Yuan Yuan didn't have to wait long.
After the beginning of spring this year, Daqi encountered a severe drought.
Taking advantage of the internal strife, Xiqiu could no longer contain itself and began to frequently harass the borders of Daqi...
The people are suffering terribly.
Local officials sent urgent letters to the capital at breakneck speed.
However, looking around the court, there was no suitable general!
One stubborn old minister suggested, "Let General Dingjun go!"
"Why don't you suggest sending General Pingnan with the troops?" an old minister with a differing opinion sneered.
Another minister seized the opportunity to mock, "General Dingjun was stationed in the capital. Now that he's gone, is it so that wolves and tigers can be released into the capital?"
"You..." The stubborn man was so angry that he puffed out his beard and glared at his opponent: "I never said such a thing!"
A sneer came from the bystanders.
Inside the main hall, a murmur of whispers filled the air.
Jiang Xian sat on the dragon throne, feeling restless.
He especially wanted to announce loudly that he was returning all the military power that had been taken from him to Yuan Yuan.
But the moment he met A Yuan's icy gaze, he became frightened...
They argued for two days, but couldn't reach a conclusion.
Jiang Xian could no longer bear it and boldly said, "Stop arguing! Stop going! I'll go! I'll go, okay?"
You're afraid of this and that, terrified that military power will fall into the hands of others!
Since that's the case, then I, the emperor, shall go!
Anyway, all military power belongs to me!
Yuan Yuan: "?"
The ministers: "???"
Inside the hall, everyone fell silent, staring in astonishment at the young emperor sitting on the dragon throne.
Apart from Yuan Yuan, no one could believe their ears.
Was that just said by a timid and inexperienced young emperor?
That's amazing!
In keeping with their duty as subjects, several ministers quickly stepped forward and advised, "Your Majesty, you must not!"
"His Majesty is the supreme ruler; how can he lead troops into battle?"
"Yeah yeah!"
Other ministers, whether sincere or not, also stepped forward to offer their advice—
"His Majesty is of noble status; you must not act recklessly!"
"On the battlefield, swords and blades have no eyes..."
"Those Xiqiu people, I've heard, are covered in hair, eat human flesh and drink human blood, they're incredibly barbaric! Your Majesty must not take that risk!"
"..."
The more they talk, the more outrageous it gets.
Yuan Yuan glanced at the time and said coldly, "It's time for court to end. I'll head back now. Gentlemen, please continue your conversation."
Seeing that he was about to leave, Jiang Xian also wanted to leave the court.
At this moment, several younger ministers asked, "What is Your Highness busy with?"
Yuan Yuan said coldly, "Let's go on an outing and enjoy the flowers."
Going on a trip?
Enjoying the flowers?
What time is it?
Xiqiu has even invaded the territory of Daqi!
As officials of the Great Qi, how could Prince Guangxin, the Ninth Prince, have the leisure to enjoy flowers and go on outings?
That's outrageous!
The elderly minister said coldly, "Your Excellency, although your position is a sinecure, such leisure is going too far!"
Excessive?
Yuan Yuan curled his lips and looked coldly at the minister: "What do you think I should do, my lord?"
Oh, a new emperor has ascended the throne, leaving the harem vacant...
As the Ninth Prince, I should indeed do my part for the Great Qi.
"Alright then, all noble ladies of marriageable age from prominent families should send their portraits here, and I will make a careful selection for His Majesty."
"You..." The old minister dared not speak his anger.
Yuan Yuan raised an eyebrow: "Lord Zhang, if I remember correctly, you have a granddaughter who is about to come of age?"
Why not send her to the palace, or even to Qianhua Palace, where there is a shortage of palace maids...
Qianhua Palace?
What is missing?
Are they missing a princess?
Yuan Yuan was a eunuch!
"Impossible!" The old minister immediately flew into a rage, interrupting Yuan Yuan: "My granddaughter is already engaged!"
"You're engaged?" Yuan Yuan smiled and said, "It doesn't matter. Even if you're engaged, you might break it off. I don't mind."
"You! You..."
The old minister stammered for a long time, unable to utter a single word, and was so angry that he almost fainted on the spot.
