Jiang Ping couldn’t help but step forward and say: “Your Majesty, is this order perhaps inappropriate?”

“Inappropriate?” he coldly questioned back, his gaze growing colder: “Since I have granted Di Nian such heavy authority, how can I not issue strict orders? Are the garrison troops of these three routes mere child’s play?”

Fang Kai spoke softly from the side: “Perhaps Your Majesty could choose a veteran general to go to the frontier instead…”

This statement seemed to voice the thoughts of several people present, and all raised their heads upon hearing it.

Ying Gua said impassively: “If we judge military talent by battle experience, those in the imperial army who have personally fought in battles over the past twenty-seven years are as rare as phoenix feathers or unicorn horns. The veteran generals in today’s army, weren’t they also young men twenty-seven years ago? Yet the temperament of these veteran generals is vastly different from before.” He looked at Fang Kai, his voice slightly raised: “Thirty years ago, General Fang, you dared not dismount when seeing the Emperor Emeritus. Would you still dare to do so now?” Seeing Fang Kai’s expression change abruptly, he continued: “Thus, these veteran generals now hold prestigious reputations but lack the vigor of youth. If sent to command at the border, they would be overly cautious for fear of tarnishing their names and binding their own hands and feet. Moreover, relying on their past glorious achievements, they wouldn’t fear that I would harshly punish them even if they occasionally slip up. Furthermore,” he swept his gaze over several people from the Military Department, his words sharp: “Do you think I don’t know that factions also exist within the imperial army? If we use entrenched veteran generals to command the northern border, wouldn’t there still be plenty of power struggles within the three routes’ imperial armies? I have no patience to expend energy on this!”

These words were extremely harsh, immediately causing several people’s expressions to change.

When conquering the world back then, the armies of Emperor Emeritus and Prince Ping joined forces and later recruited many captured officers and soldiers from the original Zhongwan and Southern E. Although they were unified as the imperial army after the founding of the dynasty, these various routes of the imperial army inevitably formed factions. Rather than choosing a veteran general with many old subordinates to command the north, it was indeed better to let Di Nian, who had no connections with the border route imperial armies, plan the military affairs of the three routes.

Fang Kai decisively said: “Your Majesty’s words are reasonable. The reorganization of the imperial army was previously handled by Di Nian, but before it was completed, the northern border became turbulent. Currently, the troop situations at various garrisons are unstable. If someone else were sent to the northern border to take over, it would likely be very inconvenient and might delay military opportunities. Moreover, Di Nian handled the previous assignment of pacifying Chao’an beautifully. If pressed with strict orders this time, he might be compelled to fully exert himself.”

“Your Majesty,” Zhou Bi quickly followed up, “should we summon Pei Hua, the Commissioner of the Three Departments, for an immediate audience?”

As soon as someone mentioned matters of provisions and military funds, Ying Gua’s brows suddenly furrowed. He turned to look at Gu Qin and said: “Go tell Pei Hua that with a major battle imminent at the northern border, he is responsible for provisions, armor, and other matters. If there is even the slightest oversight, don’t blame me for not considering old friendships. Tell him not to come before me to argue. Though I know the Three Departments have not had an easy time governing for many years, how can the national treasury be abundant when external affairs are not peaceful!”

Gu Qin’s expression was quite poor. He merely responded with a low acknowledgment, then raised his eyes to look at Zhou Bi.

This military conflict was too abrupt. If it became a major war, the military commanders and soldiers in the north would need to fight diligently day and night, while those at court facing the enormous pressure of logistics and military preparations would need to plan carefully day and night.

Meng Tinghui could understand the expressions of those present. Facing such chaos in the north, whether it was the Imperial Secretariat, the Military Department, or the border route commissioners, no one would have an easy time.

She thought for a moment and then spoke: “Your Majesty if we are to wage war against Northern Jian at the border, the rebellion of the Zhongwan remnant bandits in Jiankang Route will inevitably become known to the court and the world. Why not make this matter public to the world first, and issue a proclamation denouncing the rebels? This way, we can reassure the hearts of the border route people and stop fragmented rumors within the country.”

He turned to glance at her, the anger in his voice lessened, “That is indeed appropriate.”

Others might not have noticed, but she could see the slight change in his gaze. She assumed it was because he saw that she understood how to participate in discussions of important state and military affairs. She lowered her eyebrows and eyes, bowing her head.

With a major battle imminent, there were naturally no delicate thoughts in her heart. She only hoped to contribute to resolving this conflict quickly, so that the people would not have their blood spilled across the plains, the country could return to a state of peace, and he would not have to be so exhausted. Back in Chongzhou, she had never imagined that the Northern Chao’an Route would one day suddenly erupt into war. Thinking of Yan Fuzhi and Shen Zhishu in Qingzhou, and Di Nian still in Fenzhou of Jiankang Route, her heart felt as heavy as if a huge stone were pressing on it. If she felt this way, not to mention those civilians living in various prefectures along the border. Parents, wives, and children – who doesn’t hold them dear? Why suffer the loss of family and life needlessly because of war? She only hoped that this conflict would be shorter, even shorter.

