Chapter 148
The Imperial Palace.
Purple Palace.
Northern Frontier killed the princess of Great Zhou as a sacrifice to mark the start of a war, and declared war on Great Zhou with an attitude of complete hostility.
This is no longer a question of whether or not the Great Zhou should fight, but a question of whether or not to fight. If it does not fight, the pride and dignity of the Great Zhou will be completely crushed by the iron cavalry of the northern border.
If the Great Zhou retreats, it will be cursed for eternity in the future.
The eldest prince was stripped of his title and sent to Lingbei. The two countries attacked him from both sides, and the pressure suddenly increased. In just ten days, Emperor Chongzhao seemed to have aged several years.
Eunuch Yu came in from outside, "Your Majesty, the Seventh Prince is here."
Emperor Chongzhao sat behind the desk for about half a quarter of an hour without moving. Just when Eunuch Yu thought that he had not heard and was about to say it again, Emperor Chongzhao raised his head with deep wrinkles between his brows, "Let him in."
Qu Dubian came in with a small wooden box, "Your Majesty."
Emperor Chongzhao seemed to have known what he was doing. He looked at him and asked, "Have you made up your mind?"
Qu Dubian walked forward slowly, placed the small wooden box on the table, opened it, and found the piece of black brocade still inside.
"I'm going to the northern border to pick up my aunt and sister."
Emperor Chongzhao's finger landed on the edge of the wooden box. "The situation in the northern border... I thought you would quarrel with me."
Qu Duanbian was silent for a moment, and did not respond. "When I was fourteen, my sister was getting married, and you rejected me once. Your Majesty, will Hei Jin's promise be denied a second time?"
Two and a half years.
There are too many changes.
Emperor Chongzhao: "This black brocade was sent twice and returned twice, all for one thing. Why don't you ask for permission from the court? After all, it is a big deal."
Qu Watanabe: "It's a political matter in the court, but here, it's half a family matter."
"Do you blame me?"
"What does your majesty mean?"
Why bother asking when you already know the answer? If the result of sister is really the same as what is written in the battle report, there is no way he can speak here calmly now.
Emperor Chongzhao looked into his youngest son's extremely calm eyes, which did not contain the anger and sadness he had expected.
Just peace.
He was so calm, as if it hadn't been more than two years since the young man rushed in and questioned him with suppressed anger after hearing that Zhiyi was going to marry.
But it is this kind of calmness that makes people feel empty and anxious.
The rift caused by the marriage has not yet been repaired, let alone now.
Things between him and his youngest son will probably never go back to the way they were before.
Emperor Chongzhao closed his eyes and said, "Go back. I will give you an explanation tomorrow. But you have to know that you have to be able to handle my explanation yourself."
Even if you have experience in suppressing bandits, there will be resistance tomorrow.
"I see."
After Qu Dubian left, Emperor Chongzhao picked up the black brocade and looked at it.
Eunuch Yu: "Your Majesty, do you want me to be released?"
Emperor Chongzhao: "After Xiaoqi came back from suppressing the bandits, I kept thinking about one thing."
"What's up?"
Emperor Chongzhao placed the black brocade in a box and said nothing more.
In two and a half years, Xiao Qi had eliminated almost all of his shortcomings that made him unsuitable to be an heir.
Imperial Physician Yang was rarely called to the Seventh Prince's residence.
The blood of more than 500 fallen heads of Qingzhou bandits washed away the label of being soft-hearted on him.
His civil service skills are a little poor, but his martial arts skills are very good, and his ability to lead troops and his practical experience are better than those of the second-in-command.
This means that the compensation for kicking Xiao Qi out of the candidate for the throne, Hei Jin, was given too early. But did Xiao Qi start to change for Zhi Yi, or has he been hiding from the beginning?
-
The next day.
Early morning.
Today's morning court session no longer had the usual harmonious atmosphere, it was extremely heavy.
Emperor Chongzhao: "I believe you all already know about the events in the northern border."
The Minister of War said: "The barbarians in the northern border killed our princess of the Great Zhou. This hatred is irreconcilable! I beg Your Majesty to order an expedition to the northern border to calm the anger of our Great Zhou soldiers!"
"I beg your majesty to order an expedition to the northern border!"
"I second the motion!"
"I will also review this!"
The princess who was married to a foreign country was beheaded and her bones removed. The news was horrifying. The Northern Frontier had already trampled on the face of the Great Zhou. Anyone who still had a bit of blood in his veins would not tolerate this.
"It's best to delay time. If the Northern Expedition fails, then the Great Zhou will be in danger!"
