"How could such a huge oversight occur when Prince Yannan was guarding the southwest?"
Several cabinet ministers discussed this matter together in the imperial study, all with serious expressions on their faces.
"The rebels have been there for over a month, and the news has only just reached the capital."
Chen Songshi stroked his beard and thought, "Some time ago, King Yannan returned to the capital, and most of his attention was focused on the Southern Hu captives. So, the rebels probably only started to act after he left the southwest."
"I heard that the traitorous king came with great force, apparently having made preparations long ago, just waiting for the right opportunity. After the Battle of Longcheng, Prince Yannan led his personal troops back to the capital, which indeed gave them an opportunity to exploit."
"It seems like these people are quite scheming! They were able to grow and develop under the watchful eye of King Yannan until today. The people behind them must be quite capable!"
"The most urgent task is to ask King Yannan to send troops to quell the rebellion! Your Majesty has just ascended the throne. If chaos breaks out now..."
At this point, everyone exchanged glances, with a hint of worry in their eyes.
Ever since Xiao Chengqi took this position, there have been twists and turns and troubles.
Now even the rebels have appeared, how can this be tolerated!?
Xiao Chengqi remained silent until everyone started talking. He finally asked, "Have you found out the origins of the rebels?"
"this……"
Chen Songshi looked hesitant.
Miao Sheng, who was standing by, continued, "It is said that they were fighting under the banner of the Great Zhou."
When these words were spoken, several ministers were shocked.
"Are they the remnants of the previous dynasty?!"
Miao Sheng said, "Based on the current investigation, they have been lurking in the southwest for a long time and have been secretly maintaining contact. The terrain in the southwest is rugged, and even with the presence of King Yannan, it would be difficult for them to be discovered if they deliberately hide. Therefore, it was not until today that -"
"Humph, they're just a bunch of wishful thinking fools! Ever since Taizu overthrew the Great Zhou and quelled the unrest, the country has become prosperous and the people have lived and worked in peace and contentment. It's a miracle these people are still alive today, yet they still dream of restoring the country! They're truly overestimating their own abilities and are ridiculous!"
"That's right! The Great Zhou court is utterly corrupt, and the people are suffering unspeakably. It should have ended long ago! What we did today is merely a resurgence of the ashes. With King Yannan in charge, what is there to fear?"
Everyone was quite optimistic, but Chen Songshi was still a little worried.
He looked at Xiao Chengqi and said, "Your Majesty, although there is the King of Yannan in the southwest, it is still adjacent to the Southern Hu. If the Southern Hu take advantage of this to cause chaos, the King of Yannan will be attacked from both sides..."
Xiao Chengqi fell into deep thought. "Logically speaking, the Southern Hu had just suffered a great loss and would not dare to act rashly. But... Tuoba Shan is stubborn and vindictive. He might harbor resentment and do something outrageous..."
"Your Majesty, I don't think the Nanhu people are so bold. The rebellion is so powerful now, it must be suppressed as soon as possible!"
Xiao Chengqi thought for a moment, and finally said,
"Issue an order! Order King Yannan to stay in the southwest and suppress the rebels! The rebels will not be allowed to take a single step beyond the southwest!"
"yes!"
…
The news that a rebel army had appeared in the southwest quickly spread to the capital.
Many people would secretly chat about it after dinner.
Ye Jingyan, who was in the Imperial College, was even more well-informed.
"It is said that the rebels are marching northwards and are heading straight for the capital."
In the study, Ye Jingyan put down his brush, a hint of worry on his handsome face.
Ye Chutang glanced at him out of the corner of his eye and said, "Ah Yan, your heart is in turmoil."
Ye Jingyan didn't shy away from the question and nodded frankly, "Sister has always understood my heart best. These rebellions started from the southwest, and the King of Yannan must be held responsible. If it were any other day, this would naturally be a piece of cake, but... Tuoba Yu is dead."
He rarely felt this uneasy.
"Sister, if Tuoba Shan has any ulterior motives, the southwestern border will be extremely dangerous! Once the King of Yannan engages in battle with the rebels, we will definitely not be able to spare any manpower to support him. At that time, Afeng——"
Afeng is in Duzhou now!
Ye Chutang walked to the desk, raised his hand and pulled out the paper where he had written the typo, his expression calm.
"If you make a single mistake, your manuscript will fail and you can just throw it away."
As she said this, she really tore up the paper and threw it away.
"Sister——"
"I know you're worried about Afeng. But firstly, he's thousands of miles away from the capital, and our worrying about him right now won't do him any good. Secondly, this is the path he chose. If he can't even handle something like this, then it would be better for him to give up as soon as possible and return to the capital to live his comfortable and peaceful life as before."
Ye Jingyan was still worried. "But he's only been gone for less than a year. Besides, Tuoba Shan, Shui Xingqiu and the others will definitely regard him as a thorn in their side! I'm afraid other border cities are no more dangerous than his place!"
"I told you, this is his own choice." Ye Chutang looked at Ye Jingyan steadily, a rare smile gone from his face. His eyes were cold and clear, firm and indifferent. "Ah Yan, you should have thought of this day as early as the day Ah Feng left."
"It's not just him. Among the thousands of soldiers who have joined the army, who doesn't have parents, brothers, wives, and children? If everyone is hesitant and afraid of death, then we should just ignore everything and just kneel down and submit!"
Ye Jingyan's heart was stirred for a long time.
Ajie almost never spoke to him in such a serious or even somewhat cold tone, but now, she did it for Afeng, and even more so for the countless people that Afeng was desperately trying to protect.
"...Sister, I know I was wrong." Ye Jingyan came back to his senses and felt secretly ashamed.
Ye Chutang's expression softened. "Ah Yan, I know you're worried about Ah Feng, that's why you act this way, but you have to understand that he's the same as you. You have things you want to do, and I'm not stopping you. As for Ah Feng, he has things he's willing to sacrifice everything for. No matter what, I respect his choice."
As he said this, there was suddenly a slight noise outside the door.
Ye Chutang turned around and saw that Xiaowu had come to the door at some point. He seemed to have sensed that the atmosphere was not right and was looking at them timidly.
Meeting Ye Chutang's gaze, Xiaowu finally couldn't help but ran over and threw himself into her arms, his big eyes filled with unconcealable worry.
——Sister, is it really dangerous for Fourth Brother to be in Duzhou?
Ye Chutang's lips curved slightly.
"Don't worry, your fourth brother promised before that if he has the chance in the future, he will take you to taste the wild goat meat at the border, and he will roast it for you personally."
"He won't break his promise." (End of chapter)
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