Chapter 407 The Robust Imperial Consort 18 "Young Master Ling may be brave, but a general needs to strategize and plan. How can mere brute strength be enough?"
"Your Highness, this proposal is absolutely unacceptable! It would likely cause dissatisfaction among the army and become a laughingstock throughout the land!"
Questions and objections came like a tidal wave.
Ling Siran stood in the center of everyone's gaze. Those gazes instantly cooled the passion that Zi Xi's words had stirred within him, and feelings of inferiority and nervousness welled up in his heart again.
He subconsciously looked at Zixi, only to find her looking at him with no doubt in her phoenix eyes, but only complete trust and encouragement.
It was as if she was telling him: You can do it.
A strange courage welled up from the bottom of my heart.
"Unheard of! Let's start with me! Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures! Bound by old rules, we'll only be waiting to die!"
Zi Xi merely smiled coldly at the opposition from the crowd, her gaze sweeping over the most vocal conservatives.
"Si Ran, tell them if you are capable of doing the job?"
"Just tell me, and I will ask the Empress for permission!"
She looked at Ling Siran again, her voice softening.
Ling Siran took a deep breath, forcing himself to ignore those piercing gazes, and strode out to Zi Xi's side.
"Your Majesty! Your subject, Ling Siran, is willing to sign a military pledge!"
His tall figure cast a resolute shadow over the golden palace. He knelt on one knee before the throne, clasping his hands in a gesture of respect.
Ling Siran stopped looking at the questioning officials and instead stared intently at the Empress as he began to explain.
"Your Majesty, esteemed lords! The Liuyan Navy is accustomed to using hook-and-sickle warships, which are light and agile, adept at boarding and jumping over the enemy's ships for close-quarters combat."
"The core of its tactics lies in using speed and flexibility to break through our army's formation, and then using fierce soldiers to board the ships and win the battle."
He spoke slowly but clearly and logically, and his understanding of the enemy was even more thorough than that of many frontline generals.
"However, this tactic has a fatal weakness: it is vulnerable to fire attacks!"
"Their hulls are mostly made of wood, and in order to be light and fast, they are not well protected."
"Once entangled by our large warships with their battering poles and iron rams, they will lose all their agility and become trapped like turtles in a jar!"
"There are hidden reefs outside Jinzhou City and a barbican inside."
"Your subject suggests that we lure the enemy deep into our territory, drawing their main naval force into a pre-planned ambush area, at which point we can send fire ships downstream to burn their warships!"
"At the same time, crossbows from the city walls were fired in unison, specifically targeting their command ship and assault boats!"
As Ling Siran spoke, he gestured with his hand, as if he were simulating a scenario on a sand table.
He spoke eloquently, covering everything from naval warfare to land warfare, from tactics to logistics, analyzing everything logically and clearly.
Many of the ideas even caught the attention of General Ling, who listened intently and nodded in approval.
The officials who had initially vehemently opposed the move gradually quieted down, their faces showing expressions of surprise and uncertainty.
Although Ling Siran is ugly... he does have some talent.
Zi Xi stood beside him, looking at his focused and confident profile, his eyes slightly brightening as he explained his strategy, and a strange, indescribable feeling welled up in her heart.
This rough gem has finally begun to shine with its due brilliance.
After Ling Siran finished speaking, the hall fell silent.
"Your Majesty, did everyone hear that? Who in the court can compare to my unbridled nature?"
Zi Xi crossed her arms, her voice tinged with languor.
As the Queen looked at the two working seamlessly together below the stage, one proposing strategies and the other refining tactics, the last trace of hesitation in her eyes finally disappeared, replaced by immense satisfaction.
She slowly rose to her feet, her dignified gaze sweeping across the entire room.
"Issue my decree!"
"I hereby appoint the First Princess Zi Xi as the Military Governor of the East Sea, in charge of all military and political affairs on the Jinzhou front!"
"Ban, Ling Siran, the eldest son of General Ling, is hereby appointed as General Who Pacifies the Bandits, and is granted a military tally to command the land and naval forces of Jinzhou to resist the Liuyan!"
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