“What did you say? The new emperor of Wu Country has been decided?”

Zheng Yi gestured to Xu Mujun to talk while walking, and the people around quickly dispersed, giving them plenty of space.

“Oh? Which prince is it?”

Zheng Yi asked curiously.

A lot has happened in the Great Yu Country recently, and Zheng Yi had placed most of the scouts of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and Shadow Guard within the country.

Therefore, there was much less reconnaissance on Wu Country.

Only a few scouts and military spies remained hidden, occasionally sending back some information.

Unexpectedly, the position of the new emperor of Wu Country was decided so quickly.

“Who is it?”

“Is it the Seventh Prince Wu Siwen, supported by the Prime Minister of Wu Country, or the Eldest Prince Wu Sitong? Or the Fourth Prince Wu Silin?”

“None of them.”

Xu Mujun said, “It is the sixth daughter of the Emperor of Wu Country, named Wu Siming.”

“Who?”

Zheng Yi said in surprise, “Wu Siming?”

“A woman?”

“Wu Country has a new female monarch?”

Xu Mujun’s expression also seemed a bit strange, nodding, “I also find this news somewhat dubious, so I ordered the spies within Wu Country to investigate further, but all the reports were consistent.”

“The new emperor of Wu Country is indeed Wu Siming, the first female monarch in the history of Wu Country!”

“Interesting.”

Zheng Yi smiled and said, “This Wu Siming definitely has something unusual about her. What exactly happened within Wu Country?”

Xu Mujun said, “Your Majesty, there are rumors that this new female monarch of Wu Country is a cultivator with vast divine power!”

“She and the Seventh Prince of Wu Country, Wu Siwen, are siblings. It is said they were apprenticed to an Abnormal Being since childhood for cultivation.”

“Half a year ago, the Seventh Prince Wu Siwen was poisoned and killed, and the culprit is still unknown.”

“At that time, Wu Siming appeared and garnered the support of her uncle, the Prime Minister of Wu Country, Mengg Rui, thus obtaining most of the followers of the Seventh Prince.”

“In the battles against the other princes, she astonishingly summoned a snowstorm in the open plains, attacking the other princes’ armies, which significantly boosted the morale of her own troops.”

“The Eldest Prince Wu Sitong and Fourth Prince Wu Silin were all killed, while the Sixth Prince Wu Sifeng and Ninth Prince Wu Sihe surrendered. All of Wu Country’s troops submitted to Wu Siming.”

Xu Mujun praised, “This woman truly is a heroine. After suppressing the rebellions of several princes, she even ventured alone into the camps of other vassal kings of Wu Country, killing or subduing them, and within a mere half year, she suppressed the entire Wu Country.”

“The latest information shows this woman is leading an army of three hundred thousand approaching the two states of Mangzhou and Huangzhou, and has torn up the Black Mountain Treaty between our country and Wu Country, determined to reclaim Mangzhou, Huangzhou, and the Black Mountain Pass.”

“Generals Chen Hongxiu and Zhao Tieshan have encountered her several times and were defeated in all.”

“In the end, they had to abandon the more northern state of Huangzhou, stationing troops in Mangzhou, awaiting reinforcements.”

Having said all this, Xu Mujun bowed and said, “This time I hurried to see Your Majesty, not only to inform you of the intelligence on Wu Country but also to take my leave to head to the Black Mountain Pass and stop the enemy outside our borders!”

“I understand.”

Zheng Yi nodded and said, “Aiqing, you may proceed with peace of mind. I will ensure the security of the rear for our army!”

“By the way, when does Xu Qing plan to depart?”

“In three days.”

“Good!”

Three days later, Xu Mujun set off with troops for the Black Mountain Pass.

In addition to the previous one hundred thousand border troops, Zheng Yi specially equipped him with two divisions of the New Army to resist the mysterious female monarch of Wu Country.

Thus, the total number of troops of the Great Yu Army at the northern border reached more than four hundred thousand!

This included two hundred and fifty thousand border troops, one hundred thousand Dragon-soaring Army, and fifty thousand New Army.

Such a large force, a few years ago, would have been enough to sweep the entire world.

Unfortunately, now…

Zheng Yi shook his head. The rise of the new female monarch of Wu Country may cause unpredictable changes in Wu Country.

Moreover, scouts reported that several countries in the west of Yongzhou seemed to have also started conflicts.

The originally returning Miao Xiu had to station his troops at Cang Pass, defending against these western countries and constantly monitoring them.

Today at the Great Court.

Looking at the significantly fewer people in the great hall, Zheng Yi, for the first time, felt a somewhat relaxed mood.

Now, within the entire court, there were only a few officials from the noble clans, led by Lu Xiangqing and others.

