The Slender Waist-Chapter 828 - 583 United Efforts
The court officials were greatly astonished.
Two senior ministers even dropped to their knees directly.
"Your Majesty, please reconsider..."
"The Qi people’s challenge to battle must harbor ill intentions. Your Majesty should prioritize your well-being and need not rush to this decision."
"What my court says is reasonable." Pei Jue swept his calm gaze across everyone. "But is it that I cannot lift a blade or fight a battle? Do you think I fear them?"
The ministers forced a few uneasy chuckles.
The Emperor himself hailed from military origins; of course, he harbored no fear for the battlefield. However, Xiao Cheng’s challenge this time inevitably made people suspect some ulterior motive.
Ao Zheng bowed deeply and said, "Your Majesty, please discern wisely. We harbor no such thought, but a wise man does not stand under a threatening wall. You, as the supreme Nine-Five Sovereign, bear the safety of the empire on your shoulders; how can you lightly venture into peril?"
Pei Jue raised his hand, stopping him from speaking further.
"My decision is made. Deliver my command: I shall personally lead the grand army to Dan Prefecture, to engage the Qi Army in a decisive battle."
-
Feng Yun heard the news while she was in Huaxi.
In a hurry, she took a carriage back to the palace. Upon seeing Pei Jue, she greeted him and then stared at him intently.
Pei Jue frowned, "What? You don’t recognize me anymore?"
Feng Yun stepped closer and curtsied slightly.
Just as Pei Jue was about to bend down to help her up, she unexpectedly moved quickly, cupping his face and scrutinizing him. Suddenly, she kissed him lightly on the lips.
"A hero."
Pei Jue: "..."
He squinted at his wife, unable to discern if her words were genuine or sarcastic.
"Scoundrels who exploit others at their weakest deserve a harsh pounding." Feng Yun gave him a glance and, surprisingly, supported his decision to lead the army in person. "Husband, go beat the scoundrel. I support you. Defeat him! Crush him thoroughly."
Her words carried the tone of someone from the countryside.
The eunuchs and palace attendants couldn’t help chuckling softly.
Pei Jue coughed lightly, "Empress..."
He motioned to the servants to withdraw, then took Feng Yun by the hand, leading her past the screen and into the inner chambers. Once alone, he chuckled softly, casting her a playful glance as he said, "I expected you to be like the court officials and try to stop me."
"Stop you from what?" Feng Yun lifted her chin slightly. "If Xiao San dares to lead an imperial expedition, why shouldn’t we dare to respond? Hmph, that man holds a grudge. Back during his first expedition, he lost miserably and returned in shame. He must still harbor resentment in his heart. This battle was inevitable sooner or later."
Pei Jue said, "The court suspects that his challenge to me may have concealed motives."
Feng Yun sneered, her voice tinged with laziness and humor.
"He’s spent years scheming. If he doesn’t personally fight you, even winning wouldn’t restore his lost pride."
Pei Jue looked at her coldly. "He cannot win."
Feng Yun nodded without hesitation.
A man’s sense of victory must be preserved.
"That’s a given. For scoundrels who exploit weakness and betray alliances, shameless and dishonorable, how could they possibly defeat my husband? I was only speaking of his intent; he might have had some resentment and has been waiting for this battle all this time."
Pei Jue hesitated for a moment.
"A soldier thrives on deception; victory is won by strategy. Matters on the battlefield should not be judged so lightly as ’scoundrel-like behavior.’"
Feng Yun hadn’t expected Pei Jue to defend Xiao Cheng, prompting her to give him a deep look.
"When will Your Majesty set out?"
Pei Jue answered, "Tomorrow, the troops will gather in the Southern Suburb."
Feng Yun furrowed her brows. "May I accompany you on this campaign?"
Pei Jue took her hand and shook his head. "Lady Yun, you should safeguard Xinjing in my stead."
Da Yong has three capitals.
The Central Capital, Xijing, and Xinjing.
Andu, known among common folk as the Xinjing, is Feng Yun’s true stronghold.
To defend Andu is to defend the Da Yong Army’s granary, its very foundation.
-
That very night, Pei Jue convened the court in Qianyuan Hall for discussions on defense and governance arrangements. At dawn the next day, troops assembled in the Southern Suburb to march and assist Wen Xingsu.
The news of war, like a bolt out of the blue, shook every citizen of Da Yong.
After so many years of peace, no one wanted to face the specter of war.
From the day the Emperor set out for battle, Andu City’s tea houses and taverns became bustling hubs, with almost daily discussions about the latest war reports and military situations.
At every gate of the city, grassroots recruitment points emerged spontaneously, with citizens donating money and food to support the Da Yong Army.
The breakdown of the alliance by Qi Country and their unilateral reignition of war left no room for debate among the populace. Their anger was unanimously directed at the Qi Army, fostering unprecedented unity...
Such spontaneous acts of mobilization had not been seen for decades, let alone heard of.
Feng Yun, upon hearing the news, went to inspect the situation.
At the South Gate of Andu City, leading towards Huaxi, a sea of people stretched for nearly two miles, packed so tightly that the end could not be seen.
Within the crowd were many familiar faces from Huaxi. As soon as Feng Yun appeared, someone shouted excitedly.
"It’s Her Majesty!"
"The Empress!"
"Her Majesty has come personally!"
The crowd erupted with fervor.
Feng Yun looked at the countless raised hands, the sacks of rice placed on the ground, the eggs held tightly in hands, and the money bags clutched in palms. Husbands led wives, mothers held their children close, all flocking to register their offerings with the organizers eagerly—it caused a strange ache in her nose.
