novelaction Chapter 424 War breaks out
Chapter 424 War breaks out
After listening to Yu Qingli's narration, Murong Feng didn't know what words to use to describe his feelings. Surprise, admiration, delight, touching, fortunate, it seemed that all the emotions came together and touched him, leaving him speechless.
Murong Feng looked up at the woman in front of him, and suddenly felt a lot of emotion. He had always been distant towards her because of the unclear relationship between her and Murong Yanhui, but he never thought that she could bring him such a big surprise!
"Qingli, I was really blind before. I didn't even realize that there was such a wonderful person like you around me."
"Your Highness, you are too kind. I am just a little woman. If I hadn't wanted to fulfill Your Highness's wish, I wouldn't have done so many things. In the final analysis, everything is due to Your Highness's efforts."
Murong Feng benefited greatly from these words and was even more proud of his original decision. Otherwise, how could he have such an extremely intelligent prince consort? What's more, this woman's talent was truly rare in a century. He also secretly kept many retainers, but compared with Yu Qingli, they were far inferior.
It seems that Yu Qingli's horoscope is not groundless. It would be unreasonable if such a woman was not destined to be with her.
Thinking of this, Murong Feng couldn't help but tighten his arms around Yu Qingli's shoulders. If he got this woman, he would get the world. It seemed that he had secured the throne!
"Qingli, I promise you that I will only love you in this life."
Yu Qingli's long eyelashes covered her eyelids, hiding the disgust and ridicule in her eyes. Such a promise sounded really disgusting at this moment.
"Your Highness, I have a favor to ask of you."
"Oh? What's the matter?"
"I hope Your Highness can take me with you on this expedition!"
"This……"
"Don't worry, Your Highness. There are only benefits to my going with you. Has Your Highness forgotten what I just said?"
“I’m not worried about that, but if you leave suddenly, how will everyone in the palace cope?
"Your Highness, don't worry. I've already made arrangements. I'll just say that I'm new to the Imperial Capital and can't adapt to the climate here, so I want to return to Jiangnan to recuperate."
"That's a good idea. In that case, I'll take care of the arrangements here in the palace."
"In that case, thank you very much, Your Highness."
"Between you and me, why should we say thank you?"
Two days later, an urgent war report from the border caused panic in the court. The previous news was completely confirmed. The Northern Kingdom had indeed sent troops, and the northernmost Moliang City had been lost.
The emperor was furious when he heard the news, but he also knew that it was not the fault of those soldiers. The weather was cold now, and it was especially bitterly cold at the border. It was not easy for these soldiers to hold on for such a long time.
The issue of how to deal with the enemy's attack was also put on the agenda. The emperor seemed to have made up his mind to go to war, and most people in the court already knew about it.
However, it seemed that some people were unwilling to do so, and so a verbal battle began in the court.
"Your Majesty, I think we don't have to fight this war. The northern country started the war probably just because of the lack of food. As long as their demands are met, this war will be unnecessary." A civil servant named Wang in the court spoke up.
"Hmph! What if the Northern Kingdom's demands go beyond this? The Northern Tartars have always been warlike. If we compromise this time, there will definitely be a next time. If this goes on, won't Canghe become a vassal of the Northern Kingdom? Or has Lord Wang already made preparations for surrender?" the Minister of Personnel said.
"You, you spit on others!"
"Whether I'm slandering you or not, you know for sure. Your Majesty, I believe we absolutely cannot compromise this time. The agreement we signed with the Northern Kingdom stated that we would never invade each other. Yet, only a few years later, the Northern Kingdom has unilaterally violated the agreement. Should I, Canghe, remain silent?"
Murong Shiling looked down from above, his eyes coldly observing everyone. "Alright, stop arguing. I've already made a decision on this matter. My dear ministers, the Northern Kingdom has gone too far. If I back down today, wouldn't I simply be laughed at by others? Moreover, if this precedent is set, wouldn't it be easy for the Eastern Tang to attack Canghe in the future?"
The pro-peace faction in the court fell silent for a while. Since His Majesty had already made a decision, if they continued to oppose it, it would not be loyalty but disobedience. What's more, the bigwigs in the court had not spoken, so it was useless for these small fish and shrimps to jump around.
After the silence, Murong Shiling seemed much more satisfied. He ordered the palace servants around him to call Murong Yan back into the palace. This decision made some people in the court whisper. Prince Yan never participated in court affairs, which was why the emperor always trusted him. But now he let him into the palace at this critical moment. It was obvious that the emperor wanted to entrust Prince Yan with an important task.
Almost everyone in the court knew that the Prince of Yan was a rare general in a century. If it were not for the late emperor's dying decree, the person who became emperor would probably not be Murong Shiling.
Amidst various speculations among the court ministers, Murong Yanhui finally appeared in front of everyone. Before he could salute the emperor, Murong Shileng had already issued an edict.