"Yes, until the northern border can no longer bear it, the two countries will cease fighting, and we can also rest and recuperate."
Master Fang sneered, "Rest and recuperate? Do you mean to send another princess to marry? The Northern Frontier has already torn its face with us. At this time, we don't want to fight, but want to delay. You know, to achieve an 80% result, you must use 100% of your strength. If you only use 80% of your strength, how good can the result be!"
"How old is the Sword-wielding Marquis? The new Marquis Xia has only been in office for a few years. The people from the Northern Frontier are coming in full force, and they have Nanning to help them. If we can hold off until they can no longer support us, we will win."
The pro-war faction and the force-fighting faction started arguing again.
Qu Dubian raised his head quietly and looked at Emperor Chongzhao on the steps.
The father and son looked at each other for a moment.
Emperor Chongzhao: "Stop arguing."
It became quiet down there.
Emperor Chongzhao stood up and said in a deep voice: "The Northern Frontier has gone too far. Jirigela has disregarded the covenant, humiliated and killed the princess who had married into the alliance, and trampled on the dignity of the Great Zhou. From now on, the border troops will launch a full-scale expedition to the Northern Frontier!"
After the emperor made the decision, the two factions stopped arguing and both sides wanted to fight.
"Your Majesty is wise!"
"Where is the Seventh Prince?"
Qu Dubian took a step forward: "Your son is here."
Emperor Chongzhao's voice slowed down: "Among the princes, you are the only one who has experience in leading troops in battle. Now the northern border is bullying us. Are you willing to go to the battle on my behalf, guard the border, and kill the enemy?"
Qu Watanabe: "It is my wish."
Emperor Chongzhao: "The Northern Expedition is different from the suppression of bandits. Do you know that?"
Qu Watanabe: "I know."
Emperor Chong Zhao: "Okay! I will appoint you as the General of the Northern Expedition. Prepare food and supplies. Go to the northern border in three days and assist the Marquis of the Sword. Don't make any mistakes!"
Qu Watanabe: "Son, I obey your order!"
As expected, voices of opposition were heard in the court.
There are two reasons. One is that they are afraid that the Seventh Prince will become more powerful and threaten the status of their own party.
The other view is that although the Seventh Prince has experience in suppressing bandits, there are generals in the northern border, so there is really no need for him to go, as it would only cause trouble.
But no matter which one it is, the words sound high-sounding.
Qu Dubian stood up, stood in front, and looked back at them.
The people who were swept by him softened their voices invisibly.
"I wonder if the gentlemen who think I am not qualified to go are qualified enough and willing to go to the Northern Frontier to kill the enemy?"
In the hall, he walked slowly to an official behind the second prince.
Although he was not even seventeen years old, his aura was so overwhelming that the man subconsciously took a step back.
Qu Dubian stopped half a meter away from him and asked, "Sir, are you willing to go to the northern border to kill the enemy?"
Seeing the man's evasive look, he said, "You don't dare."
"Then is this gentleman willing?"
"You don't want to either."
"What about you? Do you think you are qualified?"
The person he saw lowered his head and said nothing.
"very good."
Qu Dubian stood in the middle of the hall, refusing to give way.
He must go to the Northern Frontier, and he will show no mercy to anyone who stands in his way today.
"In the face of such humiliation and hatred, if the adults are still weighing the pros and cons in their hearts and are pointed out, it will be embarrassing for everyone."
Many people looked embarrassed.
Master Fang rolled up his sleeves.
Once the bottom line is reached, the little guy is going to flip the table.
Qu Watanabe: "I have been free-spirited since I was a child, so sometimes I speak directly. Don't be surprised. Whether you are the second brother's people or the sixth brother's people, everyone knows it. Do you really think that I can't go, or that it will threaten the status of the two brothers?"
Emperor Chongzhao narrowed his eyes.
There were coughing sounds one after another in the court.
Can you say this directly in front of His Majesty?! Even though both parties knew it, this was all done in private. They were all His Majesty's subjects, so-and-so's people. The Seventh Prince simply didn't understand the rules!
Qu Watanabe: "Princess Zhiyi is a princess of the Great Zhou Dynasty, and she is also my elder sister who grew up with me. Let me ask you, how do you feel when your blood relatives are being torn out and hung on flags by the enemy?"
"Did you hear clearly what your majesty said? I am not going to command the Northern Frontier army, but to assist the Sword-bearing Marquis in his conquest and to welcome the two princesses back to the court as blood relatives."
"Your Majesty agrees, the law agrees, ethics agrees, but you don't. So where do you think the king, the law, and even the saints you think of as 'respected parents' are?"
