Chapter 136: Appointing a new general and both sides will suffer
An urgent report from Lijia came, Northern Country’s 500 000 soldiers attacked the Eastern Country’s borders!
This news came so suddenly, but still, it was taken for granted.
Xiao Tianyao’s army stayed strong for decades and had never been defeated. Why is that?
Because starting at the age of fifteen, those 300 000 soldiers had already been wearing their military uniform. So, their skills will definitely be honed, right?
People with discerning eyes could see it clearly. Northern Country’s sudden attack had definitely something to do with Xiao Tianyao. But, no one had dared to mention it, because… …
Xiao Tianyao can’t do anything to fix it. And if the Northern Country learn that his legs are wasted and that the Emperor took his military power. Northern Country will definitely send more troops to take over their country. So, even if it’s risky, they must try defeating them on their own.
For the people of Northern Country, if they must die in this war, then they will die. After all, they will also die due to famine. At least, with the latter part, they might survive.
Despite the Northern Country’s sudden attacked to the Eastern Country’s border, the emperor wasn’t totally caught off guard.
When they received the news, the Emperor and his people panic, but the emperor was able to calm down himself immediately.
And decided to face the Northern Country’s soldiers.
“Zhen (I) don’t believe that in our huge country, only Xiao Tianyao’s people can defeat the Northern Country’s army. Zhen also has capable people in his hands, capable people that can be appointed as a new general. This new general will expel the Northern Country’s army and claim our lost territories.”
The emperor said with full of confidence. And then, he called his right and left prime ministers, minister of military affairs, minister of revenue and some other government ministers.
Before the troops move, fodder and provisions go first (idiom). Logistics comes first, before the military maneuvers. An army marches on its stomach.
The Minister of Revenue has long been prepared for such occasions, so he opens his mouth before the emperor could: “Our treasury was full of silvers and grains. It can support at least 800 000 soldiers for about a year.”
With this, it can be said that the Eastern Country is truly rich. And the other three countries needed to add themselves before they could get to their level.
“Good, very good. We have supplies, soldiers, and horses. Zhen doesn’t believe that we can’t defeat a little country like North.” After knowing that there were adequate supplies, the emperor’s confidence increase more.
The Minister of Military Affairs was also long been prepared, so he opens his mouth and said: “Our weapons and horses are ready to be used by 500 000 infantry and 50, 000 cavalry of soldiers. But, to make sure our front line cavalry has constant supply of weapons. This official has ordered our craftsmen to build more weapons.”
The Minister of Military affair’s words were full of hints. He said they can supply 500 000 soldiers immediately. Which means, Xiao Tianyao’s 300 000 soldiers were still not included.
“Huangshang, why don’t we send Xiao w.a.n.gye’s soldiers to the front line instead?” The emperor wants to eradicate Xiao Tianyao’s soldier, so sending them to the front line is a good idea.
And also because it’s not easy to win a war.
The emperor really wanted to use them, but: “Send his soldiers to the front line? Who will lead those soldiers?” He just imprisoned Xiao Tianyao’s people, so how can he suddenly use them again ah?
And the biggest problem is.
He can’t suddenly release those people out of the prison. And transfer them back to their post. The citizens will get suspicious. Most of all, those people influence might rise up again.
The Military officials discuss it some more. In the end, they were very reluctant to miss this opportunity. They unanimously decided to send Xiao Tianyao’s 300,000 soldiers to the front line.
“Xiao w.a.n.gye’s soldiers and horses are experienced in fighting those Northern Country’s soldiers. So, send out all those 300 000 soldiers.” The Emperor throw out a high-leveled reasoning, so the others had no longer said anything.
The minor trivia has been finalized, but the most difficult issue hasn’t been decided.
The Northern Country’s soldiers are known for being a good fighter. But, if the appointed general is good, any soldiers won’t be useless.
“Come to think of it, General Zhou Yuan have come to the war many times before. His achievements back then are quite extraordinary. This official thinks he will be a good Lieutenant.” Prime Minister Lin Xiang of the west side began to introduce his own people.
Because even if it was only a lieutenant, the responsibility of this position isn’t too far from the general. With this, Lin Xiang decided to mix in some more of his people.
Prime Minister You is not willing to be weak, so he also pushed some of his own people to be a lieutenant.
Prime Minister You is the prime government official of the east side.
The two of them occupies these positions to balance the power of each side. So, as long as their recommended people is useful, the emperor has no reason to disagree.
Of course, those people that they recommended are useful. Because if not, there is no reason for them to mention those name right in front of the emperor.
But, the emperor asked again: “Can those people be appointed as a new general?” That is the most important question, but both of them didn’t dare to give an answer easily.
The emperor waited for a long time, but he didn’t hear any answer, so his face become ugly. However, when he was about to open his mouth, Lin Xiang said: “Huangshang, why don’t we try to use Wei Beihou? He is a veteran of war, with him as a general, the military’s morale will be stable.”
Although Lin Xiang is selfish, he knew the severity of losing in the war. So, he recommended Wei Beihou because he knows he is pure and has no slightest selfishness in the heart.
However, the emperor didn’t agree and only said: “Wei Beihou will be 52 years old this year. He is a little too old for this.”
Prime Minister You busily added: “How about Liu Jie? His father is a veteran martial artist. He himself is proficient in martial arts, he’ll be a good military strategist.”
“Liu Jie is actually quite good, but … … he had never led an army before. Zhen is worried that, he might not be able to control those soldiers.” The emperor said and didn’t disagree directly.
Prime Minister Lin and Prime Minister You didn’t understand the meaning of the emperor’s words. So, they recommended several suitable people more. However, the emperor flatly rejected them all.
The two prime minister secretly ponder. All the person they recommend is suitable to be a general. So, the emperor has no reason to reject them.
The rest of the people they know are too old to lead an army or were too young and inexperienced. So, they definitely won’t be able to bring Xiao w.a.n.gye’s soldiers in prestige.
Prime Minister Lin and Prime Minister You are originally a sly fox. So, they set aside their idea in recommending a suitable candidate.
The two of them really deserve to be called an old fox, because right after that, they recommended a very suitable candidate: ” Meng s.h.i.+ of Guo Gongfu!”
Meng s.h.i.+ is the current head of Guo Gongfu. And also, Lin Chujiu’s uncle. So, it can be said, that he and Xiao Tianyao are related. But, not very close.
After all, when Lin Chujiu haven’t married into the Xiao w.a.n.gfu. Guo Gongfu and Xiao Tianyao had never crossed path before. But of course, even right after Lin Chujiu married into the Xiao w.a.n.gfu, the two families are still not close.
However, whether they are close or not, if he will be a.s.signed as a general, those soldiers will definitely recognize him because he is the uncle of their Xiao w.a.n.gfei. And whether he is familiar in war or not, Xiao Tianyao will also definitely give him some face.
Because if Meng s.h.i.+ wins this war, he will get back his army. But, on the contrary, if Meng s.h.i.+ lose, his army will be wipe out clean.
Regardless of winning or losing, the palace decided to tie the knot between Xiao Tianyao’s army and Meng s.h.i.+ of Guo Gongfu. Because they know, after this war, both families will suffer and never work together. Even if Lin Chujiu serves as a bridge.
And as for whether Lin Chujiu can maintain the connection between Xiao w.a.n.gfu and Guo Gongfu, it has nothing to do with them!