Chapter 636: What If I Go?
The ministers were stunned. This wasn't just throwing their weight around—this was about to wipe out their entire stronghold!
Moreover, with the formidable Regent currently absent, who could possibly take on such a task?
Yet Hua Zhi seemed completely unaware of their concerns and continued, "The force sent should prioritize quality over quantity. We simply need to capture their king. Once their ruler is gone, no matter how ambitious their designs against Daqing, they will first descend into chaos. With Xinyu Pass then responding, a pincer attack might just enable us to conquer the Flame Country."
Following Hua Zhi's line of thought, the assembled ministers, young and old, found this idea to be... absolutely brilliant!
As a major power, Daqing had its dignity to uphold. The fact that a tiny nation like the Flame Country dared to covet Daqing had long filled the ministers with suppressed fury as they pondered how to teach them a lesson. Hua Zhi's proposal struck right at their core, feeling more and more fitting the more they considered it.
However, a significant challenge remained. Duke Dingguo tapped the edge of the sand table and asked, "Who will go?"
Hua Zhi lowered her gaze. This matter was beyond her purview. What she needed to focus on now was how to refine the plan further. The Flame Country itself was of little concern; her worry lay in how many Chao Li Tribe members were embedded within it. Probably not too many, she reasoned—the Chao Li Tribe's real contingency plan surely lay elsewhere.
"What if I go?"
The voice was all too familiar. Hua Zhi spun around abruptly to see Shaoyao approaching slowly. She opened her mouth but found herself at a loss for words. She remembered Shaoyao once saying she wanted to become Daqing's first female general.
Shaoyao nudged Hua Hua affectionately, as was her habit, but her gaze toward the ministers was sharp and penetrating. "I was trained by Yan Ge. While I may not claim to be the best in martial skill, I excel in the use of poisons."
Silence fell over the room. The ministers had nothing to say, yet they felt a deep shame. Was the great Daqing now to rely on women to uphold its strength? But if they refused... they couldn't think of anyone better suited for this mission than Shaoyao with her expertise in poisons.
Shaoyao paid no mind to their reactions. She was already surprised they hadn't objected on account of her being a woman. Addressing the Crown Prince directly, she said, "I need to take half the personnel from the Seven Constellation Bureau."
The Crown Prince looked at her steadily. "You can have all the personnel you need, but... are you certain you want to go?"
"If I don't go, then who will?"
The Crown Prince had no retort. It wasn't until conflict loomed that they realized how severely Daqing lacked capable military commanders. Aside from the Regent, there was virtually no one else who could shoulder such responsibility.
After a moment's consideration, he gestured for the others to leave the side hall, retaining only the Grand Tutor and Duke Dingguo.
"This plan was proposed by the Grand Tutor. What are your thoughts on this?"
"Half the personnel from the Seven Constellation Bureau won't be enough." Hua Zhi quickly weighed the options, her decision-making faster than anyone's. "We can also allocate half the manpower from the Heir Apparent Residence."
"But Shaoyao has always followed the Heir and has never handled matters independently. With such a heavy burden, I worry whether she can truly bear it."
"Your Highness, you underestimate her. Shaoyao may be willful and reluctant to take on responsibilities in daily life, but that doesn't mean she isn't capable. Moreover, she is bold and possesses a fierceness rarely seen in others. Entrusting this task to her, I believe, holds the possibility of success. If given to anyone else, to be frank, Your Highness, I would not have confidence."
The Crown Prince remained full of concerns. "But her combat skills are indeed lacking.""Your Highness, indecisiveness is a grave taboo for a ruler," Hua Zhi solemnly reminded her Crown Prince student. "Since there are no better options available, once a decision is made, you should focus on how to execute it well and refine it, striving to achieve the best possible outcome. Hesitation offers no benefit in this matter."
"Your student accepts this teaching." The Crown Prince bowed, and Hua Zhi turned slightly to receive half the gesture before returning a bow of her own.
