Therefore, the emperor had a good grasp of these military generals' mentality. He said that he would let the Prince of Dingbian mentor these rookies, but in reality, he was implying that the reason they could not grow was because of the Prince of Dingbian's suppression.
After being subtly insulted by the emperor, the Prince of Dingbian was speechless and could only swallow his anger.
That evening, after returning to the palace, the Prince of Dingbian, who had been feeling frustrated all night, flew into a rage and ordered Pang Hu to be summoned.
Pang Hu was his most loyal deputy general, and unlike other generals, he would never appear to submit to him but actually harbor selfish motives.
"You saw the Emperor's attitude tonight," the Prince of Dingbian said angrily. "You help me think of a way to teach him a lesson."
Pang Hu pondered for a moment and said, "Your Highness, the Emperor now looks down on you, so you must show your abilities and make him understand that you are irreplaceable. Therefore, I have a plan."
The King of Dingbian said with interest, "Tell me about it."
Pang Hu said in a sinister tone, "These small skirmishes are clearly not enough to show the emperor your ability to lead troops. Why don't we just start a big war?"
The Prince of Dingbian hesitated for a moment and said, "If that's really the case, how should we settle the people of that city?"
Pang Hu said in a deep voice, "Your Highness, the success of a general is built on the bones of ten thousand soldiers. If you are unwilling to sacrifice the lives of these people, the Emperor will strip you of your official position!"
After pondering the matter, the King of Dingbian made a decision: "Alright, we'll do it your way!"
Amidst the crackling of firecrackers, the old year departs, and the warm spring breeze brings new life to the New Year's wine.
The Spring Festival is just around the corner.
For Jian Yang, this year's New Year was exceptionally tiring.
As empress, she not only had to preside over the palace banquets, but also arrange New Year's rewards for the concubines.
Fortunately, Zhou Kun is the only child in the harem now, otherwise she would have endless worries.
This gave her a strong desire to retire.
Once the dog emperor has dealt with the Prince of Dingbian, she will resign no matter what.
The position of empress is not one that just anyone can hold; it is a position that usually leads to a short life.
Besides being exhausted, she was always worried about Jian Hong, who was far away in the western border.
The thought that everyone else was celebrating the Lunar New Year with their families while he was out there working alone filled Jian Yang with guilt.
Others might be causing trouble for their fathers, but she's causing trouble for her brother.
On the eighteenth day of the first lunar month, Jian Hong finally secretly entered the capital.
It was already past midnight, and the emperor and Jian Yang had long since gone to bed.
However, upon hearing the news, the emperor immediately rose and prepared to personally receive him.
He moved with extreme care, afraid of waking Jian Yang, who was fast asleep.
In fact, Jian Yang had already woken up when Eunuch Zhang came to report. As soon as the emperor sat up, she also got up.
"Go to sleep, I'm going to see your brother."
Jian Yang stubbornly got up and dressed: "No, I want to go too."
Seeing that he could not stop her, the emperor let her have her way. Before leaving, he took a thick fox fur cloak and wrapped her up tightly.
Only then did he lead her out of the gate of Weiyang Palace.
Upon seeing the emperor, Jian Hong bowed and said, "Your Majesty and Empress have failed to find out the specific cause of the war in the western border."
The emperor quickly helped him up: "It's alright. The war in the western border has been quelled. It's just that I'm sorry to have troubled you to make this trip."
Although he had always felt that the beginning and end of this turmoil were very strange, he did not have any concrete evidence to prove that the King of Dingbian had fabricated the story.
Seeing Jian Hong's unusually serious expression, Jian Yang couldn't help but ask, "Brother, have you made any other discoveries?"
Jian Hong nodded and said, "The Crown Prince of the neighboring Western Kingdom, Da Wu, died tragically during a border patrol a few days ago. I have learned that Da Wu has already assembled its army and is preparing to march on our country."
The emperor was greatly alarmed upon hearing this: "Is the news true?"
Jian Hong nodded: "Absolutely true."
Jian Yang couldn't help but frown.
If the crown prince of a neighboring country dies on the border, the other side will surely assume it was their country's doing, and will mobilize all its forces, which would be a devastating blow to the people on the border.
It seems that the peaceful days are truly coming to an end.
“Your Majesty, Your Majesty,” Jian Hong reassured, “there is no need to worry too much. There were already 100,000 troops stationed in the western border, and with the additional 100,000 sent a few days ago, there are now 200,000 troops guarding the border. The country’s borders will be safe and secure.”
The emperor said slowly, "I hope so."
After seeing Jian Hong off, neither Jian Yang nor the Emperor could sleep.
"Your Majesty, if you can't sleep, please keep me company and chat with me."
Jian Yang muttered listlessly, "What are we talking about?"
The emperor asked, "What is your opinion on the upcoming invasion by the Great Wu Kingdom?"
"The women of the inner palace are not allowed to interfere in politics. As the Empress, I naturally cannot break the rules."
She's learned her lesson now. Every time the emperor asks for her opinion, he's basically digging a pit for her to fall into, and she's not going to fall for it.
The emperor laughed and said, "If this is not considered interference in politics, then consider it a private conversation between husband and wife. I will not pursue any of your remarks."
Jian Yang pursed her lips, thinking to herself, "Who said I'm your husband?"
Since I can't sleep anyway, I might as well chat to pass the time.
"I believe that the death of the Crown Prince of Dawu is quite suspicious, and there is a suspicion that he was deliberately framed. Moreover, the timing of this event is too coincidental."
Why does the Empress say that?
“Think about it, you just suppressed the Prince of Dingbian, and then a small-scale war broke out in the western border he was guarding. You wanted to take back his military power, but then the Crown Prince died and they had to send troops to start a war.”
"So the Empress believes that all these things were done by the Prince of Dingbian?"
"It's hard to say, but I always feel that he is involved in this matter. Otherwise, Your Majesty, please wait a little longer. If that old man makes any further moves, he will definitely not be able to clear his name."
The emperor was amused by her use of the term "old geezer" and said, "Although I also find it strange, I cannot accept that he would turn against the border people he has protected for decades."
Jian Yang disagreed, saying, "What's impossible about that? Power drives people crazy. In order to maintain their power and status, people will gradually become insane."
The emperor asked with a smile, "Is everyone like this?"
Jian Yang replied without hesitation, "Of course."
The emperor teased, "Then why do you, who hold the position of empress, spend all your time thinking about escaping?"
Damn it, they've set a trap for her again.
"It's getting late, Your Majesty, I'm going to sleep. Goodnight."
After saying that, Jian Yang turned over and ignored him.
Seven days later, news arrived from the western border by fast horse: the Great Wu Kingdom had invaded the border city.
Because of the enemy's surprise attack in the middle of the night, the border guards were caught off guard and captured a city in a single day.
All the people in the city were taken prisoner.
Upon learning the news, the emperor was furious and reprimanded Pang Hu, the current border general, in court.
"Two hundred thousand troops, yet they couldn't even withstand the army of the Great Wu Kingdom. Pang Hu, how exactly do you train your troops?"
Pang Hu stammered, "Your Majesty, I never expected the Great Wu Kingdom to suddenly start a war with us. Our soldiers have no combat experience... perhaps... perhaps..."
The emperor looked at him coldly: "Not as good as what?"
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