Just as Xue Shen had predicted, the Shen family quickly recovered.
A urgent report came from the border: Taiyuan Prefecture had fallen, with countless dead and wounded. Emperor Cheng'an urgently summoned his court officials to the capital to discuss the selection of commanders to fight the enemy, only to find that there were no capable generals in the court.
Most of the young military officers were appointed through hereditary privilege and had never even been on the battlefield, making them unfit to be generals; the older officers were mostly retired and had been away from the battlefield for many years. Upon hearing that they were to go to Taiyuan Prefecture to defeat the Northern Rong people, they were all ill and none of them dared to fight.
After Emperor Cheng'an vented his anger, he finally summoned Shen Mingjiang to the palace.
Shen Mingjiang was dressed in coarse linen clothes. Although he had aged considerably in the past year due to his children's affairs, his working life on the farm made him look even stronger. He appeared vigorous and energetic despite his advanced age.
Emperor Cheng'an had previously been wary of him and demoted him, but now, forced by circumstances, he personally invited him back, which naturally made him feel somewhat embarrassed.
Fortunately, Shen Mingjiang was not the kind of person who would be arrogant about his achievements. After reading the battle report, he said, "Your subject is willing to fight."
Emperor Cheng'an was naturally overjoyed, but then he heard him say, "But I have a question for Your Majesty. The Northern Rong people have been eyeing our Great Wei for many years, and this time they even broke through Taiyuan. Does Your Majesty still want to maintain peaceful relations with the Northern Rong?"
In his early years, in order to appease the Northern Rong and prevent war, Emperor Cheng'an did not hesitate to pay a huge annual tribute to obtain a peace treaty with the Northern Rong.
The failure to destroy the Northern Rong was a great regret for Shen Mingjiang.
Now that he saw the Northern Rong making trouble again, he brought up the issue again to test them.
As expected, Emperor Cheng'an's expression became noticeably hesitant, and even the civil officials in the palace began to whisper among themselves.
Prime Minister Wang Yuanguang said, "I have heard that the current King of Beirong is the fourth prince, Duolei. Duolei is young and impetuous. If we can subdue him and then appease him with a policy of pacification, the border should be able to return to stability."
Upon hearing this, Emperor Cheng'an agreed, saying, "If there are too many wars, it is the common people who will suffer."
Shen Mingjiang said in a deep voice, "Kedore is ambitious and may not be willing to remain in the northern grasslands. Paying tribute every year for peace will only make the Northern Rong people fat and strong, and eventually they will turn around and attack us!"
Emperor Cheng'an could not bear to hear these words.
In his youth, he did dream of achieving great things and leaving a lasting mark on history, and he personally led two campaigns against the Northern Rong. But what was the result?
He waved his hand, his face darkening. "It's too early to discuss this now. We can discuss it after Minister Shen defeats the Northern Rong."
Shen Mingjiang was unwilling, but when he looked around the hall, there was no one who supported him.
In the end, he could only kneel down and accept the order: "Your subject will certainly not fail in your mission."
*
Shen Mingjiang was reinstated and granted the title of Grand General, leading 200,000 troops to aid Taiyuan and resist the Northern Rong. He was to set out on the expedition in a few days.
On the day of departure, Shen Youying and Xue Shen personally went to see them off.
Shen Youying looked at her father, who had put on his armor again, handed him the amulet she had obtained, and whispered, "Daughter is waiting for Father's triumphant return."
Shen Mingjiang took the amulet and said, "Father is leaving now. Take good care of yourself."
Shen Youying nodded, holding back her tears, and watched him ride away.
The expeditionary force stretched out like a long, winding dragon. Shen Youying stood motionless in the wind and snow, watching until the snow blurred the figures ahead. Only then did Xue Shen brush the snowflakes off her head and body, saying, "Stop looking, let's go back."
Shen Youying gave a soft "hmm" and was escorted by him towards the carriage.
Just as they were about to get into the car, they saw Fang Shi coming over with Shen Muyu.
Shen Muyu was dressed in a casual jacket and skirt, with a light blue cloak over her shoulders. She looked much better than when Shen Youying had last seen her. When she saw Shen Youying, she smiled and bowed, respectfully calling her "Your Highness," without a trace of her former arrogance.
She was very polite, so Shen Youying returned the greeting politely: "Now that you're here, why didn't you see Father off earlier?"
Shen Muyu smiled and said self-deprecatingly, "I was afraid that if Father saw me, he would be angry and it would ruin his mood, so I just came to see him to put his mind at ease."
Shen Youying was not used to her seemingly changed personality, so she could only turn to Fang Shi and say, "His Majesty has bestowed a new residence upon you. When will Mother move back to the capital? If you need any help, just send someone to deliver the message."
Mentioning the return to Tokyo, Madam Fang couldn't help but beam with joy: "There aren't many things on the estate, and not much to take. I've already had everyone pack them, and tomorrow your second brother will rent a carriage to transport them to the new house. It's just that most of the old servants have been dismissed, so we'll have to find slave traders to pick them all again, which will take some time..."
After listening to her rambling words, Shen Youying saw that the wind and snow were getting heavier and heavier, so she bid farewell to the two of them and returned to her residence with Xue Shen in a carriage.
Seeing her downcast expression, Xue Shen said, "There are many things to do in the capital. If you're not happy, how about we go to the estate for a while?"
Shen Youying asked in confusion, "Now is a time of great turmoil in the court. Doesn't Your Highness need to stay in the capital?"
Xue Shen played with her hand and smiled slightly: "It is precisely because of the turbulent situation that we need to avoid it."
Shen Youying was still puzzled, but Xue Shen didn't explain further and said, "Then it's settled. After your stepmother is settled, we'll go to the estate for a short stay."
"Since nobody in Tokyo is in the mood to celebrate the New Year this year, we'll go to the estate to celebrate by ourselves."
*
Upon returning to the Prince of Qin's residence, Shen Youying instructed someone to take inventory of the items needed for the New Year's celebration at the estate.
Xue Shen went to the study, where a guard appeared and handed him Shen Muyu's letter: "This is a message that Madam Yu just sent."
Xue Shen opened the envelope and read it slowly.
Afterwards, he threw the envelope and the letter into the charcoal brazier and said, "Shen Muyu alone is not enough to shake Xue Zhan. Moreover, there is Empress Zhou in the palace. She is much more cautious than Xue Zhan and will not take risks easily."
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