Chapter 179 Demanding a Title
Mu Xun nodded: "It is indeed Lord Shen."
"Are you sure you got nothing?" Mu Xi asked, whether out of doubt or simply anger.
Mu Xun didn't think much of it, his attitude even more nonchalant than Mu Xi's: "So what if we gain nothing? Now that we're not going to cooperate with Lord Shen, what we should be thinking about is how to deal with him in the future, or how to explain things to him?"
The day of reckoning will come sooner or later, but not now.
Mu Xi didn't want to think about it too much. The victory of restoring her identity was just around the corner, and she wanted to take this step first and deal with the rest later.
Mu Xun understood Mu Xi's thoughts to some extent, and sighed, "Ah, well, anyway, the emperor is far away now, let's just have a good New Year first. We'll talk about going back when we get there. I just wish you all the best, and that's all I need..."
What came next was unclear, but no one continued.
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On the first day of the second month of the twenty-first year of the Xuanhuang era of the Great Yu Dynasty, in the Tianjun Hall of the Yu King's Palace in Moyang City, King Muji of Yu sat high on a golden chair with a coiled dragon. Civil and military officials, dressed in python robes and jade belts, stood on either side of him, their armor and armor complementing each other.
Mu Xi led the group back to Moyang City on the last day of the first lunar month.
After returning, everyone else was easy to talk to, but she had no reason to stay at Qifengtai anymore and could only return to Jin Fangjun's residence.
Having returned in triumph and with military achievements at their disposal, their demeanor was different, and they were no longer afraid of the Gao clan. Their first priority was to make a grand visit to Mu Zhen, who remained "seriously ill in bed."
Mu Zhen's corpse was controlled by evil magic and cursed with witchcraft, so it was naturally neither decayed nor rotten, but over time it eventually turned a dark black copper-gold color.
This color looks eerie on both the living and the dead.
Mu Xi did not ask the evil sorcerer to demonstrate any more spells such as sitting up, opening his eyes and mouth, and they all "tacitly" agreed that Jin Fangjun Mu Zhen was not completely dead.
Afterwards, both sides went about their own business. Gao probably didn't expect Mu Xi to win and return victorious, so he had to make further arrangements.
On the one hand, Mu Xi instructed Mu Xun to closely monitor the movements of the Gao clan, and on the other hand, he made arrangements for Bai Su and other soldiers accompanying him from the southern border, as well as to keep an eye on Zhu Mingjun, who was temporarily detained, in case of any unforeseen circumstances.
But none of that matters. What matters is that King Yu Muji ascends the throne the next day.
Mu Xi wore the purple-gold python robe of the Prince of Jin Fang on the outside, and a moon-white dress underneath.
Today, she can finally realize her long-held wish: to have Prince Yu Muji fulfill his promise and propose restoring her identity as a woman and her status as a princess.
The moonlit white dress was prepared for such a moment. After today, no matter what, she can start a new life as radiant as the rising moon.
Prior to this, Mu Xi had specifically requested Mu Xun to accompany him, along with Bai Su, who was required to enter the palace to receive a reward.
To avoid suspicion, the Zhennan Army ultimately sent only Bai Su as their representative, along with two of Dai Rongsheng's former deputy generals, to Moyang.
Bai Su's makeup remained a simple woman's hairstyle, but with a half-body silver helmet and armor, a straight posture, and a slightly raised chin, he looked even more heroic and could withstand scrutiny from all sides.
No wonder.
Not to mention the Great Yu Dynasty, even going back a few dynasties, there were women who practiced martial arts, and it was not uncommon for daughters of military families to be outstanding. But to say that there was one who openly and honorably went into battle in armor and could be genuinely called a "female general" is still the case.
Zhu Mingjun, dressed in brocade robes, knelt below the steps. Mu Xi hadn't made things too difficult for him, so he had maintained his human form.
