For half a month, urgent military intelligence was sent from the border. In addition to the Beiming Kingdom in the north, the Nanjiang Kingdom in the south, the Xiliao Kingdom in the west, and the Dongyi Kingdom in the east all became agitated.
In the hall, the emperor angrily slammed the urgent memorial in his hand onto the table. "There are unusual movements from all sides. Are they trying to gang up on Tianling? I've never bullied or oppressed these small nations, but I didn't expect that I'd embolden them to start bullying me."
The prince stepped forward and said, "Father, please calm down. Your health is more important.
In my opinion, these four countries are far apart from each other and have never had anything to do with each other. Although they have had occasional friction with us in the past, they were all minor fights.
This time, with such a large-scale operation and a coordinated action, I'm afraid someone is behind this."
The emperor narrowed his eyes and looked at Zhao Yiming, "What do you think, Mingyu?"
Zhao Yiming stepped forward and replied, "I think what His Royal Highness said is reasonable. The four countries have small territories and their national strength is far inferior to Tianling.
Most of the wars, big and small, recorded in history were caused by disputes over resources on the border, but there has never been such a large-scale military mobilization, let alone four countries together.
This couldn't be a coincidence. It seemed like someone had deliberately gathered them all together, targeting Tian Ling.
I believe that no matter who is behind this, or what his intentions are, our top priority is to make a quick decision and prepare for war."
After Zhao Yiming finished speaking, before the emperor could even open his mouth, a minister objected, "I think what Lord Zhao said is too extreme. The four countries are just tiny places. How can they be compared with a great country like Tianling?"
"Now, we mobilize our forces at the slightest sign of trouble. If we find out that this is not the case in the future, won't those smaller nations make fun of us, a great nation, and think we are afraid of them?"
The person who spoke was a civil servant, but as soon as he said this, the military officers present were so angry that they burst into cursing.
"Master Li has probably lived in peace for too long and has no idea of the cruelty of war. The battlefield is ever-changing and even the slightest mistake can lead to a huge loss.
If you don't prepare in advance, and someone really attacks you, do you think you can repel the enemy just by talking? It's really easy to talk without any pain in your waist. "
For a time, civil officials and military officials quarreled fiercely, and the court was as chaotic as a vegetable market.
The generals knew the cruelty of the battlefield and understood military affairs even better. The other side could not have just put on a show to amuse them by making such a big move. Soldiers' food, clothing, housing and transportation all cost money. Even a big country like theirs could not afford it, let alone a small country.
The civil officials were all in favor of peace, and some even threatened that if a war really broke out, they would send people to negotiate or send the princess to marry a foreign prince. War would only waste people's money and time, and was a very bad idea.
The emperor was so angry that he almost took off his dragon shoes and smashed them in his face. "Send someone to negotiate? Who? You? How do you negotiate? Take the initiative to seek peace? Let the princess go in marriage? Or how about your daughter?"
The dispute ended with the official being demoted three levels, and no civil servant dared to make such humiliating remarks again.
The emperor also immediately ordered all departments to prepare for war. If the four countries behaved themselves, it would be fine, but if they dared to cross the line, he would not mind expanding Tianling's territory further.
However, the official's proposal for the princess to marry a foreign prince somehow reached the ears of the concubines in the harem.
Suddenly, the mother of the fourth princess Yongjia and even the fifth princess Yonghui became anxious.
A banquet hosted by the Queen last year only facilitated the marriages between the second princess, Yongle, the second prince, Xiao Rui, and the fourth prince, Xiao Ce.
Yongjia hadn't met anyone she liked, and she wasn't in a hurry since she had just come of age, so the marriage was delayed. Yonghui was too young.
But now that the matter of marriage has been mentioned, even if she is very young, Concubine Hui does not dare to keep her any longer and wants to marry her off immediately.
That was a marriage alliance! Once she went, there would be no possibility of returning in this lifetime. Although the ministers' proposal was rejected on the spot by the emperor, what if? She really didn't dare to gamble.
Even more anxious than Concubine Hui was Concubine Jia. After all, Yongjia had already reached the age of marriage, which was the right age for marriage. If a marriage was really to be arranged, she would be the first and best candidate.
Now, in addition to Yongjia and Yonghui, there is also Yaoyao in the palace. Yaoyao is the legitimate princess and the youngest, so she is safe for the time being.
However, as they were both mothers, Concubine Jia and Concubine Hui believed that the Queen should be able to understand their difficulties. After discussing it, they took some homemade snacks and went to see the Queen.
However, the concubines in the harem were not allowed to discuss state affairs without authorization, and they were not foolish enough to talk to the empress directly about the marriage. They simply expressed their concern for their daughters' marriages and wanted to ask the empress to hold another palace banquet to invite talented people and young ladies from various families in the capital to enter the palace.
How could the Queen not know what they were thinking? Not to mention them, even she herself was feeling uneasy.
Although she believed that the emperor would definitely not let Yaoyao marry, but things are unpredictable and it is better to be safe than sorry. Sometimes the emperor also has no choice.
Although she understood the two concubines' thoughts, she did not agree to the requests of Hui Guifei and Jia Guifei. "Now that the border is unstable, our harem should pay more attention to frugality. During this period, we should not hold banquets or other such things."
The two concubines Yaran, this excuse was something they had not expected and could not refuse.
Originally, the conversation had come to this point and the matter was over, but for the sake of her daughter… Concubine Jia gritted her teeth and risked being disrespectful before speaking again: "Your Majesty, I know you are in a difficult situation, but I only have this one daughter. Please help me for the sake of a mother!
Of course, all expenses for the banquet will be borne by me, and I will not cause any trouble to the court."
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