Chapter 153 What did you say?
Right after the New Year, the first thing that made everyone tense was the resumption of the imperial court.
After two years of peace, the south has become restless again.
While the people of Chongqing were relaxed during the Spring Festival, that small country to the south started causing trouble again.
On the eve of the Lunar New Year, they raided a coastal county, burning, killing, looting, and even killing the local county magistrate...
When the news reached the capital, everyone was speechless.
Things had finally calmed down a bit in the north, but now the south is in turmoil again.
At this moment, everyone's attention was focused on Duke Anguo.
The Pingnan Army, commanded by the Duke of Anguo, has always been responsible for the security of the southern border. Although they reacted promptly this time.
However, without the imperial court's orders, the focus can only be on defense; any further actions will depend on the decision made in the capital.
Everyone was waiting to see how the imperial family would deal with Duke Anguo after the New Year!
Now look what's happened, they've added their own drama to the story.
Duke Anguo remained calm and composed, avoiding contact with anyone.
No one knows what Duke Anguo is thinking.
The court was divided into two factions.
One faction, led by the King of Qin, advocated for war.
"Our Great Yu was founded on war and has never been afraid of anyone. How dare a tiny overseas country invade our Great Yu? This is intolerable."
One faction, led by the crown prince, advocated for peace.
"It is true that the Great Yu was founded on war, but after many wars, the national treasury is now empty."
The north is more important than the south.
Since it's a small country, we don't need to pay attention to it; we can just send someone to negotiate.
Emperor Xiao Jing didn't show any particular attitude; he just watched the two factions arguing in the court.
They'd been arguing for two days straight, and the tension was escalating to the point where they were about to come to blows, when suddenly some idiot jumped out.
This man is the Vice Minister of Rites, and he is already in his sixties.
He had been in the position of Vice Minister of Rites for almost fifteen years, and it seemed he was about to give way to someone else, but he stepped forward at this crucial moment.
“Your Majesty, I have a plan that will surely relieve the troubles on the southern border in the long term,” said Zhang, the Vice Minister of Rites.
Upon hearing this, the arguing couple stopped arguing and all looked at the old man.
The Ministry of Rites... belongs to the Crown Prince's faction, so they're the ones who advocate peace...
Everyone looked at Vice Minister Zhang, even Prime Minister Xu and the Crown Prince were surprised.
Why is this old bastard jumping out now instead of just being a background character?
"Oh? My dear minister, you have some brilliant insights!" Emperor Xiao Jing also became interested.
This Vice Minister Zhang usually seems to have no presence! His sudden appearance suggests that Prime Minister Xu has something to convey.
Zhang, who always said "I second that opinion," was a little excited.
He felt a little nervous being watched by so many people all of a sudden.
But considering what he had learned in the past two days, he decided to speak out.
"The south is a small border country. Even if there are disputes, they are easy to resolve, so Your Majesty doesn't need to get too angry."
I think if the vassal king over there were from our Dayu region, this problem would be easily solved.”
Emperor Xiao Jing...
What is this old guy saying?
How can you be a regional king in that area if you don't fight?
Or rather, how can we establish a vassal king who listens to us if we don't fight him?
“Minister Zhang is right. We can just replace the vassal kings there with people from Dayu.”
If that's the case, then Your Majesty should issue an edict ordering the Duke of Anguo to lead his army to subdue him.
Back then...
"Your Highness, you are mistaken! In war, the movement of troops has far-reaching consequences."
The entire Chongqing area needs to be mobilized.
Not only would it be a waste of manpower and resources, but it would also result in casualties among soldiers.
Our great Chongqing is a great nation, and we believe in persuading people with reason and virtue.
Fighting won't solve the problem; we should instead demonstrate the demeanor of a great power.
First, send a delegation to negotiate and find out what caused this invasion of our Great Chongqing.
Later, send another princess or county princess to marry that vassal king.
Once the princess or noblewoman who marries into the country gives birth, our Great Yu will lend a helping hand and put that child on the throne.
Wouldn't that solve the problem permanently...?
Everyone in the court...
Emperor Xiao Jing even forgot to play with the jade pendant in his hand, and just stared at Minister Zhang.
Prime Minister Xu and the Crown Prince were also astonished.
This old man must have taken the wrong medicine!
How could someone say such a thing?
Or perhaps it's because he's old, has read too many books, and his mind is clogged with the ideology of China as a great power!
The Great Yu Kingdom was founded on warfare, and you actually say that fighting and killing are bad.
We must also use propriety, righteousness, integrity, and a sense of shame to influence people...
This is like an old man eating poison; he's tired of living!
The King of Qin and his men were initially dissatisfied with what Minister Zhang had said.
After Vice Minister Zhang finished speaking, everyone laughed.
This old guy is probably part of the Crown Prince's faction, trying to keep everyone entertained from getting too heated...
"In your opinion, Minister Zhang, which princess should be sent for the marriage alliance?" the King of Qin asked with a smile.
Upon hearing this, Vice Minister Zhang immediately knelt down.
"One of His Majesty's two princesses has already married."
The other ninth princess was only eight years old, too young to shoulder such an important responsibility.
Your subject suggests selecting a princess from among the princesses who is knowledgeable, reasonable, and has the heart of the Great Yu for a marriage alliance.
As soon as he finished speaking, the King of Qin raised an eyebrow.
This old man has some brains; he didn't directly point the finger at the royal princess.
But this princess...
"Minister Zhang, your suggestion is unacceptable. Why aren't you doing it now...?"
Before Prime Minister Xu could finish speaking, Emperor Xiao Jing, who was sitting above, spoke up.
"Then, in your opinion, which princess would be suitable?"
Zhang, who had just been reprimanded by Prime Minister Xu, was about to leave when he heard Emperor Xiao Jing speak up.
This gave him tremendous courage.
Since His Majesty asked, it must mean he has taken my advice to heart.
Such an opportunity is rare, so I must do my best to show myself.
"This old minister recommends the eldest daughter of the Duke of Dingguo, the Princess of Pingning, whom His Majesty personally bestowed the title of, to undertake this important task."
The court was silent for a moment, everyone staring wide-eyed at the old man kneeling on the ground.
The eldest daughter of the Duke of Dingguo?
How dare this old man!
Even Emperor Xiao Jing was stunned by this recommendation to Lei.
What's that old man thinking?
Sending Shen Qingyue, the eldest maid of the Duke of Dingguo, to marry a foreign ruler...
"You old scoundrel, what grudge do you have against the Shangguan family? How dare you treat my granddaughter like this!"
"You old geezer, shameless and disgraceful! You've read the Four Books and Five Classics but they're all useless..."
Once he realized what was happening, Lord Shangguan Boli immediately jumped out, took off his boot, and smashed it over Zhang Shilang's head.
Upon seeing this, everyone rushed over to break up the fight.
Emperor Xiao Jing was startled to see the chaotic mess below.
Sigh, we've spent half the day discussing this, and it's probably just been a waste of time again...
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