Chapter 1110: War Is Coming
"For a full sixteen years, my father and elder brother were captured, and nearly the entire Imperial Family was annihilated."
"I have endured long enough, do you all expect me to wait endlessly?"
"I have waited for sixteen years for this day!"
"I am not seeking your opinions now; I am telling you—I will wage war against Da Jin!"
The Emperor’s words were sonorous and decisive.
No one dared to speak in the Golden Throne Hall for a moment.
When the ruler is weak, the ministers are strong; when the ruler is strong, the ministers are weak.
Once the monarch becomes authoritative, the ministers have no option but to acquiesce obediently.
The Emperor continued, "Let the Hanlin Academy immediately draft a manifesto against Da Jin, to be urgently delivered nationwide at eight hundred li."
"One month from today, the government offices across the nation will uniformly post the manifesto against Da Jin!"
"I want the entire country’s military and civilians to unite and recapture the capital, flatten Huining!"
Someone in the hall shouted, "Recapture the capital, flatten Huining!"
Soon, many joined in the chant.
The ministers, who were still observing, quickly joined in as well, and the shouting gradually became unified, like an unstoppable torrent.
Jiang Youzhi coldly watched these ministers, who moments ago were all in opposition, and slowly lowered his eyes.
Once the court quieted down, the Emperor spoke slowly, "By decree, Jiang Zhongxing is conferred as the Grand Marshal of the World’s Army, overseeing all affairs of the campaign against Jin."
The Duke came forward to accept the order.
"Three days later, the army will set out; let the Ministry of Revenue, Ministry of War, Ministry of Industry, and Ministry of Rites coordinate all matters for the army’s departure."
The Ministry of Revenue had already started dispatching provisions and fodder to the border sometime before.
However, Minister Wang of the Ministry of Revenue was a crafty old fox, instructing his subordinates to keep their mouths shut and not leak any information.
Thus, only a few in the court knew about the impending war.
The Emperor said in a deep voice, "Three days from now, I will personally see off the soldiers departing for the expedition."
After speaking, the Emperor stood up and waved his hand forcefully.
The whip-holding eunuch cracked the whip three times and shouted loudly, "Court dismissed!"
As soon as the Emperor left, the hall erupted into commotion.
Grand Tutor Xie glanced at Jiang Youzhi sideways, "Lord Chief Minister, it’s not very decent of you not to give me a heads-up about such a major matter."
Now that Xie Heng and Ruru’s engagement was settled, although they were not yet married, the two families were already firmly bound as relatives, supposed to support each other.
Jiang Youzhi chuckled, "Lord Grand Tutor, whether to speak about this or not makes no difference, don’t you think?"
Grand Tutor Xie thought carefully for a moment and nodded, "Indeed, that’s true."
The Emperor was determined to fight, leaving no room for persuasion.
The ministers dispersed in groups, and Jiang Youzhi and the Duke slowly walked out of the hall.
As the ministers left the court, the news that Great Chu was to attack Jin Country spread like wildfire through Xiang City.
Strangely, unlike the ministers’ opposition, the civilian population was universally in favor.
The air in Xiang City was filled with excitement.
Yun Jiao was making the final preparations at the Duke Mansion.
Three people from the family were going to war, so everything had to be prepared in triplicate.
Even the peace charms had to be in triplicate.
These past two days, the peace charms personally consecrated by the Abbot of Kaiyuan Temple became highly sought after.
Yun Jiao was fortunate to obtain three, sewing them behind the Heart Protector of the armor.
The day before departure, soldiers whose families were in Xiang City were allowed to visit home, but had to return to the camp before sunset.
Yun Jiao handed two wrapped packages to Qi Er and You Er, instructing them earnestly, "Inside are healing medicines, and the instructions are written outside."
"There’s a small box containing ginseng slices."
"The ginseng is over three hundred years old and can save your life at a critical moment."
"These healing medicines and ginseng don’t take up much space; keep them close to you."