Chapter 2 The Second Day
The next day, Xiao Wangye attended court, where the matter of the border was being fiercely debated.
The court was never a place of shared purpose. Whenever a major war node arrived, those advocating for peace were an endless stream.
They weren't necessarily traitors seeking glory, but they certainly held a passive attitude towards the war. They refused to face the immediate issues and instead began planning how to live well after a retreat.
A group of short-sighted cowards, Xiao Wangye snorted inwardly, but he knew this was merely foreplay for now.
A large contingent of military generals were ready with a bellyful of words to retort. The current promotion and demotion standards were still those of the late Emperor, with military rank directly tied to military achievements. The war had been fought for many years, nurturing many generals who had emerged from the battlefield.
"Peace! Peace! If we could have achieved peace, we would have done so eight hundred years ago! Back then, we sent a princess away with many gifts, and what was the result? All the land outside the country's borders was lost!"
"Currently, the court is short on troops and provisions. Not only is the output of iron armor low, but news of a drought in the south has also arrived this year. If this war continues, I fear we won't be able to drive them away."
"Defending our homes and country, and guarding our territory is the natural order of things. After reading so many books, how have you not understood this!"
"Being able to win battles and drive away those barbarian people is the best course of action. But look at the current situation; it's not that we disregard the words of the sages, it's that you martial men have never considered the consequences!"
This minor verbal spat occurred every time.
One side refused to budge, while the other earnestly advised. However, there was still a faction that had not joined the fray.
They all knew that arguing whether to fight or not was meaningless. The Regent was a firm proponent of war, and the decision rested with those above.
Xiao Wangye's expression was cold. The Empress Dowager, who was in charge of the government, and the young Emperor, who was trying hard to remain calm, occasionally looked at him.
Although the young Emperor had some knowledge of military strategy and history, he was young and his words carried little weight. He could not offer any opinions that would be adopted by everyone. He merely stated, in a perfunctory manner, stock phrases like, "What does Minister Sun think?" or "Marquis Xiang Zhuang, what are your thoughts on peace?"
It wasn't until the argument gradually subsided that the young Emperor finally seized an opportunity and said urgently, "What does Imperial Uncle think?"
Silence returned to the court, broken only by Xiao Wangye's voice echoing, "This subject believes that war is not the problem; the problem is how to wage it."
Many people said to themselves, as expected.
Xiao Wangye began to detail the court's remaining grain and funds, the current number of enlisted soldiers, which officials were skilled in siege warfare and breaking through defenses, and the current situation on the border.
Xiao Wangye stated, "Although it is a time of many troubles, we cannot afford not to fight this war."
Xiao Wangye explained plainly, "If we do not fight, not only will our border defenses be unable to hold, but this is not a matter of a few cities and reparations. Those barbarians are too ambitious; they will seek to directly swallow us."
This fact was laid bare before everyone. However, this fact did not need to be pointed out. Long ago, after those barbarians had swallowed a large portion of their territory, they had already revealed their intention to continue their invasion. In those days, people in all directions were in a panic. Despite the outward appearance of peace, a large number of people had flocked to the capital, fearing that their homes would be plundered by the barbarians. In secret, many, many people had shed tears and could not sleep.
Better to be a dog in prosperous times than a person in chaotic times.
It was Xiao Wangye who stepped forward then, calming the precarious situation. But what about now?
Oblique glances swept over the Regent's leg. It was widely known that Xiao Wangye's leg was close to being healed. Could it be?
Both the intelligent and the less intelligent remained silent.
Xiao Wangye delivered a decisive blow and volunteered himself. He supported himself on the armrests of his wheelchair and slowly stood up, bowing to the Emperor, "This subject is willing to lead the troops to campaign and secure a future for Chengguo!"
At this moment, the Prime Minister also stepped forward to advise the Emperor, "Your Majesty, what the Regent says is reasonable, but the Regent is disabled."
The Prime Minister, under Xiao Wangye's icy gaze, smiled enigmatically.
"This subject believes that although his abilities are exceptional, it would be better to send someone to assist the Regent," the Prime Minister stated calmly.
"However, this subject's understanding of the war is not as profound as the Prince's, so I ask the Prince to make his own decision."
A cunning old fox, forming factions, engaging in petty squabbles, doing things by halves, and being extremely slippery. If he were not Murong Yun's father, Xiao Wangye thought, he would have dealt with him long ago.
After this, Xiao Wangye briefly reported on Ye Qingcheng's compressed biscuits. The remaining matters in court were trivial and uninteresting. It was just that the young Emperor was extremely interested in the compressed biscuits and kept asking when they would be ready. Xiao Wangye had to patiently say that as soon as they were ready, they would be delivered to him immediately.
Xiao Wangye accepted the important task and set off with his troops that very day.
Meanwhile, Ye Qingcheng expedited the production and finally created a suitable batch of compressed biscuits.
Ye Qingcheng happily redeemed the promise made by the master craftsman, who was a cook, generally called Granny Zhuo.
Granny Zhuo did not dare to ask for an excessive reward, so she only said she wanted to go home and accompany her daughter for a few days.
"This is too simple; I'm sorry for your contribution," Ye Qingcheng said. "All the masters have worked hard. I will have the accounting department increase your pay later; this is what you deserve."
Everyone then said in unison, "We dare not accept, we dare not accept. Thank you, Princess, for your recognition," and other polite words. But they still liked this generous managing Princess.
Ye Qingcheng looked at Granny Zhuo. Her clothes were neat, and the patches were sewn with great skill, appearing like novel styles on her, making her look a bit younger. Ye Qingcheng felt that her hands were very skillful and that she must have been someone who loved beauty in her youth.
So Ye Qingcheng gave her some girls' clothing and hair accessories to take home to her daughter, as a small token of her appreciation.
Granny Zhuo smiled at Ye Qingcheng, "Princess, I am truly grateful to you. However, I cannot take so many things; the reward money you gave me is already sufficient. How can I also take so many items?"
Ye Qingcheng said earnestly, "Don't say that. Everyone can see your abilities. What I am giving you is simply because I want to give it. I believe you can accept it, so you don't need to feel it's too much."
Granny Zhuo smiled and agreed, her heart warming at Ye Qingcheng's comforting words.
In the end, Granny Zhuo could not refuse Ye Qingcheng and returned home with a few unworn clothes that Ye Qingcheng had made.
Granny Zhuo's home was a small blue-tiled house on the outskirts of the city. Her husband had passed away early, but she had a daughter. Originally, she was not accepted by her husband's family because she had no sons, but now that she was working for the Prince's mansion, those people would still try to get close to her from time to time.