Wu Yunyin stood on the steps, her face full of undisguised anger.
Zhou Xiang's distribution of pensions to the families of those "rebels" was a challenge to the emperor's authority.
"I have already shown more than enough mercy by not beheading the families of those rebels, yet Zhou Xiang is distributing pensions to them. Tell me, should I just swallow my anger?"
No one in the court spoke. All the civil and military officials knew that the 300,000-strong army had died because of Wu Yunyin's treacherous scheme.
However, Wu Yunyin, in the name of the imperial court, and because of her hatred for Chen Zhennan, massacred 300,000 soldiers. It is only reasonable for Zhou Xiang to provide compensation to their families.
The officials looked at each other, none of them daring to say anything. Judging from Wu Yunyin's expression, anyone who dared to say another word would die.
However, just as Wu Yunyin was consumed by rage, Song Xuan, who was beside her, added fuel to the fire once again.
“Your Majesty, I said a few days ago that those who deserve to be killed should be dealt with decisively! This Zhou Xiang has no respect for the court and wants an extra two million taels of silver. I am certain that if this two million taels of silver is sent to him, he will definitely start a rebellion!”
No one refuted Song Xuan's words. Everyone could see that as long as Wu Yunyin persisted in her own way, Zhou Xiang would definitely rebel.
Looking across the entire court, even Chen Shou and Wu Xiaolin dared not say anything, let alone the officials below them who dared not propose peace talks.
Wu Yunyin's face was as cold as ice. She had clearly said that she wanted to reduce the power of the princes, but her uncle insisted on agreeing to Zhou Xiang's conditions. Now that the money had been spent, Zhou Xiang was going to make things even more outrageous. If she continued to tolerate this, she might as well just hand over the throne to him!
"Immediately issue an imperial decree to strip Zhou Xiang, the King of Lingnan, of all his titles. The imperial court shall dispatch 300,000 troops to take Lingnan directly!"
Wu Yunyin had made up her mind, but she never expected that Wu Xiaolin would step forward again.
"Your Majesty, this is absolutely unacceptable!"
Wu Xiaolin took two steps forward and looked up directly at Wu Yunyin on the imperial steps.
He was extremely anxious. His niece, the emperor, had no patience whatsoever. If she continued to make mistakes like this, the consequences would be unimaginable.
The atmosphere in the main hall was tense, like a taut string, ready to snap at any moment.
"Uncle, what is absolutely impossible at this point? Zhou Xiang is humiliating me and the entire court!"
Wu Yunyin could not understand, much less accept, that her only relative in this world was her uncle Wu Xiaolin, yet he opposed her time and time again.
This Da Wu is the Da Wu of the Wu family!
It is also my Great Martial Arts!
Why are they still so hung up on Chen Zhennan?
They all deserve to die!
"Your Majesty, the Great Wu is currently at its zenith, and the threat from the Yan Kingdom has not yet been eliminated. If we were to engage in warfare with King Zhou Xiang of Lingnan at this time, wouldn't it be a situation where our allies suffer and our enemies rejoice?"
Wu Xiaolin's voice echoed in the hall, his words revealing a hint of anxiety and worry.
"Uncle, are you saying that my decision was wrong?" Wu Yunyin's voice was icy, like the cold wind of winter, piercing and chilling.
Wu Xiaolin was startled. He took a deep breath and tried to calm himself down.
Stepping forward, Wu Xiaolin cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I dare to suggest that the most urgent task is to secure internal stability before dealing with external threats. Although the Prince of Lingnan harbors rebellious intentions, he has not yet acted in accordance with them. If Your Majesty can adopt a policy of appeasement, perhaps war can be avoided."
"A policy of appeasement? Does Your Majesty also think I am easy to bully? Uncle, do you remember whose empire this Great Wu is?"
Wu Xiaolin's eyes widened; he never expected her to question him like that.
