A major battle had just concluded in the Southern Commandery of Jiannan. This was the first significant victory Wei had achieved since their clash with the Southern Barbarians. The victory came because the commanding general had heeded the suggestion of a laborer soldier in his ranks.
The person who offered the suggestion was Yang Si.
Yang Si had previously achieved several minor victories working alongside militia and regular troops. The general took notice, remembering Yang Sanlang’s earlier reputation earned as a Lieutenant in Longxi, and immediately sought his counsel. Now that Great Wei had achieved victory, who wouldn’t be elated?!
Yang Si had just received the general’s praise, with promises of promotion—at minimum to the rank of Lieutenant. Leaving the tent, seeing the wounded being transported throughout the camp and soldiers coming and going, despite the brutality of war, Yang Si stood under the harsh sun and couldn’t help but let out a gentle sigh.
He squinted in the sunlight, feeling that everything was developing in a positive direction. It had been two years since Brother Lang’s death, and he had finally emerged from his depression, feeling alive again. And all of this was because…
Yang Si grabbed the hand of a young medical apprentice running past him: “Where’s Xiaozhou?”
The apprentice turned back, casually pointing in a direction, mumbling uncertainly: “The Young Lady seems to be over there…”
Yang Si couldn’t wait. He released the apprentice and ran to find Yan Xiaozhou. With the battle over and wounded everywhere, given her kind heart, she would surely be in the military camp with her adoptive master treating the injured. Yang Si had so much to say, and so many expectations; he couldn’t wait to find Yan Xiaozhou.
He wore golden bells at his waist, moving like the wind, yet the bells made no sound. With each step he took, she followed. Every time he looked back, he could see her gentle smile and graceful figure watching him.
She was the most gentle, most delicate lady in the world! Yet she was also the most resilient, the most unbreakable lady.
She had traveled from Chang’an to the Southern Commandery of Jiannan, through such harsh conditions, and had stayed for nearly two years. She had never made demands of him, and even when she first arrived, she hadn’t actively sought him out. She simply accompanied him silently, her companionship itself a wordless strength… and now he could give her an answer!
While Yang Si was searching for Yan Xiaozhou, she too was anxiously weaving through the wounded in the military camp, looking for Yang Si’s figure.
She had never told anyone that she feared war and bloodshed. Each outbreak of war was a torment for her. She feared Yang Si would be injured, feared that each time she saw him might be their last.
On the battlefield, blades and swords were blind; a commanding general was luckier than a common soldier, with a slightly lower chance of death, but Yang Si was now just an inconspicuous soldier.
Even with supreme martial arts skills, what use were they on a battlefield of tens of thousands?
She never got angry with him, never held grudges, never argued… because each time, she feared it might be the last. She didn’t know how Sanlang’s parents endured him going to war. She knew the man she loved was a great hero, born for the battlefield, born to soar through the heavens.
She was just too weak. Just afraid. She was ultimately humble, ultimately caring only for him alone.
There was nothing wrong with fearing for his injury, as long as she didn’t pass this anxiety to him—didn’t let him worry about such small matters as she did…
As Yan Xiaozhou searched throughout the military camp, her eyelids twitched slightly each time she saw a wounded soldier. The longer she went without seeing Yang Si, the more anxious she became. Just as she was at a loss, a hand reached out and grabbed her wrist. Yan Xiaozhou turned to see Yang Si’s face.
Instantly, Yang Si saw sparks ignite in the young lady’s eyes, like fireflies dancing and flickering above a clear lake.
This sudden bright light caught Yang Si off guard.
Someone bumped into Yan Xiaozhou, snapping him back to awareness, and he averted his gaze, not daring to look at her too long. Her beauty shone so brilliantly, he feared making a fool of himself.
Yang Si pulled Yan Xiaozhou into a tent stacked with grain to talk. As soon as they entered, Yan Xiaozhou reached back to touch his arm, leaning in seriously. Yang Si froze, holding his breath. After examining him up and down, Yan Xiaozhou finally sighed in relief and smiled: “Thank goodness, just a small scrape on your arm. I’ll apply some medicine and it’ll be fine.”
She turned to run out of the tent to fetch medicine.
Yang Si suddenly embraced her waist from behind, pulling her into his arms.
Yan Xiaozhou was startled, stiffening.
Her face instantly turned red, worried someone might see. Their intimacy had never reached this level before, but she couldn’t bear to push him away. Though her heart was overjoyed, she couldn’t speak words of rejection.