Seeing this, the ministers nearby quickly advised, "Lord Zhang, please don't be angry, take care of your health."
He then turned to Yuan Yuan and said, "Your Majesty, Xiqiu has already attacked! At this time, it is really not a good time for sightseeing!"
You... or perhaps..."
As he spoke, the minister frowned in embarrassment.
"What's wrong?" Yuan Yuan asked casually.
The minister hesitated for a long time before looking in the emperor's direction, cupping his hands and saying, "Your Majesty, I have something to say, but I don't know if I should."
Jiang Xian: "..."
Jiang Xian suppressed his complaints, adopted the demeanor of an emperor, and said in a serious tone, "Please speak freely, my dear minister."
The minister glanced cautiously at the Ninth Prince out of the corner of his eye before saying, "Your Majesty, the Great Qi is in dire need of capable people!"
Previously, this humble subject did not agree to accept the military tally from His Majesty the Nine Thousand Years...
Now that Xiqiu has invaded, the only ones familiar with Xiqiu are the Nine Thousand Years Old and the Xiling Army!
Therefore, in my humble opinion, Your Highness is a talented general who should not be overlooked; military power should be returned to him!
Yuan Yuan was somewhat surprised and looked up.
At this moment, a young courtier spoke up: "Your Majesty agrees with what Lord Chen said! When His Highness led the Xiling Army, Xiqiu suffered repeated defeats."
Now that they've returned with a vengeance, they must know that His Majesty is without troops, which is why they dare to act so recklessly!
"That makes sense!"
"Wasn't Xiqiu's earlier retreat precisely because they feared His Majesty's formidable reputation?"
"..."
Inside the main hall, a cacophony of voices rose in discussion.
There were many dissenting voices, but they were ultimately silenced.
Yuan Yuan stood there lazily, his face expressionless.
Jiang Xian, however, looked at him with concern.
Yuan Yuan lifted his eyelids.
Jiang Xian: "..."
Jiang Xian shrank his neck and gave a dry laugh.
After letting the court officials argue for half an hour, Jiang Xian cleared his throat and said, "Quiet down, listen to what I have to say."
The Haoran Hall immediately fell silent.
The courtiers, who had been arguing heatedly, all returned to their ranks, their mouths dry.
Jiang Xian sat upright and said, "A Yuan is indeed a rare talent in the Great Qi!"
With him around, peace can be maintained in this area!
Therefore, I have decided, adopting the suggestions of my beloved ministers, to consolidate the military power that had been dispersed and entrust it to A Yuan, allowing him to lead troops to the border of Xiqiu!
Jiang Xian's words were delivered with great passion and fervor.
As soon as the words were spoken, several voices loudly echoed in agreement—
"good!"
"His Majesty is truly a wise ruler!"
"With the Nine Thousand Years Old here, he will surely scare away those savages from Xiqiu!"
"..."
Seeing that the court officials all agreed with him, Jiang Xian smiled broadly, feeling a great sense of accomplishment.
Yuan Yuan said coldly, "Tomorrow, I will lead the Western Ling Army to set off."
Jiang Xian happily exclaimed, "Great!"
However……
The next day, the weather was fine and sunny.
Yuan Yuan, dressed in armor, sat on a chestnut horse, his face filled with coldness.
He calmed the restless horse and coldly asked the Vice Minister of War standing in front of it, "The military tally issued by the Ministry of War can only mobilize 70,000 troops back to Xiling?"
The Vice Minister of War stammered, "Yes...yes..."
Two hundred thousand troops were all dispatched, and when they were returned, a full thirteen thousand were missing!
Not even half of it has been returned!
"Oh……"
Yuan Yuan gave a mocking smile.
The Vice Minister of War wiped away a cold sweat: "The auspicious hour has arrived, the army shall set off! I wish His Majesty a victorious start and a swift return!"
"Oh……"
Yuan Yuan gave another sarcastic smile.
One hundred thousand Qi imperial guards versus two hundred and fifty thousand Xiqiu soldiers?
This is clearly sending him and 100,000 soldiers to their deaths!
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