The situation in the capital was relatively stable, and even the eldest prince and the Yu family remained silent.
However, Yan Qingqing felt that something was not right. Based on her time in the capital and her understanding of Consort Yu and her son, they were not people who could keep their composure.
Something unusual must be going on, so Yan Qingqing didn't dare to let her guard down and kept people watching them.
Of course, Yan Qingqing genuinely hoped they would behave themselves so she could have some peace of mind.
In contrast, in the North, since Marshal Huang adopted Li Xiangjian's advice, he has won several brilliant victories.
He received unanimous approval from Marshal Huang and General Ling. Marshal Huang wrote to the emperor, saying that Li Xiangjian was brave and resourceful, had made many military achievements, and had been trained in the army. He had the talent of a general and was capable of great responsibilities. He specially submitted a memorial on his behalf to request merit.
The emperor was overjoyed upon receiving the memorial. It is said that it is easy to find a thousand soldiers but difficult to find a good general. He believed that Marshal Huang's judgment was not wrong.
Moreover, Li Xiangjian was Yan Qingqing's son, which made him even happier.
After these major events, the emperor had come to trust Yan Qingqing quite a bit, so he believed that Lady Mingzhao's son would certainly be no less capable.
So the emperor waved his hand and promoted Li Xiangjian to the rank of a fifth-grade lieutenant general.
This rank is considered average among military officers.
When the imperial edict arrived in the northern border, Marshal Huang was thinking of celebrating for Li Xiangjian, but Li Xiangjian stopped him.
He clasped his hands in thanks to Marshal Huang and General Ling and said, "This humble general thanks you for your kindness, Marshal and General. However, we cannot relax for a single day until the people of Beiliang are driven out."
I am currently only a fifth-rank lieutenant general, so let's skip the celebration.
My only wish is to defeat the Northern Liang people as soon as possible, so that I can reunite with my family soon.
I've been away from home for two years now, and I don't know when I'll be able to go back. I really miss my mother and my brothers and sisters back home.
My youngest sister is not even four years old yet, and I don't know if she still recognizes me as her third brother.
Li Xiangjian's voice grew softer and softer, even choked with emotion; he truly missed home.
Marshal Huang and General Ling fell silent upon hearing this; they, too, longed for home.
They themselves don't even remember how long it's been since they last went home.
After a moment of silence, General Ling finally spoke up and cursed, "You really are a heartless bastard. Marshal Huang and I were kind enough to ask for your merits."
But you, of all people, bring up our sad memories.
You are now a fifth-rank lieutenant general. At such a young age, not even twenty, you have already reached the fifth rank. Your future achievements will certainly not be lower than mine.
If you were to tell all your brothers in the army that you miss your mother or even cry in front of them, that would be truly shameful.
"How could a woman as capable as Lady Mingzhao have given birth to such an embarrassing son like you?"
Li Xiangjian wasn't particularly angry when he heard General Ling say that. He just snorted twice and said, "My mother is naturally the most powerful woman in the world. How can I compare to her?"
General Ling: ...
He had heard of henpecked husbands and daughters, but what was Li Xiangjian called a mother slave?
Although General Ling had never met Yan Qingqing, he had to admit that she was an extremely formidable woman.
Putting everything else aside, the fact that she was able to become Grand Tutor alone shows that she was no ordinary person.
Moreover, his good-for-nothing younger brother would always mention Lady Mingzhao in his letters, and he could feel the affection in his words even though they were thousands of miles apart.
However, judging from Ling Ziyuan's letter, it seems that the king had a dream, but the goddess was unmoved. His foolish younger brother is probably destined to be a heartbroken person for the rest of his life.
However, this was ultimately beyond his control.
Perhaps influenced by Li Xiangjian, Marshal Huang said, "We've suffered so much at the hands of the Northern Liang people for so many years, it's time for us to finally stand up for ourselves."
"You all reorganize the army, boost morale, and then we'll discuss the battle plan. This time, we'll teach the Northern Liang people a lesson they won't forget, forcing them to cower in Liangjing and never dare to venture out again."
Li Xiangjian and General Ling were both invigorated upon hearing this, and then replied in unison, "Your subordinates obey!"
A few days later, the Northern Yan army split into three routes and marched towards Northern Liang.
Li Xiangjian was appointed as the vanguard, with General Ling bringing up the rear.
Although Li Xiangjian has won many battles, large and small, since arriving at the border, this is the first time that they have taken the lead in attacking and conquering cities and territories.
Therefore, Li Xiangjian was extremely excited. After boosting morale, he formulated a meticulous battle plan and captured three cities in Beiliang in a few months, making the people of Beiliang tremble with fear.
For a time, Li Xiangjian's name resounded throughout the entire Northern Liang and Great Yan.
The soldiers of Beiliang were terrified at the mere mention of Li Xiangjian's name.
The governor of Beiliang even offered a reward of a thousand taels of gold for Li Xiangjian's head, but Li Xiangjian became more and more courageous in battle.
Killing on the battlefield is the best way to hone one's spirit. Li Xiangjian himself doesn't remember how many people he killed. He only knows that if he finishes killing the Beiliang people, he will definitely be able to go home.
So after several battles, Li Xiangjian was full of murderous intent. Not only were the people of Beiliang afraid, but even the soldiers of Dayan dared not approach him.
That feeling is exactly the feeling of disregarding life after killing thousands or tens of thousands of people.
Of course, Li Xiangjian himself also has many scars, big and small, on his body.
By the time the good news reached the capital, autumn was almost here.
The emperor was holding the morning court session when a eunuch from the inner gate reported that an urgent report had arrived from the northern border, which was eight hundred li away.
This startled the ministers who were attending court. Although there had been constant battles on the border in recent years, there had not been any major conflicts.
With Marshal Huang personally overseeing things, everyone felt very reassured.
How could they not be alarmed by this sudden, urgent report?
The emperor remained calm. Some time ago, when Marshal Huang petitioned the emperor for Li Xiangjian's merits, the emperor guessed that it was probably not a bad thing.
As expected, the messenger entered the main hall, knelt down, and said loudly, "Your Majesty, an urgent report from the border states that our Great Yan soldiers have advanced triumphantly and, under the leadership of Lieutenant General Li, have captured three cities of Northern Liang."
Upon hearing this, the emperor was overjoyed and excitedly stood up from his dragon throne, saying, "Quickly! Bring it here!"
After reading the report, the emperor laughed heartily a few times, patted the dragon throne, and said, "Good! Good! What a fine Lieutenant General Li! What a fine Li Xiangjian!"
"To make the Governor of Northern Liang so angry, he truly deserves to be called a fine son of our Great Yan, and indeed, the son of Lady Mingzhao."
Upon seeing this, all the ministers, with great tact, knelt down and congratulated the emperor in unison, saying, "Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations, Your Majesty!"
After the initial excitement subsided, the emperor declared loudly, "The morale of our Great Yan is now at its peak. Ministry of War, Ministry of Revenue, I order you to fully cooperate with Marshal Huang and his men."
In particular, weapons and provisions must be adequately prepared and supplied in a timely manner. If I find out that any of you are tampering with things behind the scenes and delaying the battle, I will exterminate your entire clan!
Although the current emperor practices benevolent governance, it does not mean that he is without ambition. He certainly cannot let go of such a good opportunity.
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