Several days had passed in Shuangyue City since the news of Chen Kingdom's invasion of Dongjiang and their request for reinforcements arrived.
Upon hearing that Chen Kingdom had invaded with a fifteen-thousand-strong army, the ministers in the imperial court immediately split into two factions: the peace faction and the war faction.
Neither side could convince the other, and they openly argued in the court like vendors in a marketplace, erupting into a cacophony.
The Empress, seated on her dragon throne, was quite vexed.
Zhou Qing, the Minister of Revenue, a second-rank official, stepped forward again, cupping his hands and advising, "Your Majesty, this minister believes peace talks are still the best course of action. It is now early October, and thanks to the efficacy of the Yunyue Plow, domestic grain production has increased significantly, and tax revenue has greatly boosted, resolving the court's financial difficulties."
"This is precisely the time to vigorously develop and strengthen the nation. How can it be delayed or hindered by war?"
"It is not impossible that Chen Kingdom uses the insult to their envoy as an excuse, but in reality, they merely wish to suppress our nation's development."
"I implore Your Majesty to reconsider!"
What a joke. War would only consume money and provisions, while using the Yunyue Plow to cultivate more wasteland could greatly increase the court's income.
One option drastically reduces income, the other drastically increases it. Was there even a choice?
At best, the envoy's insult was a minor issue. A bit more compensation, a temporary peace agreement, and after a few years of development, they could launch a war to reclaim what was lost. Wouldn't that be splendid?
"Nonsense! This war was not started by us; it is Chen Kingdom invading us. Is it something we can simply stop at will?"
"At the very least, we must make them feel the pain first."
Zhao Zhong, the Marquis of Wei Wu, a second-rank official, stepped forward, cupping his fists and saying, "Your Majesty, this minister believes that only by making Chen Kingdom feel the pain will our Yunyue Kingdom have time to continue developing and strengthening the nation. Otherwise, we will be like a piece of pastry, attracting constant incursions from Zhou Kingdom."
"At that time, we will be exhausted and unable to cope. It would be better to inflict pain now and resolve it once and for all. Only then will Zhou Kingdom fear us and not dare to lightly resort to arms."
"This minister sincerely requests Your Majesty to dispatch one hundred thousand reinforcements to defend against the enemy at our nation's doorstep! This minister is willing to lead the troops personally."
"Fight, fight, fight! All you know is fighting. Do you know how much money and provisions war consumes? When we run out of money and provisions, won't you just extend your hand to my Ministry of Revenue?"
"The Ministry of Revenue has finally seen some income this year, and you military officials only think of squandering it. Not to mention, this might not even be enough for your squandering. Where will my Ministry of Revenue find money and provisions for you then?"
"In any case, this official will be the first to disagree."
Zhou Qing's eyes widened in anger, showing no fear of the fierce gazes of the military officials.
He had nothing to offer but his life.
"Minister Zhou, we are not necessarily saying we must fight back, but at the very least, when they attack, defending our existing borders is the most basic requirement, isn't it?"
"The enemy has fifteen thousand troops, while the Dongjiang soldiers number only fifty thousand. To defend Dongjiang, we need at least an additional ten thousand troops, to have a comparable number, right?"
"Once Dongjiang is breached, the enemy will have no natural barriers to hinder them and will surely advance into our country like a broken bamboo. Wouldn't that consume even more money and provisions?"
"At that time, Minister Zhou, you couldn't possibly still suggest peace talks, could you?"
Wei Zi, the Grand General who Guards the State, a first-rank official, stepped forward with an unfriendly expression.
"As the art of war states, 'When ten to the enemy's one, surround him; when five to one, attack him; when twice the enemy's strength, then fight him.' Currently, Dongjiang has fifty thousand soldiers. With the support of local militias and county soldiers assisting in defending the cities, we can muster one hundred thousand troops."
"Chen Kingdom has only fifteen thousand troops, not double our strength, how dare they attack lightly? Even if they attack, without two hundred thousand troops, how could they possibly take it down?"
