Qin Canghai voluntarily resigned from his post, which caused a lot of speculation in the court.
As soon as the imperial edict was issued, everyone knew about the Qin family's crimes.
Qin Wanming used innocent children to make medicine in order to make huge profits. Qin Canghai knew about it but did not stop him, and even helped him openly and secretly.
The emperor spared Qin Canghai's life because he had served in the court for many years and had now voluntarily resigned and given away all his wealth.
"But wasn't it said at the beginning that the Qin family also had the merit of following the dragon?" A man in plain clothes asked the storyteller.
"Your Majesty completed his great undertaking in just forty days. If it weren't for your wisdom in using an enemy as bait, it would have been difficult to accomplish." The old storyteller stroked his beard in an enigmatic manner. "In the final analysis, the Qin family didn't help Your Majesty at the time. Instead, it was Qin Wanming who tried to obstruct Your Majesty's marriage to Lord Jiang."
This Majesty is not one to repay evil with kindness. She is always seeking revenge. She didn't do it right away because she was distracted by other things.
Once Qin Canghai fell, all the officials in the court, headed by the prime minister, were in harmony.
After only one month of such peaceful days, a secret report came from Yuan Lin at the border.
"The northern border is on the verge of a stir. They claim Dongli has imprisoned their deputy leader, Li Xin, and are demanding his immediate return. Their rhetoric is fierce, even threatening that if he is not returned, they will soon dispatch a massive army to attack the Dongli Imperial City, refusing to rest until the city is destroyed."
After the young eunuch finished reading, he looked at Shen Qing, who raised his hand slightly to signal him to leave.
"My dear ministers, what do you think?" Shen Qing turned to look at the ministers in the hall.
"People in the north have always been rough, and their army is even more ferocious. If this situation is not handled properly, I'm afraid war will break out and endanger the people of Dongli, Your Majesty." An old minister said worriedly.
"Hmph, they're so arrogant! Do you think Dongli is afraid of them?" A general, his eyes wide open, said with a folded hand. "Your Majesty, I am willing to personally lead the army to support General Yuan Lin. Our Dongli soldiers are no pushovers, and we will surely defeat those northern barbarians."
"Don't be so impulsive!" a conservative minister immediately retorted. "The Northern Army has always been renowned for its bravery and combat prowess. Their cavalry is incredibly powerful, moving swiftly and moving like the wind. If we rashly start a war, the outcome is unpredictable!"
"What are you afraid of? We in Dongli have strong soldiers and horses, and we have the advantage of terrain. As long as we use the right tactics, we will definitely win." The radical generals did not give in.
"Even if we can win, it will be a miserable victory. What can we do when the national strength is depleted and people's livelihood is in decline?" The conservative minister argued.
"Are we really going to just swallow our anger and bow down to those northern barbarians? This will only damage the prestige of our Dongli nation!"
"This is not about giving in, but about weighing the pros and cons and seeking a more stable solution."
Everyone argued endlessly, and the court was filled with noise.
Shen Qing listened to their discussion in silence.
This is her first battle since ascending the throne, and she cannot retreat.
But how to fight is a good question worth considering.
"Your Majesty, I think we can negotiate first and use Li Xin as an exchange to reach an agreement."
"Li Xin is just an excuse for them to satisfy their ambitions and start a war! Even if we return him to them, they won't let him go. Instead, it will embolden them to harass Dongli even more."
Shen Qing raised his hand to signal everyone to be quiet.
"We need to fight."
She said calmly, "The North simply thinks that I have ascended the throne, and they see an opportunity."
"The puppet masters from the North have fled to Dongli, killing the people of Dongli. Logically, I should have sent troops to attack the North long ago."
"Since they can't help it, then beat them."
"However, to be fully prepared, I need an official to negotiate with the North, aiming to delay the situation and buy time for reinforcements to arrive at the border."
The court officials listened to Shen Qing's words with serious expressions.
Now they have to trust Shen Qing's decision unconditionally and act in unison.
"This time, I will personally lead the troops to battle."
Wow!
The court was in an uproar.
"Your Majesty, you can't do this. The people in the north are brutal and the battlefield is extremely dangerous. Your Majesty's life is worth millions, how can you personally go into danger!" An old minister knelt hurriedly and spoke earnestly.
"Yes, Your Majesty, you are the king of a country. You should stay in the court and coordinate the overall situation. You must not act on impulse!" Another minister followed suit.
"Lord Jiang, please persuade His Majesty!"
Although they were extremely reluctant when Shen Qing ascended the throne at the beginning, they had to admit that she was a wise ruler and did much better than Murong Sheng!
Jiang Zhuo was also shocked at first; she had never discussed this matter with him. Feeling the courtiers' gazes, he took a deep breath and stood up.
"His Majesty."
All the court officials looked at him expectantly, but Shen Qing's face remained calm.
"Your Majesty, I will serve as your advisor on this trip north, to negotiate with the North and buy time for Your Majesty."
She knew it when a smile flashed in Shen Qing's eyes.
"Ah!" The old minister who called Jiang Zhuo out almost fainted in one breath, "You, you..."
"good."
"His Majesty……"
"I have made up my mind. As a monarch, I should lead by example and boost morale. If I retreat, how can I expect the soldiers to fight bravely?" Shen Qing's eyes were firm and his expression was majestic.
"But Your Majesty, if something goes wrong, what will happen to the country and people of Dongli?" A minister was worried.
"I will return victorious on this trip north!" Chen Qing's eyes were firm. "No need to persuade me any further. After I leave, the court will be handed over to the Prime Minister to preside over the overall situation."
"Withdraw from the court!"
Hall of Mental Cultivation.
Jiang Zhuo sat there with a cold face, while Chen Qing looked left and right beside him.
"Are you angry again?"
"Qingqing, why didn't you discuss such a big decision with me?" Jiang Zhuo frowned and looked helplessly at Shen Qing who was making an ugly face in front of him.
"I made this decision on the spur of the moment. I swear, I definitely didn't have that idea before the morning court!" Shen Qing raised his hand and swore.
"Now tell me, what do you think?"
Chen Qing sat up straight, looked at Jiang Zhuo and said, "The northerners are treacherous and warlike. They must have already made preparations to send troops, and we just learned that they are actually at a disadvantage. If we really have the mentality to negotiate, the northerners will definitely ask for a huge price.
If we go to war directly, we will inevitably suffer heavy losses and be vulnerable to attacks from other countries. To reduce casualties and minimize risks, the best person to go is me.
"Before certain things, we can only trust ourselves. I may not understand the battlefield, but Yuan Lin is there, and she must understand the people of the North."
"Furthermore, only if I personally lead the team will everyone go all out and give up the idea of negotiation."
Whether in the court or the army, there must be people who think that negotiation is a better approach. Therefore, they feel resentment towards her and respond passively.
So, she had to go.
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