Chapter 307 Decision-making (I)
When the last minister reported the amount of donated silver, the Golden Palace fell into a suffocating silence again.
Everyone's eyes were secretly focused on the figure on the dragon throne.
Yan Shixu slowly raised his eyes, swept his gaze over the ministers, and finally stopped at the list where Wen Tingkuan recorded the amount of silver donated by the court officials.
"You ministers are concerned about the country and its people, donating your salaries to serve the country, which shows your loyalty and dedication to the public. I am very pleased!"
As soon as he finished speaking, he changed his tone and said, "There are three beacons now, each of which is a major threat to the country. Minister Su and the Grand Tutor are absolutely right. Things have their priorities, and there is a time when one's strength will be exhausted."
After saying this, Yan Shixu stood up suddenly.
The black dragon robe moved without wind, and the sunlight cast his tall figure clearly on the huge golden pillar with coiled dragons, which made the atmosphere in the hall condense.
"First, the Shuofeng Pass in the north, the northern gate of the country, must not be lost. King Wu, obey your orders!"
"I'm here!" King Wu knelt on one knee and clasped his fists, his voice as loud as a bell.
"I appoint you as the Grand Marshal of the Northern Expedition, in charge of all military affairs in the north! Immediately, take the Tiger Tally and muster 100,000 elite troops from the Beijing Camp's Cavalry Battalion. Also bring the fifty newly minted 'Godly General' cannons and 3,000 'Thunderbolt Guns' from the Divine Machine Battalion, and rush to the aid of Youzhou's Shuofeng Pass. I grant you the power to make arbitrary decisions on the spot. Along the way, you may use the Tiger Tally to mobilize troops, grain, and fodder from Bingzhou, Jianzhou, and other prefectures along the way! You must defeat the Dirong coalition forces! Defeat them so severely that they dare not look south to Dayan again for a hundred years! The Ministry of Revenue has ranked their grain, fodder, and weapons as top-grade. All resources will be allocated to ensure their priority supply. No delay is allowed!"
"I obey your command." King Wu's voice shook the palace, and his eyes were filled with fighting spirit.
"Lord Wen!"
"I'm here." Wen Tingkuan hurriedly stepped out, still holding the list of donated silver in his hand.
"Military supplies for the northern route are ranked first in the A-class. All efforts will be made to ensure their priority. Even when mobilizing donated silver, the northern route will be prioritized!"
"I obey the order."
Yan Shixu turned his gaze to Luo Yunzhen and Su Muyang again.
"General Luo, Young Master Su, listen to my orders."
"I'm here." Luo Yunzhen and Su Muyang stepped out at the same time.
"Lord Luo, I appoint you as the commander-in-chief of the vanguard army, temporarily assuming military duties at Zhennan Pass. Immediately, hold your imperial seal and lead 10,000 elite troops from the Beijing Camp Infantry Battalion. I also order the governor of Lingnan Road to dispatch 20,000 of his garrison troops, familiar with mountainous terrain and malaria-prone areas, as the vanguard. As soon as possible, rush to support Zhennan Pass! You must stabilize the position, curb the Nanzhao offensive, and investigate Nong Zhigao's movements!"
"Su Shaoyin, I order you to serve as the transport envoy and epidemic prevention envoy for the front army. Bring with you Chief He of the Imperial Hospital and half of the imperial physicians proficient in epidemic diseases, as well as all available epidemic prevention herbs. All prefectures and post stations along the way will be fully equipped with carriages and horses. We will also recruit skilled doctors from the public and collect proven epidemic prevention prescriptions to accompany the army."
"You two must work together to control the spread of the epidemic, comfort the affected border residents, and stabilize the morale of the military and the people. Anyone who deliberately spreads the plague, misleads the people, or collaborates with the enemy and betrays the country, regardless of whether they are military or civilian, will be killed without mercy!"
Luo Yunzhen and Su Muyang raised their tablets high: "Your Majesty, I obey your command!"
When the civil and military officials heard that the emperor had given the task of pacifying the southwest to Luo Yunzhen and Su Muyang, they all stood up to oppose it.
The one they opposed was Su Muyang.
Su Muyang is usually careless. Even when he goes to the yamen, he works for three days and rests for two days. He is really not very reliable.
"Your Majesty!" An old but urgent voice was the first to sound.
Cui Chongli, the Chief Censor, was a veteran official who had served in three dynasties and whose hair and beard were all white.
At this moment, he staggered out of the train, knelt heavily on the cold gold bricks with a thud, his voice trembling.
