Abandoned Woman Busy Farming
Chapter 1452 - 1553 The Emperor’s Game_1

Chapter 1452: Chapter 1553 The Emperor’s Game_1

"The Quanrong Clan’s army of one hundred thousand is pressing on the border, and the Miaojiang Witch Country is also covetously eyeing the border. Currently, the Southwest military camp is fully engaged in resisting the Quanrong Clan and truly has no spare capacity to deal with the Witch Country. The Southwest military camp requests the Emperor to send reinforcements." The guard finished speaking and passed the military report up.

Wang Shun took it and presented it to the Emperor, whose expression grew increasingly grave. At that moment, the Great General of Zhen Nan, Ma Tongfang, stood up and said loudly, "Your servant is willing to lead troops to the Southwest to face the enemy!"

The Emperor put down the military report, his face so somber it seemed as if he might drip water.

"The Southwest requires deployment of military forces. What proposals do my ministers have?" The Emperor asked.

"Your Majesty, how about dispatching the military forces from the Southeast main camp to support them first?" Elder Wuhou suggested.

The Emperor shook his head, "Chengshui Country has been restless lately; the forces in the Southeast cannot be moved."

"In that case, it seems the forces in the Northwest also cannot be moved. What are we to do?" Elder Wuhou anxiously stamped his foot. He was old and it was impossible for him to go to the battlefield again; he could only help the Emperor analyze the battle situation.

"Qingzhou’s military force is sufficient and is not too far from the Southwest main camp. If we dispatch Qingzhou’s troops for support, we will surely turn danger into safety," Ma Tongfang spoke up.

The Emperor looked at Yang Tianhua, "Minister Yang, the survival of our nation now depends on the support from Qingzhou."

A gleam flashed in Yang Tianhua’s eyes, "Your Majesty intends to dispatch my Qingzhou army? To whom will you entrust the command?"

"I plan to send General Ma back to the Southwest border; naturally, he will command the forces," the Emperor said.

Yang Tianhua snorted coldly, "Your Majesty intends to strip me of my military power?"

In an instant, the main hall was filled with the sound of sharp intakes of breath. This Yang Tianhua truly has audacity!

"How dare you, Yang Tianhua, what do you mean by this? Are not all of Danliang’s forces under the Emperor’s command? Where is this notion of stripping your military power coming from?" Ma Tongfang pointed at Yang Tianhua and spoke.

"The military force of Qingzhou has been passed down to me by my ancestors of the Yang Family. When His Majesty ascended the throne, the court was unstable, and it was my Qingzhou army that lent support. But it has not been many years now, and His Majesty intends to seize my military authority?" Yang Tianhua’s eyes narrowed, revealing a murderous intent.

"Yang Tianhua, do not be excessive. The country is in peril, and you are only considering your selfish interests. Do you want to see the Quanrong Clan and the Witch Country invade our land, take our soil, and kill our people?" Elder Wuhou also shouted angrily.

The other officials also began to speak out, but some officials from Yang Tianhua’s faction also spoke up in his defense. For a time, the court was as chaotic as a vegetable market.

"Silence all of you!" Tang Yin’s temples pulsed with bulging veins, and it took his thunderous shout to quiet the ministers down.

"Since Minister Yang is concerned about losing military power, then I will appoint you to lead the troops personally to the Southwest to confront the enemy. As long as you repel the Quanrong Clan and the Witch Country, I will remember your great service!" the Emperor said.

Yang Tianhua’s eyes shifted back and forth, "Shall this old servant command the Southwest main army?"

"Indeed, I hope you do not disappoint me," the Emperor said with deep solemnity.

Yang Tianhua said nothing while his confidant whispered softly, "Lord Yang, think carefully. The journey to the Southwest is long, and for you to go lead the troops personally would indeed be hard work."

But soon, greed took over in Yang Tianhua’s eyes. If he were to lead the troops to the Southwest to face the enemy, and after achieving a victorious battle, he naturally would not hand over military power lightly.

Furthermore, if he had the military force of the Southwest, why would he need to consider Tang Yin’s disposition?

