Chapter 464 Indifferent to the Lives and Deaths of the People
Pei Yanchuan had just returned to Dongling when Yan Changfeng launched a war against Dongling, with Gongsun Xuance as the commander-in-chief against the Nanli army.
"Your Highness, Nanli's offensive this time is too fierce, catching our army somewhat off guard."
In the imperial court, the Minister of War said, "The ruler of Nanli seems to be venting his anger. He used to have some consideration for the people, but now he seems indifferent to the people of both countries, and doesn't care about their lives at all."
"Your Highness, in my humble opinion, we should have a good discussion with the Empress of Western Xia and cooperate to deal with Nanli."
The Minister of War looked coldly at the speaker, "Does Lord Liu think that the Ministry of War hasn't thought of this method?"
"Now the Sand Kingdom is closest to the Western Xia, and it harasses the border areas of the Western Xia from time to time. If the Western Xia sends troops to cooperate with the Eastern Mausoleum to attack the Southern Li."
"Then the Sand Kingdom will attack the Western Xia, and the Western Xia will surely be defeated. Now the Western Xia cannot be distracted."
"Although I am a civil official and do not lead troops into battle, I at least know the strength of various countries. It is surprising that a small sandy country was able to control the Western Xia."
"Lord Wang, are you perhaps deliberately trying to fool us here?" Lord Liu said.
Minister of War Wang said sternly, "Ha, do you think the current Sand Kingdom is still the same Sand Kingdom as before?"
"The current Sand Kingdom has already annexed various surrounding small countries and some forces in the martial arts world. Although it cannot deal with Western Xia now, if Western Xia sends troops to assist Eastern Mausoleum,
That Sha Kingdom is certainly capable of not competing with the Western Xia.
"Then why don't we just talk to the Saudi Arabia about cooperation? That brat Yan Changfeng can talk to the Saudi Arabia about cooperation, so why can't we in Dongling?"
"Whether it's wealth or anything else, Dongling has far more than Nanli."
After Lord Liu finished speaking, all the civil officials echoed his words.
"Lord Liu is right. Although our Dongling forces are strong now, we still advocate peace. After all, many people will die in war."
"What are you saying? Do you think we military officers just like fighting?" the Minister of War said angrily. "If anyone's going to die, it'll be us military officers who die first."
"On the battlefield, the blades never discriminate. If we could avoid fighting, we wouldn't want to fight either. The main issue now isn't that we don't want to fight, but that Nanli and the others refuse to withdraw their troops."
"The way you're talking makes it sound like this is your first day of court."
“Lord Wang, the fighting in Nanli must have a purpose. If we find out the reason, we can make peace.”
"You..." Minister of War Wang angrily stepped forward and kicked Minister Liu.
In an instant, civil and military officials began to accuse and curse each other in the main hall, and some even came to blows.
Pei Yanchuan sat calmly in the Regent's seat, watching until the two sides could no longer argue, before slowly speaking, "Have you all reached an agreement?"
The crowd below then realized who was sitting on the throne. It was neither the easy-going Prince of Jin nor the Empress Dowager holding the young emperor.
Instead, he was a regent who was decisive and ruthless.
Everyone returned to their positions, lowered their heads, and remained silent.
Pei Yanchuan then spoke up, "Since everyone has agreed, then I will also share my thoughts."
"The reason Yan Changfeng is acting this way is because he is targeting me."
As soon as Pei Yanchuan finished speaking, everyone below looked surprised, and then they looked at each other in bewilderment.
"The reason he came after me is because he stole my queen and is afraid that I will come after him, so he wants to annex Dongling."
Pei Yanchuan glanced at the ministers below, "Of course, there is another way, which is for you all to send me out. Maybe then Yan Changfeng will withdraw his troops."
Those who shared this thought lowered their heads even further, afraid that Pei Yanchuan would see them and expose their inner thoughts.
"Your Highness, you mustn't," said Minister Wang of the Ministry of War. "Nan Li is a wolf in sheep's clothing. Even if we hand you over, he will only temporarily withdraw his troops."
"According to the information I have received, the Nasha Kingdom and other small countries are ostensibly running their own affairs, but in reality, they have long been subjugated by Nanli."
Lord Wang continued, "This shows just how ambitious the ruler of Nanli is. If it weren't for Your Highness, Dongling would probably have been in his hands long ago."
"Then it will truly be the peace they speak of," Lord Wang said sarcastically, glancing at the civil official beside him. "But whether they'll even be there is another matter."
"You...Lord Wang, please don't speak so rudely."
"I have something even uglier to say, do you want to hear it?"
"I...you..."
“My lords,” Jiang Wanjun’s voice rang out, “you two are doing this for the sake of the Dongling dynasty.”
“Arguing won’t solve anything. Let’s calm down and listen to the Regent’s thoughts. What do you two think?”
Jiang Wanjun felt that if she didn't say anything, the two of them would start arguing again.
After so many years in office, don't they know how to read people's expressions? Even I could sense my brother-in-law's mood at that moment; I was afraid that if they argued any longer, he would be carried out.
Hearing Jiang Wanjun say that, the two of them knew they shouldn't continue.
If someone offers you a way out, take it quickly.
Pei Yanchuan then spoke, "I think what Lord Wang said makes sense."
"Furthermore, if Lord Liu wishes to make peace, I will agree," Pei Yanchuan said. "Then I will order you to be sent as an envoy to negotiate peace."
Upon hearing that he was to be sent to an enemy country, Lord Liu was driven mad by Yan Changfeng.
Although it is said that envoys should not be killed in times of war, Yan Changfeng is always unpredictable, and if I were to go, given the current situation, I would only have a slim chance of survival.
"This...this..." Lord Liu said, "Your Highness, I'm afraid that if I were to go and negotiate peace..."
“Lord Liu, I also think that it would be most appropriate for you to go to Nanli, or have the Prince send you to the Sand Kingdom. Didn’t you say you wanted to cooperate with the Sand Kingdom? If you have the ability to do so…”
"I am willing to retire and return to my hometown. How about I hand over the position of Minister of War to you?"
When Lord Wang saw Lord Liu's constipated-looking face, he instantly felt much better.
Lord Liu glanced down at Minister of War Wang, then remained silent.
"Since Lord Liu is unwilling, are there any of you civil officials willing to go?" Lord Wang asked.
Seeing that all the civil officials opposite him had lowered their heads, Lord Wang felt instantly relieved.
Pei Yanchuan then said, "Since none of you want to go, then if Nanli attacks, I will order an attack."
Everyone below knew that Pei Yanchuan was seemingly asking for their opinions, but in reality, he was stating his own decision.
He was just trying to make everyone think that the result was a decision made through discussion, but in reality, no matter who won the argument in the end, the result would be the same.
That is to attack Nanli.
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