She felt ashamed of her boldness, but when he held her, his strong arms around her waist, his mountain-like chest against her back… her face flushed from the neck up, she still didn’t want to push him away.
Yang Si looked down at her; her eyelashes trembled, her body rigid, clearly extremely flustered.
Yang Si said seriously: “Little Sister Xiaozhou, I saw debris piled at your feet and worried you might fall, so I steadied you. Why are you blushing?”
Yan Xiaozhou: “…”
She looked down, seeing that the debris was still three steps away. She slowly pushed at his hands, and he obligingly released her. Yan Xiaozhou turned to look at him, tilting her face up to study his handsome, dust-covered features. She pressed her lips together, smiling slightly.
Yang Si placed his hands on her shoulders, saying hoarsely: “Silly.”
Yan Xiaozhou blinked.
Yang Si: “When this young master teases you, you don’t even dodge?”
Yan Xiaozhou answered indirectly: “My second brother is the Governor of Guangzhou, and also holds the concurrent position of First Deputy Chief Councilor. His rank equals that of a Prime Minister; young and capable, no one looks down on him.
“My second sister-in-law is the current Princess Imperial of Danyang. Half the court officials listen to her, and even His Majesty can be influenced by her.
“The guard who follows me is named Han Shuxing. He was assigned to me by my second brother. Though not from Great Wei, his martial arts are superb, capable of shattering gold and breaking jade.
“In all the world, who would dare provoke my second brother’s sister, who would dare offend my second sister-in-law’s sister-in-law, and who could manage to rough me up or bully me under Han Shuxing’s watch? Is there such a formidable young master in this world?”
Yang Si stared at her.
He crossed his arms, leaning back, with a half-smile: “I dare.”
Yan Xiaozhou’s eyelashes fluttered like willows brushing water as she glanced at him coyly.
Yang Si said casually: “Your second brother is my good brother, my close friend. Your second sister-in-law is my childhood sweetheart, we’ve been extremely close since we were young. Han Shuxing’s martial arts are impressive. I don’t see it. Even if I fought him with one arm, he wouldn’t be my match.”
Yan Xiaozhou’s lips curved slightly, with feigned innocence: “So that’s why I didn’t dare resist Sanlang, isn’t it?”
Yang Si raised his eyebrows.
They gazed at each other.
After a while, both broke into smiles.
Yan Xiaozhou blushed shyly, uncomfortable staying too long with Yang Sanlang in the enclosed tent. Pretending to be too hot, she fanned herself with her hand, turned around, and was about to lift the tent flap to leave. Yang Si pulled her back once again.
This time Yan Xiaozhou was truly annoyed: “What are you doing?”
When Jiangnan women speak, they’re always so soft and tender—where was there any real anger? Even her anger seemed like coquetry, inspiring tenderness and affection in others.
Yang Si took the golden bell from his waist and dangled it before her eyes. Yan Xiaozhou’s attention was drawn to it, and she looked at him in surprise. She stammered: “This is… this is…”
Yang Si: “When I go into battle, I can’t wear bells that let enemies hear my movements. So I removed the small golden ball inside, making it silent.”
With a flick of his finger, he tossed a small golden ball into Yan Xiaozhou’s arms. Yan Xiaozhou opened her hand, looking at the golden ball, and then at the bell he held.
Seeing her dumbfounded expression, Yang Si couldn’t help but feel heartache. He said gently: “I never threw away the bell little sister gave me. I’ve kept it all along… It’s been nearly three years since leaving Chang’an. Back then, I couldn’t bear to throw it away, always thinking to wait a bit longer, to throw it away the day before I married.
“I didn’t want to taint my affection for little sister by holding onto feelings of love for her. So I was determined to throw this bell away. Later… well, this is how it turned out.”
His voice grew hoarse: “Before little sister came to Jiannan, I was here doing hard labor, building high walls. Each day of mindless work left me feeling dead inside. I won’t hide it from little sister—after Brother Lang’s death… I was suffering. All my life, everything had gone smoothly; there was nothing I couldn’t get, nothing Brother Lang wouldn’t give me.
“It was the first time I witnessed someone close to me die like that, and I finally understood that in one’s lifetime, no matter how many concerns one has, in the end, it all ‘comes to nothing.’ Only my little sister’s bell accompanied me, and only the words my father spoke before leaving stayed with me. I didn’t want to let myself be defeated… If I fell, I would fail to live up to my father’s expectations.
