The imperial court of the new dynasty was filled with civil and military officials.
The only person who would dare to openly contradict the emperor was probably Sun Heling, the Vice Minister of Rites.
This time, faced with Zhao Gan's insistence on personally leading the northern expedition to quell the rebellion, Sun Heling once again stepped forward at the risk of his life to advise him:
"Your Majesty, I humbly request that you rescind your decree and cease hostilities!"
As he spoke, Sun Heling stepped forward in front of all the civil and military officials and continued earnestly, "Your Majesty, when brothers fight each other, foreign enemies benefit. Is it not a simple truth that Your Majesty does not understand?"
"The Tibetans are eyeing Anxi with covetous intent, and Japanese pirates are frequently invading the coastal areas of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shandong. The 100,000 border troops in Anxi cannot be moved, nor can the 200,000 coastal troops guarding against Japanese pirates be moved, Your Majesty!"
"Once the news that the Anxi border troops and the coastal defense troops have been transferred to the northern expedition is leaked, the Tibetans and Japanese will surely invade our Great Xin border, harass our Great Xin coast, slaughter our Great Xin people, and shake the foundation of our Great Xin!"
"We urge Your Majesty to reconsider your decision and think twice before acting!"
After saying this, Sun Heling knelt down in front of Zhao Gan.
His action immediately enraged Zhao Gan to the point of utter despair.
Zhao Gan said with a dark face, "Sun Heling, out of consideration for your unwavering loyalty, I will spare you from punishment for your crime of deceiving the emperor today, but—"
"You remember this: this is a one-time exception, and there will be no next time!"
With that, Zhao Gan said sternly, "Otherwise, don't blame me for not remembering the late emperor's entrustment of the young emperor, stripping you of your official robes and sending you to exile on the frontier."
"I have made up my mind about the Northern Expedition to quell the rebellion. Anyone who tries to dissuade me will be exiled to the border!"
"emperor--"
Sun Heling was stubborn and continued, "Your Majesty, even if you want to exile me to the border, I will still advise you to put away your warlike heart, befriend the Prince of Jin, and never sacrifice the foundation of the Great Xin Dynasty for the sake of momentary pleasure!"
"On my trip to Longcheng, the fiefdom of Prince Jin, I personally witnessed the superior equipment and valiant fighting of the Po Lu Army under Prince Chen Huai'an, the heir apparent of Prince Jin!"
"If even 300,000 Yunhui troops cannot defeat them, what chance do the Emperor have of winning if he personally leads 500,000 troops on a long and arduous campaign?"
"Chen Huai'an was able to conquer Yunzhou in the south and the Turks in the north by his own strength, and the two armies won great victories at the same time. This alone is enough to demonstrate the bravery and fighting power of his Po Lu Army soldiers!"
"If His Majesty could issue an edict of self-reproach and be on good terms with the Prince of Jin's heir, not only could the tragedy of internal strife and foreign invasion be avoided, but a great general and war god could also be found for the Great Xin Dynasty!"
"Wouldn't it be wonderful to let Chen Huai'an lead his Po Lu Army to expand the territory and new lands for the Emperor? Just like the late Emperor and Prince Jin Chen Po Lu back then, it's clearly a win-win situation. Why make it come to the point of fighting?"
"All this fighting is costing the military strength of the Great Xin Dynasty, Your Majesty—"
"Enough!"
Suddenly, Zhao Gan shouted, interrupting Sun Heling, who was about to continue speaking.
Zhao Gan's face had turned ashen, his eyes flashing with murderous intent. He shouted in a stern voice, "Sun Heling, it seems you've taken my words to heart."
"You even want me to issue an edict of self-reproach and befriend that traitor Chen Huai'an? What are your true intentions?"
"Very well, since that's the case, then I will grant your wish!"
With that, Zhao Gan waved his hand and roared, "Guards! Strip Sun Heling, the Vice Minister of Rites, of his official robes and send him to my Imperial Guard to serve as a groom!"
“Sun Heling, haven’t you repeatedly boasted in front of me and all the officials about how brave and skilled the traitor Chen Huai’an and the remnants of his Po Lu Army are?”
"I will now enlist you in the Imperial Guard and have you accompany me on the northern expedition to Longcheng to quell the rebellion. I'll let you open your eyes wide and see whether my newly recruited elite soldiers are more valiant or Chen Huai'an's remnants of the enemy are more formidable!"