"General Wei, you military men ask for one hundred thousand troops at the drop of a hat. What are you planning to do besides counterattack?"
At this point, Zhou Qing gave him some face and conceded a step, saying, "Even if we provide support, in this official's opinion, by dispatching troops from the cities and counties of Dongjiang, and from the nearby prefectures and counties, along with five thousand from the imperial court, we can assemble eighty to ninety thousand combat-ready troops."
"With such a large force relying on the cities, how can Chen Kingdom possibly take them?"
Dongjiang, being a border region, had thirty counties in the six prefectures of Shuihu Prefecture. Each city had three thousand county soldiers.
The standing army in the central prefectures was not as numerous as in the border prefectures. Gathering five thousand men from two prefectures was not a problem.
If half the county soldiers were drawn from Shuihu Prefecture, a secondary force of forty-five thousand could be assembled to help defend the cities.
The secondary force might not be as strong, but as a border state, their combat effectiveness was guaranteed to some extent. Moreover, since it was only for defense, the Minister of Revenue believed it was sufficient.
However, the military disagreed. Since the Empress ascended the throne, there had been no wars.
Now that there was a war and an opportunity for military merit, how could they easily give it up?
Chancellor Chen Yuanliang did not stop the civil and military officials from arguing. He stood calmly, like a wooden figure.
The significant increase in grain revenue brought by the Yunyue Plow would indeed make neighboring countries covetous.
The civil and military officials both had valid points, which was precisely why the Empress was so troubled.
If they fought, the hard-won increase in revenue would be lost, and they might even have to pay out of pocket.
If they didn't fight, and the border was breached, leading to a series of consequences, it would be even more troublesome.
"This Chen Yuanliang, he appears to be silent, but he implicitly approves of the civil officials' actions. I wonder what he is thinking."
The Empress sighed, her head aching.
After a moment, she suddenly slammed her hand on the sandalwood table and reprimanded, "In the imperial court, what kind of decorum is there in such a noisy commotion?"
"Your subjects deserve death! We beg Your Majesty to forgive us!"
The Empress's anger erupted, and the civil and military officials immediately prostrated themselves.
"Since none of you can come up with a unified plan, and each of you has your reasons, we shall compromise."
"Hear my decree: all counties and cities in Shuihu Prefecture shall each dispatch half of their county soldiers to reinforce Dongjiang."
"Fenwu Bo Chang Tao (third-rank official), I command you to lead thirty thousand imperial troops and depart immediately to reinforce Dongjiang."
"Upon arrival in Dongjiang, consult with Princess Xinyue. Do not act rashly."
"Your subject Chang Tao accepts the decree!"
"Then it is settled."
"Court is dismissed!"
"Long live Your Majesty, long live, long live Your Majesty!"
Back in the imperial study, the Empress sighed.
Just as her nation was about to usher in better days, such an event had occurred.
"Xiao Chenzi's troop training is sharp, and his command is excellent. I hope he will, as always, bring me continuous surprises."
Recalling Chen Yuanliang feigning death in court and the military officials showing signs of restlessness, the Empress frowned and pushed aside state affairs.
She prioritized imperial family matters, reviewed and issued orders, preparing to increase the military expansion for the imperial family.
Outside the court, Chen Yuanliang, after the dismissal, revealed a smile when no one was looking.
He thought to himself, "With the outbreak of war in Dongjiang, this is the opportune moment to achieve my goals. Once thirty thousand imperial troops are dispatched, I can contact my allies, first eliminate Xue Yun, and then pursue my grand ambitions."
"Hahaha!"
Meanwhile, Xue Yun was also extremely agitated, cursing inwardly. The war had temporarily halted his plans. He desired a better Yunyue Kingdom before his rebellion succeeded, not a fragmented one.
He summoned his adjutant and instructed him to increase patrols in the imperial city and deploy experts to prevent enemy assassins from infiltrating the palace.