“Don’t be a villain, don’t do evil deeds. Though I kept thinking I couldn’t fall, I didn’t know how to live. During those times, all I had left was my little sister’s bell.
“Then after that, little sister came. The first time I saw my little sister in the military camp, without exaggeration, I felt as if an entire spring had arrived. When my little sister stood on the hillside smiling at me, I truly felt alive again. But I still didn’t dare get close to my little sister—I knew I was a criminal, while my little sister was the younger sister of a fourth-rank official. How could I implicate my little sister and her family?
“But now… now… I’ve finally thought of a way!”
As Yan Xiaozhou listened to him speak, her heart ached as if bleeding from knife wounds. She possessed the same strong empathy as her second brother and just hearing Yang Si speak as this left her breathless. As tears welled in her eyes, Yang Si grabbed her wrist.
He said excitedly, his eyes gleaming: “This war between Great Wei and the Southern Barbarians is my opportunity! I may be useless in times of peace, but in times like these, I can be useful. As long as I keep achieving military merits, the court will eventually notice me, and will eventually use me!
“Just now, the General said he would promote me to a minor Lieutenant. Little sister, although because of my crimes, the General can only give me a ninth-rank minor Lieutenant position. But this is just the beginning! I will climb up step by step—as long as I can fight, the central government will use me! I will return to what I was before.”
Yan Xiaozhou looked at him tenderly, watching him shine as she murmured through tears: “Yang Sanlang is amazing.”
He lowered his eyes: “And every time I go into battle, I’ll wear the bell little sister gave me. It’s as if… little sister’s heart accompanies me.”
Yan Xiaozhou tilted her face up to look at him.
Yang Si leaned down, staring at the teardrops on her eyelashes. He gently wiped them away, his expression brightening: “Silly little sister, you don’t know that military achievements are the fastest way to promotion. Your second brother rose through major incidents, but after a great battle, I can rise faster than your second brother.
“When I become a general when the war ends, I’ll ask your brother for your hand in marriage, ask your father for your hand… Little Sister Xiaozhou, are you willing to wait for me, willing to marry me?”
He held her face in his hands, gazing at her intently: “I will never, never fail little sister… I will never take concubines, and never mess around with other ladies. After experiencing such great ups and downs, now I only want the simplest happiness. I only want to marry little sister—are you willing?”
Yan Xiaozhou murmured: “I have already waited for you for so long… I will continue to wait.”
Tears fell from her eyes, but her lips bloomed into a smile. Like a mountain camellia, fresh and moving, incomparably fragrant.
Yan Xiaozhou stood on tiptoe, embracing his neck. She choked back a laugh: “I will wait forever and ever for you to marry me, I will always wait for you to marry me.”
Yang Si wrapped his arms around her waist, holding her against his chest.
But Yang Si had no time to say more to Yan Xiaozhou. As they were sharing this tender moment, they heard horns sounding outside. Yan Xiaozhou was startled, thinking the Southern Barbarians had begun attacking again, but Yang Si listened carefully for a moment before breaking into a smile: “It’s central government officials! Just as the General said, they’ve come to bestow official positions!”
Yan Xiaozhou was happy for him: “Does this mean you can become a ninth-rank Lieutenant? That’s wonderful!”
The two rejoiced over such a minor ninth-rank position. Afterward, Yan Xiaozhou returned to tend to the wounded with a hopeful heart, while Yang Si was summoned to the General’s camp.
When Yang Si arrived at the camp, his eyelid twitched slightly. He saw that the officials from the central government holding horsetail whisks were not ordinary Ministry of War officials, but rather several pale-faced, beardless eunuchs. One of the eunuchs glanced carelessly at Yang Si, recognizing the famous Yang Sanlang from Chang’an.
One of the eunuchs spat: “How did he end up here too?”
The General was a burly middle-aged man who shot Yang Si a piercing glance, directing him to join the ranks of soldiers behind him. Only after Yang Si had fallen in line did the General say: “This victory was largely thanks to Yang Chengzhi’s strategy. I wanted to request Your Grace to grant Chengzhi an official position.”
The eunuch spoke with an odd tone: “That won’t be necessary, will it? Great Wei has plenty of capable warriors—a youth of twenty-some years is just a child on the battlefield, not so important. Appointing a traitor to office… this humble servant fears he might lead hundreds of thousands of troops to surrender to the enemy. That wouldn’t be appropriate.”
