Chapter 86
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Crown Prince’s study.
In the Yangxin Hall, Deputy Prime Minister Zhou Chong, along with the Minister of War Li Chenyuan, who got a dusty nose, was now pointing at the map on the long case, repeating to the Crown Prince what was just said to the Emperor.
Still suggesting the strategy of sending troops to stir up trouble.
The two ministers hope that the Crown Prince would persuade the Emperor to send troops to assist the numerous tribes outside the border in resisting the invasion of the Khitan army.
“I am aware of the situations you mentioned,” the Crown Prince said with a calm expression after listening. “You also know Father Emperor’s intention. It’s not a matter of not sending troops but waiting for the Khitans and the various allied ethnic tribes to engage in war for some time. Then, the mighty cavalry of Great Qi will launch a decisive attack, annihilating the remnants of the Khitans.”
Zhou Chong glanced at Minister Li, who promptly nodded and said to the Crown Prince, “Your Highness, the report from the General in the northwest has provided a detailed comparison of the military strengths of the Khitan, the Jurchens, and other tribes.
“In the past eight years, aside from minor border skirmishes, the Khitans have not engaged in any major battles. Now, with a rough estimate, their elite forces may number up to a hundred thousand. If we only seek to benefit without action, the Khitans could easily crush over a dozen tribes in the future, bringing the outer territories under their control as if it were child’s play.
“Not only would this war fail to deplete the Khitans’ military strength, but it would also allow them to consolidate their advantageous positions. By that time, with a hundred thousand Khitan cavalry plus conscripted foreign troops, launching a three-pronged attack, it could pose a significant threat to our northwest border defenses.”
The Crown Prince furrowed his brow and looked at the Minister of War. “Minister Li, according to your Ministry’s report, the combined forces of the twelve major and numerous minor tribes in Jianyi, Jixi, and other areas can amount to a force of up to a hundred and thirty thousand. Clearly, this force is more than capable of facing the Khitan threat. However, you now claim that with only a hundred thousand soldiers and horses, the Khitans can easily defeat our forces. How is Father Emperor expected to respond to this?”
Unable to wait for the Minister of War to explain, Zhou Chong stepped forward and replied, “Eight years ago, in the northwest battle, our forces dealt a heavy blow to the Khitans, crippling two major divisions. Over the years, they’ve been oppressed by the post-war treaties, enduring hardships and striving for improvement. On the other hand, the tribes in Jianyi and elsewhere have obtained our empire’s permission for border trade, enjoying increasingly peaceful lives. Their military spirit has long waned, so upon hearing of the Khitan’s intentions, some smaller tribes surrendered without a fight. Therefore, the assessment of military strength cannot be based solely on numbers!”
The Crown Prince, upon hearing this, lowered his gaze in contemplation.
After a moment, he looked up at Zhou Chong and said, “If, as you say, the twelve major tribes on the frontier are powerless to resist, then what difference does it make if we send troops to assist now or face the Khitans in battle later?”
The Minister of War hastily responded, “The goal is to seize the advantageous positions. It’s better to capture Jianyi and other areas before the Khitans, even if it means acting preemptively. We cannot allow them to occupy these territories!”
The Crown Prince nodded with a serious expression, finding merit in both ministers’ arguments.
The issue was that the Emperor likely wouldn’t pay much attention to this matter. Eight years ago, Great Qi sent troops, won three battles, and defeated over sixty thousand Khitan cavalry in the final confrontation, where the Emperor himself led the charge.
The Emperor was probably still basking in the glory of those days, paying little regard to the Khitans. Moreover, the Khitan’s elite force of a hundred thousand was now five thousand fewer than back then, a laughable comparison to the might of Great Qi’s military.
Perhaps the Emperor was even hoping for another personal campaign, eager to display the national prestige once again.
The Crown Prince agreed to counsel and dismissed the two ministers.
The palace supervisor reported that the Fifth Prince, the Sixth Prince, and the Seventh Prince were seeking an audience in the side hall.
The Crown Prince pretended to complain, “They’re so grown up, yet still so clingy. I’m busy day and night, and still, I have to attend to these little princes.”
While such complaints might scare other junior palace officials, the old eunuch by the Crown Prince’s side understood well — His Highness was showing off how his younger brothers depended on him.
So, the old eunuch seized the opportunity to flatter, “This servant sympathizes with the Crown Prince’s arduous tasks. I just suggested to these young princes to consult the Second Prince, but they insisted on seeing only you, Your Highness.”
The Crown Prince felt pleased but restrained the upward curve of his lips. With a feigned air of impatience, he left to meet his younger brothers.
In the Crown Prince’s side hall.
The three young princes sat upright, looking serious.
Xue Yao had already exerted all efforts to dissuade them.
The Crown Prince couldn’t allow Fourth Zhang to enter the palace. If they persisted, the three young princes would undoubtedly face the wrath of the Crown Prince’s disciplinary actions.
However, the three yyoungsters stubbornly refused to listen, insisting on taking the initiative to confront the enemy, even dragging others along to face death.
At this moment, Xue Yao just wanted to find a helmet to put on.
