Chapter 153 Military Order and Pardon
“Uh…” Mu Xi naturally didn’t.
The next instant, the strategist's personality forcefully spoke out: "The pirates are a motley crew; when they gather, they are powerful, but when they scatter, they are like sand. Their base is only at sea; once they venture inland, they are like spent arrows. Their food and weapons depend entirely on plunder, and their supply lines are as long as a snake's belly. Their strength may seem formidable, but in reality, they are all bark and no bite. I am not trying to break a rock with an egg; I have my own way of defeating them."
This version of Crown Prince Kim is unfamiliar.
Mu Ji couldn't help but glance at him: "Where did you hear these words, Your Highness? And what strategy do you have?"
The author of the strategist's name must remain a mystery: "Military tactics rely on deception and opportunism. Only by going in person can I adapt to changing circumstances."
"Hmph, empty talk ruins the country." Gao Quan sneered.
The strategist ignored him and changed the subject: "However... if I am fortunate enough to succeed, recover the southern border, eliminate the pirates, and bring back the hostages... I would like to ask Your Majesty to grant me a favor and grant me one request."
"One thing?" King Yu asked, puzzled, but cautious nonetheless. "What is it?"
Despite his strategic mind, he did not give a direct answer: "In the Mu royal family, private matters are also public matters. I can only guarantee that what I request will not infringe upon the interests of the royal power, nor will it harm the people of the world. As long as the matter in the southern border is settled, Your Majesty can grant me a favor and allow me to do this one thing. That is my only request."
One stone stirs up a thousand waves.
"What favor? What is the request? The king cannot easily grant it."
"Prince Jin Fang is talking nonsense."
"What kind of request can't be stated in advance? What if the Crown Prince wants the throne?"
"Are they trying to negotiate with the king?"
...
"Your Majesty..." Grand Marshal Gao Quan once again suppressed the crowd's voices, and probably immediately saw through Mu Xi's purpose. "The Crown Prince's actions are extremely rebellious. This is not what a subject requests, but rather coercing the monarch to discuss power. If Your Majesty agrees, wouldn't that be equivalent to giving him a 'get-out-of-jail-free card' that he can do whatever he wants without being punished? If what he seeks is to overstep royal authority and subvert morality, then he will bring disaster to the country and the people."
Tao Lue emphasized again: "Your Majesty, I have already assured you that what I am asking for is not something that 'touches the royal authority or harms the people,' but merely a matter of self-preservation."
Gao Quan sneered: "Hmph, protect your life? Why would the dignified heir of the Jin Fang family be in danger of losing his life? Unless you've done something wrong, you wouldn't need such a 'get-out-of-jail-free card.' Otherwise, why didn't you say so beforehand?"
The strategist remained calm and composed: "So what if it's a 'get-out-of-jail-free card'? How could we have predicted the fall of the Southern Border? If Grand Marshal Gao also desires such an honor, would he be willing to go to the Southern Border to quell the rebellion without leading a single soldier?"
"..." Gao Quan was speechless after being rebuked.
The strategist retorted, "Heh... I thought Grand Marshal Gao would say he'd be willing to lead the charge and die even without a 'get-out-of-jail-free card.' It seems I overestimated him; he simply doesn't dare."
"You..." Gao Quan, who commanded tens of thousands of imperial guards, had no need to take any risks and naturally dared not.
He could only point at Mu Xi's nose and shout, "You dare? If you really dare, then sign a military pledge: if you fail, then commit suicide in the southern border."
Without hesitation, the strategist replied, "Yes, but Your Majesty must also issue a decree of 'amnesty' in advance. Once I return in triumph, whatever my request may be, I will grant it."
The courtiers were once again in an uproar, and all eyes were focused on the throne.
The atmosphere inside the hall became tense again, almost to the point of breaking down.
Yu Wang Mu Ji's unfathomable, cold eyes were fixed on Mu Xi.
