Chapter 89: Unable to Turn
When Wang Zhen entered, Zhu Qizhen was reading the military report in the hall. When he heard someone announce Wang Zhen's return, Zhu Qizhen asked without looking up, "Have you said everything I told you to say to your mother?"
Wang Zhen nodded and said, "I have already told the old lady what the emperor wants, and she also thinks that Qian is suitable for the position of Empress Dowager."
If those ministers who had always bowed to Wang Zhen saw his current state, they would surely be shocked. Since no one was suppressing him, Wang Zhen's daily style and pomp were almost as good as those of the cabinet elders. How could he easily show fawning to others?
But if the object is the emperor, then everything becomes much more reasonable.
Zhu Qizhen chuckled and said, "Mother is indeed still thinking about the position of Queen. She is the only one who is thinking about things that are not her turn to decide."
After all, Empress Dowager Sun was the biological mother of the emperor and Princess Changde. No matter how indifferent Zhu Qizhen was, there was still a blood connection between them.
Wang Zhen helped to put in a good word, saying, "The old lady is worried that the person chosen by the old lady Cihui might not suit the emperor's taste, so she is so concerned about the emperor."
Zhu Qizhen curled his lips in disdain and said, "The selection of my empress is naturally my decision. Mother should learn more from my mother and not interfere in the emperor's affairs."
Wang Zhen smiled awkwardly, but still said truthfully, "The old lady also selected a few palace maids from Shouning Palace..."
Zhu Qizhen had already understood Wang Zhen's implication, and his expression became even more unhappy. He said, "What my mother wants is not a son, but an emperor who obeys her every command."
It was Zhu Qizhen's original intention to choose Qian as the queen. He just wanted to test Empress Dowager Sun. He just wanted to know who was more important in his mother's heart, him or the "emperor".
The result is obvious. Empress Dowager Sun's interference in the selection of the queen only proves that she wants to raise the child born by the queen and follow the example of Empress Dowager Zhang. What Wang Zhen said just now further confirms this.
Wang Zhen didn't dare to say anything bad about either side, and simply said, "Perhaps the old empress is hoping that the emperor will give birth to a child soon... Prince Qing's selection of a concubine will have to wait until next year. Princess Shunde and Princess Yongqing haven't been married yet, and Princess Changde hasn't even returned to the palace to pay her respects to the old empress in recent days..."
Zhu Qizhen naturally scoffed at this and said to Wang Zhen, "You are very good at speaking for your mother."
Wang Zhen hurriedly coaxed her, "I was born into the old empress's family. Serving the emperor is a blessing earned through many lifetimes. Naturally, I am deeply grateful to the old empress. Besides, no matter what, the old empress is the emperor's mother and will definitely not harm the emperor."
Zhu Qizhen didn't want to talk about it anymore. He simply walked over to the map displayed in the hall and said, "Big sister and Wang Ji have already captured Shangjiang Village and Tengchong Qianhu Suo. With their combined forces, it won't be long before they can completely wipe out the Luchuan army." He raised the memorial in his hand and said, "With the report of a great victory, I want to see if these ministers dare to look down on me again."
Wang Zhen followed Zhu Qizhen's gaze to the map, taking in the narrow terrain and steep, towering peaks. He boasted as usual, "Of course. His Majesty has selected and dispatched the best soldiers and generals of the Ming Dynasty. With the Princess in command and Minister Wang at the helm, how can we not win? If His Majesty had personally led the expedition, Si Renfa would have been terrified and surrendered with courtesy. Perhaps our army would have won even faster than it has now!"
He didn't know much about military affairs, but he was very clear about Zhu Qizhen's desire to achieve great things. In this emotion, the master and servant were exactly the same.
Zhu Qizhen was very satisfied and said, "After returning to the court with a great victory this time, I will definitely let them return in glory."
While people in the capital were happy about Luchuan's victory, the atmosphere on Zhu Yuhuan's side was not so positive.
Although the rugged terrain had been confirmed on the map, the army's advance was still inevitably hindered, especially after crossing the Lujiang River. Not to mention that the mountain strongholds in Luchuan were all located on high ground, and the strongholds were closely connected to each other. As long as one of them was attacked, it would inevitably attract the attention of other strongholds, which would put the Ming army in an unfavorable situation.
"Your Highness, look, that's the Luchuan stronghold in the distance."
Zhu Yuhuan looked in the direction Wang Ji pointed, gazing at the mountains in the distance that were somewhat blurred by the clouds and mist. He soon saw the camp, which was obviously higher than his own, and couldn't help but marvel at the wonders of nature.
Given this kind of terrain, it's no wonder that Si Renfa was so bold and repeatedly harassed the border. Even if the Ming army attacked, it would be difficult to successfully capture the Luchuan stronghold. In this way, the cost would be higher than the benefit, and no one would continue to attack Luchuan.
Such a place that is easy to defend and difficult to attack is enough to protect the peace of Luchuan.
Even the most ferocious enemy, faced with such an unfavorable situation, would only feel sympathetic and sigh in despair.
Zhu Yuhuan looked at Wang Ji and said, "Minister Wang brought me here to see this. Does he have something to say?"
The height of these camps is beyond the reach of ladders, not to mention that at this angle, the muskets are no longer capable of firing, which means that there is no other way except to climb up and attack the camp by force.
Wang Ji nodded slightly and said solemnly, "Further ahead is Luchuan's camp. It's several mountain strongholds connected together, forming a massive fortress. But if we can break through this fortress, we can reach the core area controlled by Luchuan. I implore Your Highness to retreat fifty miles under the protection of our soldiers to ensure your safety. If Your Highness suffers any harm, I will bear the blame."
Zhu Yuhuan sighed helplessly and said, "If I wanted to retreat, I wouldn't have waited for Minister Wang to tell me this." She turned to look at Wang Ji and said, "Whether I'm a woman or not, since I've come this far with the soldiers in the army, I absolutely will not retreat. Otherwise, wouldn't it make people waver?"
Wang Ji certainly understood this logic, but he did not dare to gamble with Zhu Yuhuan.
But when he met Zhu Yuhuan's firm gaze, Wang Ji immediately understood what Zhu Yuhuan meant - my heart is not made of stone, it cannot be turned.
Wang Ji sighed, but only in his heart, and then said, "According to the custom of building a camp, the guards must be relatively lax in places with steep terrain. If we can divide our troops to attack the steeper sides of the camp, we will have a chance to break into the camp."
In other words, the tactic this time was to have no tactics, relying solely on numbers to attack the city.
Zhu Yuhuan thought for a moment and said, "Since we have to divide our forces, isn't splitting them into two groups too little?"
Wang Ji was slightly stunned when he heard this. He never expected that Princess Shunde, who was always known for her kindness, would say such a thing.
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