Chapter 107 The Prince Who Failed to Revolt 108
The next day, Zhang Xiaojia left the camp and saw Mu Mingxue in red clothes. She narrowed her eyes.
The bright red color hurt her eyes in the sunlight, as if a sharp knife was piercing her heart.
This dress looks so familiar... The style and color are exactly the same as what she wore eight years ago when she was trying to attract the rebels and pave the way for her brother the emperor.
This really is a slap in her face!
Zhang Xiaojia was burning with anger. She clenched her fists, her nails digging deep into her palms.
When had she, Zhang Xiaojia, been bullied like this!
In the battle eight years ago, she led two thousand cavalrymen with the determination to die. In order to attract the rebels, she dressed herself in red.
It was a fierce battle, with two thousand cavalrymen against five thousand archers, and only 187 people were left in the end.
In that battle, she lost too many comrades.
And now, Mu Mingxue actually dared to appear in front of her wearing this red dress and even dared to provoke her with her eyes.
Zhang Xiaojia could no longer suppress the anger in her heart, and she swung a long whip at Mu Mingxue.
"Snap!" The long whip drew a sharp arc in the air and lashed out fiercely at Mu Mingxue. Mu Mingxue staggered at the sudden attack, but she quickly regained her balance and looked at Zhang Xiaojia coldly.
"Eight years ago, this county lady led two thousand cavalrymen, determined to die, to clear the way for my brother, the emperor. To attract the rebels, she dressed herself in red." Zhang Xiaojia's voice was cold and angry. "Two thousand cavalrymen against five thousand archers, and only 187 remained."
She approached Mu Mingxue step by step, her eyes flashing with anger. "This county lady asks you, General Mu, are you leading your troops to fight on the front lines, or are you planning to dress in red to attract the enemy and lead your soldiers to their deaths?"
Mu Mingxue was intimidated by Zhang Xiaojia's aura, but she quickly regained her composure. She took a deep breath and said slowly, "County Lady, I wear this red dress not to provoke you, but to commemorate the soldiers who died on the battlefield. Their sacrifice deserves to be remembered forever."
Mu Mingxue shook her head. "County Lady, you misunderstood. I wear this red robe to remind myself of the cruelty of war and the sacrifices of the soldiers. I hope to inspire myself and the soldiers to stay true to our original aspirations and keep our mission firmly in mind."
As soon as Mu Mingxue finished speaking, the surrounding soldiers turned their gazes towards Zhang Xiaojia, their eyes filled with dissatisfaction and anger. They gripped their weapons tightly, as if ready to stand up for Mu Mingxue at any moment.
Zhang Xiaojia laughed heartily...
"Commemorate?" Zhang Xiaojia sneered, his voice thick with undisguised sarcasm. "General Mu, you keep saying commemorate, but do you know what true commemoration is? It's about leading the soldiers into battle, about avenging them with concrete actions, not just sitting here in red and pretending to remember them!"
Her words were like a heavy hammer, hammering down on every soldier's heart. Some lowered their heads, a flicker of hesitation in their eyes; others clenched their fists, as if contemplating something.
Mu Mingxue's expression changed slightly, but she remained composed and whispered, "County Lady, I'm not pretending. I simply hope to use this to remind myself and everyone else of the cruelty of war and the significance of sacrifice."
"A reminder?" Zhang Xiaojia sneered, his tone full of sarcasm. "General Mu, if you really want to remind me, you should lead the soldiers in training, study tactics, and prepare for the next battle! Instead of dressing up like a clown and performing like an actor!"
Her words grew increasingly pointed, and the soldiers around her began to whisper, their gazes filled with suspicion and disappointment. Someone whispered, "General Mu is indeed kind to us, but the county lady has a point... War is no joke, and dressing like this is indeed inappropriate."
Mu Mingxue's face darkened as she heard the soldiers' discussions. She gritted her teeth and tried to defend herself, "County Master, it's not that I don't value fighting. I simply hope to use this method to boost morale and remind the soldiers of their mission."
"Boost morale?" Zhang Xiaojia sneered, his gaze sweeping across the surrounding soldiers. "Do you think General Mu, dressed in red, can boost your morale? Or would you rather see a general who can truly lead you into battle?"
The soldiers looked at each other, no one daring to answer. But their silence spoke volumes. Some lowered their heads, avoiding Mu Mingxue's gaze; others secretly glanced at Zhang Xiaojia, a hint of admiration in their eyes.