Taking a deep breath, Wu Xiaolin gritted his teeth and said, "Your Majesty, this old minister certainly knows that this country belongs to you. But this old minister is also thinking about the future of the Great Wu. If the Rebellion of the Three Feudatories is not handled properly, it may lead to an even greater disaster."
A hint of hesitation flashed in Empress Wu Yunyin's eyes, but the anger in her heart was hard to quell.
"King of Han, are you trying to teach me how to do things? My mind is made up, there's no need for further discussion!"
Having said all that, Wu Xiaolin was filled with disappointment and had nothing more to say, so he could only retreat with a bitter smile.
"Issue the decree! Appoint General Ba Qing of the capital as the Grand Marshal of the Pacification of the South, and immediately mobilize 300,000 troops to advance into Lingnan. If Zhou Xiang is willing to withdraw from his fiefdom and return to the capital, I will forgive his past transgressions. If he remains obstinate, then my 300,000 troops will raze Lingnan to the ground and annihilate all 430,000 soldiers and civilians there!"
Upon hearing this, Chen Shou's face instantly turned to one of utter shock, and he looked at Wu Yunyin in disbelief.
This is insane!
She must be crazy!
Gritting his teeth, Chen Shou stepped out of the crowd and knelt down with a thud.
"Your Majesty, please reconsider! Even if Zhou Xiang is determined to rebel, the more than 300,000 people of Lingnan are innocent!"
Following Chen Shou's words, all the senior officials knelt down and begged the emperor to reconsider.
Wu Yunyin was stunned when she saw this, realizing that she had indeed said the wrong thing. Zhou Xiang's rebellion was not a crime for commoners.
Wu Yunyin coughed and was about to speak when Song Xuan spoke first.
"You old ministers, can't you understand His Majesty's words? I ask you, if Zhou Xiang rebels, are the people of Lingnan still the people of the court?"
Upon hearing this, Wu Yunyin breathed a sigh of relief. At this crucial moment, it was only Song Xuan who spoke up for her.
Looking at Song Xuan again, he still maintained a tough attitude despite facing countless angry eyes.
"As you all know, those unruly people rose up in rebellion for that traitor Chen Zhennan, and Zhou Xiang even took them under his command. Are these people still the people of my Great Wu Emperor?"
Upon hearing this, Chen Shou abruptly stood up, pointing an enraged finger at Song Xuan.
"You sorcerer! How dare you spread your falsehoods here! If your slander ruins the century-old foundation of the Great Wu, I, Chen Shou, will haunt you even in death!"
"Enough!"
Wu Yunyin roared angrily and said coldly, "Chen Shou! I will not pursue this matter today because you are a veteran of three reigns. If there is a next time, you will be torn apart by five horses! Immediately issue an edict to send troops to Lingnan!"
...
The Great Yan Imperial Palace.
After these days of rest, Chen Zhennan's injuries have basically recovered, and his complexion has improved a lot.
Song Yunyang stayed by his side every day, taking good care of him. They would quarrel and bicker from time to time, which added some fun to their relationship.
"Chen Zhennan, since Zhou Xiang obeys your orders, why not just rebel? By cooperating with our Great Yan from within and without, we can seize the initiative and perhaps increase our chances of victory."
Song Yunyang's words made sense, but Chen Zhennan didn't think so.
“The odds of winning? They’re not important. Rebellion is all about legitimacy. What I want is for the entire Lingnan region to be driven to a dead end, so that rebellion can proceed naturally.”
"The entire Lingnan region?"
Song Yunyang was somewhat confused. The people of Lingnan were willing to revolt for Chen Zhennan, so there seemed to be no need to wait any longer.
"Song Yunyang, do you know why I'm invincible? Why you can never beat me?"
Upon hearing Chen Zhennan mention this, Song Yunyang's face instantly turned red.
Just as Song Yunyang was thinking about something, a eunuch's shout suddenly came from outside the door.
"By imperial decree, the God of War of the Martial Kingdom, Chen Zhennan, is summoned to the Yanming Hall for an audience!"
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