Transmigration: A Farm Girl’s Brocade
Chapter 413 - 230: Taking Charge in a Crisis_3

Chapter 413: Chapter 230: Taking Charge in a Crisis_3

Although the border was heavily guarded, Dayuan Country came well-prepared this time and fiercely captured two cities. If reinforcements do not arrive soon, they will take over Dafeng Mansion, a strategic fortress at the border. Then Dayuan’s forces will surge southward like splitting bamboo.

In the Imperial Court, only two men possess the ability and prestige to lead as Marshal: one is Marquis Yue, Yue Feng, and the other is Master Marquis Liang Zechong. Besides those two, there are several middle-aged generals in the military who, although they have never been Marshals, still have command abilities. With training, they can surely take on a great responsibility.

Both Master Marquis Liang and Marquis Yue were summoned by the Emperor to Qianqing Palace late at night.

Hearing that the Emperor intended for one of them to lead the forces, both Yue Feng and Liang Zechong knelt down, claiming they were not the most suitable candidates and feared failing the heavy trust placed in them. Jointly, they recommended Prince Ning Zhu Xiangsheng, saying that with his vigor, strategies, practical combat experience, and long stay in the Northland, he was the most suited for the task.

Deep down, the Emperor did not wish his sons to be overly competent in military affairs or hold too much power, as it might engender undue ambitions and pose a significant threat to the future crown prince.

The Emperor, infuriated, threw a teacup at one minister and a document at another, scolding, "What a bunch of good-for-nothings! The Imperial Court has nourished you for so many years, and now when needed, you shove responsibilities onto others. What use are you to me?"

Liang Zechong quickly knocked his forehead on the floor and said, "Your Majesty, it’s not that your humble servant is shirking responsibility, but the upcoming battle is extremely arduous. We must nominate the most suitable person. Both Marquis Yue and I can lead, but we are far from being the best candidates for Marshal. We have been away from the military for many years, and with age, our strength has waned. We are not as familiar with the northern terrains as Prince Ning..."

The Emperor hesitated and said, "Should we perhaps train Liang Yiqian or Li Han?"

Liang Zechong replied, "Picking the wise should not avoid personal connections, and if Your Majesty deems Yiqian suitable, I would also be pleased. However, his experience is insufficient to guarantee victory in this critical battle. Dayuan Country harbors wolfish ambitions; they’ve prepared for so long not just for a few cities—that’s too simple. What they want is to conquer all of Daqian."

Marquis Yue also knelt down and said, "The difficulty of this battle is beyond imagination; it may even become the toughest fight since the founding of Daqian. We need to find someone both capable and suitable for command, not to train young officers."

The two continued to describe how ferocious the soldiers of Dayuan Country were, much harder to handle than those of Dajin Country. Given that it was a year of disaster for Dayuan, their soldiers would fight desperately to survive...

Left with no choice, the Emperor nodded in agreement and appointed Prince Ning as the North Expeditionary Marshal, ordering him to lead an army of two hundred thousand elite troops to the front lines immediately. The Ministry of War was also instructed to quickly mobilize an additional one hundred thousand troops nationwide and conscript yet another one hundred thousand to follow later.

Although the Imperial Army typically did not enter the battlefield, due to the urgent need for a large number of soldiers, some troops were drawn from its ranks. Qian Manjiang’s unit was among those transferred to the front lines.

Not only Qian Manjiang, but no one, not even those with the strongest backing, dared to withdraw at the brink of battle. Thinking of his wife and warm bed, Qian Manjiang once again broke his promise and was tragically forced to the front lines, fighting for greater prospects.

That day, Prince Ning, who had rushed back from the military to the Prince Residence, summoned Qian Manjiang to the mansion again.

This was Qian Manjiang’s second visit to Prince Ning Mansion. His first was in the reception hall of the mansion, where he dined with Zhao Cheng and seven other devoted subordinates who had fought and risked their lives for Prince Ning.

Midway, Princess Ning personally took Qian Manjiang to the inner courtyard to thank him and his family for taking care of her son.

This time, he was alone, visiting the study in the outer courtyard of Prince Ning.

Prince Ning sat on the kang bed in the secondary study, dressed in a casual cotton robe, as if meeting with family.

The current Prince Ning no longer looked sickly as before but appeared full of ambition and determination. Perhaps due to excessive contemplation, his forehead bore deeper lines than those of his peers.

Prince Ning was very amiable and pointed to the official chair closest to him, saying, "Have a seat. There are no outsiders today, so be at ease."

Qian Manjiang bowed again before sitting down.

Prince Ning told him that he would be transferred to his side and that the orders would be issued tomorrow.

Qian Manjiang blushed, guessing that Prince Ning was doing this on account of his family. He indeed did not want to face death or seek military honors in the most crucial position. He stood up to thank the Prince for his consideration.

Prince Ning waved his hand, gesturing him to sit, and added, "When I enter the battlefield this time, even though I am in command, my life or death is uncertain. Furthermore, the situation in the court is unclear, and it is not yet appropriate to bring Jinjin back. I must trouble your family to take care of him a while longer."

Prince Ning had given the name Zhu Sujin to Qian Yeejin.

Qian Manjiang nodded his agreement.

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