"Murong Yan, return and listen to my command! Now that the Northern Kingdom is invading, I order you to be the Grand General of the Nation, leading the three armies to resist the foreign enemies. You must set off in two days, without delay!"
Murong Yanhui was stunned, "Royal brother, are you kidding?"
Murong Shiling's expression was stern. "Would I be joking with you about such a serious matter? Why don't you quickly receive the order and go down to prepare!"
"But I haven't led troops into battle in many years. If I rashly lead an army, aren't you afraid that these soldiers will be killed by me?"
Murong Yanhui spoke half-jokingly. In fact, the emperor's decision was really beyond Murong Yanhui's expectations. Although he guessed that the emperor would most likely not let General Lin go on this expedition, he did not expect that the emperor would directly let him go.
It's true that a good doctor can't heal himself. He guessed the fate of others, but only guessed his own wrongly. But, did Murong Shiling really trust him so much? He dared to hand over such great power to him. Before this, wasn't he most worried that he would seize his throne?
It turns out that the emperor’s thoughts are the most difficult to guess!
Murong Shiling said sternly, "Seventh brother, don't underestimate yourself. I know your abilities. Even though you haven't led troops in all these years, you still have the experience from your early years. Moreover, you should be very familiar with the Northern Kingdom. After all, you have had contact with them many years ago."
"His Majesty……"
"Alright, don't keep refusing. Also, I've decided to let Feng'er go with you as the military supervisor of the three armies. As for the Crown Prince, on the one hand, the Crown Princess is in poor health and needs someone to look after her. On the other hand, the army's support is also very important. Let the Crown Prince handle the raising of military pay."
Murong Feng and Murong Cheng had no objection. Murong Yan glanced back at them. Judging from their expressions, they must have heard about the arrangements for them from the emperor a long time ago.
Murong Yanhui sighed secretly. It seemed that he couldn't avoid this battle! However, he was not willing to obey the arrangements obediently.
Murong Yanhui curled her lips into a wicked smile and knelt before the emperor. "Brother, if I can return safely this time, will you agree to one condition of mine?"
"Oh? Is there something you want?"
"That's right!"
"Please tell me and listen."
"My humble brother wants someone!"
"people?"
"Yes, a woman! The woman I love most! On the day I return, I want this woman to be my principal wife!"
The emperor was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said, "What's the difficulty? It's just one woman. If you can return victorious this time, I will agree to accept not only one woman, but also many women."
"It's a deal!" Murong Yanhui looked back with a burning gaze, his eyes sparkling. With the emperor's promise, perhaps the days of going to war would not be so difficult.
"Look at what you've accomplished! Well, in that case, you should get ready to go. Oh, and don't forget to say goodbye to the Queen Mother."
"Thank you, Your Majesty! I will go right away."
Murong Yanhui left the meeting room and then slowly walked towards the harem. Queen Mother? I really don't know what her expression will be when she hears this news. And Lili, Lili still doesn't know that I'm going to the battle. If she knew, would she worry about me?
However, Murong Yanhui also knew that even though he felt very reluctant, he could not change the current situation. To put it bluntly, no matter how many misunderstandings and unhappiness there were between him and Murong Shiling, they were all matters between brothers. After all, they were a family. The invasion of the Northern Kingdom was a national affair, and national affairs were naturally much more important than family affairs.
Moreover, Murong Yanhui vaguely felt that the Northern Kingdom was able to attack so wantonly this time probably because it saw that Canghe had no commander. General Lin was old after all, and the court had been emphasizing civil affairs over military affairs in recent years, and there were not many outstanding young generals. If this continued, Canghe would indeed be a cause for concern.
Murong Yanhui sighed as he entered the inner hall. He wanted to say goodbye to Yu Qingli more than to the queen mother.
After a day and a night of snow, the entire palace was covered in silver. The tall albizzia trees in the Ju'an Hall were covered with snow, and the dead branches were covered in white, which looked very beautiful.
When Murong Yanhui walked into Ju'an Palace, he saw Yu Qingli standing under the plum tree in the courtyard from afar. She had her eyes slightly closed, holding a plum blossom with her slender fingers, lowering her head to sniff it. From a distance, she looked like a beautiful painting, which was frozen in Murong Yanhui's eyes.
"The prince is here!"
Xiluo came over first. Ever since Meihong's death, Qinghe had been transferred elsewhere. Now Xiluo was the head maid in this courtyard, and Xiaoliu was the head eunuch, which made things much more convenient.
Yu Qingli turned her head and smiled faintly at Murong Yanhui, which made him feel that the world was eclipsed.
"How come you have time to come here, Your Highness? Don't you need to go back and prepare for the battle?"
Murong Yanhui was stunned, "Lili, you already know?"
Yu Qingli put down the red plum blossom on the branch and slowly walked back along the path towards Murong Yan. She stopped in front of him, raised her head slightly and looked at him, "I guess! I'm afraid you are the only one in the court who can take on such a great responsibility!"