"Your Majesty, our dynasty and Xixia have been coexisting peacefully for nearly a hundred years. They suddenly started a war. Could there be any special reason? In my opinion, it would be better to send an envoy to find out the situation first."
"Yes, Your Majesty, for our great country, it is better to use courtesy before force. If Xixia is really deliberately provoking us, it will not be too late to send troops to attack."
Xiao Yujue was a little annoyed by the calmness of the two old ministers.
Even though they have come to your door, you are still thinking about the trick of "first use courtesy, then force".
"What do you two brothers think?" The emperor turned his gaze to his two sons.
Xiao Yujue didn't say anything, just looked at Xiao Zhenting.
If it were in the past, under such circumstances, Xiao Zhenting would definitely be eager to show off.
But this time, it seems to be an exception.
"Father, I have not thought of anything yet. I'd better ask my brother to tell me."
Xiao Yujue was even more surprised.
But at this time, the emperor's attention was already focused on him.
"Father, I feel that our generals have already died, and this is a serious matter. If we do nothing, we will appear to be cowardly, and it will also cause low morale among the soldiers at the border."
"Your Majesty, you are right. You are right." Xiao Zhenting quickly agreed.
Xiao Yujue’s attitude was very clear, he advocated fighting.
"Your Highness' words are not without reason, but once a war breaks out, it will be a huge drain on the national treasury and will also be detrimental to the people."
"Master Liu also has a point."
Xiao Zhenting has no opinion of his own and just sits on the fence, indecisive.
This made the emperor very disgusted.
"Lord Mu, you are the Minister of War. What do you think about the war?"
"Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, the diplomatic mission and the war can be carried out at the same time."
Speed is of the essence in war, and Mu Jingrui really didn't want to waste time. If he waited for the envoy to come back and report the situation after his mission, it would take at least two months to go back and forth.
If we are delayed on the road, it will take more than this time.
I'm afraid that Xixia will soon attack us at our doorstep.
"Your Majesty, the court can now dispatch 100,000 elite troops at any time. Your Majesty can let the envoys go with the army. After arriving at the border, if Xixia has a reasonable reason to send troops and we both have room for negotiation, we can avoid fighting. Otherwise, we can strike back at any time and recapture the city."
Upon hearing this, the emperor nodded with satisfaction.
This is indeed a good way to get the best of both worlds.
"Lord Mu is extremely smart. Such a good idea that kills two birds with one stone is really admirable." Xiao Zhenting praised without reservation.
His sudden change made Mu Jingrui feel very uncomfortable.
"This method is feasible. Then, who should lead these 100,000 elite soldiers to the battle?"
The scene fell into silence.
There are generals in the court who can be used, but everyone knows that the Western Xia army is strong and this battle will not be easy to fight.
"I am willing to go."
Mu Jingrui thought for a moment and took the initiative to stand up.
Xiao Yujue nodded and smiled secretly.
Mu Jingrui and he are people with the same interests. Whatever Mu Jingrui achieves will be his credit in the future.
"As expected, heroes emerge young. Very well, I will appoint you as the Grand Marshal of the Armies of the Nation, holding the seal of a hundred thousand soldiers, leading them to battle, and granting you the power to act at your own discretion in all battles at the border."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Mu Jingrui knelt down to accept the order, feeling a surge of emotion in his heart.
At the morning court the next day, the emperor issued an edict announcing the matter, and the Ministry of War immediately began to prepare food and military pay for the expedition.
The emperor selected Taifu Liu Zhende as the envoy to Western Xia, to accompany the army and serve as the commander-in-chief.
Shangguan Wanning felt depressed when she heard the news. She sat in the garden, fiddling with the flower petals, feeling unhappy.
"Miss, it's very sunny outside, you should go back to your room." Lu Tong persuaded her while holding an umbrella for her.
"I'm fine, leave me alone."
"But..." Lu Tong was about to continue persuading her when she suddenly saw Mu Jingrui coming over.
She wanted to bow, but Mu Jingrui stopped her by making a gesture to keep quiet.
Mu Jingrui took the umbrella from Lutong and waved his hand to signal Lutong to step back.
"Lutong, I also know that national affairs are of course more important than love affairs; but why didn't he tell me in advance that he was leading the troops to war? When fighting, everything is unknown... What if he can't come back in time for the wedding?"
Shangguan Wanning felt annoyed when she thought of this. She grabbed the flowers in the flower bed, twisted them off fiercely, and picked off the petals one by one and threw them on the ground.
"Don't think I have to marry him. It's just... it's just that my parents have already betrothed me to him. Shouldn't he tell me when he makes important decisions? Besides, it's unlucky to pass the wedding date..."
As Shangguan Wanning spoke, she felt that she was being a little unreasonable.
She didn't get a reply from Lu Tong for a long time, so she stood up angrily, turned around and bumped into Mu Jingrui's chest, staggered and almost fell.
Mu Jingrui stretched out his arms and held his waist.
"You...when did you come?"
Shangguan Wanning was both ashamed and annoyed, and she struggled and hit Mu Jingrui a few times.
"Just when you were worried that I wouldn't be able to come back to marry you." Mu Jingrui's mouth corners raised in a doting smile.
Shangguan Wanning's cheeks flushed.
"How could I be worried? I'm just..." Shangguan Wan Ning stamped her feet in anger, "You can go wherever you want."
Mu Jingrui looked at Shangguan Wanning's stubborn look, sighed helplessly, and took her hand and walked into the pavilion.
"Ning'er, I also know that there will be many variables in a war. However, as the Minister of War, I cannot sit idly by when the country is in trouble."
Shangguan Wanning certainly understood this truth, but she was still a little woman after all.
"I haven't seen that either... It was the Minister of War who went to the battle..."
"I was born a military general. It is my duty to defend my country." Mu Jingrui held Shangguan Wanning's hand tightly and said gently, "Ning'er, wait for me. I will end this battle as soon as possible and come back to marry you on time."
"Well... okay..." Shangguan Wanning looked at Mu Jingrui's tender eyes and couldn't help but sink into them.
Damn it.
Why didn’t I realize in my previous life that Mu Jingrui had such a fascinating side.
Mu Jingrui saw light in Shangguan Wanning's eyes.
His heart was filled with excitement, and he reached out and held her in his arms. "Wait for me."
"Yes." Shangguan Wanning took Mu Jingrui's hand and hooked her fingers with him, "It's a deal. No matter where you go, you must remember what you promised me."
"Don't worry, I won't regret it. But you, don't always bask in the sun in the yard. I don't want you to get tanned and look ugly."
"You dare!" Shangguan Wanning waved her fist.
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