The Slender Waist-Chapter 668 - 482 The King of Scheming

Li Zongxun’s mighty army approached the border.

Overnight, the beacon fires and smoke from burning villages had swept through Andu.

"The fighting has started again, it’s started once more."

"Can Li Zongxun really reach Andu?"

"Hard to say. Andu is too close to Shiguan. Last time, Yecheng’s massive army of five hundred thousand was a ruse, but this time... I’m afraid it’s for real. That old fox Li Zongxun is extremely cunning; he strikes when you’re sick, aiming for your life. After enduring hardships for over a year, he’s set out with good reason this time, surely bringing out all his hidden forces..."

"If Shiguan falls, Andu might once again be engulfed in the flames of war..."

The civilians all feared the war.

In war, with children in tow, lacking clothing and food, such misery was still vividly etched in their minds.

No one was willing to see Andu, having just recovered its prosperity, be destroyed by warfare once again...

The news spread unpredictably, causing everyone within the walls of Andu City to feel threatened.

In Xinzhou and its counties, people were busy storing grain and supplies; those faint of heart even prepared to flee once more with their whole families, while the prices of food and cloth within the city surged, and money couldn’t buy what was needed.

The Prefect and the Commandant were then dispatching people, imposing martial law and defending the city, in order to respond to the Northern Yong army.

Shiguan County, closest to Chuzhou, was filled with dread and panic.

Upon receiving the news, He Qia, the Military Governor of Xinzhou, immediately ordered Shiguan to close the city and seal the roads, thoroughly inspecting all who entered and exited, and strictly forbidding the passage of unrelated persons.

The war drums were sounded; the entire land of Xinzhou was enveloped in a shadow.

Huaxi was no exception.

As soon as the war commenced, people from the village received the news and flocked to Changmen in search of solutions.

Xing Bing and Alou consulted and, towards nightfall, climbed up to Little Jieqiu to find Hou Zhun. Under the light of an oil lamp, they calculated Changmen’s troops and rehearsed their strategies, discussing how to protect Changmen and those workshops in the current situation...

Wen Xingsu had just returned to the Northern Yong army’s main camp when he encountered the war.

Without even a moment to catch his breath, he gathered the military officers to discuss the strategy, then donned his armor, and rode out through the night, hurrying to the Xinchu border. At Tonghui Bridge, he set up an array that dealt a harsh counterblow to the surprise attack of the Yecheng Army attempting to cross the river...

The banners of war fluttered on both sides of the river.

After an initial victory, news of General Wen’s great triumph raced across eight hundred miles to the Western Capital. It also reached other territories, offering the panicking civilians a much-needed reassurance.

Inside the Western Capital Dynasty’s Imperial Court, those ministers who had been sweating with anxiety heaved a deep sigh of relief.

"With the Beiyong Army present, there’s no way Li Zongxun can turn the tide."

"That may be true, but we must not let our guard down. Yecheng has a huge army of five hundred thousand! Even the courageous Beiyong Army is only a hundred and twenty thousand strong..."

And that was just the supposed strength of one hundred and twenty thousand.

After years of continuous warfare, the casualties were immeasurable, and none of the ministers had an accurate count in their hearts.

"In your opinion, how does the Yecheng Army compare to the Qi Army?"

"This... they’re about the same?"

"Nanqi’s Xiao Cheng was defeated by the Northern Yong Army with his three hundred thousand troops; what capabilities does the rebel Li possess to break through our impregnable defenses?"

"Your words are misplaced. The Yecheng Army and the Qi Army are entirely different. Xiao Cheng had a heart that shunned battle, whereas Li Zongxun has burnt his boats—fight he must..."

"Why must Li Zongxun fight at all costs?"

"His trade routes have been cut off, border trading has ceased completely, his mines are unproductive, and resources are scarce... If he doesn’t take action, he’ll be slowly eaten away. If you were in his shoes, what would you choose? To be trapped and die slowly, or to take the initiative and march westward, seeking a glimmer of hope for survival?"

"So, you’re saying Li the traitor is seizing this opportunity to strike, well-prepared for battle."

"A nation cannot go a day without its sovereign. Amidst the current chaos, with the people’s hearts trembling and the army’s morale unsteady, we’re giving Li the traitor the perfect chance to strike..."

