The Flame Country was invading the border? Hua Zhi almost thought she had misheard. Of Daqing's several borders, she had always believed the southern one to be the most stable. After all, the Flame Country was not a strong nation, with a population of merely three million. Even if they were ten times bolder, they wouldn't dare make a move against Daqing.
But now, they had.
Hua Zhi could not be bothered with anything else. She immediately stepped forward, took the urgent report from the Crown Prince's hands, and devoured every word on it. It was true—the Flame Country had found the heart of a bear and the gall of a leopard and invaded the border!
She looked at Xue Liang, the Division Head of the Fourth Division who had delivered the message. "Who sent this?"
"When the Chief went to the Flame Country to investigate last time, he felt something was amiss and left a man behind to keep an eye on their ruler, Ruan Xijiang. The news came from him."
That was right. Hua Zhi remembered now. Yan Xi had gone on that trip because the Flame Country was secretly manufacturing iron arrowheads. He had said that the Flame Country must be colluding with someone, but the trail had gone cold, and the investigation had never yielded a result.
However, what had been a sensitive matter back then no longer needed to be. Still, Hua Zhi did not mention this affair, which concerned the imperial family's dignity, in front of the new scholars. Instead, she offered a reminder, "This subject suspects the Chao Li Tribe has a hand in this. If that is the case, the northern and western borders may not be stable either."
Influenced by the Grand Tutor, the Crown Prince also calmed down. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "Grand Tutor means that the Chao Li Tribe has colluded with all of Daqing's neighboring states, and any of them could launch an attack?"
"The Flame Country is hot year-round. Besides an abundance of grain, it has no other strengths. It is also situated in a mountainous region, making travel extremely inconvenient. According to the geographical records I have read, many people in the Flame Country never leave the place they were born. As for the northern nomadic tribes, they live at the mercy of the heavens. Last year's drought forced them to slaughter most of their livestock, and then they were hit by a harsh winter. I heard from the Prince Regent that many people died. To them, Daqing is a plump piece of meat. They are already drooling with greed, and if someone were to egg them on, they would surely strike. As for the west..."
Hua Zhi paused. "I don't know much about the situation there, only that the terrain is treacherous. But putting myself in their shoes, who wouldn't want the chance to leave such a poor and desolate place? Given the current situation, this subject would rather assume the worst of them than be caught off guard."
The Crown Prince gasped. If that was true, if that was truly the case, how could Daqing possibly defend itself!
The new Jinshi scholars present looked at Hua Zhi, who could deduce three things from one. They suddenly understood why the late Emperor, despite his world-renowned dislike for the Hua family's eldest daughter, had still appointed her as the Crown Prince's Grand Tutor before his death. In just a few short moments, she had already thought so far ahead, while they had only been thinking about how to resolve the crisis in the south. This was the gap between them.
"Summon all ministers to the Hall of Preserving Harmony for a discussion," the Crown Prince said, walking out. "Grand Tutor, stay by my side."
The new scholars looked at each other. A bitter taste filled Shen Qi's mouth, and he couldn't help but think of how his teacher had not uttered a single word of blame when he went to Yinshan Pass. From beginning to end, he had only said with regret, 'Shen Qi, you missed out.'
Yes, he had missed out on the best woman in the world.
How wonderful it would be to be able to accompany her, to stand shoulder to shoulder with her.
But he had long since lost that right.
Lai Fu re-entered the hall. "The Crown Prince has ordered for all you gentlemen to attend and listen."
Delighted, the group hurried to follow.
During this court session, no one brought up the late Emperor's decree that the Grand Tutor must not participate in politics. The Crown Prince's ascension was a certainty, and even the most rigid officials knew not to trouble the new sovereign with the affairs of the late Emperor. Furthermore, the Grand Tutor's surname was Hua, which was one of the reasons they were willing to turn a blind eye to the matter.
Duke Dingguo stepped forward to be the first to state his position. "The Flame Country has long been a vassal state to Daqing. For them to harbor such outrageous ambitions now, they absolutely cannot be let off lightly."
"This subject seconds the motion. If we do not punish them severely, such incidents will be endless in the future."
"This subject seconds the motion. We must make an example of them by killing the chicken to scare the monkeys."
"This subject seconds the motion."
"This subject seconds the motion."
"..."
As the Crown Prince had not yet ascended the throne, he could not sit on the Dragon Throne. Instead, a wide chair was placed below it. Hua Zhi did not follow him up but stood at the bottom of the side steps. Watching the civil and military officials below, all brimming with fighting spirit, her own heart began to beat faster. This was Daqing. Even if they fought amongst themselves to the death, when facing an external threat, their fists were clenched tight, and they did not fear war.
The Crown Prince was clearly stirred as well. He stood up, walked to the center of the space, and said, "Although the Flame Country is but a tiny state, we cannot underestimate their desperation. Before General Zheng Yangcheng, the commander of Xinyu Pass, sends the latest battle report, the court must make preparations to provide support. Lord Zhu, the pressure is all on your Ministry of Revenue."
"This subject will do his utmost," Zhu Bowen said, stepping out from the ranks. "This subject has a request, and I ask for Your Highness's approval."
"Speak freely."
"This subject humbly requests to borrow the Grand Tutor."
The officials were both surprised and not surprised by Zhu Bowen's request. The eldest daughter's ability to make money was plain for all to see, and even the late Emperor had often relied on her. Now that war had broken out, the Ministry of Revenue bore the greatest responsibility. It was only logical to make use of her.
But...
Zhu Bowen continued, "This subject does not dare to ignore the late Emperor's decree. I only need the Grand Tutor to provide ideas."
"Granted." The Crown Prince waved his wide sleeve. "Although my Imperial Father ordered that the Grand Tutor not participate in politics, merely offering ideas does not count as a violation."
"Thank you, Your Highness, for your grace." Zhu Bowen returned to his place with an impassive expression. Since Zhi Er had stepped forward, she must have a goal. He would lend her a hand.
After the court session, the Crown Prince directly gave the Grand Tutor a token that granted her free access to all the ministries. Hua Zhi thought for a moment and accepted it. She might not use it, but she had to have it for critical moments.
"This subject has a matter to report."
"Please speak, Grand Tutor."
"When Yan Xi returned from the Flame Country last time, he mentioned that the Flame Country and the Second Prince might have some dealings, but the trail went cold, and the matter was later set aside. Your Highness might want to ask the Second Prince about it. I imagine that after learning of the current situation, the Second Prince would also be willing to contribute to Daqing."
The Crown Prince's expression shifted. "My Second Imperial Brother?"
"Yes."
A large part of the reason the Grand Tutor's health had deteriorated so badly was due to the severe injuries she sustained at Yinshan Pass, and the person behind that entire affair was none other than his Second Imperial Brother. The Crown Prince lowered his gaze, looking no different than usual. "I understand."
The Crown Prince did not go to see the Second Prince personally, merely sending Lai Fu instead. Now was not the time to settle scores.
Lai Fu returned quickly. "The Second Prince said that he did indeed have some dealings with a prince from the Flame Country back then. If needed, he can re-establish contact with that party."
The Crown Prince pondered for a moment. "Tell him to remain calm for now. We will find him when he is needed."
"Yes."
The bad news arrived sooner than expected. The Flame Country's offensive was ferocious. Even with the advance warning from the Seven Constellation Bureau, they had thrown Xinyu Pass, which had not seen battle in many years, into chaos. After losing two lines of defense in quick succession, the defenders were desperately holding the innermost pass. The commanding general, Zheng Yangcheng, was gravely injured, and military casualties exceeded thirty percent.
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