This considerable expense is truly painful to bear.
"Jiang Chao," Yang Qing pleaded with a tearful face, "could you lower the price? We really don't have that much money."
“General,” Jiang Chao said with difficulty, “we really didn’t ask for much. Setting up an array is not that simple, and my second sister-in-law is not skilled enough. She is bound to make mistakes. We can’t just put things in there ourselves, can we?”
"But……"
Before Yang Qing could finish speaking, Fang Han interrupted, "It's very fair. We agree to this and will apply to His Majesty later."
“There’s no need to rush,” Jiang Chao said considerately. “Second sister-in-law still has some things on hand, so let’s start making arrangements. This matter can’t be delayed. Besides, I believe the court will not let us down.”
"Definitely, definitely."
After they finished speaking, the three, each with their own thoughts, reached a consensus.
After Jiang Chao left, Yang Qing questioned him with dissatisfaction, "How could you agree to such outrageous conditions?"
"Where is it outrageous?"
"Whether it's jade or silver, neither is something that can be easily agreed to. The expenses in the Northwest are already high, and if this is added on, those people in the imperial court will be dissatisfied again."
"so what?"
"So we need to discuss this properly!"
Upon hearing this, Fang Han raised an eyebrow. "What are we discussing? How do we negotiate a lower price, or are we just going to have them work for free?"
Upon hearing this, Yang Qing's face flushed red. "That's not what I meant."
"What do you mean by 'not that'? If you think someone's asking price is too high, you can refuse Jiang Chao's offer. But you want them to set up the formation on one hand, and don't want to pay the price on the other. Is there such a good deal?"
“I really didn’t mean that,” Yang Qing said, feeling that Fang Han’s words were too serious. “It’s just that we are indeed in difficult circumstances right now, and we must save money wherever possible, unless it is an essential expense.”
"Isn't this a necessary expense?"
Upon hearing this, Yang Qing's face darkened. "Fang Han, what's wrong with you today? Are you siding with outsiders? Jiang Chao is clearly making exorbitant demands. The Lady Protector of the Nation didn't have so many requirements when she set up the formation."
Upon hearing this, Fang Han's eyes flashed with mockery, "The Lady Protector set up the formation for the sake of His Majesty and his family. Can you compare to His Majesty or the Lady Protector's family?"
"I……"
Fang Han didn't want to listen to Yang Qing's excuses at all. "To put it bluntly, isn't it just that you think the Lady Protector of the Nation is easy to talk to and won't care about these things? But don't you see who the Lady Protector of the Nation deals with? There are some things that His Majesty can do, but we can't!"
After saying this, Fang Han turned and left.
He disapproved of Yang Qing's actions, but because they were colleagues, he didn't say much.
Fang Han's words were like a slap in the face to Yang Qing.
After a long silence, she complained with dissatisfaction, "I'm not doing this for myself, so why do you say that? Every citizen has a responsibility for the rise and fall of the nation. Since Madam Huang has such abilities, why can't she do more for the Great Zhou?"
When Jiang Chao learned of this, he sneered, "I knew someone would think that!"
He agreed with the saying that every citizen has a responsibility for the rise and fall of a nation. Without a country, there is no home. However, the Great Zhou was not just their country, and weakness and incompetence were not excuses for shirking responsibility.
"Indeed, I shouldn't have spoiled them like that in the first place."
Thinking of this, Jiang Chao immediately picked up a pen and wrote a letter, sealed it with lacquer, and had it sent home.
Upon receiving the war report from the Northwest, Ji Xuan immediately summoned all civil and military officials to discuss the matter.
The moment the news was heard, the entire room erupted in uproar.
"Your Majesty, the barbarians have come with overwhelming force. Even a million-strong army would be no match for them. I propose that we negotiate peace, exchanging a temporary compromise for decades of peace. We can then launch a full-scale attack when the Great Zhou is stronger in a few years."
The one who spoke was an Imperial Censor, a very old man who was also quite afraid of death and worried that the Great Zhou would be trampled by barbarians.
If the royal family had more princesses, he would have suggested a marriage alliance.
These words infuriated Ji Xuan, but he concealed it well, saying, "This matter still needs to be discussed, and all my beloved ministers may speak freely."
“To be cowardly before the battle is a great taboo for soldiers,” Wang Qi said, “I cannot stand such spinelessness. I propose that we execute those who spread such fallacies and sow discord among the troops.”
As he spoke, he knelt down straight down, "Although this old minister is old, I am willing to fight to the death for the Great Zhou. Please grant me permission, Your Majesty."
Wang Qi's words pleased Ji Xuan, however, he no longer dared to trust this man. "Minister Wang is still vigorous despite his age, which is very gratifying to me. We will discuss this matter later."
After speaking, Ji Xuan turned her gaze to the people in the main hall.
After the warm-up, everyone was eager to express their opinions, and the two factions, clearly divided, started arguing heatedly.
The debate had not reached a conclusion by the end of the morning court session.
Aside from nodding occasionally, Ji Xuan did not offer any opinions or reveal her own thoughts.
Until... he returned to the Imperial Study.
"Qi Yong, remember all those who sought peace without a fight. I will deal with them one by one!"
I'm so angry, I'm really so angry!
Even after drinking a cup of tea, I still couldn't suppress the anger in my heart.
Ji Xuan believed that the officials of the Great Zhou had already weathered many storms, and even if they lacked the determination to fight to the death, they should at least have the courage to fight. But...
These cowardly bastards, just hearing this news, which wasn't even confirmed to be true, made their bones go weak, and they wished they could kneel at the feet of the barbarians and beg for mercy...
"Your Majesty, rest assured, this servant guarantees that not a single one will be left behind."
“If it weren’t for the fact that this is a time of great turmoil, I would have taken their lives today. As important ministers of the Great Zhou, they have no integrity whatsoever. Such people are a disgrace to their ancestors.”
“They’ve had too much wealth and luxury, so naturally they’re unwilling to take risks,” Qi Yong understood these people’s thoughts very well. “As the saying goes, a dynasty lasts for a hundred years and a family lasts for a thousand. No matter whose empire it is, it can’t do without their governance. Naturally, their ideas are different from His Majesty’s.”
Fortunately, all three Grand Secretaries were sensible and knew what was important.
If even the Grand Secretary advocates for peace talks, then that would be a tragedy for the Great Zhou.
"The three of them?" Ji Xuan sneered. "They each have their own agendas!"
Ji Xuan was a staunch advocate of war. He had greater ambitions and aspirations. To him, Gandan was just an obstacle, and there was a longer journey ahead.
If we shrink back in the face of even this small obstacle, how can we talk about future aspirations?
However, regardless of the three Grand Secretaries or the civil and military officials, they all prioritized stability and dared not take any radical actions.
Therefore, despite the uproar in the court today, the three Grand Secretaries all fell silent in a rare moment of tacit agreement.
Ji Xuan was very dissatisfied with this.
He felt that it was fine if others didn't understand, but these three people had to stand by his side.
“This is surprising,” Qi Yong said, rarely speaking up for the three Grand Secretaries. “I believe that the three of them are not against His Majesty, but are still weighing the options. After all, the Great Zhou does not have enough money to invest in the Northwest at this time.”
Changing the subject, Qi Yong said confidently, "However, I believe that the three of them have His Majesty in their hearts and will definitely support His Majesty's decision."
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