The Prince Wants to Assassinate Me Every Day-Chapter 983 - 567: Expel the Invaders and Pacify the Interior (Second Update)
The court was in an uproar.
Xiao Jinxing’s expression was also grave.
He said coldly, "Minister Gu, what do you think?"
As soon as Xiao Jinxing spoke, the others went silent.
The court was quiet for a moment.
All eyes turned to Gu Xingchuan.
Gu Xingchuan took a step forward and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, I believe both ministers make valid points. However, I lean towards Minister Wang’s opinion. After all, Your Majesty is the ruler of a nation, and it is inadvisable to hastily deploy troops. I think the Bai Family Army suffered only a temporary setback, not a complete defeat, not to the point of being utterly routed. Moreover, now that Your Majesty has sent General Xie Ruotong to the border, I believe that with General Xie’s support, the Bai Family Army’s morale will rise. I suggest we observe for a while longer, see the outcome of the next battle, and then decide whether Your Majesty needs to personally lead the troops."
"I agree," Wang Wen quickly chimed in.
Seeing that Gu Xingchuan was standing with Wang Wen, Liu He dared not speak further.
"In that case, I shall do as the Prime Minister says and observe the situation before deciding whether I need to lead the troops myself!" Xiao Jinxing made his decision.
"Your Majesty is wise!" All the ministers echoed in unison.
"If anyone has matters to present, speak now; otherwise, court is dismissed!"
Everyone was silent as a crow in the court.
"Court dismissed!" Xiao Jinxing commanded.
"Long live the Emperor, long live, long live!"
Xiao Jinxing strode away, returning to Qiankun Hall.
Song Yanqing and An Ning were already waiting in the hall.
Gu Xingchuan and Wu Xufan arrived shortly after.
Everyone was present.
Xiao Jinxing spoke directly, "I have sent General Xie to the border, partly to counter the invading enemy, and partly to secretly investigate the Bai Family’s evidence of collusion with the enemy."
"Your Majesty suspects that the Bai Family Army is behind this invasion by the Tatars?!" Wu Xufan asked.
"Creating chaos to split my attention is indeed advantageous for the Bai Family," Xiao Jinxing affirmed confidently.
Last time Xiao Jinsen used this tactic, it almost succeeded.
This time, the Bai Family learned from Xiao Jinsen’s defeat and used this tactic again as a matter of course.
"The Bai Family is nothing short of audacious!" Wu Xufan fumed, "Daring to go this far?! Wasn’t Xiao Jinsen their lesson in the past? Where do they find the nerve to act at such lengths?!"
"The Bai Family holds military power!" Gu Xingchuan said outright, "That is a greater advantage for the Bai Family over Xiao Jinsen, making their collusion more likely to succeed."
"The Bai Family should have been dealt with, and the military power taken back long ago!" Wu Xufan said harshly.
"And it is Your Majesty’s indulgence back then!" Gu Xingchuan spoke bluntly.
Wu Xufan glanced at Gu Xingchuan.
With such a formidable enemy at hand, isn’t this internal strife problematic?!
Gu Xingchuan didn’t spare Xiao Jinxing any face, saying, "Your Majesty letting Bai Mowan go is also the same."
Xiao Jinxing’s face noticeably darkened.
"Your Majesty knew well that Bai Mowan left the palace to conspire with Bai Moyi, to challenge your authority, yet Your Majesty allowed her to leave out of affection! If Your Majesty weren’t so hesitant, the Bai Family wouldn’t have forced you into such a situation now! The root cause stems from Your Majesty’s actions, leading the entire Daxuan Kingdom into calamity. With such emotional decision-making, how can Your Majesty pacify the realm?"
"Gu Xingchuan!" Wu Xufan couldn’t take it anymore.
Even in such a situation, Gu Xingchuan still criticized Xiao Jinxing.
After all, Xiao Jinxing is the Emperor.
Doesn’t he care about face?!
"Your Majesty has his own difficulties, with years of emotion entwined with Bai Mowan, how could it be so easy to kill her! Bai Mowan’s request to voluntarily leave the palace, no longer entangling Your Majesty, already counts as her sensibility. You cannot force Your Majesty to be ruthless; he has a heart and flesh!" Wu Xufan defended Xiao Jinxing.
Indeed, those of his household, he can scold them but won’t let others speak a word against them.
Exactly.
Irrevocably protective of kin.
"Since you can’t let go of Bai Mowan, since you still have feelings for her, why then force An Ning so? If Your Majesty truly were with Bai Mowan, the Bai Family wouldn’t have had thoughts of rebellion. An Ning wouldn’t have to be coerced by Your Majesty, nor become a thorn in the Bai Family’s side. Your Majesty, is this not selfish?! One’s own desires have set the entire court and nation in instability! Don’t you feel guilty?!" Gu Xingchuan was relentless, unyieldingly persistent.
Wu Xufan wanted to rebut once more.
An Ning spoke directly, "Whether or not Bai Mowan was released, war was inevitable, not blaming Your Majesty for letting Bai Mowan go."
Gu Xingchuan looked at An Ning.
Even now, with herself dragged into such a predicament by Xiao Jinxing, she’s still speaking for him?!
Everyone was looking at An Ning at this moment.
Including Xiao Jinxing.
He thought An Ning, like Gu Xingchuan, couldn’t possibly understand his actions now. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞
Letting Bai Mowan go was indeed for personal reasons.
Nothing else.
An Ning said to Gu Xingchuan, "Bai Mowan, such a smart and bold woman, must have already disclosed everything to Bai Moyi. Even if Her Majesty used Bai Mowan as a bargaining chip, the Bai family would not compromise for her. I won’t explain why I’m so sure, but suffice it to say, I am! So whether Bai Mowan stays in the Imperial Palace or not only adds or removes one life, not avoiding the current chaos."
"Exactly." Wu Xufan eagerly added, "His Majesty has considered no less than we have. It would be best if Lord Gu remains calm, not letting emotions rule, which would hurt reputation and pride."
Gu Xingchuan fell silent.
Because of An Ning’s words, he said no more.
An Ning also did not wish to publicly contradict Gu Xingchuan.
Back then Xiao Jinxing led the Bai Family Army without retracting some of its military power, which was indeed a misstep of his. It goes without saying; he should bear the accusations of his ministers. However, regarding Bai Mowan, there’s no need for excessive blame; it doesn’t largely impact the final outcome.
"What are Your Majesty’s plans now?" Song Yanqing promptly asked, playing the mediator.
Yesterday, he watched as Xie Ruotong set out for the border, feeling reluctant.
He also wished for an early end to the war, awaiting Xie Ruotong’s triumphant return.
"As expected, the Bai Family Army will suffer repeated defeats," Xiao Jinxing stated calmly, unaffected by any events influencing his emotions and judgment.
"With successive defeats, it will force His Majesty to lead personally."
"And once I lead the campaign, the Bai Family Army and foreign insurgents colluding, I’d become trapped by them," Xiao Jinxing foresaw everything.
"What to do then? If the border continues to be in crisis, and Tatars really break into the Central Plains, it would truly be chaos. The consequences would be unimaginable." Wu Xufan was visibly excited.
"Therefore, before they breach the Central Plains, the Bai Family must be pacified." Xiao Jinxing’s eyes tightened, "To secure the country, one must first resolve internal unrest!"