Yang Si’s face remained expressionless, acting as if he hadn’t heard the eunuch’s slander. He was truly different from his younger days.
He would no longer act on impulse, and no longer immediately resort to violence when faced with injustice. Because there was no one to cover for him anymore, no one who would protect him unconditionally whether he beat or killed someone.
A killer pays with his life—at this age, Yang Si finally understood what true punishment meant.
The General’s face darkened slightly, but he still suppressed his anger: “Your Grace speaks truly. May I ask why Your Grace has come—what instructions does the central government have? Why have eunuchs come instead of Ministry of War officials…”
The chief eunuch called out loudly: “We come directly representing His Majesty’s will! All of you, kneel to receive the imperial decree!”
The General was startled. Then he became excited, thinking that His Majesty bypassing the Department of State Affairs to issue a direct decree showed His Majesty’s regard for this battle and himself!
In the confusion, all the officers in the large tent knelt, and they heard the Emperor’s message: “His Majesty’s verbal decree: Great Wei will now prepare to negotiate peace with the Southern Barbarians. The war between two countries brings no benefit to the people. The common folk suffer, and it pains Our hearts. During peace negotiations with the Southern Barbarians, Great Wei must not initiate conflict, and must not attack.
“Only retreat! Do not let the Southern Barbarians misunderstand and think we are provoking conflict. So be it.”
The entire tent erupted in an uproar.
All the officers raised their heads in disbelief.
The General nearly exploded in rage but was held back by the military advisor behind him, barely managing to contain himself.
The General’s face was dark with anger: “This is Your Grace’s verbal decree? His Majesty has no written edict? Is this truly His Majesty’s intention?”
The eunuch said: “This humble servant wouldn’t dare falsely transmit an imperial decree. This is His Majesty’s will—from today onward—cease fighting!”
The General roared: “What about all the soldiers if we stop fighting? What about the hundreds of thousands of civilians in the border commanderies?!”
The eunuch rolled his eyes: “Weren’t you told to retreat?”
General: “Once we retreat, the territory goes to the enemy!”
The messenger eunuch grew impatient: “You’ve been losing all along anyway, how is this any different? The Ministry of Revenue has provided hundreds of thousands of taels of silver to support you, yet you’re like a bottomless pit—there’s no return on investment. The court now wants peace negotiations, you shouldn’t interfere.”
The General was furious to the extreme.
He exploded in anger, shouting: “This great battle—we won! War has its victories and defeats, how can we give up because of temporary setbacks? How can I explain such a message to the army behind me, to the border commandery civilians? We can retreat if ordered, but what about our territory, what about the people’s homes? Are we just giving them to the enemy?”
The eunuch smiled coldly: “Such impressive authority, General. If you could win battles from the start, why rage at this humble servant? As stated, this is His Majesty’s verbal decree—take it up with His Majesty if you will.”
The General couldn’t contain his anger, seeing these eunuchs’ ugly behavior made him sick to his stomach. He stepped forward with a raised fist, but his arm was grabbed from behind. The General turned to see Yang Si.
Yang Si said quietly: “General, the struggles at the top might have other implications—what can we do? Better to wait and see.”
The General looked back at the tent full of officers, the atmosphere heavy with despair, and heaved a long sigh, his shoulders slumping—
Yan Shang had always been concerned about the warfare in Jiannan. He still held the position of First Deputy Chief Councilor, so his inquiries about the war weren’t considered meddling.
Initially, he received news from Chang’an but eventually found the transmission of information from Chang’an to Lingnan too slow, so he began corresponding directly with Jiannan. He had many friends in official circles, and some officials serving in Jiannan were old acquaintances of Yan Shang. After a few roundabout connections, Yan Shang established contact with the current General commanding the Jiannan campaign.
Jiannan bordered Lingnan, so the correspondence between the two regions was much faster than the back-and-forth between Chang’an and Lingnan.
It was through Yan Shang’s recommendation that the General had taken notice of Yang Si.
Through his correspondence, Yan Shang learned about many military affairs in Jiannan no slower than those in Chang’an.
When news of the complete ceasefire in Jiannan spread, Yan Shang learned of it through his exchanges with the General.
At dusk, Yan Shang stood under the mansion’s covered walkway, lost in thought as he gazed at the drizzling rain.
Mu Wanyao sat inside, watching him through the window for two hours as he stood there. Unable to bear it anymore, she leaned against the window and scolded him: “If you want to catch a cold, just say so! Why torture yourself like this?”