"What does the Grand Tutor think?"
Observing the dedicated teaching and earnest learning between ruler and subject, Duke Dingguo rarely allowed the corners of his mouth to lift. "The Grand Tutor's strategy is excellent. I concur."
The Crown Prince nodded and immediately made his decision. "If this matter succeeds, Shaoyao shall garrison the southern border and handle all affairs of the Flame Country. If it ultimately fails, Shaoyao will still take over General Zheng's position at Xinyu Pass."
With the matter settled, Hua Zhi borrowed the Large Sand Table and conducted simulations with Shaoyao until the next morning. The Crown Prince remained present throughout. Hua Zhi pushed her mind to its limits, running through every conceivable scenario. Only when she saw that Shaoyao could extricate herself even from traps did her anxious heart settle somewhat.
The situation was urgent and required immediate departure.
Fearing information leaks, they avoided making a public spectacle. Hua Zhi instructed Wang Rong to assign personnel to Shaoyao and had Fu Dong prepare a large package of food, even distributing portions of Dried Meat so that everyone heading south would have a pack.
"Never act impulsively, no matter the circumstances. When danger arises, don't linger in battle. You're not alone—those under your command are your responsibility. I hope to see every person you take with you return safely." Adjusting the clothes of Shaoyao, who was dressed in practical attire with her hair completely covered, Hua Zhi softly instructed, "The Chao Li Tribe surely has backup plans. This is far from the time to sacrifice your life. You must return to me whole and intact. Remember this?"
Shaoyao leaned into her shoulder, taking several deep breaths before lifting her head to promise, "Don't worry, I won't let myself be lost there."
"Your wish is coming true—the Great Qing's first female general."
Shaoyao raised her chin with a proud smile. "I want a feast of dishes I've never tasted before to welcome my triumphant return."
Hua Zhi smiled. "Agreed. I promise."
As those around her departed for the battlefield one by one, Hua Zhi sat quietly in her study for a long while after seeing Shaoyao off, allowing her emotions to settle. She unrolled the topographic map, her gaze falling on Yanxi City, currently occupied by the Li Country's forces. With the southern front resolved, what about the west? Who would be suitable?
In the imperial study, the Crown Prince, who had matured noticeably within just a few days, sighed. "If there truly is no one else, we can only send General Lin."
Both Hua Zhi and Duke Dingguo frowned. This was a last-resort candidate, far from the most suitable.
At this moment of impasse, Lai Fu entered to report, "Your Highness, Xue Liang, Fourth Division Head of the Seven Constellation Bureau, requests an audience."
"Admit him."
After paying his respects, Xue Liang stated, "The former leader of the Seven Constellation Bureau has sent word through the Bureau, wishing to request an audience with Your Highness."
Duke Dingguo's heart stirred as he looked toward the Crown Prince.
Having met the elder statesman at the Heir Apparent Residence, the Crown Prince agreed without hesitation. "Granted."
The moment Gu Yelin pushed the door open, Duke Dingguo's body swayed almost imperceptibly. His suspicion was correct—it was truly, truly his younger brother! Their parents had died without ever seeing him return home. So it wasn't that he wouldn't come back—he couldn't! No, perhaps he had returned, maybe even paid respects at the funeral hall, but no one had recognized him.Gu Yelin also saw Duke Dingguo. After paying respects to the Crown Prince first, he knelt toward Duke Dingguo, calling out in a trembling voice, "Elder Brother."
Duke Dingguo raised him up with shaking hands, then struck his back heavily again and again, yet couldn't utter a single word of reproach. He was angry, resentful, and annoyed, but how could these compare to the bitterness his younger brother had endured all these years.
The Crown Prince felt deeply unsettled. With passion surging through him, he spoke without hesitation, "Old Sir, return home. Those restraints are no longer in effect."
Hua Zhi glanced at the Crown Prince but offered no counsel. Such fervor was precisely what a young ruler ought to possess.
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