novelaction Chapter 225 National Dignity Must Be Defended
Chapter 225 National Dignity Must Be Defended
Then I heard that the Imperial Master wanted to attack the Japanese island 2,000 miles away from home? Was the Imperial Master crazy? The sea was windy and rough, and I was afraid that the ship would capsize before reaching the Japanese island.
Ok?
"Anyone who offends our country's prestige and insults our people will be punished no matter how far away they are!" A gleam of praise flashed in Yuan Guangjin's eyes.
As the Minister of War, although Yuan Guangjin had not been on the battlefield for many years, he was also a military general. When he heard Eunuch Lin read out these words, he felt as if his blood was activated.
The other ministers, even the civil officials, were all excited when they heard this.
"Well said! They must be punished even though they are far away! The Japanese pirates must be punished, and so must Northern Yan!" A general could not help but speak.
What the national teacher said is not only a slogan, but also a belief. National dignity must be defended!
But those ministers who skipped the third subject, in order to avenge themselves for being tricked, raised questions:
"Master, you are too impulsive. Even if there is a Japanese island overseas, it is 2,000 miles away. Land warfare is costly and laborious, so how can we risk our lives in the vast ocean?"
"Yes, yes. Fishing boats go out to sea. They dare not go deeper than two or three hundred miles. Two thousand miles, the national master will endanger the lives of the soldiers!"
"Although the words of the national teacher are strong and boost morale, we must always consider the reality. How can our Anning country have extra money, food, and troops to support them in conquering the Japanese islands?"
"Yes, it's just a small island overseas, a tiny place. What's the point of destroying it? It's just to vent your anger. The national teacher is too impulsive."
……
Listening to the discussion of the ministers, Yuan Guangjin snorted and said:
"What are you all talking about? Wasting money and manpower? Have you ever heard the Imperial Master asking the court for money, food, and troops?"
The ministers were stunned.
Yes!
When it comes to war, everyone will think of food, fodder, and soldiers, especially those in the Ministry of Revenue, who are most afraid of war because the national treasury is really empty.
However, the imperial teacher only suggested going to sea to attack Japan, but did not ask the court for food or people.
He went there alone, with at most 800 soldiers, and did not ask for a single grain of rice from the court.
In the past, they had always been successful in attacking military generals with the excuse of wasting money and manpower, but this time, they used the same excuse to attack the national master but it was tantamount to bullshit.
The third students shut up.
Seeing that the ministers were silent, Yuan Guangjin said:
"The Imperial Master was able to resolve the threat of Japanese pirates in such a short time, which shows that he has great powers. Perhaps taking over the Japanese islands will not be of much use to our Anning country, but resolving the root cause of the Japanese pirates and ensuring long-term peace and stability along the coast is a permanent solution."
After saying this, Yuan Guangjin bowed to Emperor Jichang again and said:
"Your Majesty, I think it is feasible to attack the Japanese islands! As for food, fodder, and troops, I think the Imperial Master will not ask the court for help. He may have already set out with the navy to suppress the Japanese."
How could he know that the battle to attack the Japanese island had not just started but had already ended.
But he guessed correctly. Gu Xi never thought of asking the court for help because he thought it was too troublesome!
Why does she need so many soldiers? She has to keep them.
Emperor Jichang's expression changed inexplicably.
Solving the problem of Japanese pirates once and for all would indeed be a great thing that would benefit both the country and the people, but the imperial teacher went on the expedition without reporting to him, which was a great taboo for the king.
Some officials who were observant of the emperor's words and expressions saw the emperor's displeasure and said to Yuan Guangjin:
"Regardless of whether the Imperial Master asked the court for food, fodder, and troops, did he apply to the Ministry of War before he went on an overseas expedition?"
Yuan Guangjin paused:
"I haven't applied for this. But——"
"Sir Yuan, going to war without permission is a capital crime!" the minister interrupted Yuan Guangjin.
These words flattered Emperor Jichang. The emperor was very cunning and wanted to appear dignified and majestic. There were some words he would not say out loud and had to have someone else say them for him.
"Since the Ministry of War has not received the application, let's send someone to check whether the imperial master has really gone out to sea to fight." Emperor Jichang said.
If the imperial teacher really went to war without permission, then he would have the upper hand, and Emperor Jichang would be very proud of it.
Even if the imperial teacher destroyed Japan and made an unprecedented contribution, he could still use this as an excuse to attack him. As for how to deal with him, it all depends on the emperor's mood.
What's more, going on an overseas expedition is a life-threatening situation, and it is still unclear whether the national teacher can come back alive.
Since the emperor had said so, Yuan Guangjin had nothing more to say. He could only obey the order and send people to Taizhou to investigate.
Seeing that no one was talking, the Minister of Rites brought up the matter of the marriage with Northern Yan again.
Emperor Jichang rubbed his temples with a headache and said:
"Put this matter on hold for now and discuss it later."
Emperor Jichang was thinking that if the Imperial Master could create another miracle, it would mean that he really had great powers. Then he would reject Beiyan’s unreasonable demands and let the Imperial Master resist Beiyan’s attack.
If the national teacher died in the sea and fed the fish, he would send people to negotiate with Northern Yan again. He would definitely not be able to provide 10 million dan of grain, and he would not be able to afford a war. He would see if they could negotiate a compromise.
After the court was dismissed, Emperor Jichang was very hungry, so Eunuch Lin immediately arranged a meal for him.
Emperor Jichang was having a meal with a lot on his mind.
He loved and feared the Imperial Master.
"Where are the Gu family members now?" asked Emperor Jichang.
Eunuch Lin said hurriedly:
"To answer your Majesty's question, the Gu family consists mostly of women, and the secret guards dare not walk too fast. According to the pace, we should have reached Liangzhou Prefecture, and we are halfway there. And the branches of the Gu family are also returning to the capital one after another."
Emperor Jichang's eyes were dim and unclear. After a long while, he put down the spoon and said:
"Go and arrange some personnel, including those with good martial arts skills, to settle down at the Gu Mansion in advance. When the Gu family members arrive in Beijing, they will be said to be guards appointed by me."
After the Gu family was rehabilitated, the seal on the Gu Mansion was removed, but now no one lives there and it remains deserted.
The only weakness of the Imperial Master that Emperor Jichang could find was his aunt Qi's family, and he had to keep them firmly under control.
Eunuch Lin nodded and went down to make the arrangements.
*
Northwest, Dingxi County.
Gu Yunqing, who was in disguise, looked exhausted.
He asked along the way and finally found Xiyuan, but discovered that the house was empty.
After finding out that his wife had opened two shops here, he rushed to the shops.
Looking at the strange little gadgets in the shop, Gu Yunqing was very surprised.
My wife is a lady from a wealthy family. Except for this exile, she has never even left the capital before. Where did she get all these novel goods?
"Boss, may I ask if your boss is here?" Gu Yunqing asked.
The current shop owner is a person recommended by Madam Ren. He is smart and capable. As for the sales clerks, they are all women who survived the massacre of the village by the Turkic army.
After they were brought back to Dingxi County, some of the women got married and relied on their husbands' families for support, while others found jobs on their own.
At the beginning, Qi felt sorry for them and took in seven of them.
The shopkeeper was about 25 or 26 years old, with a woman's hair in a bun. When she heard the man asking about the boss, she looked at him warily and asked:
"I wonder what the guest wants to see our host?"