Mu Mingxue was flustered upon seeing this. She hadn't expected that Zhang Xiaojia's words would cause the soldiers to doubt her. She hurriedly said, "County Lady, I admit that my methods may not be appropriate, but my feelings for the soldiers are sincere!"
"Sincerity?" Zhang Xiaojia looked at her coldly. "General Mu, does your sincerity mean having soldiers wear armor and stand under the scorching sun to watch you perform? Does your sincerity mean letting them die on the battlefield because of your negligence?"
Her words were like a sharp knife, piercing Mu Mingxue's heart. Mu Mingxue opened her mouth, but found she had no words to defend herself. She glanced at the soldiers around her, only to find their gazes had grown cold and distant.
She continued, "General Mu, I heard rumors in the capital and didn't take them seriously. I respect a woman's heroic performance on the battlefield and admire you for leading women to fight bravely. Listen carefully to me."
Zhang Xiaojia looked at He Fei and pointed at him. "If you have the guts to snatch this man away, I will immediately give up my position as princess. If you are not interested, I will divorce you. But if you dare to use the lives of soldiers as capital to become princess, I will make you live a life worse than death."
Zhang Xiaojia continued to address the soldiers, "I'm not a soldier. All I can do is ensure you have no worries. The Emperor has done everything in his power to secure food and fodder, allocate military supplies, and even cut back on palace expenses, all so you can have enough food and clothing on the front lines and focus on killing the enemy."
Her gaze was firm, her voice resonant and powerful. "The Emperor knows all too well your hardships and sacrifices. He worries about the war day and night, often staying awake all night, striving to end it as soon as possible and restore peace to the world. You shed blood and sacrifice on the front lines, while the Emperor works tirelessly behind the scenes. He not only has to deal with the disputes within the court, but also calm the fears of the people and provide shelter for your families."
Zhang Xiaojia paused, a flicker of emotion in his eyes. "You may not know this, but the Emperor has issued an order that the families of all soldiers who die on the battlefield will be supported by the court. Their children can attend official schools, and their parents can enjoy their old age. This is the Emperor's promise to you, and it's also his respect for you."
She looked around, her voice gradually rising. "So, the Emperor has sworn an oath: as long as the Emperor is still alive, he will never let your family suffer the slightest injustice! Your blood will not be shed in vain, and your sacrifice will not be forgotten! The Emperor is with you, and the people of the world are with you!"
When the soldiers heard this, hope gradually ignited in their eyes. Someone whispered, "So the Emperor has always been thinking about us..." Another person continued, "Yes, we are not fighting alone. The Emperor and the County Lady are supporting us!"
Seeing this, Zhang Xiaojia continued, "This war is not only for the emperor, but also for yourselves, for your families, and for the people of the world! As long as we work together, we will be able to defeat the enemy and make the country magnificent!"
Her voice echoed throughout the barracks, igniting the soldiers' morale. They raised their weapons high and shouted in unison, "We will serve the Emperor until death! Expand the territory for him!"
When a group of generals saw General Mu in red, most of their faces turned pale. They had all experienced the battle eight years ago, where only one in ten survived. They persisted in fighting, and it was the county lady who supported them. The county lady fought ten to one and held the front. She wore this red dress on purpose. What did she mean? The prince dared to betray the county lady and rebel against her.
He Fei kept looking at Jia Jia, feeling as anxious as an ant on a hot pan. He quickly walked over and held Jia Jia's hand with grievance.
Of course Zhang Xiaojia understood He Fei and held his hand tightly. As long as He Fei did not betray her, she would stay with him forever.
I hate this the most. They are in the Liao Kingdom, so far away from Kyoto. How did the rumors about He Fei and Mu Mingxue spread to the capital? The shadow of the Mu family is here.
It is true that Wudesi is the emperor's man, but she asked Wudesi to investigate something, so Wudesi should give her this face, even though Wudesi will report to the emperor later.
Not to mention, she was a general, but she sent soup and water to He Fei every few days. Fortunately, He Fei was obedient and always stayed three meters away from her. He never accepted the soup and water. Otherwise, she would not be so easy to talk to. She would kill her first and then turn He Fei into a eunuch.
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He Lin stood aside, his heart pounding. He had initially assumed his mother had only been angry when she attacked Mu Mingxue, but after hearing her final words, he truly understood her deeper meaning. She wasn't just venting her anger; she was using her words and actions to rally the troops and turn around their morale.
