Chapter 1226 - 302: Consolidating Power (Part 2)

Chapter 1226: Chapter 302: Consolidating Power (Part 2)

Moreover, Zhao Jiulang, being at the head of the officials yet extremely obedient to the Yan Emperor, epitomizes the absence of elements that could restrain imperial power in Yan. He is indeed a despot.

In the next moment,

Zhao Jiulang rose,

and bowed deeply to the Yan Emperor,

exclaiming loudly:

"Your Majesty, the ambitions of Qian and Chu are openly evident. I request Your Majesty, for the future of our descendants, to raise righteous troops and campaign against Qian and Chu!"

The Prime Minister was the first to express his stance.

Next,

Wang Lian, Cao Que, and Hsu Qiutai stood up and bowed deeply:

"We request Your Majesty, for the future, to campaign against Qian and Chu!"

The remaining ministers also left their positions to bow and petition.

A moment ago,

the elder statesmen, who were worried about Yan’s dire financial situation, now fervently requested the Emperor to dispatch troops for national warfare!

Some were shedding old tears;

some were flushed with emotion;

some, regardless of their age, requested to be granted a long spear, willing to be the vanguard;

some were willing to disburse their entire wealth to fund Yan’s military expenses.

If a task is done incorrectly, you at most get punished;

but if your attitude is wrong, then what’s the use of having you?

Therefore,

everyone’s attitude changed quickly and thoroughly without hesitation.

Even the Crown Prince,

at this moment bowed deeply,

"I request Father to dispatch troops to campaign against Qian and Chu!"

Lord Zheng, having secured a front kneeling position early on, felt a surge of emotions at this moment;

In truth, he had little interest in that throne, or more precisely, the sanctity of imperial power did not move him;

After all, in his former life, one could enter the Forbidden City with just a ticket.

Yet, this feeling of having no authority but still being able to stir momentum due to the Yan Emperor’s attitude enchanted and delighted Lord Zheng.

In Snow Sea, he himself was similar.

He could purely announce measures based on personal preference without concern for the value of benefits; his generals beneath him would not object, nor would others.

But that was just Snow Sea,

whereas the figure before him could command the entire Yan, including the people of Jin land, countless populations, wealth, and grain, to march the path of conquest he desired.

He wanted to act against the trend,

and the entire Yan had to heed his command to act against the trend.

Lord Zheng remembered a story he had heard in childhood,

called "The Emperor’s New Clothes."

Many read this story thinking the Emperor was foolish, the officials were foolish, and the people were foolish, then sighed that only the last child retained childish innocence.

But looking from another angle,

for an Emperor who could make an entire nation’s people, all thinking adults, cooperate with his act and collectively "call the deer a horse", how terrifying was his control over the nation?

Within the Imperial Study,

the major plan was already set.

Lord Zheng even thought that even if he didn’t participate in this act, the Yan Emperor could forcefully push it through unhindered.

His involvement merely made the matter smoother.

The consensus reached in the Imperial Study today would be spread throughout the court at the meeting tomorrow, then everything in the Yan Empire would begin to operate again for the imminent national war.

However, the Yan Emperor was evidently a pragmatist; he was not satisfied with slogans and was eager for his work to be implemented at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Therefore,

he immediately threw out the next topic:

"Should we first attack Qian or Chu."

The Yan Emperor wanted the proceeding court meeting to completely become a formality regarding this matter, unwilling to have unnecessary debates thrown into it.

The general direction had already been reversed, and now, regardless of one’s willingness, everyone could only make choices within this direction.

Wang Lian immediately said:

"Your Majesty, I think we should first attack Qian, as Qian State is prosperous."

Qian State’s prosperity was well-known, as most of its territory was inherited from the past Xia, in a geographically favorable position, coupled with long-standing development.

Attacking Qian State enables sustaining the war with war.

Cao Que also spoke: "Your Majesty, I believe Qian should be attacked first, as Qian State is vast and populous, its officials have already shown ambitions for a fierce army, and given time, Qian State would inevitably become a critical threat to our Yan, moreover, Qian people’s borders directly face Yinlang County, attacking Qian first can resolve our southern situation."

Although Yan has annexed Jin land, Yan people still regard their native soil as truly valued, and regardless, first securing their hometown is paramount.

Furthermore, attacking Qian State facilitates manpower and material transportation, reducing logistical pressure.

Whereas attacking Chu State, to fiercely clash at Town South Pass, means Yan’s military movements and logistical support leaving Yan territory and spanning across Jin land.

Everyone,

knew that attacking Qian State was the most suitable now.

Honestly speaking,

If Lord Zheng wasn’t the commander of Snow Sea, or if Lord Jingnan wasn’t in Jin land, Lord Zheng would also feel attacking Qian State first was most suitable, even if Qian has expanded new troops over the years, Zheng Fan doesn’t believe the Qian people’s combat power could achieve qualitative leaps in a short time.

Moreover, attacking Qian State would be a consistent advance and collection, even at a loss, it would never be too much of a loss, but can visibly make up for.

Yet regrettably,

If attacking Qian first, there’s nothing for him.

Lord Jingnan would then likely dispatch troops to attack Qian State, while he could only guard his home.

Winning, he could only watch from afar with longing;

Losing, the situation for Yan will directly collapse, with Jin land’s instability yet to be mentioned, and when Chu people march north, Snow Sea would immediately become a surrounded enclave by the invading Chu armies.