An unusually slender and thin body, unusually calm and bright eyes, unusual behavior and speech.
With the southern border already lost, Zhu Mingjun is essentially finished.
If another prince were to be sent, whether he succeeds or fails, it would be entirely beneficial to him.
If they win, they'll save on their own military expenses; if they lose, they can get rid of Prince Jin Fang and then send troops to wipe out the pirates later.
King Yu had almost no reason to refuse, but he had a gut feeling that there must be something strange about "that matter" that Mu Xi was asking for.
Mu Ji forced a rare, insincere smile: "Young Master, you truly live up to the reputation of a member of the Mu family, young and sharp. But as for the matter you requested..."
"The matter requested can only be accomplished by the king's mighty royal authority, but it is by no means an overstepping of royal authority." - A supplementary statement on strategy and character.
Mu Ji's icy eyes narrowed into slits as he stared intently at Mu Xi. After a long while, he finally made his decision: "Very well, I grant your request."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." The strategic and personal goals have been achieved.
"As for the 'favor' that the Crown Prince requests..." Mu Ji still had some reservations. "I, the King, will grant your request. If the Crown Prince's mission is successful and you quell the chaos of the southern pirates and recover the lost territory... I will grant you one wish: whatever you ask for, as long as it does not go against my will, I will grant your request. A king's word is law."
This promise is basically settled.
Although Mu Xi was worried about how to resolve the situation in the southern border, her strategic personality at least led her to take another step forward.
The strategist's thoughts were more specific: "Your Majesty, in order to save the people of the southern border from suffering, please grant me a 'military control token' so that I may act swiftly if I encounter the troops of General Dai Rong, the General Who Guards the South."
He said he would go to the southern border alone without bringing a single soldier.
Everyone knows that the solution is to adapt to local conditions, use local resources, and rely on the existing troops in the southern border.
However, judging from the battle reports from the southern border, the pirates have advanced unimpeded, and the troops stationed in the southern border have already been wiped out, while the other half of Dai Rong's troops have disappeared without a trace.
Regardless of which half of the troops they belong to, they are all under the command of King Yu, and only King Yu's tiger tally can mobilize them.
By making this request, Mu Xi was essentially asking the King of Yu for military power in the southern border.
King Yu had anticipated this move, but he was not worried. Instead, he generously said, "Of course, I will immediately appoint the Crown Prince of Jinfang as the 'Envoy to Pacify the South' and grant him the temporary 'military mobilization tally' for the southern border. He will be authorized to act as he sees fit, to control the scattered troops in the southern border, and to suppress the bandits and recover the lost territory."
"Your Majesty, matters of state and military importance cannot be entrusted to us so easily..." The old general Pang Ming was still uneasy.
Mu Ji raised his hand to stop him from continuing, and instead turned to Mu Xi: "I have given everything I can to the Crown Prince, but I wonder what the Crown Prince is confident of? Do you dare to make a military pledge to wipe out the pirates and recover the southern border within six months?"
Tao Lue and his personal integrity assured him: "Your humble servant is confident and hereby pledges that within six months we will surely wipe out the pirates and recover the southern border. If I fail to do so, I will voluntarily commit suicide in the southern border."
"Good..." Mu Ji slapped his thigh, "With such spirit, you are indeed worthy of being a man of the Mu family."
With a deep bow, the man of great talent and wisdom said, "Your Majesty, I will certainly not fail in your trust."
Finally, a court meeting concerning the life and death of hundreds of thousands of people in the southern border was decided in a "hasty" manner.
Mu Xi, or rather, a man of strategic talent, slowly stepped out of Tianjun Hall and out of the palace gates amidst countless gazes filled with shock, disdain, mockery, and inquiry.
As soon as they stepped out of the palace gates, before they could even take a deep breath, they were met with the turbulent emotions swirling in Mu Xun's eyes, like the calm lake reflecting the moon.
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