Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 704: Disturbed Fetal Qi (Part 1)

The Emperor’s word is as good as his bond.

Jiang Shaohua publicly promised that there would be only one main general, and that would be the Left General. As for Song Yuan, he was to act on behalf of the Emperor to execute the rebellion leader Zheng Chen and Zhao Wu.

The Left General, who was initially bristling with thorns, immediately restrained his sharp edges and bowed: "This humble servant obeys the command."

Jiang Shaohua turned to Minister Ji: "Before the army moves, provisions must be ready. The Ministry of Revenue should immediately arrange three months of provisions for the Heroic Guard Camp."

Even when the National Treasury is empty, the rebels must be eliminated. Not to mention, recently, large sums of money have frequently been confiscated into the National Treasury. It can be said that the Da Liang National Treasury is in the most abundant state it has been in decades.

Without a word, Minister Ji bowed and replied: "Please, Your Majesty, grant me five days."

Within five days, they must calculate the military expenses needed by all the soldiers of the Heroic Guard Camp for three months and muster enough provisions. The manpower, resources, funds, and sheer workload needed are unimaginable to ordinary people.

It can be said that for the next five days, everyone in the Ministry of Revenue will have to eat and sleep in the government office, and none should think of going home.

Jiang Shaohua’s face was somber and cold as she said, "Fine, five days it is. Minister Ji, the Ministry of Revenue has had continuous incidents; I have dealt with Doctor Wan and transferred Extraordinary Minister Jiang. This time, you need to calculate and allocate large military funds, and prepare large quantities of provisions. Let me make it clear first. If anyone dares to reach out secretly, I will not wait for the Ministry of Justice to investigate and scrutinize but will directly exterminate his entire clan!"

Minister Ji, full of shame, replied resolutely: "I will devote myself wholeheartedly to this task. If there is any further mistake, I will resign and vacate the position of Minister of Revenue for a capable minister."

Jiang Shaohua said indifferently: "Everything should be done properly. I have noted Minister Ji’s words."

She also said to Vice Minister Ding: "The Ministry of War needs to prepare warhorses, weapons, armor, and siege equipment. Is five days enough?"

Vice Minister Ding immediately replied: "As soon as I return to the Ministry of War, I will start preparing at once. Please, rest assured, Your Majesty, I will personally oversee this task throughout, and there will be no mistakes."

Jiang Shaohua glanced at Vice Minister Wang.

Vice Minister Wang, who had been much more behaved recently, could not withstand the Empress’s authoritative gaze and responded with a bow: "I will fully assist Vice Minister Ding."

Jiang Shaohua said indifferently: "Nation comes first, with war taking precedence. If anyone starts infighting or seizes the opportunity to vie for power and delays important matters, blame me not for my ruthless actions!"

These words were ice-cold and resounding.

The Empress had once personally led troops into the court, executed the rebel Jiang Yi, and had killed Gao Shan and Wei Xiong. Before the ruthless actions, there were the words "unparalleled martial prowess." Now, she also possessed the power of the Emperor. As ministers, they neither had the courage to resist nor the strength to do so.

Vice Minister Wang lowered his head.

Jiang Shaohua’s gaze swept over the varied expressions of the ministers’ faces: "Everything that needed to be said has been said. Everyone, disperse now. The Ministry of Revenue and Ministry of War will work hard for a few days, and the Left General, too, must work hard. Go immediately to the military camp to assemble troops and prepare for deployment."

The ministers bowed out and quickly dispersed.

Jiang Shaohua exhaled forcefully, her right hand resting on her restless belly.

Chief Historian Chen’s expression changed, and he urgently whispered: "Has Your Majesty had movement in the womb?"

Chen Jinyu had already rushed to the Dragon Throne, supporting Jiang Shaohua. Wang Jin, being an outside minister, should not approach too closely, standing three feet away with a look of concern and anxiety.

