Chapter 1041 - 1035: Discussing Troop Deployment
"Ducal Lord, you are getting on in years, so I will be brief," the Emperor said. "You are aware that Jin Mocong of Xining is causing turmoil, and sooner or later he will rebel. The courtiers all feel that rather than waiting for him to turn against us, it would be better to strike first. Therefore, deploying troops to Xining is inevitable."
The Ducal Lord squinted his eyes, pretending not to understand, and said, "Who then does Your Majesty plan to send out? My son just recently sent a letter from home, mentioning that the border at Beiping has become somewhat unstable lately, and the military situation is pressing. If it really gets out of hand, I fear the Imperial Court will need to provide support. In the past, I wrote him a reply, telling him to stand firm against any adversity, as Your Majesty has been preoccupied with the disaster areas and the situation in Xining, with no time to concern yourself with him."
A smile appeared on the Empress’s face. She knew her grandfather was formidable. Beiping was already in such difficulty; surely they couldn’t expect her fourth uncle to abandon Beiping and go off to fight in Xining, could they?
They had long since agreed to firmly oppose sending troops. If the Emperor took this opportunity to weaken the power of the Ducal Residence, their fate would be the same as that of the Grand Master Residence of yore.
After the Xiao Family’s downfall, the fate of Xiao Qinqin still sent shivers down her spine just thinking about it. Even if she were posthumously crowned as Empress after her death, what use would it be? She did not care for such honors.
"Your Majesty," the Empress said, "my fourth uncle has already had a hard time. The barbarians of the north are formidable indeed, and the troops of Beiping absolutely must not be mobilized."
The Emperor’s icy gaze swept towards the Empress, and she immediately fell silent.
She thought to herself that this man truly had no heart. If it weren’t for the power of her family, the Ducal Residence, at this juncture she would have ended up just like Xiao Qinqin, returned to dust.
"Beiping must be defended, and Xining cannot be ignored," the Emperor stated indifferently. "In that case, what do you, Ducal Lord and Empress, suggest we do?"
The Emperor had directly passed the ball to them.
The Empress did not join in the discussion; as a woman, it was improper for her to participate in politics. She would speak when it was time to speak and otherwise remain silent.