Originally, Lu Xiangqing had threatened to resign to force Zheng Yi to retract Wang Anshi’s reforms.

Unfortunately, since the Empress became pregnant, Lu Xiangqing suddenly changed his stance.

Not only did he retract his resignation, but he also stayed in the court to continue working for Zheng Yi.

Aside from that, some officials who were close to the Lu Family also stayed.

However, most officials of the Lu Family resigned and left, some even without notice, causing initial chaos in the Capital City.

But with the involvement of the Emperor Faction and Upright Officials, the situation gradually stabilized.

After all, of the Great Yu Thirteen States, more than half had rebelled, so managing them wasn’t very challenging.

Lu Xiangqing stayed, betting that the Empress’s second child would be a prince.

If it’s a prince, he would certainly be the Crown Prince, and his Lu Family would gain prestige by association.

Now, most Lu Family members have already left the capital, leaving only the people associated with Lu Xiangqing.

Whether this is a strategic gamble or a genuine break from the Lu Family remains to be seen.

“Report matters if any, or retreat from court!”

Wang Anshi stepped up and said, “Your Majesty, I have a petition.”

“Speak!”

“Your Majesty, now among the Great Yu Thirteen States, ten states harbor rebellion. I request to recruit refugees and expand the New Army to suppress the rebels.”

“I think you’re the biggest rebel!”

Just as Wang Anshi finished speaking, an official jumped out, shouting angrily, “It’s all your reforms that have led to such chaos in our Great Yu. How can anyone else be responsible for the rebellion in ten out of thirteen states?”

“Your Majesty!”

He bowed to Zheng Yi and said, “I request to execute Wang Anshi and parade his head in the ten states to quell the rebellion and bring peace to Great Yu!”

Zheng Yi smiled and said, “What do the rest of you think?”

“We agree!”

“We agree!”

Only seven or eight officials stepped forward, supporting the suggestion of this official.

These officials were all older and had been in office for many years.

But most officials, especially the younger ones, remained in place, unmoved.

“You… you all really want to watch our Great Yu World fall to ruin?!”

The old official glared at Wang Anshi and said, “Wang Anshi, are you not afraid of being struck by lightning for your actions? Are you not afraid that Great Yu’s past emperors will manifest and smite you, the treacherous minister?!”

“Your Majesty!”

Wang Anshi bowed and said, “Natural changes should not be feared, ancestors should not be imitated, human opinions should not be heeded!”

“We must proceed with our reforms, as Great Yu has been long plagued by maladies, and only this method can save Great Yu!”

“Oh?”

Zheng Yi asked, “Then in the face of rebellion across ten states, what plan do you have?”

Wang Anshi replied, “Though ten states have rebelled, they do not act with one heart.”

“Your Majesty, please look.”

Wang Anshi produced a large map, signaling the eunuchs to hang it up.

“Apart from the Mangzhou and Huangzhou two states, we, Great Yu, have thirteen states in total. Currently, only Yongzhou, Youzhou, and Binzhou are devoid of rebellious intent, largely because these three states have suppressed their local insurgents, and the noble clans have been wiped out, allowing stability to be restored.”

“The remaining ten states, however, are occupied by various noble families, warlords, and sects.”

“In each state, the rebel kings occupy either the prefecture or several counties. Lesser rebels hold only a single county; their strengths are mixed and uneven.”

“Vassal kings, rebel kings, warlords, noble families, and sects—these countless rebel kings and insurgents lack unity, instead aiming to attack and encroach upon each other, yet no one dispatches troops against the Capital City.”

“Certainly, some vassal kings and insurgents might claim to ‘purge the emperor’s advisors’ or that ‘your majesty lacks virtue’ as reasons to march on the Capital City, but their true targets are the territories of surrounding rebel kings.”

“For instance, the first to rebel, King Shu, allegedly sought to purge the emperor’s advisors but aimed at Jinggzhou instead! Seizing Jinggzhou would allow King Shu’s forces to dominate the southwest, becoming the foremost rebel king in the world.”

“Yet Jinggzhou harbors insurgents too; countless factions are locked in battle, much like the situation in other states.”

Wang Anshi continued to explain while marking the map.

The other ministers observed the map closely, gradually comprehending Wang Anshi’s intent.

“Therefore, the insurgents lack a unified front, which presents us an opportunity.”

“Our Great Yu Court is undoubtedly the legitimate authority, capable of recruiting refugees from the six Northern States extensively, fostering the new army, fortifying the Capital Region and its four states, and patiently awaiting the emergence of a final victor among the rebel kings.”

“By then, the strengths of these rebel kings will surely diminish, with continuous turmoil under their rule and the populace craving stability, inevitably drawing them towards our Capital City.”

“By that time, we can engage them in a waiting game, striking the rebel kings at their weakest until we eradicate them completely, restoring peace throughout the realm!”

As Wang Anshi presented his plan, the surrounding ministers whispered among themselves.

“Lord Wang’s proposal seems fairly sensible…”

“Isn’t this akin to ‘a mantis stalking a cicada, unaware of the oriole behind’?”

“Will the other rebel kings give us such a chance, though?”

“I believe it’s possible. With turmoil across ten states and too many rebel kings, no unified voice remains…”

“Our Great Yu still controls three states and the Capital Region, possessing the strongest strength. As we await the final victor among the rebel kings, we would confront them decisively?”

After a short tea break, Zheng Yi asked, “What do you all think?”

Several dozen ministers responded in unison, “We concur with the plan.”

Still, among them, several dozen ministers remained standing quietly in place, pondering deeply.

Zheng Yi glanced at Lu Xiangqing and asked, “Lu Aiqing, what are your thoughts?”

“Your Majesty…”

Lu Xiangqing stepped forward and said, “Lord Wang’s proposal is indeed a mature strategy.”

“To wait patiently, awaiting the final victor among the rebel kings, and then let the Court strike decisively, like Mount Tai pressing down, ensuring success.”

“But… this approach would require at least ten years.”

“Ten years… who knows how many of my Great Yu’s citizens will perish during this time!”

“The barren bones are exposed in the wilds, with no rooster crowing for a thousand miles… Your Majesty!”

“Ha ha ha ha…”

Suddenly, Zheng Yi burst out laughing, rising to his feet and said, “Lu Qing is indeed an important minister of the state, sharing the same thoughts as me.”

“Lord Wang’s strategy of ‘waiting patiently’ might indeed grant our Great Yu Court the greatest victory probability.”

“However… I will not approve of this!”

“The citizens of Great Yu are my subjects, so how could I let them become displaced and lose their lives in the wars between rebel kings?”

“The strategy of waiting patiently is akin to raising Gu insects, where while many Gu insects can be killed, those that survive will undoubtedly be the strongest!”

“With this approach, over a decade, the casualties among my Great Yu’s citizens may reach millions, perhaps tens of millions.”

“I absolutely reject this strategy!”

Zheng Yi took a deep breath and said, “I plan to follow the example of the Grand Ancestor, using the new army as a spearhead, proactively attacking, suppressing the rebels in the Capital City, then rallying the troops southward to sweep across Jiangnan!”

“Your Majesty is brilliant!”

Many officials, their blood ignited, stood firm and cheered in unison.

“Cui Xiawu, Jin Peng!”

“We are here!”

The two stepped forward and respectfully replied.

Cui Xiawu had been injured by the Wang Family’s Hidden Sect but had long since recuperated upon returning to the Capital City.

Moreover, due to a blessing in disguise, he even advanced to Grandmaster, significantly enhancing his strength.

“I have a new army of one hundred thousand soldiers. You two will serve as generals, each commanding fifty thousand new soldiers, along with your respective troops, to attack and eliminate the insurgents!”

“Understood!”

Cui Xiawu asked, “May I inquire where Your Majesty plans to send the troops?”

Zheng Yi descended from the Dragon Throne, approached the map, and decisively slapped his hand bitterly upon the southwestern side.

“Shuzhou!”

“Since King Shu was the first to rise against us, then he shall be the first I shall extinguish!”

“Currently, Yongzhou is entirely under our control, the new army has integrated into the new First Army. Cui Xiawu is promoted to Illustrious Martial General to lead the troops to suppress the rebellion!”

“Understood!”

“Jin Peng!”

“I am here.”

“You shall be the General of the Second Army, aiding Cui Xiawu to advance into Shu and subsequently pressure Jinggzhou.”

“I obey your command!”

In recent years, Zheng Yi’s new army had been consistently training, apart from the first batch of fifty thousand new soldiers who had been involved in suppressing the uprising in Yongzhou; there was also the second batch of fifty thousand soldiers led away by Xu Mujun for the Second Army.

Additionally, the third batch had been organized into the Third Army, commanded by Jin Peng, totaling one hundred and fifty thousand troops.

“Report…!”

At this moment, an Imperial Guard quickly entered, bowed, and reported, “Your Majesty, an urgent message from Nanyue County?”

“Oh? What is the matter?”

Zheng Yi already knew the answer in his heart and asked calmly, “Embroidered Uniform Guard Deputy Commander, Lord Shen Xing, has returned after eight hundred li of rapid travel from Nanyue County.”

“Xu Xuanwu has rebelled!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep