Cultivation Begins with Caring for Sister-in-law-Chapter 472: Victorious News Reaches the Capital

Chapter 472: Chapter 472: Victorious News Reaches the Capital

Luonan.

With all eyes on the northern invasion by Jin Xia over the past two months, Lu Sheng has cleared Xu Guozhong’s lingering forces outside the capital, garnered support from the noble families in Luonan, and opened granaries for a month, finally stabilizing the situation in Luonan.

Currently, there is only one voice in Luonan, and that is the voice of Lu Sheng.

After stabilizing the internal situation, Lu Sheng turned his mind toward external expansion.

Lu Sheng is full of ambition; otherwise, he would not have committed such acts as patricide and deposing the Emperor. A small place like Luonan, isolated in a corner, can hardly satisfy Lu Sheng.

Ever since the Central State was unified three thousand years ago, although there have been countless instances of dynastic changes and chaotic times like the present, ultimately, it returned to unity.

Therefore, in the eyes of later generations, anyone with a bit of ambition has in their heart a goal of unification.

Lu Sheng plans to first take Xiliang and expand his territorial influence.

The timing is now perfect.

Although the Qiang Race of Xiliang has allied with Chen Mo, Chen Mo is currently contending with Jin Xia and cannot aid the Qiang Race at all.

Furthermore, the Qiang Race of Xiliang also participated in the previous Loyalist Army and was labeled as rebels by Xu Guozhong’s "pseudo-court."

Thus, Lu Sheng has an excuse to act against the Qiang Race.

Lastly, the court has ordered all dukes to send troops to resist Jin Xia.

Though the Qiang Race pretended to comply, they deployed only a few hundred soldiers, none of whom reached Qingzhou.

In short, Lu Sheng’s dispatch of troops to Xiliang can be deemed legitimate.

Inside the Jinluan Hall of the Imperial Palace.

Civil and military officials separated to the left and right, discussing the dispatch of troops to Xiliang.

Though the court is currently dominated by Lu Sheng, the façade must still be maintained.

Emperor Yong’an, forcibly placed on the throne, sat sternly on the dragon throne, in what appeared to be a majestic assembly artfully showcasing imperial authority. Yet, Emperor Yong’an did not want to be present at all since nothing was within his control now, and the feeling of being a puppet was unpleasant.

Previously, as a leisurely Prince, he enjoyed much more freedom and authority.

Therefore, his thoughts drifted far from the court, with his gaze fixed under the Imperial Dao outside Taiji Palace, hoping for the assembly to end swiftly.

Promoted by Lu Sheng to Assistant Minister of the Ministry of War, Hui Cheng was the first to step forward, proclaiming loudly, "Your Majesty, your humble servant Hui Cheng petitions. Since Your Majesty’s ascension, less than three hundred li separate Xiliang and Luonan, yet the Qiang Race has not sent anyone to court or paid respects to Your Majesty, displaying great disrespect.

Moreover, though ordered by Your Majesty to deploy troops against external enemies, the Qiang Race acted in open disobedience, ignoring both the court and Your Majesty.

Lastly, the Qiang Race was also involved when Prince Huai rebelled last time. For these various crimes, the Qiang Race deserves to be exterminated to the ninth degree; thus, according to my ministerial opinion, troops should be dispatched to punish the Qiang Race, to assert Your Majesty’s and the court’s authority. I hope Your Majesty grants permission."

Upon this statement, officials from the other five ministries also submitted their requests, seeking to dispatch troops to conquer Xiliang.

"Your humble servant concurs."

Suddenly, civil and military officials stepped forward to speak, with voices of agreement filling the hall.

Emperor Yong’an instinctively turned to Lu Sheng and lightly asked, "What does the Prime Minister think of this matter?"