"With the war upon us, we must make a firm decision and promptly crown a new monarch to secure the state’s foundation. Only then, with the country in peace and the people secure, will we have the spare strength to battle the petty thieves..."

"The Emperor is ill, but he hasn’t passed away. What does crowning a new monarch look like? When the Emperor awakens, how will we conclude the matter? Having two emperors in one nation is unheard-of in history."

In the Chongzheng Hall, the ministers argued fiercely with one another.

Debating and bickering, they inevitably returned to the crux of the issue.

Whom to set up as the new monarch?

Most often suggested was to adopt the Crown Prince of Zhuangxian into the name of the Empress Dowager, to rectify the imperial succession...

"The Prince of Yonghuai arrives—"

With a single herald’s cry, the previously chaotic Chongzheng Hall fell silent in an instant.

Since both the Emperor and the Empress Dowager could not attend court, people stopped going to the Golden Throne Hall for discussions, shifting to the Chongzheng Hall instead, where they usually dealt with government affairs.

A red platform was set with a desk at the hall’s head, and low tables were arranged in two rows on either side for the ministers.

Pei Jue entered slowly. Instead of taking his place at the head, he had an ordinary chair brought to the center of the hall, in front of the assembly of officials.

He sat down slowly and, with an expressionless face, declared:

"In the face of national calamity, gentlemen should set aside their prejudices and unite to confront the external threat."

Some nodded in agreement.

Others exchanged meaningful glances.

Ruan Pu stood up from his seat and bowed his fist to Pei Jue.

"Prince of Yonghuai’s wisdom is clear as day. To all people, the monarch is as indispensable as the sun and moon to heaven and earth. In my opinion, the urgent task at hand is to uphold a new ruler who shall sustain the state, bear the mandate of heaven to correct the cosmos, shoulder the wellbeing of the people, and command the armies to extinguish the enemy."

As soon as he spoke, others echoed his sentiments.

"Minister Ruan speaks wisely. With the Yecheng Army holding the upper reach of the Huaishui, and Shiguan and Andu lacking natural barriers, should Shiguan fall, the Yecheng Army will surely launch a large-scale invasion. The situation is unfavorable for us, so we must make early preparations: secure the imperial lineage first, and then confront this crisis..."

Pei Jue sat, sipping tea, remaining silent.

Once the hall quieted down and everyone was silent, he slowly put down the tea cup.

"Gentlemen, you have thought things through thoroughly. Our army triumphed in the battle at Tonghui Bridge, but General Wen was a defector from Nanqi, not from the powerful clans of Dajin, and certainly not a noble or a member of the royal family. I’m sure many of you may have your doubts and are hesitant to fully trust him..."

The ministers remained silent.

Silence meant consent.

Pei Jue said, "The state’s foundation must be rectified, and a new ruler must be installed. However, selecting a brand-new ruler isn’t as simple as ordering food at a tavern. This matter allows for no negligence; we should discuss it at length..."

The ministers nodded repeatedly.

These words were indeed reasonable.

Pei Jue glanced at Ruan Pu, his expression darkening.

"We can take our time in choosing the new ruler, but military matters are urgent..."

He paused for a moment, then surveyed the assembly of ministers.

"To demonstrate our nation’s might and shatter the lies of the rebel Li, we should choose someone from among all the princes and nobles of the court, someone of notable fame andhigh status, to personally oversee the military campaign and subdue the rebel."

The ministers were shocked.

Shouldn’t Prince of Yonghuai personally take part in the campaign against the rebel Li?

Why were they now being asked to select someone from among themselves?

Could it mean that Prince of Yonghuai intended to remain in Xijing and not go to battle?

Accustomed to Pei Jue’s tactics, this sudden shift left them at a loss.

Pei Jue said, "Gentlemen, please recommend someone."

Everyone looked at each other in confusion.

Was Prince of Yonghuai so amenable today, or could there be a trap?

Ruan Pu hesitated for a moment and was about to speak when Pei Jue said,

"Since it’s inconvenient for you gentlemen, let me make a suggestion. Prince of Zhuangxian, being a royal uncle, is renowned, virtuous, and comes from an illustrious family, all of which can hardly be described in words. Moreover, he is respected by all scholars and warriors of the court and is fully capable of the position."

