The Demon Lords-Chapter 612 - 101 The Expedition_3

"Brother, I presume that when you return from this expedition, Father will hold a grand wedding ceremony for you and my desert-dwelling sister-in-law."

The Eldest Prince remained silent. Yes, Father wouldn't suspect him. Once he was wed to the barbarian princess, all other possibilities would be severed. The people of Yan and the barbarians shared centuries of deep-seated enmity. No one in Yan would accept a prince with a barbarian wife on the throne.

"If you visit today and I go to the palace tonight, Father will be angry if he finds out. He will surely have you caned again."

"Let him cane me. I've already submitted a Memorandum requesting to be sent out as a county magistrate. This is a good opportunity for Father to demote me and send me away."

"You did it intentionally?"

"I've been caned so many times, I know how to present myself for it."

"What's the point?" 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

The Sixth Prince pointed at his own face and asked, "Brother, are you asking me 'what's the point'?"

The Eldest Prince shook his head.

"Considering Father's temperament, I've already prepared to buy a good saber."

"For what?"

"To be a constable."

As he spoke, the Sixth Prince leaned slightly backward, pointed ahead, and said in a mellowed tone, "Hmph! Him, wanting to hold court? In my opinion, he's only fit to be a constable."

A while later, the Eldest Prince entered the palace, personally escorted by Wei Zhonghe into the Imperial Study.

Inside the Imperial Study, the Yan Emperor was dining.

"Wujiang, come, dine with me."

"Father, I already dined at my residence before coming."

"Already eaten?"

"Yes. Your son has a large appetite. If I were to eat with you, Father, I wouldn't get my fill, and neither would you."

The Yan Emperor chuckled, shaking his head helplessly as he put down his chopsticks.

Wei Zhonghe served tea for rinsing and presented a hot towel.

The Yan Emperor pointed at the food on the small table and said, "Leave it. I'll eat after we finish our discussion."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Wujiang, come with me."

The Yan Emperor walked behind the imperial desk and sat down, then gestured towards the Eldest Prince. "Grant him a seat."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Wei Zhonghe brought a chair over and placed it for the Eldest Prince.

"Thank you, Father."

The Eldest Prince sat down.

"The Situ Family has submitted a petition for annexation, and I have approved it."

"Your son congratulates you, Father! Congratulations to Great Yan!"

The lands of the Three Jin, by rights, now belong to Great Yan.

"Regarding this expedition you are leading, I won't say much. You grew up in military camps; your skill in warfare surpasses my own."

"Your son does not deserve such..."

"I say you deserve it, so you do. I named you Wujiang with the hope that when you grew up, you would expand the borders of Great Yan. Now, you are grown, and I am giving you this chance. You must seize it. Do not disappoint me."

"Your son would lay down his life without hesitation!"

"Don't speak of death. You are not one of those civil officials who constantly speak of dying."

"Your son understands."

"Regarding Li Bao, I have already issued an edict. You are to take another army division from the capital's garrison. As for whether it's Li Liangshen or Li Fusheng to lead them, you may choose. Then, tell me, how do you intend to fight this war?"

"Father, your son believes that while the Wild People's uprising appears formidable, they are, after all, not the barbarian tribes. The Situ Family's defeat may seem total, but it was not entirely due to a lack of military strength. The foremost priority is to stabilize the situation. Since the Situ Family has already submitted to us, by sentiment and reason, Great Yan must not exterminate them. We should first help the Situ Family re-establish their footing, then proceed with caution."

"Proceed with caution?"

"Yes, proceed with caution. Use overwhelming power to suppress them, without seeking a swift victory."

"Interesting. Other generals would boast about how quickly they could defeat the enemy. Yet you come to me and speak of proceeding with caution."

"Father, this war will be fought on the Situ Family's lands. Once our army enters the territory of Cheng State, all necessary supplies can be procured locally. Great Yan can afford to fight this war and sustain it."

This was a way to kill two birds with one stone: combat the Wild People while also exhausting the last of the Situ Family's resources.

"Furthermore, the Wild People are cunning, and their king is by no means an ordinary individual. Your son dares not boast how quickly the enemy can be defeated, lest it cause undue anxiety. We should use our superior strength to pressure them, corner them, compel them, and finally, drive them out. As long as our side makes no mistakes, the Wild People have no chance of winning.

So, your son humbly opines that for this expedition, fifty thousand iron cavalry from Li Bao and Li Fusheng's divisions of the Northern Army will suffice. Your son is willing to lead the remaining tens of thousands from the capital's Imperial Guard and the garrison troops from several commanderies, amassing a force of one hundred thousand. With the fifty thousand Northern Army cavalry to anchor the formation, expelling the Wild People should not be difficult.

Most importantly, your son believes that Great Yan cannot solely rely on the Northern Army and the Southern Peace Army for warfare."

"Continue."

"Yes, Father. Your son also believes that if too many troops from the Northern Army are deployed to Cheng State, then should any unforeseen circumstances arise in other regions, our elite forces, being far in the east, might not be able to respond in time. Therefore..."

BAM!

The Yan Emperor threw down a memorial.

"Take a look."

The Eldest Prince bent down and picked it up. It was a register listing the colonels, commanders, and garrison captains, along with their respective troops, from various prefectures and commanderies.

"You and I, father and son, indeed thought alike. Very well, that saves me further words. Remember, when you are at the front lines, how to fight and when to fight are for you to decide. I may not be skilled in other areas, but I do know not to meddle in frontline military affairs. As for any censure from the court or public opinion, you need not pay it any mind."

"Your son thanks Your Majesty for this immense grace!"

The Yan Emperor nodded, then leaned back in his chair and asked, "Did Cheng Jue come to see you today?"

"Yes, Father. Ji Chengjue heard that your son would be leading an expedition and came to bid me farewell."

"Such deep brotherly affection."

The Eldest Prince prostrated himself, his breathing involuntarily quickening.

"Some time ago, Cheng Jue submitted a memorial to me, saying he wished to go to Nan'an County to serve as a county magistrate. He said he wanted to do something for the people of the Yan region."

"Your son has also heard of this. Ji Chengjue has always been very capable in practical matters."

"Hmph. With his abilities, wanting to hold court and govern? In my view, the most he's suited for is a constable."