Qu Watanabe: "Second brother, Sixth brother, do you think I can go?"
The Sixth Prince nodded repeatedly: "Yes, yes, yes! It's just that I'm worried that you might get hurt."
The Sixth Prince's party didn't say a word.
Qu Duanbian looked at the second prince again: "Second brother?"
The Second Prince looked at him for a few seconds and said, "Of course I am qualified."
This was done by forcing them both to agree using righteousness and friendship.
My father has issued an order, which is the way of the king. The northern border is tyrannical, and the Great Zhou has launched an expedition. This is the way of law. The sages said, "Respect your parents and elders, love your siblings, and bring back Aunt Xiang and Zhiyi." This is the way of the sages.
With the king, the law and the saint as three huge mountains pressing down on us, who would dare to say no?
Moreover, the seventh brother was smart. He simply attributed those who refuted him in the court to the conflict between the two factions of princes, and then questioned him and the sixth prince, the two leaders.
As long as the two of them agree, most of the voices of rebuttal in the court will disappear.
The fourth prince and the fifth prince also stood up and expressed their support.
Grand Tutor Fang: "No one is more suitable than the Seventh Prince. He is of noble status and can represent your majesty's determination to conquer the northern border, and can also boost the morale of the border troops of the Great Zhou."
After Master Fang spoke, the court became even more silent.
Emperor Chongzhao: "Does anyone else have any comments?"
"I have no objection."
"good."
Emperor Chongzhao said: "Appoint the Seventh Prince as the General of the Northern Expedition. Zhiyi has made great contributions in containing the Northern Frontier. She and Axiang will be honored as the eldest princess together. After defeating the Northern Frontier... you will take them back to the court."
Qu Watanabe: “Yes.”
If my sister really had an accident, the decree of conferring the title would only be a mourning honor. How sad and ironic.
The imperial edict has been issued, and Qu Dubian’s going to the war is a foregone conclusion.
He quickly got busy, selecting 500 soldiers and preparing food and supplies for the journey.
The frontier is a real battlefield, and Qu Dubian left Ye Xiaoyuan behind for safety and to facilitate the transmission of messages. He asked Ye Banban to help him take care of his grandmother and to visit the Marquis' Mansion often when he was free.
He also has to take care of the puppy and vegetables at home. He may be gone for a year or two, and when he comes back, he will be very old.
Ye Xiaoyuan was busy helping him pack up the things he could use, including food, drinks and daily necessities, and he also prepared a lot of colorful hair ties.
The Ministry of Industry sent over the armor that Qu Watanabe had customized some time ago, one set of black heavy armor and one set of silver inner armor.
-
Qu Dubian went to Xu's house to find Xu Tingfeng.
Xu Tingfeng seemed to know that he was coming back and was waiting in the yard early.
He used crutches to free himself from the wheelchair.
I still have some difficulty walking now, and I still get tired after walking too much, but it’s much better than before.
"uncle."
Xu Tingfeng: "Come here."
Qu Watanabe: "Uncle, I'm going to the battle."
Xu Tingfeng raised his hand and brushed away the strands of hair on his forehead. He smiled and said, "Perhaps all outstanding sons of the Xu family have to go through this."
"Uncle, I'm worried about Nanning."
"I will keep an eye on Nanning," Xu Tingfeng said. "If it really comes to that, I will ask to go to Nanning. You can go to Northern Xinjiang without worry."
Qu Watanabe didn't speak for a long time.
Xu Tingfeng: "What's wrong?"
Qu Dubian hugged him silently and said in a muffled voice: "I just feel that what my uncle said can always be done. With you around, I feel especially at ease."
Xu Tingfeng patted his back and said, "When your grandfather was behind me, I felt at ease."
"Xiao Qi, when you go to the Northern Frontier, you must not only be careful of the enemy, but also be careful of your own side. Sometimes the most terrifying thing is not the enemy, but the knife from behind."
Qu Watanabe: "Yeah, I know."
"But uncle, you never told me what happened to your leg."
Xu Tingfeng still didn't say, "Maybe one day you will know, but not now."
"You probably still have a lot of things to do, so go ahead. Your uncle and your uncle Le Tian are here for everything you're worried about. Come back safely."
Qu Watanabe: “Okay.”
The day before departure.
Qu Dubian went to Shunning Palace.
Concubine Xuan: "You little jerk, I thought you weren't coming." She looked a little haggard, and it was obvious that she hadn't slept well in the past few days.
"I was afraid you would worry," Qu Dubian asked in a low voice, "Where is Madam Guo?"
