Xu Shouli's words calmed the emotions of the officials.
Indeed, the alliance between Zhao Han and Wen Jin still exists.
Although the alliance is just a piece of paper, Zhao Han has taken the initiative to make the first move. If the Zhao Han court continues to send troops, it will be considered to have broken the alliance.
Now that the Eastern and Western Jing are gone, and Zhao Han and Wen Jin have both established their own independent empires, face and reason have become of paramount importance.
After all, there was the Southern Zhou in the south, the Hou Cang in the southwest corner, and the Great Yue in the Western Regions.
Nobody wants to be looked down upon by other countries.
If you are looked down upon, others will have an excuse to gang up on you.
Although Zhao Zhan looked unconvinced, he said, "The Prime Minister is indeed worthy of being called the Prime Minister; his thoughts are indeed more far-reaching."
Zhao Cheng said, "I understand the Prime Minister's meaning. After all, this is a military matter. What is your opinion, General?"
Xiao Luofeng said, "I do not advocate attacking Wen Jin now. We can send envoys to negotiate with them, but they must give a substantial explanation for the interception and killing of the Zhao Han caravan. This is also a sign of their sincerity."
"If they're not sincere enough, then they think the alliance is useless, and it's not too late to fight again!" Xiao Luofeng sneered.
Zhao Cheng gave Xiao Luofeng a satisfied look.
Now that Xiao Luofeng has emerged from the shadow of defeat in the Battle of Yun Jing, he has become even more experienced.
"Does anyone else have something to say?" Zhao Cheng asked, looking at the assembled officials.
Seeing that no one responded, Zhao Cheng slowly stood up and said, "What the Prime Minister and the General said makes sense, so let's do as they say. But I don't want to spend too much time on the Wen Jin matter today. Instead, I want to make a decision with you all."
"I do not agree with attacking Wen Jin now, but I have been working hard for three years, the national treasury is full, and the people are prosperous. Zhao Han's chariots and spears are already humming."
"I will not attack Wen Jin, I will attack Southern Zhou!"
Upon hearing this, all the officials, except for a few others, widened their eyes.
What is that?
Attacking Southern Weekly?
Wasn't it Wen Jin who provoked us? Why didn't we attack Wen Jin but instead attacked Southern Zhou?
Zhao Cheng asked, "Prime Minister, Zhao Han and Southern Zhou have no alliance, do they?"
Xu Shouli said, "Dongjing had an alliance with Southern Zhou, while Zhao Han only had a trade agreement with Southern Zhou after establishing its own state."
"That's settled then, play however you like." Zhao Cheng waved his hand.
The officials were even more bewildered.
So, in Zhao Cheng's eyes, attacking Southern Zhou was just a casual game?
Has Your Majesty forgotten that the Emperor of Southern Zhou was a Grand Master, and that Miaoyin Pavilion was actually loyal to the Southern Zhou court?
Zhao Cheng pointed at the flustered officials and scolded, "Look at all you cowards! How long has it been since you've seen war? Let me tell you the truth, I not only want to attack Southern Zhou, but I want to launch a full-scale invasion of the south. Either we don't fight at all, or we fight and take back Southern Zhou!"
The officials were all stunned by Zhao Cheng's domineering presence. Many of them lowered their heads and dared not even breathe. Tie Ge pondered for a while and said, "Your Majesty, Zhao Han did indeed enjoy three years of peace after its founding. However, I have experienced countless wars, both large and small, in my years as an official. I am not being cowardly, but I would like to remind Your Majesty that if the whole country launches a southern invasion, it is hard to guarantee that Wen Jin will not break the alliance and take advantage of the situation."
Zhao Cheng said, "You're right. If I attack Southern Zhou, Wen Jin, which has an alliance, might break the alliance and attack us. But if I attack Wen Jin, do you think Southern Zhou, which has no alliance, might stab us in the back?"
"this……"
"My ministers need not say more, my mind is made up."
