Inside Baishi City, Gong Wei had led his troops into the city for five days. Initially, he was filled with various worries and concerns, and he was prepared to die here even if it was not worth it. However, with the arrival of reinforcements from all directions in the past two days and the availability of sufficient food and supplies, his confidence in defending Baishi City has greatly increased.
The reinforcements that rushed over were not all summoned by Murong Jing's men who had the Emperor's jade pendant; some were sent by nearby garrisons who had learned of the situation and brought letters saying, "Well done."
It is said that our country has invaded us many times over the years, and we have long been burning with anger and want to deal with them.
Unfortunately, they couldn't make that decision, and could only seethe with resentment in their hearts.
Now that Gong Wei has dared and has indeed captured the enemy's city, we must defend it.
They couldn't divide their troops into smaller units, nor dared they take too many on their own, but gathering small amounts would still be feasible. They also said that before the court made arrangements for provisions, they would try to extract them from their own garrison and send them over.
Basically, they mean they will try their best to support this area.
News also came from Huazhou City that the people in the city were very excited about the Gong family army's capture of the enemy city. The people in the city and the surrounding area expressed that they had no money, but they would contribute manpower and effort if needed.
This was a reassuring thing for Gong Wei and the soldiers.
The good news doesn't stop there. The spies sent out in the past few days have reported that strange things are happening one after another at the enemy's garrisons, with White Stone City as the center.
It possesses a mysterious power, operating without anyone noticing, specifically targeting the enemy camp's provisions, supplies, and military pay. It doesn't just burn them; it takes everything away, leaving nothing behind.
It is said that several enemy generals had their hair, eyebrows, and beards shaved off while they were asleep, and a line was drawn on their necks with red dye.
At each location, a warning notice was left, which roughly stated that this was caused by the excessive ambition and greed of your Yunwu Kingdom. This was just a small warning. If you continue to be unruly, it wouldn't just be a matter of shaving your hair and beard; we would take your heads directly.
The letter also deliberately included a note at the end, instructing them to convey to the king that if he continued to be restless in managing his own country and harbored ambitions to invade other countries, he should no longer sit on the dragon throne. Either a wise ruler should be chosen to sit on it, or the emperor of Fengliang should be allowed to take over and merge with the kingdom.
After Gong Wei learned of this news, he told Murong Jing. The two of them thought that this was definitely Hong Xiaoduo's doing. This style of doing things was hers. They were just a little surprised. Did she have such a wide network of connections?
You know, she could shave the enemy general's head by herself, but to quietly move all the enemy's supplies and provisions? That's something she couldn't do alone, could she?
...
Inside the council hall of Fengliang Kingdom, Emperor Jiade was discussing with his court officials, his face full of worry, the urgent report he had received the previous night from Huazhou City—Yunwu Kingdom had once again crossed the border and provoked war.
"Your Majesty, I am willing to request permission to go to Yunwu Kingdom to protest their invasion," said Mo Qiyan, Minister of Rites.
“What’s the use of protesting? It’s common knowledge that Yunwu has wolfish ambitions. If protesting and criticizing were useful to them, would they keep doing it?” Wei Junpei stood up and objected.
The ministers spoke up, agreeing with Minister Wei's words.
After a moment's hesitation, Minister of War Shang Zhongxing stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I feel that it is not appropriate to continue to be so tolerant. Our attempt to win over Yunwu Kingdom with virtue is simply a case of talking to a brick wall and trying to get something from a tiger."
This time, let's give them a good beating.
Your Majesty has been very tolerant of Yunwu Kingdom all these years because you do not want the people of Fengliang Kingdom to suffer the ravages of war due to the conflict between the two countries.
But as Your Majesty has seen, this is not a question of whether we want to or not. If we do not confront them, the other neighboring countries of Fengliang Kingdom may be watching and waiting for an opportunity. Once they see that Yunwu Kingdom has really succeeded, will they also have the idea of taking a share?
Right now, it's only Yunwu Kingdom that poses a challenge for us, but it's not the biggest one yet.
But he said, "If our country succeeds, and other countries follow suit, then our Fengliang Kingdom will be surrounded by enemies on all sides, and the situation will be difficult to control."
The Minister of War's words immediately silenced the entire hall.
Yes, this is not an exaggeration, it's a fact.
Emperor Jiade's expression darkened further. He wanted to manage his country well, but why couldn't he?
But what would be the consequences if they went head-to-head with Yunwu Kingdom? Could they really control the situation?
He didn't want to be a weak ruler, but was he really ready? The country was still unstable, and he didn't want to go to war with another country under such circumstances.
“Your Majesty, why don’t we give Huazhou City to them first, and then reclaim it when our country is prosperous and the people are at peace?” Hanlin Academy scholar Ma Yongfan stepped forward and said.
"What are you thinking? Do you think all they want is Huazhou City?"
"That's right, the appetite of a greedy person only gets bigger and bigger."
Inside the main hall, chaos erupted immediately because of the words of the Hanlin Academy scholar.
"Lord Ma, how could you say such a thing? How can you face the generals who have guarded the borders of Huazhou City all these years? Do you know what they have sacrificed to defend Huazhou City? How many soldiers have given their lives to protect the territory of my Fengliang Kingdom?" Prime Minister Dong, who had been silent all along, questioned sternly.
The other civil and military officials also looked at Ma Yongfan with questioning eyes.
"This, I am naturally aware of, but we are forced by circumstances. If we were to fight head-on, the war would not end in just a few days or months. What consequences would a prolonged war bring to the country and its people? Surely you gentlemen are aware of this?" Ma Yongfan, who was almost drowned out by the questioning voices, glanced at the Emperor on the dragon throne with a worried expression and forced himself to speak loudly.
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