The King of Yu's calm and dignified voice was devoid of warmth: "The Prince of Jin, Mu Xi, went to the southern border, drove out the pirates, captured the ringleader, and rescued Zhu Mingjun. His merits are great for the country. It is a pity that General Dai Rong died. Dai Rong's wife, Bai Su, is from a military family. She also lived up to her husband's expectations and made great contributions. They should all be rewarded handsomely."
Mu Xi bowed, omitting his own request: "In this great victory in the southern border, I dare not claim credit for it all. The greatest credit belongs to General Bai Su. General Bai, a woman, was entrusted with this critical mission. It was she who rallied the defeated troops in dire straits, regrouped, and built a strong army from scratch; it was she who, amidst the clash of swords and the bloodshed, strategized and anticipated the enemy's moves, displaying unparalleled wisdom and courage; and it was she who, clad in silver armor, led the charge, her blade striking fear into the hearts of the pirates. Under General Bai, General Dai commanded seven elite generals, whose fortifications were impenetrable, the enemy forces routed, and the army was unstoppable, recovering lost territory and preserving the southern border, saving hundreds of thousands of people from displacement. All of this was detailed in my previous memorial. I hereby earnestly request Your Majesty that General Bai's achievements shine as brightly as the sun and moon, illuminating the entire army, and that her loyalty, courage, and wisdom be worthy of remembrance for future generations. I humbly request Your Majesty's grace to bestow upon Bai Su the title of the first female general of our Great Yu."
Previously, although Mu Xi referred to Bai Su as "General Bai" and also called her "Female General" to outsiders, Bai Su ultimately did not have a formal official position or title. Others only accepted her because of Dai Rong's aura and her family background as a military family.
Mu Xi kept her promise and was determined to secure a formal title for Bai Su.
But as soon as he said this, the hall erupted in uproar.
The old general Pang Ming, his trembling body faltering, was the first to object in his booming voice: "How can a woman command an army? Military and national affairs have always been the battlefield where men shed their blood. To let a woman don armor and lead the army... it's only because the Prince of Jinfang doesn't understand how to lead troops that he would come up with such a bad idea. This great victory in the southern border is probably still thanks to the soldiers under Dai Rong. The prince is probably mistaken."
Is Pang Ming trying to erase Mu Xi's contributions by saying this?
Just as Mu Xi was about to retort, Pang Ming's son, General Pang Yi, also shouted, "That's right! If a woman is appointed as a general, where will the morale of the army be? Where will the soldiers' spirit be? This is simply playing with the safety of the country and the lives of our men. This general firmly opposes it!"
King Yu valued military prowess over civil administration, and in the Tianjun Hall, military officers always spoke the loudest and most unrestrainedly.
As soon as Pang Yi made this outburst, several military officers immediately chimed in to agree.
Finally, Chancellor Zhou Xuan also stepped forward: "The Book of Rites states: 'Women should not leave their homes for ten years... They should only discuss food and drink, and not participate in political affairs.' The Book of Changes says: 'Women should occupy their proper place within the home, and men should occupy their proper place without the home; this is the natural order of heaven and earth.' The position of a general commands thousands of troops and holds the power of life and death; this is the ultimate yang and the strongest power, which cannot be overstepped by a mere woman. Although the Bai family is not from a military family, it is not a legitimate path. The Crown Prince of Jin Fang has requested a title for them, which is an act that shakes the foundation of the state. This old minister cannot agree with this."
Chancellor Zhou Xuan, aged sixty-three, is the head of the civil officials. He has always been low-key and rarely speaks out, but today, for some reason, he has also started to take sides.
Mu Xi had never seen this old man before, but based on the original owner's memories and Zhou Xuan's position, and judging from the displeased expression on the King of Yu's face, she guessed that the old man had probably read the situation and thus came to add fuel to the fire.
However, Zhou Xuan's daughter was Zhou Meiren in the harem of King Yu, so Zhou Xuan was the second prince and the maternal grandfather of Gongzi Le.
It is said that many people are optimistic about Prince Le and are willing to secretly support him, precisely because Zhou Xuan's influence in secret is also considerable.
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