EBE Chapter 99: War or Peace?
Chapter 99: War or Peace?
The other ministers also fell silent after reading it. Eight hundred thousand men—the Great Liang was determined to win this battle.
"Old Duke, I would like to ask your thoughts?" Emperor Cheng's voice was calm, but his expression was already very solemn. He realized that this was the biggest crisis he had faced in more than ten years since he ascended the throne.
"Your Majesty, I beg you to reinforce the front lines. This old minister is willing to lead troops there." Xiao Zhan disregarded Shen Zizai's support and stood up on his own, his attitude resolute and heroic.
"Old Duke, please sit down. I know you're anxious, but even if it's urgent, it can't be you." Emperor Cheng quickly reassured him, "Reinforcements are definitely necessary. As for the generals, who do you think is suitable?"
The imperial court has relied on the Xiao family for many years, and the Lin family has only recently taken over the command. There are not many suitable candidates left.
"I beg Your Majesty to make the decision; I am old." Xiao Zhan could only sigh.
Even twenty years ago, when he was in his fifties, he would not have admitted to being old, but how could he possibly go to the battlefield now?
"Your Majesty, I suggest we negotiate peace," Zhou Zhen stepped forward and said.
The old duke's eyes immediately widened, as if he had heard something utterly unbelievable.
Why does the Grand Secretary say that?
"The Great Liang is coming with great force this time. Even if our dynasty is not at a disadvantage for the time being, this will be a protracted war. If it starts, we don't know how much manpower and resources will be consumed, which will be detrimental to our dynasty."
"Moreover, our dynasty is fighting on two fronts, with the Rong and Di tribes in the west always eyeing us covetously. If the Rong and Di tribes take the opportunity to invade, our dynasty will be in grave danger." Zhou Zhen said, "If we can negotiate peace, it will save us countless troubles."
The Crown Prince echoed, "Father, the Grand Secretary's words make sense. I also believe that if we can make peace, we should not fight this war."
The old Duke originally wanted to curse, but when he heard the Crown Prince say the same thing, he couldn't bring himself to do it. He then gave Shen Zizai a wink.
"Minister Shen, what do you think?" Emperor Cheng asked.
He wavered when he heard the proposal. Fighting would inevitably be costly, and even if he lost, he would still have to negotiate. If he could negotiate from the beginning, why not?
"I believe that the fact that the Great Liang sent 800,000 troops to attack our dynasty is not for petty favors. Peace talks can naturally resolve the conflict temporarily, but may I ask what price the Grand Secretary is willing to pay?" Shen Zizai asked rhetorically.
Emperor Cheng was deep in thought.
The old Duke was finally somewhat satisfied with Shen Zi as his son-in-law. For so many years, he had never known what his daughter saw in him. He was not only a bookish, weak-willed man, but also seemed not very intelligent.
"Does Brother Shen think we can win just by fighting? What if the Rong and Di tribes invade?" Zhou Zhen insisted on his opinion.
"We must fight, even if we can't win. If we cede territory and pay reparations without even fighting, the Great Liang will only become stronger in the future. How will the Grand Secretary deal with it when the enemy besieges us again?" Prince Yi stepped forward and said forcefully, "Will you hand over the Imperial Seal?"
“Your Highness’s youthful spirit is commendable, but has Your Highness considered the consequences of defeat? I’m afraid there won’t even be a chance to negotiate peace.” Zhou Zhen was a natural at arguing, so he was naturally not afraid of the Prince of Yi’s attacks.
Emperor Cheng merely frowned slightly and looked at Minister Xia: "Minister Xia, your Ministry of War has mobilized troops from across the land. Do you have any plans now?"
"I believe we should first mobilize troops and supplies to support them. If we can win, that would be good. If we can't win, it will let the Great Liang know that we are not easy to bully." Minister Xia cupped his hands and said, "It is not too late to negotiate peace then."
