Chapter 221 Sending troops to the Northern Frontier

"Grandfather, grandmother, Miao'er will take you back to Kunning Palace and give you delicious food."

Xia Miaoyuan grabbed the corners of the robes of Prince Xiao and his wife, one in each hand, and ran to Kunning Palace.

Second uncle Xiao Yicheng, and third uncle Xiao Licheng's family followed behind, all with joy on their faces.

"Slow down, Miao'er, let your grandfather and grandmother sit in the sedan chair!" The queen trotted behind holding the phoenix robe, with a tone of reproach.

At dinner time, Kunning Palace had already set up two tables for family banquets.

Although the dishes for the family banquet were not as grand as the palace banquet, most of them were specialties of the Northern Frontier and looked very delicious.

The Empress, the Crown Prince, the Second Prince, Xia Miaoyuan, the Xiao King and his wife, and the family of five of Xiao Yicheng and Xiao Licheng, were all present.

This could be considered a reunion dinner.

Since the leader of the Xiao Lin tribe was away on a long journey, the tribe had to be left without a leader, so the Empress's eldest brother Xiao Decheng and fourth brother Xiao Rencheng stayed in the capital.

"Grandma, what is the Northern Frontier like?" Xia Miaoyuan sat between the Xiao King and his wife, talking to them.

"The Northern Frontier is so big and beautiful, with endless grasslands, and herds of horses, cattle and sheep. If there is a chance in the future, grandma will take you to the Northern Frontier to play."

"Grandma, I want to go to the Northern Frontier to play too!" said Xia Miaoyuan's little cousin Xiao Wanyin.

Then, she pointed at her younger brother Xiao Yi in her mother's arms, "Big brother and Yi will go too!"

Xiao Yi was only a few months old at this time, still a baby.

Princess Xiao smiled and said, "Okay, okay, grandma will take you too, to treat everyone equally!"

Prince Xiao added, "When the time comes, I'll pick the best horses and give one to each of you, and see who rides the best!"

"Great! Ride a horse! Ride a horse!" Xia Miaoyuan shouted excitedly.

Xiao Wanyin also followed suit, "Riding a horse is fun! I want to ride a horse!"

The family dinner was carried out in laughter and joy. Prince Xiao and his wife had endless things to say to their grandchildren, and no one cared about eating.

At the end of the family dinner, Xia Zhengqi quietly called his father-in-law, the crown prince, the second prince and his two uncles to the inner chamber of Kunning Palace.

Prince Xiao immediately realized that Emperor Mingxi must have something very important to discuss with him.

"Today I want to discuss an important matter with you." Xia Zhengqi looked solemn.

The palace maids and eunuchs in the room had already been dismissed.

"According to reliable information, the Da Wa tribe has been content with the status quo on the surface in the past two years, but in fact, it is recuperating and planning a bigger war."

As soon as the voice fell, everyone present showed surprise on their faces.

Xia Zhengqi continued, "The Dawa tribe has been secretly recruiting soldiers and buying horses and hoarding food in the past two years."

"They plan to annex other tribes in the northern border in one fell swoop, unify the northern border, and become the overlord of the grassland."

Xiao Yicheng was surprised, "The Dawa tribe's ambition is so big!"

The crown prince and the second prince also echoed.

King Xiao frowned and said, "If the Dawa tribe really wants to unify the northern border, it is not surprising. After all, their new king is a very ambitious person."

"But, if they are determined to unify the northern border, what should the Xiaolin tribe do?" King Xiao's brows were filled with worry.

Xiao Yicheng said, "Yes. My Xiao family has been at odds with the Dawa royal family for a long time. When the time comes, it will be either him or me who will die!"

The second prince stood up and patted his chest, "Grandfather, don't worry. If they attack Xiao Lin's tribe, you can send a message to the capital, and my father will definitely send troops to help."

The crown prince glanced at the second prince, "Why are you still thinking like a child! The northern border is so far away from the capital. By the time the reinforcements arrive, it will be too late."

"Ah, I neglected it." The second prince shook his head embarrassedly.

Xia Zhengqi waved to his sons, signaling them to be quiet.

"I have thought of a way."

"Since we have already known about the plan of the Dawa tribe in advance, it is better to take the initiative, take the lead and unify the northern border instead of being passive."

Xia Zhengqi said, looking around at everyone.