He Lin recalled his mother's words, each one striking a chord. Rather than simply blaming Mu Mingxue, she contrasted the brutal battles of eight years ago with the current situation, reminding the soldiers of the cruelty of war and the weight of their responsibility. She rekindled their fighting spirit with the emperor's promises and his care for the soldiers. She spoke not only for the emperor, but also for the families of every soldier and the people of the land.
He Lin sighed inwardly: "My mother really understands people's hearts. She is not only a brave general, but also a leader who knows how to inspire morale." He realized that the reason why his mother had such a high prestige in the army was not only because of her military exploits, but also because she knew how to empathize with the soldiers and how to make them feel their own value and mission.
He Lin recalled his mother's words: "The Emperor has decreed that the families of all soldiers who die on the battlefield will be provided for by the court. Their children will attend official schools, and their parents will enjoy a peaceful retirement. The Emperor is with you, and the people of the world are with you!" These words were not only an inspiration to the soldiers but also a strengthening of the entire army's cohesion. She made the soldiers understand that they were not fighting alone; they had the support of the Emperor, the people, and the entire country.
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The reason why Zhang Xiaojia chose to let her son come to the battlefield at this time was very simple. She wanted her son to come and make meritorious deeds, and also to accept the generals under He Fei. After He Fei defeated the Liao Dynasty, he could no longer lead the soldiers to avoid being too successful. If she wanted peace between the brothers in the palace, He Fei had to hand over the military power and travel with her. At this time, He Lin had to take control of the military power.
He Lin's position was too awkward. He was the emperor's second son and the eldest prince was adopted out, so he was considered the eldest. However, his mother's family rebelled and were killed, so Zhang Xiaojia brought him out to raise him. The emperor said that if he was raised well, he would be the next emperor, and if not, he would be a prince. However, Zhang Xiaojia never gambled on people's hearts. What he had in his hands was the most important.
"Mom." He Lin pushed the door open and came in, his voice a little anxious.
Zhang Xiaojia was sitting at the table, holding a bowl of steaming hot hangover soup. She looked up at He Lin, gently pushed the bowl in front of him, and whispered, "Mom will be back tomorrow."
He Lin frowned upon hearing this, his tone filled with anxiety: "Mom, didn't you say you would stay for three months? Why are you leaving so suddenly?"
Zhang Xiaojia sighed, his eyes revealing a hint of determination. "Lin'er, your father has decided to conquer the Liao royal family within the next three months. Remember, the Liao emperor must be killed by you. This is your achievement and your responsibility."
He Lin was silent for a moment, a complicated look flashing in his eyes: "Mother, do the ministers want the Third Prince to come to the front line?"
Zhang Xiaojia shook his head, his tone a bit cold. "Don't worry, the emperor won't let him come. Lin'er, you must remember that at all times, all credit belongs to the emperor. Never let any name like the 'He Lin Army' appear. Such an army will die quickly. All armies can only be loyal to the emperor, do you understand? The likes of the Mu Family Army and the Lin Family Army must not appear. The war is over, but it is not over yet. Only when the people of the Great Liao and the Great Jin submit and all recognize themselves as the people of the Great Zhou, can we truly win. I will pray to the emperor to keep you to manage this land. You must do your best."
He Lin nodded, a firm look flashing in his eyes: "Mom, I understand. Don't worry about the money and food. I will find a way."
Zhang Xiaojia smiled slightly, her tone filled with relief. "Mom has the money and food. And I have talented people here, mostly women. If you think they're good, I'll send them to you. You must subdue these ten thousand cavalrymen. You can't just rely on words, you have to rely on sincerity and real money to subdue them."
A smile flashed in He Lin's eyes: "Mom, are talented people divided by gender? They are all talented, I want them all."
Zhang Xiaojia looked at her son, a hint of tenderness in her eyes. "As for relationships between men and women, I don't ask you to find a woman to be with for life. But if you can't give your heart, then you can't lie, okay?"
He Lin nodded solemnly, his tone firm: "Mom, don't worry, I will help you look after Daddy. If Daddy dares to let you down, I will tell you."
Zhang Xiaojia patted her son's hand gently, her eyes full of trust: "Good boy, mother believes in you."
"You bastard, stop trying to sow discord in front of your mother." He Fei walked in and scolded with a smile.
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