Jiang Shaohua first closed her eyes, took a deep breath in, and then exhaled slowly: "Today, my emotions fluctuated severely, and the child in my belly was also restless. I need to rest, to take it easy."

As soon as she finished speaking, a messenger from Jingyang Palace arrived.

"To report to Your Majesty, the Grand Empress Dowager has sent someone to invite Your Majesty to Jingyang Palace."

The usually subdued and patient Chief Historian Chen coldly responded quickly: "Go to Jingyang Palace and say that the Emperor is unwell and needs rest. If there is anything important, wait until tomorrow."

What urgent matter could the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng possibly have?

It was no more than the shocking news of Zheng Chen appearing in the Yu State Army, distressing her heart, and worrying about the Zheng Family’s safety. Asking Jiang Shaohua to go to Jingyang Palace was merely an attempt to force Jiang Shaohua to assure the safety of the Zheng clan.

Utterly selfish.

Not considering at all that Jiang Shaohua, eight months pregnant, rises early and retires late every day to handle state affairs without a moment’s respite. Now, her trusted aide has been killed by the Yu State rebels; if she does not suppress and eliminate the rebels with an iron hand, other armies will follow suit, leading to endless troubles.

The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng never considered these, or arguably ignored them, focusing only on the Zheng Family. Isn’t it utterly selfish, narrow-minded, and confused?

Jiang Shaohua opened her eyes and said in a low voice: "I want to return to the bedroom to rest. All outside matters will be handled by Chief Historian Chen."

With Jiang Shaohua’s resilience and pride, such a posture of weakness in front of people could only have one reason: she truly couldn’t hold on any longer.

Chief Historian Chen’s nose tingled, and he responded solemnly.

Wang Jin also felt deeply distressed, whispering: "Your Majesty, just rest assured, I will also stay here to assist Chief Historian Chen in managing state affairs."

Wang Jin’s official position is not high, but his status is very important. Now, he is the spokesperson for Prime Minister Wang in the court. Many governmental decisions are the wisdom of Prime Minister Wang and his aides. Prime Minister Wang’s willingness to step aside is to elevate his son to a high position.

These matters, Jiang Shaohua understood in her heart and had always tacitly approved.

She nodded.

Chen Jinyu’s eyes reddened, and she carefully helped Jiang Shaohua up. Song Yuan, disregarding gender, supported the other arm of the Emperor.

This was truly the "left and right arms," the Emperor’s trusted aides.

With the support of the two, Jiang Shaohua rose from the Dragon Throne and walked slowly back to the bedroom, lying down on the bed. Doctor Sun and his daughter Sun Zelan were summoned urgently.

Doctor Sun glanced at Jiang Shaohua’s slightly pale complexion, his heart sank, he gauged her pulse, and after softly asking Chen Jinyu about the specifics, he immediately prescribed a medication.

Sun Zelan lost her usual playful demeanor and silently checked the Emperor’s pulse.

In front of her true confidants, Jiang Shaohua had no need to hide, her brows furrowed, enduring the faint pain in her belly: "Is it fetal movement?"

"Yes," Sun Zelan frowned: "Rest quietly in bed for a few days. Otherwise, there might be a premature birth."

For a pregnant woman, premature birth is almost synonymous with difficult labor.

The number of women dying from premature and difficult births each year in the Da Liang Dynasty is vast and difficult to count. No matter how good your health usually is, delivery remains a life-and-death ordeal.

Doctor Sun glared at his outspoken daughter, then gently said to Jiang Shaohua: "Your Majesty’s health has always been strong, and this pregnancy is going well. It is only due to intense emotional fluctuations causing fetal movement. I have prescribed a calming medication. If Your Majesty takes it for a few days and rests well, all will be fine."

Jiang Shaohua did not pretend to be strong, nodded to show that she understood, and softly said: "Send a message to the Imperial Manor to call Cui Du back."

Song Yuan immediately sent someone to deliver the message.

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