A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace-Chapter 711: How am I doing?
Let’s not talk about the Harem for the moment.
Soon, the people Zhao Junyao had sent to Guangnan to scout for military intelligence returned. They were all members of his Hidden Guard. Without saying anything else, their intelligence gathering was absolutely impeccable. There’s no need to go into detail about Guangnan’s military situation. They even managed to obtain historical records from the Southern Ocean Kingdom and Lvsong Island. After reviewing all these materials, Zhao Junyao had pretty much grasped the situation. There was no time to lose, so he summoned the Ministry of War that very night to discuss countermeasures and troop deployment plans.
「In the Imperial Study Room.」
All the Military Generals, both great and small, were present. Once they understood the situation, they began to discuss.
"Emperor, as for these barbaric pirates, we should just send troops to exterminate them! Why bother with any strategies?"
The one who said this was a general stationed in Liaobei. From the tone of his voice, he was clearly a man of bravery but no strategy.
As expected, someone retorted, "How do you plan to exterminate them? The enemy isn’t made of straw. Those pirates are extremely cunning! They feint in the east and attack in the west, and after striking, they retreat back into the sea, impossible to find!"
"Exactly!"
The Liaobei general fell silent, and everyone else began discussing anew. The Imperial Study Room was like a conference hall, bustling with noise and chaos. Zhao Junyao grew agitated and restless listening to the disjointed arguments. Finally, he couldn’t bear it any longer and slammed his hand on the table.
"Silence! Everyone, silence for Us!"
In an instant, the arguing generals, red-faced and necks bulging, fell silent. Dozens of pairs of eyes stared wide-eyed at Zhao Junyao. He suddenly felt somewhat uncomfortable. After coughing lightly twice to cover his embarrassment, Zhao Junyao dismissed all the generals who had never experienced naval combat, keeping only about ten generals from the south.
The efficiency of the discussion was obviously much higher this time. Soon, they came up with a plan.
"For this naval battle, since the enemy is mainly after land, dividing our forces equally between the Navy Forces and the army is the best strategy!"
The Navy Forces were to prevent the enemy from escaping and to encircle and blockade them. The army was to force them onto land where they could be dealt with. In short, whether by sea or land, we absolutely cannot let them escape this time! This tactic was quickly approved by everyone, and even Zhao Junyao was very satisfied.
"The forces in the Northwest cannot be moved, neither can Shi Yang’s troops in the Southwest. The best option is to deploy fifty thousand troops from the Capital City!" Proximity is also a factor. If we mobilize troops across thousands of miles from the border, they would be weary and worn by the time they arrive. Would they still be able to fight then?
General Xiao nodded in agreement. "Your servant understands your edict!"
Zhao Junyao continued, "As for the Navy Forces, let’s mobilize them from Jiangnan!" Being familiar with the water is enough; we should avoid fierce naval battles as much as possible. We must try to lure them onto land. The Great Chu Dynasty seldom engages in naval battles, and our Navy Forces are indeed lacking. Even if we have this many men now, there aren’t enough ships!
"We can’t have more than fifty thousand men, and the original warships must be properly repaired!" It’s too late to build more now; everything has happened too suddenly.
"Yes!" General Xiao and Minister Yang responded in unison.
With that, the battle strategy was set.
The assignments for who would lead which troops were also nearly settled. Now everything was ready; they just needed a commander to take charge of the overall situation. General Xiao and Minister Yang looked at each other, both uncertain.
Zhao Junyao smiled calmly, confident in his plan. "What do you think... how about me?"
"Ah?" General Xiao’s face showed shock. Yang He also seemed to hardly believe his own ears.
"Emperor, you... you intend to lead the campaign personally?"
Zhao Junyao rose and walked slowly to the wall, where he picked up the Treasured Sword his father had left him. The sword was slowly unsheathed, its blade gleaming with a ghostly chill under the moonlight, sharp beyond comparison.
"Indeed!" Zhao Junyao said calmly. "This Treasured Sword has not been drawn for so many years; it’s almost rusty! I very much want to meet these fellows in person!" Those bold enough to cross the ocean and stir up trouble must not be cowards. He had never experienced a sea battle before, and the very thought excited him.
"Your Majesty, you must think this over!"
"Yes, Your Majesty! You cannot go!"
General Xiao and Minister Yang knelt immediately, pleading earnestly. But Zhao Junyao would not listen, dismissing them with a wave of his hand. "My mind is made up. You need not say more!"
Having said that, Zhao Junyao returned the Treasured Sword to its place and strode away, his hands clasped behind his back. General Xiao and the others, powerless to persuade him, also had no choice but to leave.
「The next morning, during the imperial court session」
Zhao Junyao began to make arrangements for state affairs. The Civil and Military Officials below disagreed, kneeling and wailing like ghosts and howling like wolves. The censors wept bitterly, some even threatening death to oppose him. But Zhao Junyao no longer fell for their tactics.
He smiled faintly and said, "My dear officials, there’s no need for such drama!
"I’ve been Emperor for so many years; I cannot always be a mere armchair strategist.
"I must go out and see more of the world!"
The Ministers below wanted to say more, but it was too late. The Emperor had already left.
"Court is adjourned!" Li Shengan called out and followed behind the Emperor.
The old Ministers in the great hall lingered for a long time, pacing anxiously as if the sky had fallen.
Eventually, someone said, "The Emperor is not a child anymore. He surely understands the stakes. We should follow the Emperor’s arrangements!" After saying that, the person left first. Once someone took the lead, the second and third followed. In the end, seeing no way to change the course of events, the Ministers left one after another.
「In the Imperial Study Room」
Zhao Junyao heard the report and breathed a sigh of relief, rejoicing, "These stubborn old fellows have finally seen reason for once!"
Li Shengan nodded silently beside him, not daring to say much.
And so, the decision was made.
「That evening, Zhao Junyao visited Xia Ruqing.」
When Zhao Junyao arrived, Qingya Residence was very quiet. Xia Ruqing was helping Little Bun with his writing.
Little Bun was very smart. Having begun his studies half a year ago, he had already mastered the common characters and could write them all. At the moment, he was practicing his large characters. His expression solemn, Little Bun gripped the brush firmly and wrote each stroke with care on the paper. The characters he wrote were not necessarily beautiful, but the strokes were meticulous.
Xia Ruqing was thrilled by what she saw. She could hardly believe such a talented child was born of her. After all, she might still have been wetting the bed when she was his age!
Then it dawned on her. Children born into the Royal Family might seem talented, but it’s all the result of diligent study and practice. Zhao Junyao, destined to be The King from birth, had to work even harder. He had to study tirelessly, day and night, learning everything. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮
With this thought in mind, Xia Ruqing began to sympathize with Zhao Junyao. She also felt a growing compassion for Little Bun. If this continues, the child will have no childhood at all!
"The Emperor has arrived!" A loud shout shattered the tranquility of the room.
Xia Ruqing quickly stood, and Little Bun also put down his brush. After a round of formal greetings, they sat down again.
Zhao Junyao looked at Little Bun’s characters and frowned. "This is far inferior to how I wrote at your age. You must practice more!"
"Your Majesty, he’s only a little over two years old. This is already quite good!" Xia Ruqing looked at it from every angle; to her, it looked perfect!
Little Bun, adhering to his teacher’s instructions, humbly accepted the critique. "Your son thanks you for your guidance, Father!"
