Chapter 183 A Last Resort
This is tantamount to demanding that King Yu not only officially bestow upon Bai Su the title of "female general," but also grant her actual military power.
This is probably something that has never happened in Yansheng in thousands of years.
Mu Xi's words instantly caused an uproar in the entire court.
This has offended an even wider area.
“How can this be? She’s a woman, a married woman… It’s like a hen crowing at dawn, turning the world upside down.”
"This is the natural order of things, which is eternal and unchanging. Women should stay in their boudoirs, supporting their husbands and raising their children."
"When a woman commands an army, the balance of Yin and Yang is disrupted, which is a sign of national ruin."
"Could the previous omen of 'the rise of the female ruler' have been referring to this matter?"
"If this precedent is set, all women in the world will follow suit, showing their faces in public, families will fall apart, and the nation will be in danger..."
The voices of opposition grew louder and louder.
It all boils down to bringing up gender again.
Mu Xi repeated her question: "If a man like Zhu Mingjun, who has brought disaster to the country and caused widespread resentment, can be released without charge and allowed to continue as a feudal lord, then why can't a woman like Bai Su, who is devoted to the country and its people and willing to sacrifice her life, lead troops into battle?"
One sentence was worth a thousand words, leaving the courtiers speechless.
Mu Xi then thought of the "blood oath" she had seen in Bai Su's hands and demanded that Bai Su produce it.
Bai Su hesitated, somewhat worried: "Your Highness has shown me great kindness, but I, Bai Su, did not do it for fame. It was because the people of the Southern Territory were truly innocent... Now that the Southern Territory is out of trouble, there is no need for..."
"So stop talking nonsense... We've come this far, do you think it's just a matter of the title of 'female general'? Without this imperial decree, she might be wrongly accused and killed." Mu Xi had already seen through these people's true colors. If Bai Su had only reputation but no real power, he would be squeezed out and killed sooner or later. "Now it's a life-or-death struggle. What's so secret about the blood oath? Give it to me."
Bai Su had no choice but to take it out from his close-fitting soft armor.
Mu Xizhan addressed everyone present: "Look closely, what is this? There are still people in the world with conscience and loyalty. The southern border has fallen, Dai Rong is addicted to drugs and has completely lost his ability to manage affairs, and the pirates are at the city gates. The military situation is extremely urgent. This is a 'blood oath' made by seven generals in the army, including Shi Meng and Zhang Wei, who volunteered to join Bai Su. Would you dare to make such an oath?"
He held the blood oath high and looked around.
Then it was handed over to the eunuch and presented to King Yu.
Mu Ji slowly unfurled the silk scroll stained with dark brown marks. His gaze swept over it, and finally, a change of expression appeared on Han Tan's icy face.
Grand Marshal Gao Quan, however, stirred up trouble again: "Your Majesty, this is forming cliques for personal gain, this is blatant forming of cliques for personal gain... Can generals in the army simply depose and install their commanders as long as they swear an oath?"
Having grasped the "key point," someone immediately jumped out and said, "Yes, this trend must not be allowed to continue. Your Majesty is wise. This is irrefutable evidence that they intend to raise an army to establish their own independent state and plot a rebellion."
"Yes, if everyone can do whatever they want just by making a 'blood oath,' what kind of order would that be?"
"Yes, this is treason, this is contempt for royal authority, this trend must not be allowed to continue."
"This is misleading the army and undermining the foundation of the nation."
...Questions and attacks surged forth once again.
Mu Xi's original intention was to let these people see the blood oath that had deeply moved her, and to move them as well.
Unexpectedly, in the eyes of these people, the blood oath became evidence of treason.
If people's hearts are truly so dark, where can we find light?
Bai Su was also completely drained of color, and felt utterly disheartened.
Zhu Mingjun slowly stood up, staring intently at the two women on the verge of collapse, a twisted and morbid pleasure on his face.
King Yu sat high on his throne, his gaze sweeping across the chaotic and noisy court. The slight emotion he had felt just moments before was gone, leaving only his fingers lightly tapping on the cold armrest of the dragon throne.
Mu Xi was filled with grief and indignation.
A person like Bai Su should not be let down, and cannot be let down.
These people have done nothing, yet they are here making unwarranted comments and criticisms.
On what grounds?
Is it because subordinates cannot resist incompetent superiors?
Just because Bai Su is a woman?
Haha, the more this is the case, the more determined I am to get this done.
Mu Xi's heart churned with turmoil as he thought about it. He suddenly took a large step forward and stood tall before King Mu Ji of Shangyu: "Your Majesty, I signed a military pledge that day, and Your Majesty personally promised that after our victorious return, Your Majesty would grant me a 'pardon,' promising to grant me whatever request I may make. Now, I humbly request Your Majesty to pardon Bai Su of all his crimes and to bestow upon him the title of 'General Who Guards the South,' granting him command of the military, the naval forces and infantry of the southern border, to forever guard the sea frontier and secure the nation's borders."
The impassioned words burst forth, leaving Mu Xi stunned first.
Mu Xi never imagined that the "opportunity" she had been longing for would slip through her fingers like this.
Even though she had dressed in women's clothing just two hours earlier.
An hour ago, she was imagining what everyone's expressions would be when they found out she was a woman disguised as a man, and there was nothing they could do about it, and when she wanted to reclaim the identity that rightfully belonged to Princess Jin Fang.
But now...
Dead silence.
Utter silence.
Absolute stillness, deathly silence.
All the court officials, including the seemingly mad Zhu Mingjun, the heartbroken Bai Su, and even the King Yu who sat high on the throne, all turned their gazes into reality, fixed on Mu Xi.
Mu Xi felt confused and her mind was buzzing. Did she really say those words just now?
Is she really going to give Bai Su the only chance she can legitimately turn back into a woman?
For a moment, she even doubted herself.
But when Mu Xi saw Bai Su kneeling on the ground with tears streaming down his face, her mind had no choice but to accept it.
What's this?
I once fell off a cliff but managed to grab onto a dead branch, thinking I was saved because of it. But then the branch broke.
Shock, doubt, regret, absurdity, mockery... these emotions resonated silently within the Tianjun Hall.
I don't know if a quarter of an hour or a century has passed.
Finally, Yu Wang Muji's lips twitched almost imperceptibly upwards as he slowly spoke with a hint of amusement: "Your Highness... is this truly all you ask for? No regrets?"
Regret or no regret?
This is a last resort, a dead end.
"Your Highness...Your Highness..." Bai Su grabbed Mu Xi's sleeve, unable to express his feelings, and could only shake his head desperately.
Mu Xi was still in a daze, but he was already certain in his heart: "Yes, this is my only request."
"Since that's the case..." The question was directed at Mu Xi, but it was clear that Prince Yu, Mu Ji, had more concerns and hesitations. "I might appoint a female general, but that would mean she would actually hold military power..."
Mu Xi forcibly prevented her mind from thinking about what she had lost, and instead advised King Yu: "Your Majesty, compared to a lord who has 'two surnames,' wouldn't a loyal female general be more reassuring to the people?"
That's all there is to it.
Bai Su is a woman. Even though she holds a large army, her influence is limited. Compared to people like Zhu Mingjun, she is easier to control, isn't she?
Mu Ji was a sensible man, and immediately slapped his thigh: "What the young master said is absolutely right, I, the king, approve it."
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