"Court adjourned!"
......
Youzhou, the residence of General Li Jingyu.
An imperial edict arrived in the capital city via the fastest courier service.
Along with the imperial edict, a yellow battle-axe and a bow and arrow were also delivered to the general's residence.
When the accompanying eunuch finished reading the imperial edict announcing the emperor's personal expedition to conquer Longcheng and the bestowal of the Yellow Axe Bow and Arrow upon General Li Jingyu, Li Jingyu's expression immediately became uncertain.
After receiving the imperial decree and expressing his gratitude, he immediately convened an emergency meeting with the Tiger Warriors generals stationed in Youzhou.
Shen Shi Shi Fen.
Inside the General's Mansion, the council hall was bustling with noise.
The Tiger Warriors generals who came to discuss matters all showed great interest in the yellow axe bow and arrows displayed in the most conspicuous position in the council hall.
The yellow axe, decorated with gold, was reserved for the exclusive use of ancient emperors or bestowed upon important ministers in charge of military campaigns.
Bows and arrows, one of the Nine Bestowments in ancient times, were one of the nine ceremonial objects bestowed by the emperor upon feudal lords and ministers, representing the highest honor.
The Tiger Warriors generals present were not fools; they naturally knew what it meant for the emperor to bestow the Yellow Axe and Bow and Arrows upon their general, Li Jingyu.
The news that Prince Chen Huai'an of Jin had raised an army in Longcheng to quell the rebellion, first annihilating 300,000 Yunhui troops, then attacking the Turks in the north and directly storming the royal court, had already spread throughout the Great Xin Dynasty.
Especially in Youzhou, which was occupied by Chen Huai'an and belonged to the same sixteen prefectures as Youyun, the generals of the Tiger Army were all on pins and needles.
Whether Chen Huai'an continued his southern expedition or the imperial court launched a northern expedition to quell the rebellion, the Tiger Legion stationed in various prefectures of Youyun were always the vanguard.
These frontline Tiger Warriors, who had been stationed at the border for many years and fought against the border tribes, knew better than anyone in the Great Xin court how significant Chen Huai'an's campaign against the Turks and his direct assault on the royal court was.
To be fair, a significant number of the Tiger Warriors generals present were unwilling to engage in combat with Chen Huai'an's Broken Army.
Immediately, the Tiger Legion generals present at the meeting split into two factions: those who advocated war and those who advocated peace.
The two sides argued fiercely.
"The Flying General has arrived!"
Just then, a report came from outside the council hall: Li Jingyu, the commander of the Youzhou Tiger Army, had arrived.
Soon, a burly, robust middle-aged man, as strong as a black bear, strode over, his steps resembling those of a moving black iron tower.
The moment Li Jingyu appeared, the previously noisy council hall fell completely silent.
All the generals were scrutinizing the Flying General's expression, trying to figure out what their commander was thinking.
Li Jingyu took the main seat in the council hall without hesitation, and his opening remarks were like a thunderclap: "Gentlemen, I have gathered you all here today for a meeting, so I will get straight to the point:"
"The Prince of Jin's heir has launched a rebellion in Longcheng, shocking the entire court and the people. The Emperor is furious and has ordered the Ministry of War to draft a plan to quell the rebellion. Our Tiger Army will be the vanguard in suppressing the rebellion, advancing from east to west to capture Yunzhou and Longcheng!"
After a pause, Li Jingyu continued, "His Majesty has appointed me as the vanguard commander of the Northern Expeditionary Army, leading 200,000 elite troops from various prefectures of Youyun to Yingzhou first to scout out the enemy's situation."
"Once His Majesty personally leads 200,000 coastal troops to defend against Japanese pirates to Yingzhou, and they join forces, they will attack Yunzhou together!"
"Just now, when I was outside the door, I heard you all arguing inside about whether to fight or make peace. I'll set the tone here first—"
Li Jingyu spoke each word with force and conviction: "The traitor Chen Huai'an has raised an army in rebellion, intending to overthrow the rule of our great new dynasty. His heart is worthy of condemnation!"
"Our Tiger Warriors must unite as one to quell the rebellion and repay the Emperor's grace!"
"Alright, I've said all I had to say!"
"Now, let's discuss how to fight this battle. Everyone, please share your opinions and come up with a unified plan!"
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