Everyone was slightly surprised, and Bai Linan's expression also turned somewhat gloomy. He hadn't expected that after so many years, his once-fallen father-in-law could still stand up again. Wei Junyan secretly gave Lü Yuan a wink.
Seeing this, Lü Yuan quickly stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, this is absolutely not right! Murong Yuan has been resigned from his post for so many years without any further achievements; it is truly inappropriate to bestow upon him the title of Marquis."
Chu Tianze spoke calmly, "Lord Lü, what Father Emperor meant was restoration, not a new appointment. Since you have such a strong opinion against General Murong, why don't you lead the troops this time?"
Lu Yuan was taken aback. "Your Highness, you jest. As the Minister of War, I am naturally responsible for coordinating supplies in the rear. How could I go to the battlefield?"
Chu Tianze spoke coldly again, "If you don't dare to go to the battlefield, then shut up. Neither of the two prime ministers have any objections, so what are you talking about?"
Lu Yuan was furious and about to retort when Emperor Wenxuan narrowed his eyes and said in a deep voice, "Enough, I have made my decision. Marquis of the West, Murong Yuan, listen to my command and lead an army of 150,000 to support the Northwest."
Murong Yuan's eyes darkened slightly. "This old minister obeys the order, but Your Majesty, I'm afraid 150,000 troops are not enough. Since Xiyue has such plans, it certainly won't only send 400,000 troops."
Emperor Wenxuan pondered for a moment, then slowly spoke, "You will lead 150,000 troops ahead. We'll make further plans if anything changes. Also, the originally appointed Western General Murong Shen is hereby appointed General Who Guards the West. The Northwest is now entirely entrusted to you and your son. Do not disappoint me!" He added, "Western Yue also needs to guard against Northern Yan. A full-scale attack on Great Xia would bring no benefit. He's gambling this once."
Murong Yuan lowered his eyes and bowed, saying, "Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty. This old minister will certainly not fail Your Majesty's expectations."
Emperor Wenxuan spoke again in a deep voice, "The two prime ministers and Minister Lü must fully cooperate with the arrangements in the rear."
"yes"
After leaving the imperial study, Bai Linan quickly called out to Murong Yuan, smiling, "Father-in-law, I have been very busy lately and have not yet paid him a visit. Please forgive me."
A hint of annoyance flashed in Murong Yuan's eyes as he said indifferently, "I can't accept being called 'father-in-law' by Lord Bai Xiang."
Bai Linan looked somewhat embarrassed and laughed, "How could that be? Does your father-in-law have some misunderstanding about me?"
Murong Yuan said calmly, "Misunderstanding? Let's put aside my daughter's matter for now. Xiaoxiao has been in Dingzhou for so many years, have you ever written a letter to inquire about her?"
Bai Linan chuckled twice, but Murong Yuan waved his hand impatiently and said, "Alright, Prime Minister Bai, just stay in the capital and be your prime minister." With that, he turned and left, leaving Bai Linan with a gloomy expression.
Chu Tianze stood with his hands behind his back at the palace gate. Murong Yuan quickly stepped forward and said, "Greetings, Your Highness, Prince Yan."
Chu Tianze said calmly, "We're all family, Marquis Xibo, there's no need for such formalities."
A fleeting warmth crossed Murong Yuan's face as he smiled and said, "Your Highness, why don't you take Xiaoxiao back to Yongzhou as soon as possible?"
Chu Tianze's eyes flickered slightly. "I'm afraid we can't return to Yongzhou for the time being. Just as the old general said, 150,000 troops are far from enough."
Murong Yuan lowered his eyes and said in a deep voice, "The court naturally has other commanders; Your Highness doesn't need to be at the forefront in everything."
Chu Tianze said calmly, "Putting Xiaoxiao aside, Mother Consort probably also hopes that I will help you, General Murong, don't you think so?"
Murong Yuan smiled faintly, "This old minister does not know what Your Highness means."
Chu Tianze chuckled lightly, "This king also doesn't understand why this is the case. General Murong, would you be willing to enlighten me?"