The old Duke felt like jumping up and hitting people when he heard this. These people kept talking about peace negotiations. Are they pigs?
Emperor Cheng was also at a loss because of their arguing. When he saw that Gu Chang'an, who was standing at the back with the lowest rank, had not spoken, he felt that Gu Chang'an might have a plan, so he asked, "Minister Gu, in your opinion, if we continue to fight, will the food supply be sufficient?"
"Three years should be no problem. I'll find a way." Gu Chang'an's voice was calm and firm.
Emperor Cheng calmed himself down and asked again, "Do you mean we'll be at war for three to five years?"
"I believe that we should negotiate peace."
Old Duke Xiao Zhan felt his vision go black. His daughter and granddaughter were such good ones. One had been practicing martial arts since childhood and was unmatched in the army. The other was born with superhuman strength and would be invincible on the battlefield. In the end, he found two scholars who couldn't even kill a chicken.
He was so angry no matter what he looked at.
"Why?" Emperor Cheng asked. He knew that Gu Chang'an was full of clever ideas and was different from many pedantic scholars, so he wanted to hear the reason.
"The envoy can test the other side's strength, and also buy some time," Gu Chang'an said, raising his head. "It takes time for supplies and reinforcements to reach the front lines."
"As for the Rongdi, we can send them some jewelry and money to keep them occupied for a while. If we can't reach an agreement, we might still have a chance if we fight on our own."
Emperor Cheng was tempted.
The Crown Prince was relieved. Gu Chang'an was indeed helping him. He felt that Daliang might not necessarily want to fight, and as long as the conditions were right, peace could be reached.
King Yi frowned. If a peace was reached, his credit for overseeing the production of firearms would be lost.
Even Xiao Zhan thought it was pretty good this time. It has to be said that although his grandson-in-law is a scholar, he is still smarter than his son-in-law.
"As you suggest, I will immediately send an envoy with my letter to the Liang and Rongdi, and order the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue to begin mobilizing troops and transporting provisions. I will know how many troops and provisions are available by tomorrow." Emperor Cheng made the decision on the spot.
Emperor Cheng made a decision immediately, preparing for both options without delaying either one.
"The ministers obey the order."
Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.
The carriages of the Xiao family, the Shen family, and the Gu family were waiting outside the palace. Shen Li, Shen Yue, and their mother were sitting in the same carriage.
"Mother, don't worry, my cousin will be alright," Shen Li reassured her.
Xiao Bailing sighed and said, "In the past few generations of the Xiao family, only your cousin has fought for the country. He was your maternal grandfather's life. I only regret that I am a girl and cannot go to the battlefield."
"It'll be alright." Shen Li wiped away her mother's tears, feeling a pang of sadness herself.
The battlefield was too cruel, and they were far away in Kyoto, so they were often powerless to do anything about it.
"Mother, when I grow up, I will definitely fight for my country." Shen Yue said from the side, "I believe that what that man can do, we can do too."
"Silly child..." Xiao Bailing's eyes were filled with nothing but a bitter smile.
It's not that easy.
The three waited in the carriage for almost half an hour before the palace gates opened, and Gu Chang'an and Shen Zizai helped the old Duke out.
Shen Li jumped off the carriage and looked over, only to see Gu Chang'an's reassuring gaze.
She breathed a sigh of relief; at least there were no casualties.
Lin Wan'er single-handedly turned the tide of the battle; she was truly born for the battlefield. She must have been incredibly frustrated in her previous life in the inner quarters.
Xiao Bailing took Shen Yue to escort Xiao Zhan back, Shen Zizai returned to his residence on his own, and Shen Li picked up Gu Chang'an.
"How is it?" Shen Li asked as soon as she got into the car.
“The Liang army has far more troops than we anticipated. According to the Ministry of War, even if we are defending the city, we will need another 200,000 reinforcements.” Gu Chang’an looked worried: “Ah Li, this battle will not be easy.”