Everyone was surprised at first, and then they all showed admiration.

Prince Xiao bowed and said, "Your Majesty, this idea is very good, but the Xiaolin tribe has limited manpower..."

After all, Prince Xiao is also the leader of the Xiaolin tribe. Although he looks a bit rough, his mind is not simple.

Just after Xia Zhengqi mentioned taking the initiative to attack and unify the northern border, Prince Xiao had already anticipated Xia Zhengqi's plan, so he deliberately mentioned that the Xiaolin tribe was weak and waited for Xia Zhengqi to take the initiative to ask for support.

Xia Zhengqi's mouth curled up slightly: "Father-in-law, I am willing to support Xiao Lin's tribe to become the overlord of the northern border."

After saying that, Xia Zhengqi stepped forward, grabbed King Xiao's hand, and held it tightly .

King Xiao said loudly: "Okay! If your majesty helps my Xiao Lin tribe to achieve its grand ambition, I, Xiao Tiehan, will lead my descendants to be loyal to Daxia from generation to generation and resist the iron cavalry of the Dada people for Daxia!"

King Xiao's voice was deep and powerful, hitting people's hearts directly, and making people's blood boil.

Half a month later, after several meetings and discussions, the specific matters were decided.

Emperor Mingxi issued an order, ordering the Minister of War Bailihua as the Grand Marshal and the Second Prince as the Vanguard General to lead an army of 200,000 to the northern border to assist Xiao Lin's tribe.

When Xia Miaoyuan learned the news, the Xiao family and the second prince had already followed the army.

[The emperor has improved a lot now, and he is so powerful and efficient in doing things. It is so admirable.]

The queen listened to her daughter complaining in her heart and covered her mouth and laughed.

...

After the Qingming Festival, groups of students traveled a long distance to the capital.

Within half a month, the hotels in the capital were full.

Especially in the Yongping Lane area of ​​Dongcheng, the streets were full of students.

Because Yongping Lane is close to the examination hall, and there are many inns that are not too expensive, most students who are taking the exam like to stay in this area.

Two months later, the capital will hold an imperial examination.

The chief examiner of this imperial examination is Yan Wenjing, the Minister of Personnel.

Xia Miaoyuan held an almanac and calculated the days.

[By now, Zhu Qi should have come to Beijing, right?]

[God bless Zhu Qi, may he pass the exam smoothly.]

[It would be best if he passes, then gets a government job, and stays in the court.]

In the book, Zhu Qi is a business genius and a top-notch money-maker.

If he can be recruited into the court, it will bring huge wealth to Daxia, and the treasury, which has been under great strain, may see a huge change.

However, if, as in the book, Zhu Qi fails the exam, fights alone in the capital, and is then targeted by Liang Chaozong, then this business genius will die.

Xia Miaoyuan was thinking wildly, and suddenly, he thought of Han Qingbo again.

[Oh, by the way, there is also Han Qingbo, the talented man who was rescued last time I went out with the Queen Mother. Will he also take part in the imperial examination this year? 】

【I don't know if he can pass the exam successfully. I hope he won't meet Liang Chaozong in this life. 】

Xia Miaoyuan thought about it and was worried.

In the book, Han Qingbo and Liang Chaozong have a deep connection.

After Han Qingbo escaped from the village, he fainted on the roadside due to hunger. Liang Chaozong passed by and saved him.

Liang Chaozong saw that he was quite knowledgeable and had made great contributions to the current situation and government. He knew that he was not an ordinary person, so he generously donated money to him and took good care of him.

Han Qingbo, out of gratitude, voluntarily gave up the road to the imperial examination and was willing to stay by Liang Chaozong's side as a counselor.

Later, it was with Han Qingbo's planning that Liang Chaozong successfully restored the country.

Xia Miaoyuan was very worried that this special fate in the book would continue in this life. She was worried that Han Qingbo would meet Liang Chaozong again and be abducted by him.

By then, not only would Han Qingbo not be able to be used by the court of Daxia, but he would become a sharp blade stabbing Daxia.

[No, no, sitting in the palace and thinking about it is useless even if you rack your brains. It is better to go and see it yourself.]

Thinking of this, Xia Miaoyuan had an idea and thought of a reason.

"Mother, Miao'er wants to do a good deed!"

Xia Miaoyuan ran to the queen and said in a baby voice.