Murong Yuan shook his head slightly, "Your Highness is overthinking it. However, I'm afraid the world will not be at peace. It would be safer to return to your fiefdom as soon as possible."
Chu Tianze smiled calmly, "Thank you for your concern, General. We'll meet again in the Northwest."
Bai Chuxiao was already waiting at the Murong residence. Murong Che and Murong Shuo had also packed their belongings. When the news from the palace came out, everyone calmed down.
Murong Xuan frowned slightly, "Eldest brother, third brother..."
Murong Che patted his shoulder heavily and said with a smile, "Second brother, don't worry about us. Just live a good life with your wife."
Kong Xihan, standing to the side, also looked worried. He finally understood why everyone had been acting so strangely these past two days.
Murong Yuan strode in, looked at the people in the room, and said in a deep voice, "Alright, Cheng'er, you all stay in the capital. You don't need to worry about things in the Northwest."
Murong Cheng frowned slightly, "Father..."
There's no use worrying now that things have come to this. Bai Chuxiao smiled faintly, "Grandfather, eldest brother, third brother, take care on your journey."
The fact that Marquis Murong Yuan of Xibo led an army of 150,000 to the northwest was not widely publicized, but the Murong family once again came into the view of the powerful and influential, reminding everyone of the brilliance of this founding general decades ago.
However, the resurgence of the Murong family brought joy to some and sorrow to others. For example, Wei Junyan smashed a lot of things and threw a huge tantrum upon returning.
Chu Tianling, standing to the side, looked puzzled. "Why is Uncle so angry? He's just a marquis."
Wei Junyan's face was grim. "Tianling, there are some things you don't know. Murong Yuan used to disregard your uncle, but now that he's regained power, he's clearly siding with the Prince of Yan. We must be wary."
Chu Tianling's expression was somewhat solemn. "I know," he said. The Seventh Prince's prestige in the army was indeed too great, but he wasn't entirely unprepared.
Several more days passed, and still no concrete news of Xiyue's troop deployment arrived. Everyone began to wonder if Xiyue was truly planning to attack Daxia.
In the main hall of the Prince of Yan's mansion, Chu Tianze and Bai Chuxiao sat at the head of the table.
Yu Fengyang raised an eyebrow and said, "Is the news fake?"
Murong Xuan, standing to the side, shook his head and said in a deep voice, "There's absolutely no mistake."
Chu Tianze sneered, "Crown Prince Jun Hongxi of Xiyue has completely seized control of the court. This secretive approach is typical of his style." Therefore, he was also quite shocked that Murong Yuan had received the news in advance.
Bai Chuxiao spoke slowly, "I'm afraid the situation is more serious than we previously imagined."
After a few more days of peace in the capital, news arrived that Gu Songyue, the only non-royal king of Xiyue and the King of Huainan, was leading an army of 600,000 to press on the border, and was presented to Emperor Wenxuan.
Emperor Wenxuan summoned several important officials overnight, and Chu Tianze was naturally among them. However, for reasons unknown, he also summoned Bai Chuxiao to the palace.
When Chu Tianze and Bai Chuxiao stepped into the Imperial Study, quite a few people had already gathered.
Upon seeing Bai Chuxiao enter, a strange look appeared in everyone's eyes.
Emperor Wenxuan, however, had no time for pleasantries and spoke in a deep voice, "You all know the news of the 600,000-strong army of Western Yue pressing on our borders. Even with the reinforcements brought by the Marquis of Xibo, the Northwest only has 300,000 troops, which is clearly insufficient to withstand them."
There was a hint of panic on everyone's faces; an army of 600,000 was no joke.
Chu Tianze stepped forward and said, "Father, I am willing to lead troops to reinforce you."
Bai Chuxiao disregarded all the rules and regulations and said in a deep voice, "Father, I am also willing to go."
Emperor Wenxuan looked at the beautiful couple below with a complex expression. His seventh son was brave and resourceful, always the first to volunteer for battle without fear. Now, his wife was no less impressive. Compared to them, the others in the hall were nothing but a bunch of good-for-nothings.
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