Chapter 118 Aren't you going to try to persuade me?
Outside the Hall of Diligent Governance, Eunuch Xue kept looking at the end of the connecting corridor.
The imperial guards were all performing their duties, while the eunuchs who served them all kept a safe distance from the Hall of Diligent Governance.
The palace maid Zheng Wanwan also kept coming out to take a look.
Finally, a figure appeared at the end of the corridor. Eunuch Xue breathed a sigh of relief and hurried to greet him.
"Lord Ye, you've finally arrived! His Majesty has been waiting for you for quite some time."
The person who came was Ye Yunshu, who had just returned from Jiangnan.
She was escorting those officials captured from Jiangnan to the capital yesterday.
After a long journey, Ye Yunshu was supposed to go to the palace to meet the emperor yesterday, but she was a bit of a germaphobe and always had to go back to her residence to bathe and rest before going to the palace after returning from her business trip.
After a good night's rest, Ye Yunshu looked radiant today.
"Where is Wanwan?" Ye Yunshu asked Eunuch Xue with a smile.
"When Palace Attendant Zheng heard that Lord Ye was coming, she had already prepared tea and refreshments in the Hall of Diligent Governance," Eunuch Xue said in a low voice.
Zheng Wanwan had intended to greet Ye Yunshu at the palace gate, but Emperor Xiao Xuan scolded her instead.
She said that if outsiders saw this, they would think that Ye Yunshu was her master!
Zheng Wanwan thought about it and agreed that Emperor Xiao Xuan was right.
Her family has already worked very hard. Whether in the imperial court or among the common people, there are countless people who hate her with a passion!
She didn't want her family members to be gossiped about behind their backs again because of her inappropriate behavior!
And so, Zheng Wanwan waited for Ye Yunshu in the Hall of Diligent Governance.
...
As Ye Yunshu approached the Hall of Diligent Governance, she immediately saw Emperor Xiao Xuan, who was already seated in front of the chessboard.
She sighed inwardly, feeling a little helpless.
Every time I come here, it's just to play chess. Can't you do something else?
If that doesn't work, why not call over two tea ladies or tea gentlemen from Chunbuwan, so we can chat while drinking tea?
He always drags me into playing chess.
He must have lost badly to other ministers in chess games, and he's trying to regain his confidence by playing his terrible game!
Forget it, I won't argue with him. What can I do? He's older!
All day long, you have to watch the scheming people in the court, and also keep an eye on those who aren't even born of the same mother fighting like chickens...
Let him have his way!
"Ye Yunshu, Minister of the Censorate, pays respects to Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty!" Ye Yunshu bowed respectfully with a grand salute.
Emperor Xiao Xuan, who wanted Ye Yunshu to skip the formalities, could only watch as Ye Yunshu finished performing the rituals.
"Alright! Come on over here! Let's play a few rounds today!" Emperor Xiao Xuan sized up Ye Yunshu.
Her complexion was about the same as when she left Beijing; she wasn't darker, thinner, or haggard!
That's right, the situation is the same as what the guards reported.
Ye Yunshu immediately stood up and walked towards the chessboard.
Zheng Wanwan excitedly went to greet her.
"My lord, I have prepared your favorite sandalwood nectar cakes for you this time. I made them myself."
And here's your favorite tea, please try some!
Ye Yunshu smiled as she drank the tea and ate some snacks.
"Hmm, not bad, Wanwan's dessert-making skills seem to have improved a lot!" Ye Yunshu praised with a smile.
Zheng Wanwan smiled, her eyes crinkling.
"Then I'll bring some more for you when you go out, sir."
Ye Yunshu smiled and nodded.
After helping Ye Yunshu wipe her hands, Zheng Wanwan followed Eunuch Xue out.
...
Emperor Xiao Xuan had already picked up a chess piece, and Ye Yunshu did the same.
"Has His Majesty read the memorial I sent to the capital?" Ye Yunshu asked as he placed a chess piece.
"I saw it! I thought you would be returning to the capital soon, so I didn't give you any instructions. Anyway, no matter what instructions I give, you will eventually follow your own way."
"At most, he'll just submit a memorial to me afterward," Emperor Xiao Xuan said with a smile.
Ye Yunshu smiled and looked up at Emperor Xiao Xuan.
Just that one glance, and she suddenly felt a pang of sadness in her heart.
His Majesty's temples are already streaked with gray...
"You're in such a hurry to return to the capital, so you must know that I'm going to personally lead the expedition?" Emperor Xiao Xuan continued to ask.
Ye Yunshu nodded.
"Aren't you going to try to persuade them? When I issued the decree that day, those who didn't have a chance to kneel in the court all rushed to the Hall of Diligent Governance to kneel down!" Emperor Xiao Xuan continued to ask with a smile.
Ye Yunshu shook her head.
"How could anyone interfere with His Majesty's decisions?"
Moreover, His Majesty has his own purpose in going there this time.
Because the two cities lost by the Zhou king must be reclaimed under your watchful eye.
This is something you've been keeping to yourself.
You not only need to give an explanation to the Weiyuan Army, but also to the people of the two lost cities.
Your journey is for the greater stability of the Great Yu state and for the renewed prosperity of the North.
"Why should I advise you?" Ye Yunshu said softly.
Emperor Xiao Xuan was stunned for a moment, his hand holding the chess piece remaining on the chessboard for quite a while.
Emperor Xiao Xuan spoke only after placing the chess piece down in his hand once more.
"As expected, there are still people who understand me!"
What? Do you have any thoughts on my arrangements this time?
I don't have any ideas!
Your personal command of the expedition, accompanied by the King of Zhao and the King of Wu, was to clear obstacles for the Crown Prince in the capital, allowing him to pursue his own goals.
Clean up all the six departments that need cleaning!
With General Shen overseeing the northern frontier, there won't be any problems if you personally go to supervise the battle.
With the Pingnan Army in Lingnan, those small foreign countries overseas pose no threat.
Your concern is about the southwest.
The terrain in the southwest is rugged, and with Ninth Master Huangfu in charge of the Southwest Army, there shouldn't be any problems.
However, ten years ago, when the new emperor ascended the throne, he made many changes and almost completely recovered some of the surrounding villages.
On the surface, the Biao Kingdom submitted to the Dayu Kingdom and paid tribute every year.
But in reality, the emperor of Biao Kingdom was extremely ambitious.
They are very likely to pull some tricks during the Northern War.
You sent Prince Qi there, which also represents the royal family. If I'm not mistaken, you should have given Prince Qi a secret edict.
Once there is any unusual activity in Biao Kingdom, that will be the time for the Southwest Army to enter Biao Kingdom.
Over the years, you've had General Huangfu secretly stockpile so much grain in the southwest, weren't you just waiting for an opportunity?
As long as the Biao Kingdom dares to make a move, that will be the day our army storms into the Biao Kingdom's capital.
If the fat country doesn't move...
"Your Majesty, you must have discussed other arrangements with Prince Qi, right?" Ye Yunshu smiled as she looked at Emperor Xiao Xuan.
Emperor Xiao Xuan smiled and shook his head.
This girl... is smarter than I imagined.
Everyone knew he was going to take action against the North.
His real goal this time was to take over the Kingdom of Biao...
Otherwise, why would it take so long to prepare?
"How did you figure that out?" Emperor Xiao Xuan asked with a smile.
“The account books! Has Your Majesty forgotten? The Chief Censor has access to the account books of the three garrisons.” Ye Yunshu also placed a piece.
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