Upon hearing Emperor Yong’an’s question, Lu Sheng stood up from his seat below, stepped forward, and replied respectfully, "Given the present turmoil, all dukes are full of ambition, disrespecting the court. To prevent national instability, Your Majesty may dispatch troops to conquer Xiliang, thereby asserting Your Majesty’s and the court’s authority, shaking the realm."

"Then the matter of dispatching troops to conquer Xiliang and asserting the authority of the court, I... entrust entirely to the Prime Minister," said Emperor Yong’an.

"I accept the decree," Lu Sheng replied.

"Your Majesty is wise."

Hui Cheng and civil and military officials bowed deeply, just as Emperor Yong’an was about to command everyone to stand up, suddenly the sound of a bronze bell rang outside, the triumph bell of the Great Song Dynasty, which was tolled whenever a victorious report reached the capital.

This has been a rule set since the Grand Ancestor’s time.

At the same time, within Luonan City, a black warhorse was galloping toward the Imperial Palace, with pedestrians quickly stepping aside. The Divine Brave Guard atop the horse, his cheeks flushed and sweat covering his temples and forehead, still shouted hoarsely, "Victory report, victory at Guan Mountain Plain, the Marquis of Pingting County won the first battle!"

This immediately drew the attention of the people lining the streets, with many stretching their necks to look at the armored warrior on horseback.

"Victory at Guan Mountain Plain? Where is this Guan Mountain Plain?"

In a tavern, a customer asked the person beside him.

The person next to him shook his head and quickly asked the shopkeeper who was keeping accounts.

The tavern was a place where news circulated freely, and the shopkeeper at this moment put down his ledger and smiled, "Guan Mountain Plain, that is the border between Qingzhou and Gaozhou. Wasn’t there talk before that if the Marquis of Pingting County were to confront those barbarians, the first battle would happen at Guan Mountain Plain? Now it seems our Marquis has won a victory."

"The Marquis of Pingting County? Is he the young marquis who greatly defeated Prince Huai, took Huai State, and seized the Princess Consort Huai?"

"That’s him."

"Oh my, no wonder, they say even General Wei Liang Xuan died at the hands of this young Marquis, who is an Upper Third-Grade Martial Artist. How could mere Jin Xia Barbarians be a match for this Marquis?"

Although Luonan is thousands of miles away from Jin Xia, the people of Luonan are unaware of Jin Xia’s current situation, so their perception of Jin Xia remains as it was four hundred years ago.

"Shopkeeper, the drinks for everyone here today are paid for by our Young Master Zhao."

"Thank Young Master Zhao."

At this moment, the entire Luonan City is abuzz with discussion and cheering.

Defeating foreign invaders is joyous news, raising the prestige of the Great Song, and they as citizens feel proud.

Outside the Jinluan Hall on the Imperial Dao, the Divine Brave Guards, under the eunuch’s lead, slowly entered Jinluan Hall.

"Where is the victory report from?"

As soon as the Divine Brave Guards entered, a minister hurriedly asked.

The Divine Brave Guards did not answer, but under the eunuch’s guidance, nodded towards Lu Sheng in acknowledgment, before saluting the Emperor on the throne: "Your Majesty, the Marquis led troops at Guan Mountain Plain, breaking Jin Xia in the first battle, capturing traitors who had surrendered to Jin Xia. The Marquis specifically ordered me to present the severed head of the traitor Hu Shu to Your Majesty and wishes Your Majesty good fortune, long life, long life, and boundless long life."

The Divine Brave Guards raised the box containing the head of Sun Shu above their head with both hands.

The nearby eunuch received it and approached, but did not hand it directly to Emperor Yong’an, instead showing it first to Lu Sheng.

With the box opened, a foul odor immediately spread out.

Despite having been treated for preservation, under such hot weather, the head was already starting to decay, though its features remained recognizable.

Lu Sheng briefly glanced at it while covering his nose, before the eunuch closed the box and presented it.

Emperor Yong’an quickly waved his hand, stating that since the Prime Minister had seen it, he need not look at it himself.