Since Tingzhou was surrounded, Dong Yicheng was dismissed as Pacification Commissioner and Di Nian was appointed as Pacification Commissioner of the Three Northern Routes, the myriad people of the country seemed to have turned their gaze toward the northwestern corner of Northern Chao’an Route. First, Dong Yicheng dispatched twenty thousand troops from the Mount Min main camp westward to lift the siege of Tingzhou, and Northern Jian indeed sent more troops to attack Mount Min from the south. While the Military Department’s document had not yet reached the northern front, Cao Zixiong, the Deputy Magistrate of Qingzhou, ordered Song Zhirui from the Qingzhou garrison to lead troops northward to assist Mount Min but encountered the Jian army north of the mountain. When Di Nian was appointed as Pacification Commissioner of the Three Routes, the court announced to the world the rebellion of bandits in Jiankang Route and the invasion of Northern Jian in Northern Chao’an Route, proclaiming to suppress the rebellion and pacify the disorder, the people of the world began to be shocked.

As the northern military campaign progressed, the border route civilians became even more alarmed. Countless families from Chao’an, Jiankang, and Linhuai Routes moved south to avoid danger, but many were unable to proceed due to the bandits blocking the roads in Jiankang Route. At court, Pei Hua, Commissioner of the Three Departments, coordinated the needs for provisions, weapons, and armor, ordering the Transportation Commissioners of the three northern routes to prepare accordingly. He also conscripted over seventy thousand civilian laborers from the border routes for transporting provisions and building camps, while instructing several eastern and western routes near the border to share the burden of providing provisions for the northern battle.

Although it was warm in the capital, in Qingzhou city there was still a chilly early spring. The atmosphere in the Transportation Commissioner’s office was even more frigid.

“Execute him,” Shen Zhishu said, sitting at his desk without even raising his eyelids.

Several people in the hall shuddered upon hearing this, their gazes turning toward Deputy Magistrate Cao Zixiong, who stood beside the desk.

Cao Zixiong seemed not to notice everyone’s gaze, only staring at the document on the desk, his expression entirely normal.

Finally, someone couldn’t bear it and stepped forward, saying: “Lord Shen…”

Shen Zhishu suddenly raised his eyes, sweeping his gaze over everyone below, interrupting: “Are you all here to plead for that Pang Mu?”

No one below responded.

Shen Zhishu violently pushed the paperweight and shouted: “Execute him without pardon! It’s useless no matter who pleads for him!” He came down from his seat in anger, saying: “Currently, two fronts of battle face Tingzhou and Mount Min in Chao’an Route. The soldiers are fighting valiantly against the enemy at the front, yet Pang Mu, due to his negligence, allowed tens of thousands of Piculs of grain allocated by the court to be consumed by fire. If he is not executed, how can we warn the officials responsible for escorting provisions and weapons in Chao’an!”

Judge Jiang Yun stepped forward and said: “Sir’s words are correct. However, Pang Mu has always been cautious, diligent, and honest in his duties. He was specially transferred to the Chao’an Transportation Commissioner’s office by Lord Meng from the capital. Though he made a mistake while following your orders to escort provisions northward, it doesn’t warrant death as punishment…”

Shen Zhishu laughed coldly: “Doesn’t warrant death as punishment? I know you were all officials from the capital before, most of you transferred to the Chao’an Transportation Commissioner’s office by order of Meng Tinghui. Each of you relies on past merits and isn’t afraid of punishment. But if the northern campaign fails because of your mistakes, if Northern Jian tears a big hole through Tingzhou and Mount Min, even Qingzhou and Qingzhou will be engulfed in the flames of war. By then, there will be no need to wait for the Emperor’s punishment – I’ll lead you all to suicide to atone for our crimes!”

Hearing that he wouldn’t even give face to Meng Tinghui, and listening to his sarcastic words that pierced like arrows, everyone fell silent.

Unexpectedly, Shen Zhishu’s anger was still not appeased. He turned and pointed at Cao Zixiong, saying to everyone: “Previously, when Mount Min was attacked, Deputy Magistrate Cao ordered Song Zhirui to lead troops from Qingzhou’s main camp northward to resist the enemy, saving Mount Min’s main camp in the nick of time and driving Northern Jian’s army beyond our borders. In your eyes, this should be a great achievement, yet when this report reached the capital, the Emperor didn’t give a single word of reward! Northern Jian has violated our Daping borders, insulting our national prestige and the Emperor’s face. Repelling Northern Jian’s army is merely the duty of the subjects. Without being able to invade even an inch of their land, who dares to claim credit from the Emperor? However, if due to one careless move from you or me, our army is defeated, that would be a great crime!”

He suppressed his anger slightly and continued: “Di Nian has been ordered to pacify the three northern routes and plan the northern military affairs. Do you know even a bit about how strictly he commands his subordinates? Even if Pang Mu is not executed by me, when he brings those remaining provisions to Di Nian’s troops, he still won’t be able to save his life! Jiankang and Linhuai Routes haven’t made such mistakes in escorting provisions yet. How can we in Chao’an be so careless? Today, I want you all to understand that as long as I, Shen Zhishu, am at the Chao’an Transportation Commissioner’s office, no one will dare to short Di Nian’s army of even a bit of provisions or weapons!”