Chapter 586: Military Power

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Ever since the old emperor was seriously ill, he had not attended the morning court session.

But today, he suddenly announced that he wanted to hold an early court assembly.

All officials above the fourth-grade in the capital had to participate, including Xiao Juan.

He left the Langjun Imperial Palace at dawn and rode to the palace.

When the morning court assembly began, the old emperor was helped out and slowly sat on the dragon throne.

The Crown Prince led the civil and military officials to kneel and kowtow.

Just a dozen steps from the gate to the dragon throne made the old emperor pant with exhaustion.

He sat and rested for a long time before his breathing calmed down.

“I summoned all my beloved ministers to the palace today because I have something to discuss. Last night, I received an urgent battle report from

Liaodong County. ”

Wei Huai’en unfolded the urgent battle report and read the contents to everyone.

The content was very short. The general content was that the Chen Nation’s army was pressing down on the border and wanted to invade Liaodong County. County Lord Xiangtai led the Eastern Expedition Army to fight. However, because the food was burned, the 300,000 Eastern Expedition Army was in danger and asked the Imperial Court to quickly send food support.

As for why the food was burned?

It was only because back then, County Lord Xiangtai and Prince Min forced the local powerhouses to return the land and severely damaged the interests of the local powerhouses that these people held a grudge and joined forces to stop the food supply. In addition, the spies of the Chen Nation interfered, causing the food to be burned.

The old emperor asked everyone if this matter should be resolved.

The ministers began to strategize.

Putting aside the details, it was certain to send food support.

That was 300,000 soldiers. If they really starved to death, it would be a huge loss to the Imperial Court.

Moreover, the war was imminent. If they abandoned the Eastern Expedition Army and let the Chen Nation’s army march in, they would endanger the entire Dayan in the future.

Neither the emperor nor the Crown Prince nor the civil and military officials wanted to see that situation.

But how much food should be sent? Who should deliver it?

These had to be considered carefully.

The old emperor listened quietly for a while before suddenly asking. “Crown Prince, why aren’t you saying anything?”

Shen Zhuo, who had been called out, stood up and said respectfully.

“I have a suitable candidate in my heart. This person is on good terms with County Master Xiangtai and Prince Min and has been to Liaodong County before. He’s quite familiar with the situation in Liaodong County. It’s most suitable for him to lead the team and send food.”

Although Shen Zhuo did not name him, everyone present already understood who he was talking about. They all looked at Duke Lang.

The old emperor said, “Are you talking about Xiao Juan? He’s indeed a good candidate.”

Xiao Juan had a bad feeling.

The Crown Prince suddenly suggested that he go to Liaodong County with ill intentions.

But he couldn’t refuse. He had no choice but to step forward and bow slightly.

“It’s my honor to be trusted by the emperor and the Crown Prince.”

The old emperor said, “In that case, I’ll leave the task of escorting the provisions to you. I hope you won’t disappoint me.”

Xiao Juan said, “As you command.”

Then, Shen Zhuo said, “Although County Lord Xiangtai is a heroine, she’s still a woman.”

“The military was filled with men, so it must be inconvenient.”

“If General Tang was still alive, he would probably not want his daughter to risk her life every day. It was safer to leave things like protecting the country to us men.”

“Therefore, I ask Father to issue a decree and summon County Lord Xiangtai back to the capital.”

“In addition, send a suitable general to Liaodong County to take over the Eastern Expedition Army.”

As soon as he said this, he immediately received the support of many ministers.

“Your Highness is right. There’s a difference between men and women. Women shouldn’t appear in the military camp.”

“The reason why the food was destroyed is still related to County Lord Xiangtai. Although she has good intentions, she has already developed a grudge against the powerhouses in Liaodong County. It was fine during the peaceful years. Now that the battle is imminent, this grudge might breed more danger.”

“That’s right. Now that they’re only burning the rations, they might do something even worse in the future. Before it happens, I suggest changing generals as soon as possible and recalling County Lord Xiangtai to the Imperial Capital.”

“Let’s resolve the internal problems first before dealing with the external enemies. Only then can we achieve twice the results with half the effort!”

The old emperor hesitated. “With the current war, if we suddenly change generals, I’m afraid it will shake the morale of the army.”

Shen Zhuo was prepared for this and said unhurriedly, “Father, don’t worry. Duke Lang is on good terms with County Lord Xiangtai. If Duke Lang goes to negotiate with County Lord Xiangtai, I’m sure County Lord Xiangtai will understand our good intentions. As long as County Lord Xiangtai has no objections, the soldiers of the Eastern Expedition Army naturally won’t have any thoughts.”

Hearing this, Xiao Juan finally understood Shen Zhuo’s goal.

This fellow was deliberately digging a hole for him!

Shen Zhuo knew that he had a good relationship with Tang Guixi and deliberately let him be this evil person because he wanted him to have a conflict with Tang Guixi.

As long as he and Tang Guixi fell out, it was equivalent to cutting off one of his arms.

In the future, when Shen Zhuo ascended the throne, it would be even easier to deal with him.

Xiao Juan’s emotions were in a mess, but he could not show it on his face.

In the end, the old emperor accepted the Crown Prince’s suggestion and decided to let Xiao Juan bring the imperial edict to Liaodong County. While distributing food, he would take back the military power in Tang Guixi’s hands and send other generals to Liaodong County to take over the Eastern Expedition Army.

As for who to send? This matter had to be discussed again.

After the court session, the civil and military officials walked out in groups.

Among them, only Xiao Juan was alone.

He wondered what to do next.

A familiar voice came from behind.

“Your Highness, please wait.”

Xiao Juan stopped and looked in the direction of the voice. He saw Wei Liao, who was wearing a military official’s uniform.

Wei Liao had just been conferred the title of General Huaiyuan. His favor was strong and he was very proud.

He strode up to Xiao Juan and smiled slightly. “Your Highness, long time no see. How have you been?”

Xiao Juan’s expression was cold. “What’s the matter?”

Wei Liao smiled gloatingly and said in a tone as if he was watching a show.

“I heard that County Lord Xiangtai has a deep relationship with the Princess Consort. If you force County Lord Xiangtai to hand over her military power now, it’s equivalent to falling out with County Lord Xiangtai. Have you thought about how to explain it to the Princess Consort when you go back?”

Xiao Juan said, “This is my family matter. It has nothing to do with you.”

With that, he turned around and left.

Wei Liao said to his departing figure.

“If I were you, I would go to the emperor and cry. I would pretend to be pitiful. On account of our past relationship, the emperor might soften and send someone else to Liaodong County.”

Xiao Juan ignored him.

The focus now was not on who to send to Liaodong County, but the fact that emperor was already determined to take back Tang Guixi’s military power.

This was actually not difficult to predict.

Previously, the emperor could tolerate Tang Guixi being in charge of the Eastern Expedition Army because the situation in Liaodong County was unstable at that time. Tang Guixi was the only daughter left behind by Tang Pei. Tang Pei had sacrificed his life for the country and was extremely famous in the army. If he forcefully took back the military power in Tang Guixi’s hands, not only would it leave a topic of conversation, but it would also easily cause a mutiny.

But now that the battle was imminent, 300,000 Eastern Expedition troops were waiting for food to save their lives.

In order to obtain food, no matter how unwilling Tang Guixi was, she could only obediently hand over her military power.

Xiao Juan had to think of a way to stop this from happening..