The crowd drew in a sharp breath.

There was a murmur of conversation throughout the great hall.

For Ruan Pu, it was as if he had been struck by a slap in the face, and his heart tensed.

"Prince of Yonghuai..."

"There’s more—" Pei Jue cut him off, speaking sternly, "Crown Prince of Zhuangxian is of outstanding character and exceptional intellect. He can enter the palace to attend to the sickness and accompany His Majesty to ensure the Emperor’s swift recovery."

Ruan Pu’s face changed, "Prince of Yonghuai!" 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

He wanted to reprimand Pei Jue for his presumption.

However, Pei Jue waved his hand dismissively, "Military matters are pressing, and the state is of utmost importance. That’s settled, then. Let Prince of Zhuangxian, Yuan Yin, be appointed as the Grand Marshal against Treachery, and he shall depart immediately to supervise the military at the border. General Wen Xingsu, who has a knack for leading troops and achieved victory in the initial battle, thereby repelling the enemy at Tonghui, has earned the foremost merit. He is thus promoted to the third rank as Dragon Cavalry General, entrusted with the Tiger Tally, and shall take charge of directing the troops on the front line."

His voice had not yet faded when he rose, lifting his sleeve.

"The meeting is adjourned!"

All present in the great hall fell silent.

Having a prince with no battle experience sent to the front lines but without the authority to command troops is like having a mere figurehead. Meanwhile, his son is brought into the palace to tend to the sick Emperor, keeping him company.

This seemed to be what they wanted, to "stabilize the army’s morale and establish the nation’s foundation," yet it was not quite right.

And then there was Wen Xingsu, who had been promoted.

The Prince of Yonghuai really did show great trust and support for his uncle-in-law.

-

To avoid suspicion, Prince of Zhuangxian had been absent from court recently, and he seldom approached the officials. Shocked by the sudden heavy responsibility bestowed by the Prince of Yonghuai, this prince, who had been brought up in the secluded palace, felt as if he had been struck by thunder.

Upon receiving the news, without a moment’s hesitation, he took his son, Yuan Yue, and hurriedly boarded a carriage, rushing to the Grand Princess’s residence to see his sister.

They were siblings, born of the same mother.

Yuan Yin had not been chosen as the heir apparent in part because he was timid and his capabilities were significantly inferior to those of the Emperor of Xifeng.

This fact was known both to their father, the Emperor, and the Grand Princess.

Therefore, once she understood the Emperor’s intentions and watched the Emperor of Xifeng make a solemn oath before her not to harm his siblings, the Grand Princess gave up any such ambitions.

This brother of hers, lacking ambition, could live as a "wealthy idler" and consider it good fortune to have a peaceful end.

To his dismay, he was now being asked to don armor and go to battle.

"This Pei Jue is out of line!" The Grand Princess lamented for her younger brother, afraid of him risking his life on the battlefield, and her eyes instantly reddened.

"I thought the marriage alliance had thawed the ice between us and the Pei Residence. I didn’t expect he had a further move in mind. Clearly, this is deliberate retaliation!"

Lately, the ministers had frequently suggested that the Crown Prince of Zhuangxian inherit the throne, which must have vexed Pei Jue...

The more Yuan Yin thought about it, the more frightened he became, and he grew increasingly tense. "I’ve been lazy and only hoped to live a life of ease. Big sister, I don’t want to go to the battlefield. I would rather... rather give up being a prince..."

The Grand Princess looked at her incompetent brother and pursed her lips without a word.

Sharp-tongued as she was, she truly couldn’t fathom what Pei Jue was plotting...

Yuan Yue, who was just nineteen, suddenly spoke up.

"With the Emperor unable to open his eyes or leave his bed, why does the Prince of Yonghuai refuse to establish a new ruler? Aunt, have you ever considered that the Prince of Yonghuai’s actions are precisely to eliminate the royal family? He’s just waiting for the opportunity to legitimately eliminate Li Zongxun and the Yecheng Imperial Court, then use the silent Emperor Tianshou’s name to abdicate and take the throne."

The Grand Princess narrowed her eyes, looking at him.

This nephew, so close to becoming the new ruler...

Indeed had more thoughts than his father.