As soon as he finished speaking, there was a creak and Concubine Guo came out of the room.
Her eyes were lifeless from crying, and she walked like a zombie, staring at Qu Duanbian, then tightly grasped his hand, "Bring...bring her back."
"Bring her back..."
Qu Dubian said word by word: "Sister will come back to see you."
He emphasized the word 'see'.
Concubine Guo was stunned.
Then a little light gradually ignited in his eyes, as if a dead spirit had been rekindled.
Her lips trembled, "See, me? Zhiyi, Zhiyi, right?"
Qu Watanabe nodded silently.
Originally, he didn't intend to tell anyone. After all, the more people he told, the more likely the news would be exposed, and his sister would be in greater danger. This was no joke.
but……
He looked at Concubine Guo's red eyes and said, "I'm sorry, Concubine Guo, I can't say it clearly or in detail." This is the most he could reveal.
"It's okay!" Lady Guo covered her ears, "I don't know anything, I didn't hear anything."
Having been with the Seventh Prince for so many years, she knew his character and would never say nonsense. Zhiyi, her daughter is still alive... As long as she is alive, that's good enough.
Concubine Guo slowly squatted down and cried bitterly.
It’s different from all the previous ones, and I feel a bit hopeful and grateful.
Concubine Xuan sighed, left her enough space, and pulled Qu Dubian to the other side.
"I'll watch over her. But, Zhiyi, really?"
Qu Watanabe nodded.
Concubine Xuan: "Planning and scheming are what you hate the most. Concubine Xuan always feels that you are not as happy as before. If you feel tired, come to Shunning Palace often and sit for a while. I will always be here."
"Not tired," Qu Dubian said, "After the Northern Frontier incident is resolved, all of us in Shunning Palace will be safe, and my happiness will return."
A bell rang outside, and the palace gates were about to be locked.
Qu Watanabe: "I should go now."
He will go on an expedition tomorrow, and this will be his last night in the capital.
Concubine Xuan stood up and subconsciously called out to his back, "Xiao Qi..."
"My son, be careful when you go."
Qu Dubian turned around and saw the tears in her eyes. He had never seen tears in Concubine Xuan's eyes. Qu Dubian's eyes were a little sore, but the word "mother" came to his lips, and in the end he couldn't say it in front of her.
He just forced a super bright smile and made a funny gesture to comfort Concubine Xuan.
"I'm leaving!"
-
This last night.
Qu Dubian lived in the marquis's mansion to accompany his grandmother.
Wu Siwan didn't say anything, and continued to happily let Fang's mother prepare delicious food for him.
Just like every night he stayed here.
But when it was time to go to bed, Wu Siwan moved a small stool and sat in front of Qu Dubian's bed, looking at him like a little child.
Qu Duan huddled in the quilt, "Grandma, why don't you go to bed?"
Wu Siwan: "I'm looking at you."
Qu Watanabe: "Why are you looking at me?"
The little old lady said: "In the past, I always stared at your grandpa like this every night before he went to war. I always felt that every time I saw him, it was one less time. I didn't know if I would be able to see him again next time. I cherished every time I saw him. It's the same with you. I'm used to it."
Qu Watanabe: "Grandma, I will come back alive, and so will Grandpa. If anything happens, I will send a message back in time, and Xiaoyuan will tell you."
Wu Siwan patted his head and said, "Little darling, grandma will also go and see you off tomorrow."
"Um?"
"Every time I send your grandpa off, he always comes back safely. Grandma hopes the same for you."
"Okay," Qu Watanabe grabbed the old lady's hand, "I'll do as you say."
"Grandma, go to bed."
"You go to bed first."
She was so stubborn that Qu Duanbian had to close his eyes.
He pretended to be asleep in order to get his grandmother to go back early, but his grandmother did not leave until dawn.
Only occasionally, the little old lady would get up and tuck in the corner of his quilt, making a faint sound.
When she and the old man first brought the child out of the palace, he was just a short, skinny little kid with short arms and legs. How come he had grown up so big in the blink of an eye?
-
The next day.
early morning.
Qu Dubian set out on the expedition from the north gate of the capital.
More than a thousand people, escorting food and supplies, marched northward.
The north city gate was filled with people seeing them off.
Wu Siwan, Ye Xiaoyuan, Eunuch Yu, the second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth princes, the Xie family, Xi Zixing... and so on and so forth.
Xi Zixing said seriously: "After I finish the exam and stay in the Hanlin Academy for the required time, I will ask to go to the Northern Frontier to find you. Wait for me."
Qu Watanabe: "You still have a future in the capital."
