allendalepharm Chapter 906: Petition to go to the border and defend it to the death
Chapter 906: Petition to go to the border and defend it to the death
"Your Majesty, your mood changes! Shen An couldn't possibly have committed such a heinous crime. This must be a misunderstanding. Your Majesty, please investigate!"
Duke Anguo was so frightened that he fell to his knees and cried out for justice.
He knew that being called here was no good, so he got scolded.
"Hmph! We'll have to wait for the autumn to settle all these accounts! Now the border war is imminent, perhaps it has already started. We are far away in the capital, and distant water cannot quench the nearby fire. There are few people at the border who can take on such important responsibilities. I must send someone to assist, otherwise I will be uneasy."
In fact, the emperor was also worried that Duke Qin was too old and his mind was not working well.
"Your Majesty, I think it would be better to let Jiang Youzhen serve as deputy commander-in-chief and discuss military strategies with the commander-in-chief." The fourth prince stepped forward and suddenly proposed.
When everyone heard this, they immediately nodded. It made sense! As long as they weren't sent to their deaths, what did it matter if the position of deputy commander was given to Jiang Youzhen?
Anyway, after the war, Jiang Youzhen didn’t know whether he could come back.
"I second the proposal!"
"I second the proposal!"
"Didn't you just say that Jiang Youzhen was not up to the task? Why are you saying you want to appoint him as deputy commander?" The emperor sneered.
"Your Majesty, Jiang Youzhen has offered good advice to the court and he does have some strategies. I think we should give him a chance," said Prime Minister Lin Juhui.
"I second the proposal!"
Everyone immediately agreed. They wouldn't go to the border anyway. They could talk, but they couldn't fight at the border! How could they understand military strategy?
"Since everyone recommends Lord Jiang, then let's do as you say!" The emperor nodded. It would be useless for these people to go anyway.
In fact, everyone knew what the emperor meant, but they had to pretend to ask them.
"Everyone, please leave! I'm tired too!" The emperor waved his hand. The closer he got to this moment, the more pathetic he felt.
In this huge court, how many people are left who are working hard for the country's destiny and the people?
These people only care about their immediate interests. Once Yuming Pass is breached, the border defense will be breached. Even if there is still one checkpoint, the country will be in danger.
Jiang Youzhen was a civil official, so even if he was promoted three levels after returning, it wouldn't be a problem. He wasn't a military commander, and without military power, a promotion of three levels would only mean he was a junior officer.
The emperor rubbed his brows and heard someone talking.
"Father!"
The emperor looked up and saw that it was the Second Prince. He was very puzzled. The Second Prince had been unusually silent today and now he was staying alone. Could it be that he had something to say?
"Second brother, why don't you go back and rest!"
The second prince suddenly lifted his robe and knelt on the ground.
"I beg you, Father, to send me to the border to defend against the foreign enemies!"
The emperor was shocked, "You want to go to the border to fight?"
"Yes! Now that the barbarians are invading, I, as a prince, am concerned about the court and cannot sleep or eat. It would be better to go to the border. Even if I die on the battlefield, it is worse than living in fear every day in the inner court!"
"Second brother, war is no joke! This border battle is bound to be fierce. Those wicked men have been preparing for years for this day. I am certain that they will most likely unite and launch a violent attack. In that case, are you willing to go?"
The emperor looked at the second prince with a burning gaze.
"I beg Your Majesty for your blessing! I don't want to be a coward. When our Emperor Zhao Gaozu conquered the country, he said that the Zhao family never feared life or death." The second prince looked determined.
"Okay!" A complex look flashed in the emperor's eyes.
"In that case! Then I will grant you your wish."
The emperor took a deep breath, thought for a moment, and then advised, "But I urge you to reconsider. After all, this trip is dangerous. You are a prince, and you will enjoy endless wealth and glory. If you want to change your mind, I will pretend I didn't hear what I said today!"
"Father! I have made up my mind!"
Looking at the resolute look of the second prince, the emperor couldn't help but imagine an equally resolute face in front of his eyes.
"I don't envy the wealth of the world, nor do I envy the pampered concubines in the palace. I just wish my son a long life!"
"I immediately appoint you as deputy commander-in-chief. Together with the commander-in-chief, Duke Qin, and the deputy commander-in-chief, Jiang Youzhen, you will guard Yuming Pass! If Yuming Pass is breached, you will die on the battlefield, and your flag will be stained with blood!"
The emperor's eyes were sharp. If you want to go, you can only win! If you lose, there is no need to come back!
The second prince was shocked. He clenched his fists. Although he was sad, he still bowed deeply!
"This journey is dangerous. I don't know if I will ever see you again! If I can't return to the capital, please look after Jiang Youzhen and his family and move my mother's tomb to Honglu Mountain outside the capital. That's the path she took!"
The second prince kowtowed three times as he spoke, and the emperor's fingers, gripping the armrests of his chair, turned white.
"Approved!" The emperor immediately ordered Zhou Zhong to summon officials from the Hanlin Academy to draft the imperial edict.
Looking at the second prince's determined brows and firm steps, the emperor's thoughts could not calm down for a long time.
He took out a blood jade pendant from the secret compartment and stroked the phoenix carving on the pendant. The cold touch made the emperor feel cold in his heart.
"After all, I broke the agreement! I will come and apologize in my grave one day!"
Before Zhou Zhonglin left, he turned back to glance at the emperor, only to see that he was hunched over, with gray hair on his temples.
I don’t know when, the emperor has grown old!
Even though he felt cold, he was used to it. When the Second Prince left the Imperial Study, he bumped into the Fourth Prince.
Without even glancing at the Fourth Prince, the Second Prince passed by.
"Second brother!" The fourth prince called out to the second prince.
In the world of ice and snow, it seemed as if these two were the only ones left in the world.
"You petitioned your father to go to the border to guard it, right?"
"Hmm!" The second prince snorted, then turned to look at the fourth prince.
"Second brother, I don't need to tell you how dangerous the border is, but why do you have to do this?"
"Old Four, we only had the chance to fight when the Great Fortune Dynasty was here. Now that our country is on the verge of collapse, wouldn't it be ridiculous to continue fighting over these things?
I would rather die on the battlefield than be a prisoner. Once Yuming Pass is breached, how long can we hold out?" The Second Prince sneered.
The Fourth Prince suddenly bowed deeply to the Second Prince, "I admire your righteousness, Second Brother!"
But he couldn't do it! He had too many entanglements behind him. If he died at the border, how many people would be implicated? What would happen to those who depended on him?
He couldn't let these people down, and they wouldn't agree to let him go.
"I'm a lonely man, unlike the fourth prince who has so many concerns!" The second prince shook his head and turned to leave.
"Please tell Jiang Youzhen that I will take good care of his family."
"Bad luck!" The second prince rolled his eyes and strode away.
At dawn, Jiang Youzhen arrived at the commander-in-chief's camp early in the morning.
As soon as I saw Prince Yuan Ming's eyes were dark, I knew that he must not have slept all night.
"Is your Highness ready? They will attack the city tonight at the latest!" Jiang Youzhen reminded.
"Everything is ready! Today, this general will guard the city gate and will never retreat!" Prince Yuan Ming's eyes were bright. At this moment, he was full of fighting spirit and finally had the bravery and fortitude of a military general.
This Yuming Pass must not be breached, he swears to defend it to the death!