It wasn't that Qi Yong wanted to speak well of the three, but rather that he couldn't bear to see his master so angry.
Getting angry is bad for your health. Ji Xuan's health had just started to improve, and Qi Yong didn't want him to worry about such trivial matters.
Regardless of what the three elders thought, he would ensure that they supported their master.
"Let's hope so!"
Ji Xuan only had a sliver of confidence in Liu An; as for the other two, he harbored doubts.
If they are defeated, others will have a chance to survive and even continue to be wealthy, but the three Grand Secretaries will be slaughtered along with their entire families.
Liu An had no ties, was willing to take risks, and was capable of doing so. As for others...
Thinking of this, Ji Xuan sighed irritably.
Seeing this, Qi Yong quickly comforted him, "Master, please be optimistic and don't always think about the worst-case scenario."
“It’s not that I’m thinking the worst, but I understand their thoughts. An and Zhong are both somewhat selfish. Even if they advocate war, their attitude won’t be very firm. Once there’s a sign of defeat, they will not hesitate to switch to peace.”
Ji Xuan understood this roundabout tactic all too well, which only made her more agitated.
"Their opinions are not important," Qi Yong said dismissively. "The emperor is the only ruler. They must obey your orders, or they will be considered disobedient. Even if they oppose us, the Northwest is firmly under His Majesty's control. They will only act according to His Majesty's will."
Qi Yong's words made Ji Xuan feel much better.
Although still depressed, she has calmed down and even has the mind to review memorials.
The Residence of the Protector of the Nation.
The old lady recounted the events of the morning court session to her family.
"A joint attack by barbarians!" the old man exclaimed anxiously. "Wouldn't Jiang Chao and Huang Shu be in grave danger?"
“Where on the battlefield is there no danger?” the old woman said dismissively. “They’re both so strong, they’ll definitely survive.”
The old lady wasn't so worried about her grandson's safety; she was more concerned about the safety of the Great Zhou Dynasty.
Better to be a dog in times of peace than a human in times of chaos. If we really can't hold the Northwest, the people who have just settled down will probably face even more disasters again.
"What good is strength if it can't compare to a broadsword? If it comes down, there's nowhere to dodge."
"What do you know?" the old woman sneered. "If you encounter a tiger on the mountain, can you compete with it? As long as you run faster than others, that's enough. It's the same on the battlefield. As long as you're more capable than others, your chances of survival are much greater."
Just don't meddle in other people's business.
However, the old lady did not believe that her two grandsons would stand by and watch her die.
"That makes sense." After relaxing, the old man suddenly realized, "Those people in the court are already thinking about seeking peace before even encountering any problems. Isn't that a bit too cowardly?"
They quickly backed down before even fighting, instead of eagerly telling others that they were easy to bully. They can't even understand such a simple principle. What kind of books have those ministers read?
When trouble comes, even if you can't win, you should still bite off a piece of flesh to let others know that you are not to be trifled with, so that they will not dare to bully you again.
"It's really pathetic," the old lady said, looking down on him. "There are so many men in the court, but they all just want to cower in the shadows. Even if you want to be a turtle, you need a turtle shell. Thick skin can't protect you from swords!"
These words amused Huang Xiaosan. "Grandma is right. But then again, their objections are useless. The key is what the Emperor thinks."
"Your Majesty?" The old lady's tone was somewhat uncertain. "Shouldn't we have a fight first?"
"I suppose so," Huang Xiaosan said thoughtfully. "His Majesty has great ambitions and is unlikely to back down to Gandan. Those officials who sought peace are doomed and will definitely be dealt with."
"Perhaps!"
"No, definitely!"
Huang Xiaosan smiled maliciously.
The capital city, which had just calmed down, was about to become lively again.
really.
The following day, the court began to stir, with orders for transfers being issued one after another, keeping the Ministry of Rites extremely busy.
While everyone thought the emperor was preparing for the northwest, some people discovered that it was the peacemakers who were the ones who suffered.
Immediately, some people panicked.
"Brother An," Grand Secretary Zhong said with great unease, "is His Majesty determined to refuse to compromise?"
“Probably,” An Qingyun said after thinking for a moment. “Someone suggested making peace yesterday, and they were dealt with today. His Majesty’s attitude is very clear: anyone who asks for peace is going against him.”
“You’re still young and impetuous,” Grand Secretary Zhong said, displeased. “How can you act so rashly in such matters? Seeking peace is the best solution. Whether we win or lose, it will not benefit the Great Zhou. It will only cause hardship and loss of resources, and the people will be displaced.”
“His Majesty wouldn’t think that way,” Grand Secretary An said dismissively. “In our eyes, the Great Zhou belongs to the whole world, but in His Majesty’s eyes, it is his own private property. Whoever dares to reach out and chop off the other will be his own.”
"In this case, how will the people of Great Zhou cope?"
“They are not important. What His Majesty wants is for the Ji family’s empire to be stable,” An Qingyun said hesitantly. “My previous plan was to prepare in accordance with His Majesty’s wishes, and to seek peace if the situation was not good. But now it seems that His Majesty will not allow such a double-dealing behavior.”
"What do we do now?" Grand Secretary Zhong was very troubled. "If His Majesty is determined, there's no point in trying to persuade him, and we certainly can't go against him. But if that's the case, the peace that the Great Zhou has just begun will be shattered again."
As the saying goes, the greatest fear of a Grand Secretary is turmoil, and everything is aimed at maintaining stability.
No matter what ambitions they may have today, that's none of their concern; their duty is to be responsible to all officials and to the nation.
“Yes,” An Qingyun pressed his brow, puzzled. “They say misfortunes never come singly, but the Great Zhou’s luck has been too strange lately. One thorny matter after another has come. Just when we had finally sorted things out, another military crisis has struck. Which deity have we offended?”
"Who knows?" Grand Secretary Zhong said weakly. "If we had known this would happen, we should have paid more attention to this year's sacrificial ceremony to Heaven. People are bound to be grateful for what others have given them, and even the gods would have been more lenient."
After saying that, the two of them sighed at the same time.
Suddenly, Xiao Yuanzi came over and said, "You two Grand Secretaries, His Majesty has decreed that you two from the Imperial Study are invited to discuss important matters."
Upon hearing this, An Qingyun forced himself to stay alert. "Is it related to the war in the Northwest?"
"Indeed, His Majesty instructed me to remind you to bring the national treasury documents so that we can formulate detailed countermeasures."
"Thank you for your trouble. We'll change our clothes and go."
The two walked into the inner hall and looked at each other.
"It seems that His Majesty does not want the two of us to continue to deceive him."
“It’s all Liu An’s fault,” Zhong Ping said with great dissatisfaction. “If he hadn’t been so obsequious and had stood with us through thick and thin, His Majesty would have had some reservations.”
"It's too late to say anything now, let's quickly think of a way to deal with the situation at hand."
“Brother An,” Zhong Ping’s eyes flickered, and he tentatively suggested, “what do you think, should we tell the Lady Protector of the Nation about this?”
"Tell the Lady Protector of the Nation?"
"Yes, in the entire Great Zhou Dynasty, only the Lady Protector of the Nation can persuade the Emperor."
"However, are you sure the Lady Protector is on our side?"
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