At the Prime Minister's residence.
"What? How dare this brat do this?"
Sima Lie was furious as he listened to Weng Tonghe's report on the day's events.
As members of the Imperial Academy, they all knew, to some extent, that Weng Tonghe was doing things for them.
Otherwise, even if he is famous throughout the world, there will still be people who are envious of him and people who want to cause him trouble.
But you, Song Zhenglian, actually defied public opinion and went directly to file a complaint with the emperor!
In Sima Lie's view, this guy was clearly looking for trouble!
Upon closer reflection, Sima Lie realized that Song Zhenglian was neither part of Zhao Hu's faction nor an official of Zhang Tang's faction. He became even angrier and, with a wave of his hand, launched into a tirade.
"So this guy wants to die? Fine, I'll grant his wish. He'll die today!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Qiu Beiming, who was standing to the side, denied it repeatedly.
"No! Prime Minister Sima, absolutely not!"
“This Song Zhenglian is just a poor, pedantic scholar. He has no influence or power. Killing him rashly would only create trouble.”
Sima Lie nodded as he listened.
"Moreover, Song Zhenglian is known for his poverty and integrity. He studied at Bailu Academy and already enjoys considerable prestige among scholars across the country. Killing him would inevitably invite controversy!"
"Since that tyrant has already punished him, let him take the blame!"
Upon hearing this, Sima Lie immediately realized that he had been somewhat rash and burst into laughter.
"Haha, it's all thanks to Mr. Qiu's wisdom and resourcefulness!"
However, Qiu Beiming's next words immediately stopped his smile.
"Prime Minister, don't forget, nothing major is going to happen at court. Our most urgent task right now is to deal with the Xiongnu's southward incursion!"
When the incident in Youzhou was mentioned, Sima Lie immediately frowned and his face darkened.
Since the death of the Xiongnu prince, the Xiongnu people have become increasingly aggressive.
For them, the death of a prince in a foreign land was a disgrace to the entire nation.
The Xiongnu were already a formidable force, and the frontline soldiers could hardly withstand them. Now, their morale had soared even higher, and the Youzhou frontline suffered another crushing defeat!
Last night, a fierce storm raged, and the Xiongnu launched a surprise attack from multiple directions, directly breaching the defenses painstakingly laid out by Sima Xiong Ba. Youzhou lost another city.
Of course, the Xiongnu are ultimately just external enemies. Right now, their morale is high and they have plenty of provisions. No matter how fierce their offensive is, they won't be able to take over the entire Youzhou.
Once winter arrives, the lack of food and clothing on the northern grasslands becomes glaringly obvious. The supply lines are stretched longer and longer, and with heavy snow blocking the way, it is difficult to guarantee supplies. They simply cannot maintain their military momentum for long!
At that time, we can launch a counterattack. The Xiongnu are not good at defense, and we can always take back the territory we have lost!
What Sima Lie was most worried about was the restless Zhao family army.
No, they've already taken action!
Taking advantage of the Xiongnu's large-scale southward mobilization and the Youzhou army's inability to resist, while the two armies were locked in fierce fighting, Zhao's army, under the pretext of recovering lost territory, had already gradually encroached upon and occupied several counties that had been plundered by the Xiongnu.
Fortunately, the Xiongnu people were in high spirits and had fierce fighting power, so the Zhao family army made very slow progress and had not yet captured a major city.
Otherwise, most of Youzhou would be at their mercy!
This is something Sima Lie absolutely does not want to see!
If the territory was lost to the Xiongnu, it could be taken back sooner or later. However, if it was lost to the Zhao family, then there would be endless disputes.
Qiu Beiming sighed deeply, "Alas... the Prime Minister's concerns are exactly my concerns, but what good solutions are there now?"
When Zhao's army appeared on the battlefield, as an army of the Great Xia, they were also enemies of the Xiongnu.
However, the enemy was so eager for revenge that they completely disregarded the Zhao family army and launched a massive attack on Sima Xiong Ba's forces.
After all, in their eyes, they were the ones who caused the death of the Xiongnu prince!
The Xiongnu were clearly enraged, and any further explanation was useless; Sima Xiongba simply had to bear the pressure of being surrounded on all sides.
Sima Lie nodded, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
"If we can't solve the problems far away, then let's deal with the ones closer to home first!"
"If it weren't for her, how could Youzhou have been plunged into the quagmire of war once again?"
Qiu Beiming immediately stated his position, "That's right, Prime Minister, I was just about to mention this to you!"
Wang Zhen and Sima Jing were ordered to take action multiple times, but without exception, they all failed.
Sima Lie waved his hand and said, "This time, let's not let those two good-for-nothings take action. I think Zhu Fei is reliable and quick-witted, so let him handle it!"
On the other side.
In the Empress's bedroom.
Zi Yan rolled up her sleeves, revealing her fair, lotus-root-like arms. She squatted down on the ground, her little face full of seriousness, her slender, jade-like fingers rubbing the contents of the basin back and forth.
But as soon as she inserted her finger, images began to flash through her mind, and she immediately blushed with embarrassment.
This was, of course, the method of using fish bladders to make a contraceptive device, as specifically instructed by the emperor.
It's not difficult to make this thing; anyone with a bit of dexterity can do it. For safety reasons, the Crafts Department has made it quite thick, which Qin Yu was naturally dissatisfied with, so she came specifically to have her make it.
Grabbing that blush-inducing thing, Zi Yan curiously kneaded it while staring at it, her beautiful eyes immediately flashing with shame and indignation.
"Such a small thing can satisfy one's desires and also avoid the consequences of childbirth."
"This tyrant is utterly insatiable in his lust!"
However, while she was muttering curses under her breath, she was completely unaware that a beautiful figure had quietly appeared behind her.
Zhao Yan, dressed in a phoenix robe, didn't hear what Zi Yan said. She just looked at what Zi Yan was holding and frowned slightly.
"cough!"
"Second Miss! You've arrived."
Zhao Yan nodded gently, blushing slightly, and began to point out the instructions with a shy and embarrassed expression.
"You have indeed made it much thinner, but it is still too short, and too thin."
As she spoke, her voice grew softer and softer until it was completely inaudible.
Fortunately, Zi Yan was close enough to hear her almost completely, and the next second she looked completely surprised.
Holding up the fish bladder, she exclaimed in surprise, "What! This is still small? This is already much bigger than I have made it! How big can His Majesty's be?" Zi Yan was also unable to continue speaking. The two women blushed and looked at each other, and silence became the Cambridge of their farewell that night.
Time seemed to freeze at that moment, and the atmosphere in the room was filled with a deep sense of awkwardness.
In the end, it was Zhao Yan who spoke again, breaking the awkward silence.
"I serve His Majesty, so of course I know. You just need to do it."
"By the way, what kind of fish has this swim bladder?"
"Yes, it's a carp, Miss."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Yan frowned again and shook her head.
"No, don't use carp, carp swim bladders are too thick!"
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