The fourth prince said, "The border is not as good as the capital. Xiaoqi, don't take any risks. Listen to Marquis Xu."
Qu Watanabe: "Good Fourth Brother, I know."
After greeting his brothers one by one, Eunuch Yu said, "Your Majesty's words should be used with caution."
"Um."
Qu Dubian stopped in front of Wu Siwan and said, "Grandma, I really have to go."
Once the issues in the northern border are resolved, grandpa will be able to come back and live with grandma in peace and contentment. They no longer have to be separated by thousands of miles and unable to see each other for more than ten years.
"Let's go."
Qu Dubian jumped onto the horse.
The team was moving quite fast and soon he disappeared from sight.
The people who came to the north gate to see them off left one after another, and in the end only Wu Siwan and Ye Xiaoyuan were left.
Ye Xiaoyuan advised: "Old Madam, let's go back."
Wu Siwan: "My husband has gone to the battlefield and has not returned yet, and now my grandson is going too."
There is mist in the early morning and dewdrops are rolling on the grass.
She saw Ye Xiaoyuan's worry, but comforted him instead, "Don't worry about me, I will wait for them to come back."
In her life, the two things she is most accustomed to are missing and waiting.
-
After three days of traveling north, Qu Dubian arrived at Shanming Pass.
The last time he sent his elder sister to marry, he stopped here.
This time, as the General of the Northern Expedition, he stepped into the trap of marriage.
He asked the team to stop and rest, walked aside and blew a whistle.
Yi Twelve appeared in front of him, "Your Highness."
Qu Watanabe: "I just sensed that you're back. Is there any important news?"
Yi Twelve shook his head: "No, the Dark Web doesn't need me to run around in person in the short term. I came back because I wanted to be with His Highness."
"The northern border is dangerous, I'm worried about you being alone."
Qu Duanbian: "I am not one. You forgot that my grandfather is in the Northern Frontier. That part is also half of my territory."
B12: “It’s different.”
"Okay," Qu Dubian agreed with him, "Then you can stay by my side and be my personal guard."
B12: "Treat me as Xiaoyuan."
Qu Watanabe: “…”
Can he speak? What does it mean to "use me as Xiaoyuan"? He just relies on Ye Banban a little bit on some small things sometimes!
He pulled Yi Twelve to the front of the team. Everyone in the team was curious about this sudden appearance, but they didn't dare to ask more questions.
Qu Dubian: "Is there any other news from the Northern Frontier?"
Yi Twelve looked a little hesitant, "There is something about your maternal grandfather, but I'm not sure if it's accurate."
Qu Watanabe: "You say."
Yi Twelve said softly, "Lord Xu doesn't seem to be in a good mental state. He was sick a while ago, and before he recovered, the war broke out in the northern border. He hasn't had time to rest yet. Because the western defenders lost two cities, the pressure on the central city has increased. Lord Xu has to resist the charge of the frontal army and the attack from the west."
Qu Dubian frowned: "Grandpa's character is not one that can be subdued. If people can see that he is not in good condition, then he must be in a bad state to a certain extent."
They are now at Shanming Pass, and it will take another five days to arrive if they advance at full speed.
On the northern border, there are four eastern cities, six central cities, and four western cities, a total of fourteen main defensive cities, with scattered small cities behind them.
The place they are going to now is the third building in the central city, which is also considered the main city. It is located in the middle, so orders can be issued in a timely manner.
When there is no large-scale war, the main city is the main residence of generals.
B12: "Maybe it's not as bad as you think."
Qu Watanabe: "Anyway, the sooner we get there, the better."
After a short rest, they set off again, but this time Qu Watanabe was accompanied by Yi Twelve.
-
Zhongsan City.
The news that the Seventh Prince was the General of the Northern Expedition and was coming to the border had already spread throughout the border.
But now Xu Jin is in Zhongyi City and Xia Fuyang is in Dongyi City. The two armies are on the verge of a fight and they cannot do without their main generals, so neither of them could spare the time to rush over to greet them.
The people who came to pick up Qu Dubian and his group were from the Supervisory Office, which was responsible for monitoring the Northern Frontier.
That is, the original eunuchs of the East Factory who came here with Prince Ming at that time.
The leader was called Feng Bing, who was the second in command of the Border Army Supervisory Office besides Prince Ming.
He was standing on tiptoe, looking forward to it. When he saw the Seventh Prince's team from afar, a smile broke out on his face.
Without waiting for the team to get closer, he led his men to rush over and said, "Feng Bing from the Border Army Supervisory Office greets the Seventh Prince!"
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