Yan Shang turned back, looking bewildered at the beauty in the window.
Seeing the red blood vessels in his eyes from staying up late, Mu Wanyao’s heart softened, and she sighed: “Come in, sit with me.”
Yan Shang entered the room, and Mu Wanyao pulled him to sit by the window. Seeing his furrowed brow, she couldn’t help saying: “You’ve already done everything you could, sending letters to Chang’an daily. What else can you do? Don’t try to be omnipotent.”
Yan Shang looked at her, hesitation in his eyes.
Mu Wanyao raised an eyebrow: “Whatever you want to say, just say it. We’ve been married so long, what do you need to hide from me? Do you want to curse the Emperor? I’ll do it for you.”
Yan Shang: “I… want to go to Jiannan.”
Mu Wanyao looked at him with calm eyes.
He turned his face away, not daring to meet her gaze. He said softly: “I’m afraid the officials in Jiannan can’t handle His Majesty. After all, he’s the sovereign—no matter how firm the Department of State Affairs is, they’re still subjects. When a country’s ruler truly wants to do something, the court officials really can’t stop him. I’m afraid if this continues, Jiannan will truly be given away… Jiannan is so important, how can it be given away?
“Moreover, the war has only been going on for two months, far from the time we should admit defeat…”
Mu Wanyao interrupted his explanation: “Then go.”
Yan Shang suddenly looked up, staring at her in surprise.
Mu Wanyao smiled at him: “Second Brother Yan, I married you knowing your ambitions and understanding your character. The issues between us didn’t just emerge after marriage. What kind of person you are, what kind of person I am—we were clear about this before marriage.”
She spoke with a touch of bitterness: “You want to be a great hero, and am I willing to be just a minor character supporting you? I didn’t marry you, Second Brother Yan, wanting to change who you are, make you compromise for me, have me hold you back from doing anything. I married you because I admired you, Second Brother Yan, wanted to be like you.
“You want to go to such a dangerous place as Jiannan, want to put yourself in harm’s way. I support you!”
Mu Wanyao’s eyes were fierce and determined.
Yan Shang looked at her, suddenly leaning forward to embrace her. He said softly: “Will you come with me…”
Mu Wanyao smiled brightly: “I won’t go.”
She smiled at him: “What would I do there? I don’t know martial arts, don’t understand warfare, and I’m a lady with poor health. Should I go there to show off how deeply in love we are as husband and wife, that I must follow you wherever you go? That’s ridiculous.
“I won’t go to Jiannan; I’ll help Second Brother Yan guard Lingnan. Jiannan and Lingnan are neighbors, and the Southern Barbarians’ military strength is formidable—better safe than sorry. If the Southern Barbarians can’t get what they want in Jiannan, they might attack Lingnan. Though the possibility is low, we can’t take chances.
“I must stay in Lingnan, guard this place, can’t let Lingnan become an empty city that the Southern Barbarians could exploit, burdening Second Brother Yan.”
Yan Shang gazed at her, cupping her jade-like face in his hands, saying softly: “Write to me daily, and be careful.”
Mu Wanyao gently kissed his cheek, closing her eyes with a smile: “You too. No matter how busy you are, write to me daily. You know I worry about you—if there’s one day without a letter, I’ll cry from anxiety.”
Yan Shang smiled.
He sighed: “Yao Yao, we husband and wife are once again fighting side by side.”
Listening to the pitter-patter of rain outside the window, their hearts were quite peaceful. People are strange—just thinking about being together with him made one fearless of life and death.
Mu Wanyao coquettishly hugged his waist: “I love fighting side by side with Second Brother.
“Now, let us husband and wife think—how can Second Brother Yan be transferred to Jiannan under the watch of such a foolish and suspicious Emperor.”—
At this time in Chang’an, the matter of the Emperor bypassing the Department of State Affairs and sending eunuchs to Jiannan to deliver verbal messages about peace negotiations finally exploded.
The opposition voices in court were fierce, with Prime Minister Liu and his student Yan Shang in Lingnan being the loudest opponents. Prime Minister Liu had the noble families behind him, while Yan Shang had the support of the common officials. With these two opposing, almost all the noble families and common officials, all the civil and military officials followed in opposition.
At the center of power, Prime Minister Liu and several other ministers were nearly fainting with anger. He suspected the Ministry of War knew about this matter, as the Minister of War… was Chief Eunuch Liu Wenji’s man!
In the Imperial Study, Prime Minister Liu held the memorial from Jiannan, his face distorted with anger. He glared at Liu Wenji beside the Emperor, grinding his teeth: “The war has only been going on for two months, what peace negotiations? Where did these peace talks come from?! Ordering our army to retreat—could it be you want to give away Jiannan?”
The Emperor remained calm: “The Prime Minister misunderstands. How could We do such a thing? We simply cannot bear to see the common people suffer, and would rather endure a temporary humiliation to end the fighting. We only learned of this from the memorial Chief Eunuch Liu brought. These past few months, our country has suffered earthquakes and floods, with no peace. If the war doesn’t end, the common people throughout the realm will suffer.”
Prime Minister Liu: “But we still can’t retreat! When Great Wei goes to war with barbarians, should we retreat every time? If this continues, won’t it make the border countries develop different thoughts, thinking Great Wei can be pushed around?”
The Emperor said flatly: “We know what We’re doing.”
Prime Minister Liu was momentarily speechless.
He looked at the Emperor, as emotionless as a clay statue, then at Liu Wenji. Liu Wenji gave him a dismissive smile, and after trembling all over, Prime Minister Liu suddenly became calm.
After a while, Prime Minister Liu asked with difficulty: “Will Yizhou be given away too?”
Emperor: “Yizhou won’t be given away.”
Prime Minister Liu: “So it’s because you think the other parts of Jiannan are too poor, can’t provide much tax revenue to the court, so you’re giving them away? If that’s the case, why not give away Lingnan too, give away Liaodong too? After all, they’re all… impoverished!
“After all, no matter how important the military position, in Your Majesty’s eyes, it’s all useless! Your Majesty has been influenced by villains, only wanting to enjoy wealth and luxury, reap without sowing. In Your Majesty’s eyes, as long as it doesn’t affect your pleasure, other territories can be given away just like that?”
The Emperor angrily slammed the table and stood up: “Outrageous! Speaking to Us like this, is this how a subject should behave?!
“Whether to fight or make peace is just your personal view. We are the Son of Heaven, We should decide how this country proceeds. We stop the war for the sake of the people in other provinces too, not wanting to burden them. What wrong have We done? If there’s blame, it’s that you couldn’t win victories, couldn’t share Our burdens—then don’t mislead your sovereign in important matters.”
Prime Minister Liu stared at Liu Wenji.
He muttered mockingly: “Mislead in important matters.”
So this kind of sovereign had important matters.
Prime Minister Liu: “Are Your Majesty’s important matters touring the realm, or repairing leaking palace buildings? Or perhaps you’ve run short of beautiful women to enjoy?”
The Emperor trembled with rage.
The Emperor exploded in anger: “Prime Minister Liu, mind your status! We are the Son of Heaven, yet you and your student write memorials daily lecturing Us, teaching Us how to govern—what is the meaning of this? Does the realm belong to Us, or you all? You stand in court every day looking down on Us with a stern face, and your student Yan Suchen sends three letters a day inquiring about Jiannan affairs. What are your intentions?
“Perhaps the throne should be given to you and Yan Suchen to share!
“Guards! Take Prime Minister Liu away, strip him of his office, remove his official robes, and drive him out of Chang’an… out of Chang’an!”
Liu Wenji’s eyelid twitched.
How could they let a nation’s Prime Minister be driven out like this? If Prime Minister Liu were humiliated this way today, tomorrow the entire court would be in chaos. If all civil and military officials were in chaos, could the Emperor contain it? Wouldn’t that just push himself out to become the scapegoat for the Emperor?
Liu Wenji fell to his knees with a thud: “Your Majesty, please forgive him! The Prime Minister spoke without thinking, he didn’t mean to offend Your Majesty…”
The Emperor came to his senses.
He also realized he had been too angry, how could he demote Prime Minister Liu for such a reason? He was an Emperor who was very clear about everything—he knew that if he drove away Prime Minister Liu, he would no longer be able to command the officials.
The Emperor fell into deep thought.
A moment later, another war report came, saying Hexi had been defeated in battle, and the Emperor’s face darkened.
After a while, the Emperor said mockingly: “How about this—since Prime Minister Liu is so eager for war… why not go fight in Hexi! As the nation’s Prime Minister, you should at least be able to serve as a general. Didn’t Prime Minister Liu say We were useless, only knowing how to negotiate peace? Then let Prime Minister Liu experience it personally, teach Us how to fight!”