"Your Majesty, please reconsider! Su Shaoyin... he is not up to such a heavy responsibility! The epidemic in the southwest is extremely dangerous and unpredictable! Forgive me for speaking frankly, but this is a matter of great importance to the fate of our nation and the lives of millions of people. It cannot be taken lightly!"
Cui Chongli knelt on the ground, his forehead hitting the ground with a sound, and his words were full of anxiety.
"Your Majesty, I second the motion!" Luo Fuyang, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, could no longer hold back, his voice rising with excitement.
"An epidemic is not like war; it changes rapidly, like a prairie fire. Without a calm, capable, and experienced person to lead the charge, if it gets out of control, not only will Zhennan Pass be lost, but it will spread inland and shake the foundation of our Great Yan. Su Shaoyin is young and energetic, and I'm afraid... I'm afraid he's not up to the task of epidemic prevention."
"That's exactly the point!"
"Your Majesty, please understand!"
"Your Majesty, I beg you to revoke your order!"
The voices of opposition grew louder and louder, and instantly gathered into a huge torrent, rushing towards Su Muyang, who was standing next to Luo Yunzhen with a frown on his face.
Did he poke the sky or the earth? These old guys are all prejudiced against him!
Su Zhanyue raised his sleeves to cover his face, pretending that he didn't know this rebellious son.
It's so embarrassing, so embarrassing!
This unfilial son grew up with Yun Zhen, so how come he didn't learn even a little bit of Yun Zhen's steadiness?
So much so that now he is just serving as an official, and half of the people in the court kneel down in opposition!
Yan Shixu was silent for a moment, and looked at Su Muyang with unfriendly eyes.
Su Muyang shrank his neck and retracted his hand that was about to roll up his sleeves to fight.
Yan Shixu glanced at the ministers, and his cold voice, with its unquestionable majesty, pierced through the waves of opposition.
"Su Shaoyin!"
Su Muyang knelt silently: "I am here."
Everyone's eyes, including those of the old ministers who were prostrating themselves and begging, were focused on the emperor, waiting for his next words.
Yan Shixu took a step forward.
"You all think that Su Shaoyin is unruly, laughing and cursing, and think he is incapable of taking on such a great responsibility? But what I see is a man who can hear thunder in silence and see the truth in ordinary things in times of crisis."
Civil and military officials: "???"
Your Majesty, are you sure that the person you are talking about is the same person we are talking about?
Yan Shixu's voice was firm and decisive:
"First, he's quick-witted and decisive! Two years ago, an epidemic broke out in the capital, rumors spread, and people were in a state of panic. It was Su Muyang! He was the first to notice the unrest, leading his guards to immediately seal off the source of the epidemic. He also persuaded nearby pharmacies to sell medicine at a reasonable price and organized doctors to provide treatment. His actions were swift and decisive! If it weren't for his quick reaction and appropriate handling of the situation, how could the epidemic have been limited to the three districts?"
"How can such an ability to remain calm in times of crisis and foresee opportunities be matched by those who just follow the rules? Timing and decisiveness are paramount in epidemic prevention. What he lacks is only experience."
As soon as these words were spoken, a slight gasp was heard in the hall.
The small-scale epidemic that year was indeed quickly put out. At that time, people only thought that it was due to the good coordination of Jingzhao Prefecture, but few knew that it was this inconspicuous Shao Yin who took the crucial first step.
Yan Shixu did not give everyone time to digest the information and continued:
"Second, understand the world and soothe people's hearts."
He looked at the old ministers who were still kneeling with a sharp gaze.
"Preventing epidemics isn't just about treating illnesses; it's also about healing hearts and minds! Southern Xinjiang is a land of malaria, where people's sentiments are complex and rumors are easily spread. Su Shaoyin may seem uninhibited, but he's incredibly knowledgeable about the myriad ways of life, from all walks of life. He can use the most vulgar language to explain the most profound principles; he can use the most common methods to unite the most fragmented hearts."
"I ask you, my Lords, who could calm the people and dispel rumors more quickly than he did in a place where refugees gathered and panic spread? His 'unrefined' skills are precisely the tools we need most to stabilize the southwest and rally the people along the border."
These words made some ministers fall into deep thought, and the atmosphere in the hall changed quietly.
Indeed, in addition to medical skills, it is also crucial to calm people's hearts and prevent the spread of panic and even riots.
Su Zhanyue, who was always dignified and calm, looked at the emperor and then at his son, stunned and somewhat out of control.
As the emperor said, could his son also be a hidden talent?
It is hard to find such a mentor in the world!
Is one million taels of silver too little?
Go back and discuss it with my wife, we can add another one million taels...
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