Chapter 298: There Is No Other Choice But You
Chapter 298: There Is No Other Choice But You
This matter was Emperor Wei's negligence, not Wei Yu's.
Unaware that everything was caused by the old man’s stingy mindset, the day after Du Xing found Wei Yu, he went to tell his dad about it.
“Dad, you should hold a military exercise!”
This was the first thing Wei Yu said upon seeing his dad.
The military has its own language; terms like “exercise flags and drums,” “exercise naval forces,” and “troop formations” all refer to similar military exercises. So as soon as Wei Yu mentioned it, Emperor Wei understood what he meant.
When it came to military exercises, Emperor Wei thought for a moment.
It seemed that Great Wei hadn’t held exercises for many years?
Emperor Wei asked him, “Why did you suddenly think of organizing one?”
[Isn’t it because you never showed the court officials the explosive cannon carts? Just yesterday, Lord Du even came to find me!]
Emperor Wei: …
Wei Yu silently glanced at his dad, giving him a reproachful look with his eyes. “You also didn’t think about it, how long has it been since Great Wei had a military exercise? I remember the last three-armed military drill was when I was about four years old.”
Great Wei hadn’t had any large-scale wars for a long time; some generals had relaxed their training, not to mention the garrison forces stationed outside the capital city.
Many were slacking off.
The army is the strongest shield to protect the country. If the troops become lazy and useless and have weak combat effectiveness, how can they be of use when war breaks out?
Using a military exercise to inspect the combat level of the army is probably the simplest and most effective method.
Also, harboring the dream of unifying the world, Emperor Wei wholeheartedly agreed to this.
“All right. It’s been more than a decade, and I should indeed understand the strength of the armies.”
Emperor Wei thought for a while. “This time, let’s show the court officials the explosive cannon carts. It would also be a good opportunity to rebuild a new-style army.”
“A new-style army?” Wei Yu blinked. “This army won’t be just for throwing explosives and driving cannon carts, right?”
Emperor Wei glanced at him with a slight look. “Isn’t that what you called the special forces before?”
Wei Yu: !
“When did I ever say that!”
Wei Yu was shocked. He carefully recalled and swore he never mentioned “special forces” to the old man, so…
Staring at his dad’s unperturbed old face, Wei Yu fell silent.
[When did you eavesdrop?]
Emperor Wei lightly snorted.
What do you mean “eavesdrop!”
That little rascal really can’t talk straight. He was openly listening, alright!
Knowing his father could read minds, and since he didn’t move away when he was secretly muttering in his heart repeatedly, his dad’s ears must have gotten calloused. So he clearly knew about the special forces? ꞦÄŊο𝐛ÊŠ
Seeing that his dad ignored him, Wei Yu reluctantly rubbed his nose.
Well, since you know, building a special forces unit isn’t so bad. A unit skilled in all eighteen kinds of martial arts, proficient in both cold and hot weapons… Wait!
Wei Yu suddenly looked at his dad and asked, “Dad, if you want to build special forces, then what about the Gray Guards?”
Isn’t that a bit overlapping?!
Wei Yu didn’t need to ponder this question because Emperor Wei had already thought it through.
“One is for supervising officials and gathering intelligence, and the other fights alongside the army on the battlefield. What’s there to question?”
The old man said this casually, as if forming another division was as easy as eating or drinking. Wei Yu felt he was being petty.
He gave a thumbs up. “Your wisdom is impressive. Well said! I’ll learn from you. So, who do you plan to put in charge of this special forces?”
Emperor Wei looked at him. “What do you think about your Eldest Brother?”
Wei Yu: !
“Good! Perfect! That works!”
Wei Yu immediately straightened up and clapped. “Dad, I think your idea is perfect! Look at Eldest Brother now in Donghai Commandery, he’s like a fish in water, far more influential than when he was in the Six Ministries. I’m telling you, Eldest Brother is definitely suitable for the battlefield!”
His excited expression made it seem as if he had something to do with this…
Emperor Wei looked at Wei Yu’s shining eyes, his gaze gradually becoming strange.
“You… what are you looking at?”
Wei Yu felt uneasy under the stare and took a cautious step back, eyes wary.
Emperor Wei calmly withdrew his gaze and didn’t respond, continuing the previous topic: “For building the special forces, I plan to first recruit five thousand soldiers from the three armies, assign Huo Tingyu to train them—he’s the best at disciplining troops. When your Eldest Brother returns, I will then let him join the army…”
These details made Wei Yu feel more and more uneasy.
When his dad finished, Wei Yu couldn’t help but ask carefully, “Father Emperor, why do you tell me all this? It doesn’t seem appropriate, does it?”
Heh.
Back to the “Father Emperor” and “your subject” stuff again.
Truly, the son’s laziness in respect is remarkable…
Emperor Wei looked at Wei Yu meaningfully. “What’s inappropriate? You can even approve memorials for me. What’s inappropriate about this?”
Wei Yu: !!!
Alarm bells ringing at the highest level. Having had a premonition, Wei Yu no longer dared to fool around.
He directly knelt and hugged his dad’s leg, starting to wail.
“No, no! Dad, this idea can’t work, please don’t have those harmful intentions! I won’t do it, not even to death—”
[Please don’t give me the throne! Give it to Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, or Eighth Brother, any one of them! Just not me!!]
Harmful intentions…
Emperor Wei’s face went stiff as he was held by the leg.
Although he always knew his unfilial son detested the throne like poison, hearing such a blunt rejection still gave Emperor Wei a kind of frustration-induced heart attack.
“Dad, please be merciful, look at the older brothers, okay? They’re all talented in both literature and military strategy, handsome and capable. What am I? I’m nothing! Why not direct your wise gaze toward the older brothers!”
Wei Yu’s wailing was so pitiful it seemed like he was an orphan without parents, making Emperor Wei’s anger shoot up instantly.
Emperor Wei, fed up, reached out to pry his son’s hands off.
“Let go of me!”
“No! You have to promise to change your mind first!”
“Wei Yu, you’re being insolent!”
“And I’ll keep being insolent! You’re healthy and sound, why think about such unlucky things for no reason?”
“…”
The father and son bickered loudly; Li Cheng was at the door, unsure whether to enter or retreat.
Fortunately, His Majesty didn’t keep him in suspense long; a solemn and commanding voice directly ordered everyone away.
“Everyone out. Li Cheng, stand guard at the door, no one is allowed in.”
The palace servants all left, and soon only the father and son remained in the palace.
Emperor Wei composed his expression, his face serious, and looked down at Wei Yu, then asked directly, “Do you know why I chose you?”
Wei Yu’s small eyes blinked twice. “Because I’m a genius?”
Emperor Wei: “…Because after me, to continue Great Wei’s prosperous era, there is no other choice but you!”