Chapter 469 The enemy is coming
"Even if he guessed it, what can he do? On my territory, I have to let the dragon curl up and the tiger lie on its stomach!
Besides, wasn't this the idea suggested by Grandpa Sun and the others? They wanted to see if there was some kind of poison at work, saying it was to stimulate the Duans.
Ouch, I don’t understand what’s going on.
Anyway, why not make some use of the waste?
Duan Shaoxuan committed a crime here, so when I ask his father for money later, I can ask for a lot of money, right? "
The emperor's sophistry made Prince Jing curl his lips in anger.
"Don't you support Duan Shaoyan to go back and fight for the position? By the time the overall situation is determined, will Duan Shaoxuan still be valuable?"
"Well, isn't this a two-pronged approach? If Xiao Duan can't defeat his father, Lao Duan, I still have the second Xiao Duan in my hands, so at least he can..."
"Report!"
Before the emperor could finish his boastful words, Li Song's anxious report came from outside the door.
"Your Majesty, the Marquis of Weiwu has come to the palace to report that the Linyue army is invading! The Empress has summoned the ministers to the Qianyuan Palace. Your Majesty, please come quickly!"
"What?!"
The emperor suddenly jumped up from his chair.
"Don't worry, big brother. I'll go over and see what's going on!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the man disappeared without a trace.
"Brother, I..."
"Ahem, ahem, just lie down here and recuperate. Ahem, I'll be there!"
Prince An's breath was often short when he was anxious, but he still managed to reach Qianyuan Hall as quickly as possible with the help of his entourage. Of course, the others were also fast. The important civil and military officials who received the news all stood in the hall with grim expressions.
Listening to the seriously injured Xiaoliu of the Qiao family, crying intermittently as he reported the news.
“…We traveled a hundred or two hundred miles outside the capital, but still saw no sign of the Linyue envoy.
However, at one of the Qiao family's contact points, they found the Qiao family general who had been chased and returned to report the news. For unknown reasons, Lin Yue had sent troops to attack Dongling Prefecture half a month ago.
My third brother, my third brother Qiao Yuwu has died in battle!
My eldest sister Qiao Yuchu led her men straight to Dongling Mansion and asked me to come back and report...
…Your Majesty, cousin!
You have to avenge my third brother!"
Qiao Yujun was still a young boy under the age of fourteen. Even though he had known since childhood that it was the Qiao family's fate to die on the battlefield, he still couldn't help but faint from the heartache over the death of his own brother.
Marquis Weiwu held his seriously injured and unconscious youngest son in his arms, and thought of his eldest son who died thousands of miles away. Even this man as strong as a mountain could not help but cry out loud.
"This old minister begs His Majesty and Empress to allow me to lead the army to Linyue!"
Whether for public or private reasons, Qiao Yunhai had no choice but to step forward and volunteer, even though the hidden injury he suffered in his early years no longer allowed him to ride a warhorse. However, his son was still there waiting for his father to take him home.
"Uncle, how can you go back to the battlefield with the injuries on your body? I'll go!
Damn Lin Yue, a bunch of damn killer dogs!
I won’t let them off!”
The emperor jumped up from the dragon throne.
"Where is the Minister of War?"
"I am here!"
"Give the order and mobilize the troops!"
"yes!"
"Where's the Minister of Revenue? Old Chu, come out!"
"The old minister is here."
The old minister of the Ministry of Revenue looked so miserable that he couldn't bear to look at him. He knew what the emperor wanted to say to him. But the current situation did not allow him to refuse. Even if he had to tighten his belt, he had to pay the military funds. Otherwise, the queen would chop the minister of the Ministry of Revenue into pieces!
"Can you gather enough food and military pay for 500,000 men within three days?"
"this…"
"able!"
The Minister of Revenue's lips were trembling with worry, while the Queen sitting on the other side made the final decision.
Turning his head to look at his wife, Li Chengxiu's eyes flashed with gratitude. He ignored the unpleasant expressions of some of the ministers and made the decision arbitrarily.
"Three days later, I will lead the army in person!"
In the imperial study, the Prime Minister stared at the Empress in silence, his brows furrowed. The atmosphere remained tense for about half an incense stick of time, but ultimately, the parents could not prevail against their children.
Qin Zhenning asked with a sigh.
"There's not much surplus food in the treasury to begin with. Where are we going to get so much food all at once? It's not about the money. It's about where you're going to gather so much food in three days."
Jiang Wan's eyes moved, and his voice was soft but firm.
"I buy it from the noble families."
“Who would be willing to sell it to you?
Although each noble family controls its own grain supply, why should they offer it to the imperial court?
You must know that dynasties come and go but aristocratic families remain. Even without the Li royal family, there can still be the Zhang royal family, the Yang royal family and even the Qin royal family!
Who would really give up their own family business for the Li family?
"Someone must be willing to do so."
Jiang Wan raised her eyes and met his gaze.
"I still have many plans to enrich the country that I haven't implemented yet. As long as we can survive this, Dayu's future will definitely get better and better!
"What I'm most thankful for now is that my father recently led his men to the Dali border. If Dali gets wind of this and wants to take advantage of the situation, my father is there to keep them safe. As long as the imperial court sends in reinforcements and food, there will definitely be no problems."
Qin Zhenning sighed.
"You also know that we need to get the reinforcements and food supplies in place. You also know how many soldiers Dayu has available, and the food supplies are even more stretched.
It's already a stretch to be able to start a major battle, and you're still thinking of taking on Linyue and Dali at the same time?"
"I don't want to, but I never overestimate human nature, let alone the interests between countries.
Although Duan Shaoyan signed an alliance with us, it doesn't mean he can't go back on his word. Although Duan Shaoxuan is in our hands, it doesn't mean Emperor Li can't be ruthless enough to abandon him. When faced with enormous benefits, I never overestimate human greed.
But, I am the queen of Dayu.
I also cannot abandon my people before the danger really comes.
The king dies for the country.
This is the oath Li Chengxiu and I made before the late emperor, and we must keep it."
"Jiang Wan!"
This was the first time Qin Zhenning called her name in a slightly harsh tone.
"You don't have to risk your life for Li Chengxiu. As long as I'm here, I can protect you and your child no matter what.
Aristocratic families are never easy to get along with. People never look at each other based on affection but on profit. The benefits you offer are not big enough to impress them.
Can you please listen to my advice?
Just wait and see what happens. Let the Li family carry the empire. You, a woman, can't do it."
"I'm not doing this entirely for Li Chengxiu, I'm doing this for myself as well."
"What have you done for yourself?"
Qin Zhenning looked at his daughter's stubborn look and stroked his short beard angrily.
“No one can see more clearly than me how hard you’ve worked along the way.
He doesn't have the title of emperor but bears the responsibilities of an emperor, and he is almost walking on the cusp of the world every day.
"Achievements too great will frighten the ruler"—these four words apply not only to the relationship between ruler and subject, but also to the relationship between husband and wife. If Li Chengxiu ever regrets his actions, you will instantly fall into an irretrievable state!
What on earth are you doing this for?"
"For my ambitions and dreams."
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