Plan to cut down the long whale with a single sword
“That’s enough!”
Ji Mingxiu frowned as he looked at the ministers who had been arguing fiercely since the beginning of the court session. He raised his hand and threw the jade seal down with a harsh sound.
“…”
The hall suddenly became quiet, and everyone's eyes were on the little emperor on the throne, the nominal master of the Great Xuan Dynasty.
The 16-year-old boy still had a slightly childish face, and the size of the dragon robe he hurriedly made was modified to imitate the size of Ji Mingxiu when he was a prince.
The Xiongnu invasion and the death of his father and brother had exhausted him physically and mentally in the past few days. The belt, which was originally the right size, had become a little too big and hung empty on the little emperor, making him look even thinner.
"Since none of you, my dear ministers, can come up with a good strategy to deal with the Xiongnu."
Ji Mingxiu walked down the steps slowly, looking at everyone in the hall - the ambitious prime minister, the two-faced minister, and even the loyal generals were not loyal to him.
"That's better." Ji Mingxiu took off the heavy imperial crown, placed it solemnly on the steps, turned around and spoke to the ministers word by word.
"I will lead the army in person tomorrow and will never let the Great Xuan Dynasty perish before me."
"No, Your Majesty!"
All the ministers knelt down immediately, and tried to persuade him, "The country cannot be without a ruler for a day, Your Majesty."
Yes, Ji Mingxiu closed his eyes helplessly, he was just a symbol of the Great Xuan Dynasty, sitting on this lofty dragon throne, but unable to control his own destiny.
"No need to persuade me, I have made up my mind..."
Ji Mingxiu sat on the steps and waved his hands, ready to announce his retirement.
"His Majesty."
A low voice sounded, which seemed unusually abrupt in the silent hall.
It was General Gu's son, Gu Zi'an.
General Gu had made great military achievements during his lifetime, and the late emperor specially appointed him as the General of the State. Six years ago, General Gu passed away due to illness, and Gu Zi'an, who was only 17 years old, was also appointed as the General of the State, holding the rank of the fourth rank, with a promising future.
"What else do you want, my dear?"
Ji Mingxiu looked up at Gu Zi'an, who had a stern face. He knew that Gu Zi'an had always been close to his brother, and the two admired each other and often talked all night long. But now, he had been allowed to sit on the seat that should have belonged to his brother, so how could he tame this fierce tiger?
"The battlefield is ever-changing, and swords are blind. I am afraid that your majesty's dragon body will be injured. If your majesty trusts me, I am willing to go to the northern border."
Gu Zi'an looked at Ji Mingxiu deeply, then knelt on one knee, speaking loudly with every word.
"Unless I die, I will definitely defeat the Huns and bring peace and prosperity to Your Majesty!"
Do you want to let him go?
Ji Mingxiu was a little hesitant. Although Gu Zi'an inherited the title of General Gu, he had no outstanding military achievements. Could he take on the position of marshal? But if he did not go, there would be no military officer in the court with the prestige of General Gu's son.
He stared into those determined eyes for a long time, and finally made up his mind.
"Okay, appoint General Gu Zi'an as the Grand Marshal of Pingjiang, and march to the Northern Frontier today!"
This noisy morning court finally came to an end.
Ji Mingxiu returned to the Qinzheng Hall, where memorials were piled high and swaying, as if the building was about to collapse.
The entire pile of documents were almost all about the affairs of the Northern Border. Appointing a commander was not as simple as issuing an imperial edict. From mobilizing troops to food and fodder, everything required careful planning.
Ji Mingxiu did not leave the Qinzheng Hall for almost the entire day. It was not until the moon was above the willows that Qiu Ling persuaded him to eat something and return to the Qianqing Palace to rest.
As soon as he stepped into the Qianqing Palace, Ji Mingxiu keenly sensed something was wrong.
"have……"
Before he could finish his words, a warm hand covered his mouth the next second.
"Your Majesty, it is you who are my subjects."
Gu Zi'an's deep voice rang in Ji Mingxiu's ears. It was not as firm as it was in the court, but rather trembled a little.
What does Gu Zian want to do?
Regicide? Usurpation?
Ji Mingxiu remained expressionless, but his mind was filled with thoughts.
Neither is possible.
The emperor's brother was already dead, and Gu Zi'an was not someone who wanted to usurp the throne, not to mention that he had just requested to go to the northern border in the palace. If he really wanted to seize power, it would be more convenient to do so in the capital than in the northern border.
Thinking of this, Ji Mingxiu calmed down and waited for Gu Zi'an to reveal the purpose of his late-night visit to the Qianqing Palace.
"Your Majesty, I will be going to the Northern Frontier soon..."
"I don't know when I can return. Or maybe... I will never have the chance to see Your Majesty again."
"Before I leave, I..."
"May I ask Your Majesty..."
"Please...a favor..."
By the end of his speech, Gu Zi'an's voice had become so hoarse and intermittent that it was almost inaudible, but the struggle and determination revealed in his words were so obvious.
Ji Mingxiu could even feel Gu Zi'an's hand covering his hand trembling and sweating slightly, but he still refused to let him go, as if if he let him go, he would be rejected mercilessly in the next second.
What kind of grace could allow Gu Zi'an, who now holds the power of the three armed forces, to come to the Qianqing Palace in the middle of the night to ask for help from the emperor who is in a dilemma?
You can't be trying to get him to give up the throne, right?
Ji Mingxiu pondered over it again and again, and finally nodded.
"His Majesty……"
Gu Zi'an's breathing suddenly became disordered for a moment, as if he didn't dare to believe Ji Mingxiu's promise. He even suspected that all this was just his imagination after going crazy.
He bit the soft flesh on his cheek hard. The smell of blood instantly spread from the wound, and also helped him regain a bit of sanity.
Gu Zi steadied his breathing and confirmed again carefully.
"Your Majesty's words are as good as gold. Once you agree, you can't go back on your word."
I said I would lead the army in person, but I didn't go, didn't I?
Hearing this, Ji Mingxiu felt a chill in his heart. He felt a little regretful now. What should he do?
But there is no regret medicine in this world.
He held Gu Zi'an's hand and felt the person behind him resist for a moment, then he relaxed, and the hand that was tightly covering his also loosened.
Ji Mingxiu turned around, and the two of them were squeezed in the narrow space, their hair intertwined, even their breathing and heartbeats were entangled, full of indescribable ambiguity.
Because of the height difference, Ji Mingxiu could only look up at Gu Zi'an. He looked into Gu Zi'an's anxious eyes and made a promise again, leaving no way out for himself.
"Whatever favor you desire, I will grant it to you as long as I can do it."
Although he lowered his voice deliberately, every word he spoke was as solemn as when he personally appointed Gu Zi'an as the Grand Marshal of Pingjiang in the Golden Palace.
What's the harm in wanting the throne?
"minister……"
Gu Zi'an stared at Ji Mingxiu closely, his eyes filled with a madness that Ji Mingxiu could not understand.
"Wanted Grace..."
Gu Zian put the ring around Ji Mingxiu's waist. Although his hands were shaking violently, he did not retreat at all.
"Yes, Your Majesty!"