Zhao Cheng flicked his sleeves, sat down on the dragon throne, and said sternly, "My Zhao Han is now stronger than all other countries in terms of economy, military, people's livelihood, and talent. You should no longer care about who you attack first or who you attack later. Because it won't be long..."
"Everything under heaven belongs to me!"
Seeing Zhao Cheng's confidence and aura, all the officials were moved and knelt down to shout "Long live the Emperor!"
"Long live the Emperor!! Long live the Emperor!! Long live the Emperor!!!"
...
Outside the palace.
Zhou Chuan and Cheng Xu followed Zhao Cheng on either side.
A short while later, Yuan Fei ran over to pay his respects.
"Your Majesty, after the court session ended, the spies from Southern Zhou and Wen Jin immediately went to deliver the message."
Yuan Fei remains the president of the Anecdotes Society, his position unchanged, but his identity is vastly different now.
Because the current Yiwen Society has already absorbed the Imperial Prison.
Although Dong Xiao still holds a high position in the Imperial Prison, his status is incomparable to that of Yuan Fei.
He continued to serve the emperor, doing dirty work for Zhao Cheng, while the top intelligence agent for Zhao Han was now Yuan Shezhang.
Zhao Cheng gave Yuan Fei a deep look and smiled, "I spoke so arrogantly in court, so naturally those spies couldn't hold back. Keep an eye on them and see if you can dig out more people."
"clear."
"How did the officials react after the court session ended?"
"Most of them don't understand."
How could they possibly understand?
Zhao Cheng smiled at Cheng Xu and said, "I have been preparing for this war for three years."
Cheng Xu knew that Zhao Cheng was referring to him, and he said bluntly, "If we could have another two years, the chances of winning would be even greater."
Zhao Cheng said, "We can't wait any longer. If something like this happens on the Guliang border, there will only be more friction in the future. We must be the ones wielding the sword, not the ones who have already struck us before we raise our shields to block."
"Your Majesty is absolutely right."
"Brother-in-law, I made this decision despite all the objections. The west cannot let me down!" Zhao Cheng looked at Zhou Chuan again. When he was with his elders, Zhao Cheng still habitually used this affectionate address for Zhou Chuan.
Zhou Chuan solemnly said, "Your Majesty, rest assured, there will be no problem."
Zhao Cheng looked into the distance and saw Zhao Hu playing with Zhao Changli. He laughed heartily and said, "Come on, while we can still have fun, let's drink for a few days!"
...
Zhao Cheng's subsequent arrangements proved that the nationwide invasion of the south was not just empty talk.
He ordered the Azure Dragon General Zhao Yan to oversee Changsui, appointed Xiao Luofeng as the Grand Commander of the Southern Expedition, and personally led the three generals Yang Taozhi, Zhou Chuan, and Gong Xue on the expedition.
He was accompanied by numerous generals, and his army was said to number 500,000 in the southern expedition!
In Xu Shouli's words, His Majesty has simply transplanted the military system of the Zhao Han dynasty to the Southern Zhou.
Everyone could see Zhao Cheng's determination.
As he said, either we don't fight, or we fight to reclaim the Southern Zhou.
With their departure, Zhao Han's military and political power fell into the hands of Zhao Yan, Zhao Zhan, and Xu Shouli.
Many civil officials were worried. They were not worried that Zhao Cheng would not be able to defeat Southern Zhou, but they were afraid that Wen Jin would take advantage of the situation.
It was clear that Zhao Yan, Zhao Zhan, and Xu Shouli acted as if nothing was wrong, which greatly reduced their worries.
What they could think of, Zhao Cheng couldn't have thought of?
Perhaps His Majesty already had a plan!
After the caravan was ambushed, Wen Jin showed sufficient sincerity to continue the alliance with Zhao Han and wished Zhao Han's southern expeditionary army a triumphant return.
The fourth year of the Zhao Han dynasty, the third month.
The mighty Zhao-Han army marched into Southern Zhou from Yun-Jing.
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