When the Crown Prince entered, he maintained his usual serious demeanor.
A pair of phoenix-like eyes impassively swept across the Fifth Prince, the Sixth Prince, and when they reached the chubby face of the Seventh Prince, the Crown Prince couldn’t resist revealing an affectionate smile.
“Speak, what do you seek advice for today?” The Crown Prince walked to the northern seat and took a place. The row of young princes immediately stood up.
“Eldest Brother! We came today to ask you…” The Fifth Prince swallowed hard, the words still stuck in his throat, his head already starting to ache.
The Crown Prince lifted a teacup and stirred the tea leaves, curiously looking at his fifth brother. “What are you seeking from me?”
“It’s an unpleasant request…” The Sixth Prince noticed the Fifth Prince hesitating, so he continued, “If Eldest Brother agrees, for the next three months, we’ll take turns giving you back rubs and shoulder massages! Is that alright?”
The Crown Prince chuckled, glancing at his sixth brother. “It depends on how ‘unpleasant’ your request is. If it’s reasonable, I’ll agree naturally. But if you have any mischievous ideas, for the next three months, each of you will take turns getting a beating every day.”
The Fifth Prince: “……”
The Sixth Prince: “……”
The Seventh Prince gasped in surprise, looking at his eldest brother with a face full of grievances.
The Crown Prince was nearly amused by the Seventh Prince’s expression, almost spitting out his tea. He set down the teacup, raised his head, and comforted his little baby brother, “Seventh Brother, spare yourself. You’re still young and don’t understand. If there’s punishment to be taken, it will be shared between your two big brothers.”
The Fifth Prince: “……”
The Sixth Prince: “……”
The Seventh Prince cautiously reminded his eldest brother, “Later, your son is going to roll around. Eldest Brother, don’t forget your own words. If you’re going to beat, beat Fifth and Sixth Brothers.”
The Crown Prince didn’t catch it clearly. “What are you going to do later?”
The Sixth Prince turned and covered the Seventh Prince’s mouth.
They couldn’t let the eldest brother see that they had planned this in advance!
“What’s this about? All secretive.” The Crown Prince laughed, shaking his head.
The Fifth Prince exchanged a glance with the Sixth Prince, then mustered the courage to say to the Crown Prince, “Eldest Brother, six months ago, the three of us encountered a eunuch in your residence. He had remarkable lightness skills, so we discreetly had him moved out to conveniently teach us martial arts. You praised our progress in skills before. It’s all thanks to him.”
As soon as this was said, the warm expression on the Crown Prince’s face instantly turned icy. His impassive phoenix-like eyes swept over his three younger brothers, finally casting a cold glance at Xue Yao.
Xue Yao, hiding in the corner, suddenly felt a heart full of grievances.
It was these three brats who came up with this bad idea themselves!
He merely didn’t conceal the truth. He absolutely had no intention of allowing Fourth Zhang to re-enter the palace.
The moment they saw their eldest brother’s unusual expression, the young princes all dared not utter a word.
The Crown Prince quietly instructed the accompanying eunuch, “Bring the disciplinary rod.”
The faces of the young princes instantly turned pale.
From childhood to now, they had only seen eldest brother use the disciplinary rod on the Third Prince twice, both times when the Third Prince committed grave offenses.
Never did they imagine such punishment would fall upon themselves.
The Fifth Prince’s face was filled with fear.
The Sixth Prince teared up, not because he feared the punishment, but because he feared he had committed a grave mistake, afraid that eldest brother would no longer like him.
The Seventh Prince turned his head to look at his two brothers, silently inquiring with a gaze that asked, “Is Your Highness still going to roll around now?”
The old eunuch, knowing that the master cared deeply for these younger brothers, couldn’t quite tell if the Crown Prince truly intended to use the rod or if he just wanted to scare his younger brothers. So, he tried to advise, “Your Highness, don’t be angry…”
“Why would I be angry?” The Crown Prince snorted coldly. “I’m just afraid that these incompetent little brothers might cause trouble in the future. Blame it on my past indulgence. Bring the disciplinary rod!”
Realizing that the Crown Prince was serious, the old eunuch immediately nodded, taking the command to withdraw.
“Eldest Brother…” The Fifth Prince whispered, “Fourth Zhang is skilled, and his teaching methods are entirely different from other instructors. It’s exceptionally practical. We’ve only just scratched the surface. We really don’t want to give up halfway, so…”
“So you want Fourth Zhang to return to the palace?” The Crown Prince narrowed his eyes, glaring at the Fifth Prince. “Did Xue Yao tell you why Fourth Zhang was expelled from the palace?”
The Sixth Prince answered quietly, “He mentioned a bit…”
“What bit?” The Crown Prince turned to Xue Yao. “Did you reveal the truth to them? If unaware, each gets ten strikes. If aware, each receives thirty strikes.”
Xue Yao hurriedly responded, “The princes couldn’t accept the sudden disappearance of their martial arts instructor. I disclosed some unavoidable circumstances. If Your Highness wishes to punish, let the strikes fall on me alone!”
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