Chapter 129: Chapter 125: But I’ve Never Seen a Battle Before

The originally cheerful atmosphere instantly became serious because of this news.

The ministers’ discussions seamlessly shifted from which gift the Emperor preferred to whether to fight this battle or not.

“Dongwu Country has gone too far! If we don’t fight back, how can Yunyi Country ever hold its head up before other nations!”

“That’s not correct. Rashly going to war only brings suffering to the people. Dongwu has had good relations with Yunyi over the years. There must be a reason for this military action.”

“Regardless of the reason, their act of deploying troops shows their attitude! Old Zhao, I think you’re addled, so muddled that when someone digs up your ancestors’ graves, you’re still questioning if you’ve offended them!”

The one speaking was General Chen.

Wen Ranchen’s father, Wen Jingming, was brought up by General Chen.

Though the old general’s age and health no longer allowed him to be on the battlefield, the Emperor summoned him back to the capital to retire, not insisting on his presence in court daily. If it weren’t for the Emperor’s birthday today, he wouldn’t have shown up.

But since he came, he wouldn’t tolerate any nonsense about valuing peace above all, taking a step back for broader horizons, and enduring momentary silence!

“You! You! Old Chen! I think you’re the one who’s not clear-headed!”

The one called Old Zhao was the current Right Minister, the chief civil servant, who despised the military’s constant fighting.

Since ancient times, civil and military officials have looked at each other with disdain, and this is true of both Old Chen and Old Zhao. At the slightest oversight, they’d start arguing, and no one dared to intervene.

However, Shen Jingxian felt that General Chen made some valid points; his words might be crude, but his reasoning wasn’t. There’s no reason to discuss peace when others are attacking your doorstep.

Perhaps considering peace takes the people’s welfare into account, but it could harm the entire nation’s image, even leading the populace to perceive the country as weak.

Country first, then the family.

Shen Jingxian’s expressions were possibly too obvious, drawing everyone’s attention to her seriously absorbing the opinions. Previously silent officials now felt invigorated, like having a jolt of energy.

The Princess is watching!

He must stand up and let the Princess know that war (or peace) is the right choice!

“The Prime Minister is right. Fighting doesn’t solve problems. General Chen only knows about warfare, but the costs of war—money, grain, weapons—where will those come from? That’s far less clear to him than to our Ministry of Revenue! From past accounts, if we don’t fight this battle well, facing Dongwu’s thirty thousand troops, we’ll need at least three years of rest! During those three years, we could easily become slaughtered lambs!”

“Ministry of Revenue? If everything is calculated so meticulously, Yunyi will end sooner or later!”

“Hmph, young people don’t know their limits and speak without reservation! Yunyi’s century-long foundation wasn’t built on war! It was peace, valuing peace above all, that created today’s Yunyi!”

“You civil servants are just afraid of this and that!”

Shen Jingxian continued to listen silently. Precisely because of this, everyone discussed fiercely to gain a nod of approval from the Princess.

“You!” Towards the end, Chancellor Zhao seemed to abandon any intention to communicate with the pro-war faction led by General Chen and turned to the Emperor instead, “Your Majesty, I propose we first ascertain Dongwu’s reason for their attack!”

“Your Majesty, I propose we send troops to support immediately, and the provisions must be sent quickly. The battlefield is too volatile to delay!”

“Your Majesty!!!”

“Your Majesty!!!”

These cries were heart-wrenching and full of emotion.

The Emperor remained unmoved, glancing at Shen Jingxian before turning back to the messenger, “Have we ascertained why Dongwu deployed their troops?”

“Replying to Your Majesty, not yet!”

“Have we sent someone to negotiate?”

“The envoy sent to Dongwu Country… hasn’t returned.”

As the words fell, everyone fell silent.

The meaning of “hasn’t returned” was too evident. In wartime, envoys are not to be harmed, making Dongwu Country’s actions a provocation.

But Dongwu’s Crown Prince has yet to be established, and the previously favored Li Yan is nowhere to be seen. Mu Yuan has only just returned to Dongwu with a shallow foundation, making it unlikely.

Such a plot occurrence never appeared in the novels Shen Jingxian read. It was a variable introduced because of her presence.

“What do the esteemed ministers think?”

The ministers then split into two factions: one advocating understanding the reason first for targeted solutions, while the other insisted on immediate retaliation, lest by the time reasons are known, one’s ancestral graves are already dug up!

This war of words in mutual persuasion resulted in nothing but an absurd blame game.

At one moment, they blamed spies for not gathering information in time, claiming such a significant affair couldn’t have happened without word. At another, they blamed civil servants for being incompetent and merely easing tensions, oblivious to soldiers’ hardships.

Shen Jingxian wasn’t surprised. Dodging responsibility blatantly applies in workplaces both ancient and modern. As long as the blame is shifted quickly enough, no trouble falls on oneself.

Daily arguments like this in court showed how difficult the Emperor’s days were. Shen Jingxian counted closely earlier, finding only one out of ten arguments was useful.

After a while, the Emperor seemed to reach a decision. Glancing at General Chen, he finally said, “First ascertain Dongwu’s reason for deploying troops; Jiangkou County will defend and not attack.”

“Your Majesty is wise!!”

The civil servants were delighted, convinced the Emperor saw further than these muscle-headed military generals!

“But Father, Yi Fen hasn’t seen a battle yet.”

Shen Jingxian, like a child, blinked her large eyes innocently at the Emperor.

Bang, a direct hit to the Emperor’s heart.

“Since Yi Fen wants to see it, then fight.”

The Emperor seemed to have forgotten what he had just decided, earnestly accommodating Shen Jingxian.

After all, she’s his daughter. What his daughter desires, he’ll do his utmost to satisfy, even if Yi Fen wished for an entire country as a fief. He’d conquer it for her!

“Where does Yi Fen wish to watch the battle?” the Emperor asked dotingly.

“Hmm… of course, the closer, the better. Daughter wants to go to Jiangkou County, and leave tomorrow.”

“Alright, Father will have thirty thousand elite soldiers from the suburban garrison accompany you.”

At this moment, the civil servants were left open-mouthed, while the military officers beamed.

Providing support with thirty thousand elite soldiers in one go, true to form, Princess!

“Your Majesty! This is inappropriate! If elite troops are sent to the north, the capital’s defenses…”

“I sit here, if the capital falls, I’ll lead from the front, what are you afraid of?”

This left the questioning official speechless.

Seeing no progress regarding the capital’s safety, civil servants attempted to approach through the Princess.

“I believe, Princess going to the frontlines is too dangerous. Please reconsider, Your Majesty!”

Upon hearing this, the Emperor did fall into contemplation, delighting the civil servants and aggravating the military officers.

“What you say is reasonable. Then let’s send an additional ten thousand elite soldiers to ensure the Princess’s safety.”

Shen Jingxian chuckled, “Thank you, Father.”

Let’s go watch the battle.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep