The opposing ministers felt that Prince Hancheng’s renewed memorial requesting troops was taking advantage of Bai Qingyan’s upright nature of trusting those she employed without suspicion, preparing for his self-coronation as king.

Using this as an excuse, most ministers who had previously been dissatisfied with Bai Qingyan granting Prince Hancheng military authority stood up one by one, condemning Prince Hancheng’s sinister intentions and declaring his treacherous heart deserving of death. Because the atmosphere in Great Zhou’s court had been too harmonious before, and the ministers were all angry about Prince Hancheng’s sudden request for troops, they spoke whatever came to mind, and criticism of Prince Hancheng never ceased.

“He just arrived at the coast and immediately sent a memorial back requesting troops. Is this asking for troops? This is already grasping the naval forces in his hands to threaten Your Majesty!” One minister spoke indignantly. “This humble minister dare not say Your Majesty was wrong to initially grant naval authority to Prince Hancheng, but this Prince Hancheng is constantly surrounded by former Great Liang generals. Even if he was initially loyal to Your Majesty, over time… he will inevitably develop other thoughts. So these troops absolutely cannot be given! Not only can they not be given, but Prince Hancheng must be recalled! If he doesn’t return… that’s defying imperial orders! That means he already harbors treacherous thoughts!”

“Enough!” Bai Qingyan spoke with a smile.

As soon as she spoke, all the court ministers quieted down and looked toward Bai Qingyan.

“I have heard everything you beloved ministers have said. Like this… let’s resolve things one matter at a time!” Bai Qingyan supported herself on the table in front of her with both hands. “First, let’s discuss who is suitable to be sent to Dongyi?”

Upon hearing this, Liu Rushi naturally stepped forward without hesitation, standing up and bowing deeply to Bai Qingyan: “Your Majesty, this humble minister brazenly requests this assignment from Your Majesty!”

“Minister Liu is our Great Zhou’s silver tongue. Minister Liu’s going would indeed be appropriate!”

“Yes, and Minister Liu has previously confronted both Tianfeng and Yan nations directly. Minister Liu’s going couldn’t be more suitable.”

For diplomatic affairs, Liu Rushi was indeed the perfect choice.

“Good… then I’ll trouble Minister Liu!” Bai Qingyan said to Liu Rushi with a smile.

Liu Rushi’s eyes and brows carried a smile: “This humble minister also wishes to request two people from Your Majesty…”

Bai Qingyan nodded: “I wonder who Minister Liu has his eye on?”

“Lu Fenglang and Fan Yugan!” After Liu Rushi finished speaking, he looked up at Bai Qingyan sitting in the high position with an unreadable expression, guessing that Bai Qingyan probably knew in her heart that he would voluntarily request to go this time. These two people… were the ones Liu Rushi wanted to cultivate, so naturally, he wanted to bring them along to gain experience.

“I heard some time ago that Minister Liu found a clerk from merchants who is proficient in the Dongyi language. Have you been diligently studying Dongyi?” Bai Qingyan asked Liu Rushi with a smile.

“Nothing can be hidden from Your Majesty!” Liu Rushi smiled.

“Then, this trip will trouble Minister Liu…” After Bai Qingyan finished speaking with a smile, she continued, “Next, let’s discuss Prince Hancheng’s request for troops.”

“Your Majesty…” Bai Qingqi stepped forward, bowed to Bai Qingyan, and, according to the talking points they had discussed yesterday, said: “Regarding Prince Hancheng’s request for troops, this subject believes we can send troops there! After all, it concerns the life and death of coastal people. After sending troops, if Prince Hancheng wants to rebel, then we’ll destroy him. If Prince Hancheng is for the people, then we’ll follow Prince Hancheng’s commands!”

As soon as Bai Qingqi said this, the ministers standing in the great hall began whispering among themselves.

“This is indeed possible, but… who should be sent?” Bai Qingyan asked again.

Before Bai Qingqi could speak, Dong Qingping turned to look at Bai Qingyan and said: “Your Majesty… why not let General Cheng and the others atone for their crimes through merit?”

Yesterday’s discussion hadn’t included Dong Qingping, so his sudden proposal to let Cheng Yuanzhi and the others atone for their crimes through merit had its reasons.

First… among the twelve generals who caused trouble that day, most were Bai Family Army generals, especially Cheng Yuanzhi and Shen Liangyu, who were among the few generals who survived the Nan Jiang battle. Their importance in Bai Qingyan’s and Dong Qingping’s hearts was different, and Dong Qingping also wanted to help them.

Second, Cheng Yuanzhi’s loyalty to Bai Qingyan was unquestionable. If Prince Hancheng wanted to rebel at the coast, Cheng Yuanzhi would be the first to disagree and would certainly beat Prince Hancheng so badly he wouldn’t even have a place to set foot on the coast.

Third, Cheng Yuanzhi and the others were originally punished for opposing Bai Qingyan granting military authority to Prince Hancheng. Going to the former Great Liang territory this time, they certainly wouldn’t be cautious toward Prince Hancheng because Bai Qingyan trusted him, not with Cheng Yuanzhi’s personality.

Moreover, Dong Qingping privately didn’t want the Bai family children to risk danger anymore. They had finally returned and should spend more time with their mother at the Bai mansion at this time. Let others handle the work!

Especially A’Yu, who had suffered too much!

So when Bai Qingyan just asked who to send, Dong Qingping immediately responded. He was afraid Bai Qingyu would want to help his elder sister solve problems and directly stand up, saying he would go.

Dong Qingping understood his niece and nephews too well – they were all very considerate of their family members.

Bai Qingqi lowered his eyes to suppress the smile at the corner of his mouth. When he looked up again and saw his elder sister smiling at him, he nodded slightly to his elder sister, signaling her to look at their uncle Dong Qingping.

Bai Qingyan pretended to deliberate slightly, then heard Bai Qingyu say: “This subject supports Minister Dong’s method. This subject seconds the motion.”

“This subject also supports Minister Dong’s method!” Bai Qingjue also said. “This subject seconds the motion!”

“This subject also supports Minister Dong’s method! This subject seconds the motion!” Bai Jinzhi also quickly expressed her position. How could she disagree? This method was her idea too, but how did Uncle Dong think the same as her? Did this mean she also had the potential to be a Minister?

“This old minister also thinks Minister Dong speaks reasonably!” Grand Commandant Lu also nodded to Bai Qingyan. “This minister seconds the motion!”

The ministers below saw that the princes… the Grand Commandant and Minister all agreed. What objections could they have? They all voiced their agreement.

After morning court ended, imperial edicts were separately sent to the homes of the twelve generals who had caused trouble at Wude Gate, ordering these twelve generals to atone for their crimes through merit and depart for the coast tomorrow morning.

When Lu Yuanpeng received the imperial edict, he was so happy he almost jumped off his bed, shouting: “I knew Sister Bai wouldn’t bear to punish me for too long!”

Lu Yuanqing, who had already left court and changed into casual clothes, sat to one side with his legs crossed, peeling a lychee and putting it in his mouth, wiping his hands with a handkerchief: “Your Majesty indeed didn’t punish you for long, but your buttocks… are you sure you can ride a horse to war?”

“Hey! If I can’t ride a horse, I can lie on a horse cart! It’s not just me who got beaten with rods! General Cheng, General Shen, General Liu… and Sima Ping all got beaten with rods too!” Lu Yuanpeng was so happy he didn’t know how to describe it, lying on his bed, directing his attendant to pack his things. “Never mind other things, bring me more of that wound medicine! I often get beaten with military rods in the army!”