pei Lang, it was indeed my brother who acted without thinking. Too many things have happened tonight. Let me calm down first.”
Hearing that his younger sister was siding with outsiders, Lu Ming immediately broke down.
However, just as he was about to speak, he was forced to back down by a look from Lu Yunxue.
Tonight, she had hoped to use the celebration banquet to further enhance her influence.
But given the current situation, they'll probably become a laughingstock tomorrow.
With this thought in mind, Lu Yunxue said to Pei Jianzhi.
"What happened tonight has a great impact on you and me. If we don't quickly do something to eliminate these effects, we'll probably become a laughing stock in the world."
At this moment, Pei Jianzhi also calmed down.
"That's right! I will repay this humiliation a hundredfold in the future!"
Lu Yunxue nodded and smiled.
"Yes, as the saying goes, those who achieve great things must go through hardships, and a little bit of hardship is nothing to worry about."
Meanwhile, inside the imperial palace.
After hearing about what happened at the victory banquet, the Emperor of Dali couldn't help but laugh.
"He is eloquent and skilled in both literature and martial arts. Returning the Vanguard Army to him is a wise move. I believe he will surely surprise me again in the future."
Eunuch Cao, standing to the side, smiled and echoed.
"It is all thanks to His Majesty's discerning eye that such a talented young man as Duke Mu was discovered."
The emperor's smile widened upon hearing this.
"You old dog, your eloquence is no less than Mu Zi'an's."
"Your Majesty flatters me."
Just as the master and servant were chatting, a series of hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside the palace gate.
Then a young eunuch hurriedly entered the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
"Your Majesty, a letter has arrived from Luzhou stating that bandits have rebelled within its borders and requesting the court to send troops to its aid immediately."
Half an hour later, Mu Zian, who had already returned to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, was summoned to the palace again.
When Mu Zian entered the Hall of Mental Cultivation, several people had already gathered there.
The Ninth Princess, Xiao Xiuning, was the current Prime Minister, Du Yuheng.
Even Lu Yunxue and Pei Jianzhi were there.
However, Mu Zian didn't even glance at them, and went straight to the front of the hall to bow and greet them.
"Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty."
Seeing that everyone had arrived, the Emperor of Dali spoke with a hint of anger on his face.
"A report has come from Luzhou that bandits have rebelled, burning, killing, and looting, causing great suffering to the people. In just half a day, they have even breached the prefectural city. This is utterly outrageous! I intend to dispatch troops to quell the rebellion."
The Grand Chancellor Du Yuheng stepped forward and continued speaking, picking up where the Emperor left off.
"Luzhou is only three hundred miles from the capital. If the chaos caused by the bandits affects the capital, wouldn't it make us a laughing stock in the world? Therefore, this battle must be won quickly."
"Although this battle is to suppress bandits, it is quite difficult. The fact that those bandits were able to break through the prefectural city shows that they have gained momentum and have a capable leader. This battle will be very difficult."
These words immediately warmed the hearts of everyone present.
If the prime minister himself determined that the task was quite difficult, then the credit would naturally be considerable as well.
Currently, there are only three people in the main hall who can lead troops to suppress bandits.
The emperor's meaning was quite clear.
Lu Yunxue and Pei Jianzhi exchanged a glance, their excitement impossible to conceal.
As rising stars in the military, they were eager to consolidate their positions through military achievements.
Moreover, they now desperately need a resounding victory to wash away their humiliation.
Therefore, the two of them were determined to win the position of commander-in-chief in this bandit suppression campaign.
The emperor's gaze first fell on Mu Zian, and then he asked.
What is your opinion on this matter, Duke Zhenguo?
After a moment of contemplation, Mu Zian replied.
"It is common for bandits to rob. Normally, they will rob and then leave immediately, grabbing a loot and moving to another place. They are elusive and therefore difficult to eradicate."
"But this time they were able to capture the prefecture. From what I can see, Luzhou is likely already in ruins. The bandits must have coerced many people, which is why they were able to have such a large force."
"Moreover, Luzhou is close to the border and is adjacent to the Qiang and Rong tribes. Among these bandits, there may be Qiang cavalry mixed in. In my opinion, we must send 30,000 troops to quell the rebellion."
Upon hearing this, the emperor fell into deep thought. If what Mu Zian said was true, then this bandit uprising was indeed not to be underestimated.
However, Pei Jianzhi looked disdainful upon hearing this, and then immediately stepped forward and said.
"In my opinion, the Duke of Zhenguo is boosting the morale of others while diminishing his own prestige!"
"They are nothing but bandits, a bunch of rabble. Even if they are some refugees they have coerced, they are still no match for us. In my opinion, we don't need the imperial court's 30,000 troops. With my 3,000 elite soldiers, we can quell the rebellion in Luzhou."
As soon as Pei Jianzhi spoke, Lu Yunxue was stunned.
They had already learned of the situation before being summoned, and the two had analyzed the situation in Luzhou on their way there.
The conclusion was that at least 10,000 elite troops were needed to quell the rebellion in Luzhou.
However, at this moment, Pei Jianzhi actually reduced the number to three thousand, which was 70% less than originally planned.
Lu Yunxue frantically tried to signal Pei Jianzhi with her eyes, but Pei Jianzhi acted as if he didn't see it.
Thirty thousand versus three thousand—a difference of tenfold.
Those present were unsure whether to say Pei Jian was confident or overconfident.
The emperor's gaze fell on Mu Zian once again.
Mu Zian sneered upon hearing this.
“The bandits who dared to conquer the prefecture in such a short time are no ordinary people. After they take over the prefecture, they will definitely open the armory to arm themselves. Moreover, the people of Luzhou are fierce and brave. As long as they have weapons and armor, they can form a legion with combat power no less than that of the prefectural soldiers in a short time.”
"Therefore, in my opinion, we need 30,000 elite troops to quell the rebellion in Luzhou."
Pei Jianzhi scoffed at this.
"After all this talk, these people are nothing but bandits. Even with swords, they are no match for the elite troops of Dali."
"As soon as the imperial army arrives, these refugees and civilians will surely flee at the mere sight of them and collapse without a fight."
Just as Mu Zian was about to continue arguing, the system notification sounded suddenly.
"Ding-dong! Congratulations, host, for triggering a choice."
"Option 1: Argue your case and fight for the position of commander-in-chief of the bandit suppression according to your own ideas. Reward: One top-grade luminous pearl."
"Option 2: Abandon the struggle and let Pei Jianzhi accept the task of suppressing the bandits. Reward: A set of distillation blueprints for baijiu."
"Please make a decision, host!"
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