"Very well, for the stability of the nation, this old minister is willing to share the Emperor’s worries!" Yang Tianhua said loudly, "Just don’t forget to hand over the Tiger Talisman, Great General Ma."

Ma Tongfang glared at him fiercely, "This general is returning to the Capital City, and the deputy general will be in charge of the troops. Naturally, the military command is in his hands. It would make more sense for you, Lord Yang, to go to the Southwest and ask him for it."

Upon hearing this, Yang Tianhua didn’t harbor much suspicion and turned to the Emperor, saying, "Then I’ll trouble His Majesty to issue the decree."

Seeing Yang Tianhua so arrogant, everyone was quite displeased. Jiang Yichun cast a subtle glance at the Emperor. He didn’t know the Emperor’s plan, but he had a feeling that the Emperor wouldn’t be completely subdued by Yang Tianhua just because the enemy was pressing at the border. There must be more to the situation.

Soon the Emperor had the Holy Edict drafted and handed over to Yang Tianhua.

"Minister Yang, embark on your journey without delay, and do not hinder military affairs," the Emperor said with a stern face.

With his spirits high, Yang Tianhua replied casually, "Your servant obeys the decree."

After the court was dismissed, the Emperor summoned Jiang Yichun to stay back and took him to the Fuqin Pavilion in the Inner Palace.

The Emperor seemed to be in a mood for elegance, as he took a seat before the Fen Luoqin and lifted the instrument.

He played "Ambush from Ten Sides," his qin music was high-pitched and fierce, as if expressing his feelings at that moment.

"This way, others cannot hear what we say." The Emperor suddenly spoke up; his voice was not loud, and it was covered by the sound of the qin. Unless someone was as close as Jiang Yichun, they couldn’t clearly hear what he was saying.

Jiang Yichun tensed up; he knew indeed that matters were not simple.

"The military report is fake; if Yang Tianhua hands over the Tiger Talisman, then military power will not return to his hands. But if he refuses to relinquish military control and chooses to personally lead the troops, then I will make sure he doesn’t come back alive!" Tang Yin said through gritted teeth, with the zinging qin music adding to the intense murderous aura.

"I command you to lead the Shadow Guards to assassinate Yang Tianhua. Even if you can’t get him en route, the deputy general of the Southwest, Su Mai, will cooperate with you," the Emperor said, his expression growing more solemn. "But you must do it cleanly and leave no trace whatsoever."

Jiang Yichun didn’t want to take on this task; he had just returned home with Ruozhu not long ago and had even promised his son that he would spend more time with him. But for both official and personal reasons, he had to accept it.

Officially, he should relieve the Emperor of his worries and troubles; personally, Yang Tianhua had repeatedly caused problems for Bai Ruozhu and the Bai Family. If Yang Tianhua became more powerful, they might fall prey to his harm any day.

Therefore, he must undertake this mission!

"Yes, your servant obeys the decree," Jiang Yichun said solemnly.

At the end of the tune, the Emperor’s mood seemed to have improved somewhat. He sighed and looking towards the distant flying eaves of the Cining Palace, he said with some nostalgia, "When can I truly relax..."

Jiang Yichun didn’t answer. As an Emperor, he probably would never be able to rest easy for his entire life.

After leaving the Palace and returning home, Jiang Yichun informed Bai Ruozhu of the matter. Although it was a secret edict, and he planned to have someone disguise themselves as him to continue appearing in public, he could not keep Ruozhu in the dark.

Upon hearing this, Bai Ruozhu became anxious, "We can deal with Yang Tianhua slowly; this mission is too dangerous for you!"

Jiang Yichun covered her mouth with his hand and said with a smile, "I have no choice but to accept this task. Now that I’ve accepted it, there’s no use arguing. I’ll be very careful."

Angered, Bai Ruozhu bit his hand and asked, "Who will you have pretend to be you?"

"Jing Lei," Jiang Yichun said, wincing from the bite. He continued with a smile, "His temperament is most similar to mine, and he has pretended to be me before. With a little help from you to cover for him, we won’t expose any flaws."

"Why should I help? I’m still upset!" Bai Ruozhu said poutingly.