Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside Chapter 1302: The Foolish Duke Xing Family

Regarding martial supplies and weaponry, the majority of the taxes have been levied. Once the Ministry of Revenue releases the necessary silver, securing provisions and arms will cease to be an issue.

As for our forces, a considerable army can still be mustered if we gather all available troops and steeds. The true predicament lies in selecting a competent commander to lead them.

The court ministers engaged in a fierce debate over this singular appointment.

Ultimately, Elder Shangguan, risking the Emperor's displeasure, declared, "Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, now is not the opportune moment to strike at Da Rong. Da Rong's forces are robust and spirited, and their people are inherently savage and warlike, akin to savage beasts and malevolent spirits on the battlefield. Conversely, Great Chu possesses few elite soldiers. Our strategy at present should be to conserve our strength, cultivate generals capable of breaching enemy lines, and only contemplate an attack on Rong ten years hence."

He refrained from mentioning the years of calamities that had befallen Great Chu and the exorbitant tax increases that had pushed the populace to the brink of rebellion, presenting a rather understated assessment.

Nevertheless, Emperor Jingyuan's countenance grew grim. With a resounding thud, he brought his palm down upon the armrest of the Dragon Throne, sternly reprimanding Elder Shangguan, "Shangguan Cong, I summoned you to propose a commander for the campaign against Da Rong, not to undermine my resolve! To speak in such a manner—lauding the enemy's spirit while demoralizing our own—does this signify your discontent with me? Or perhaps your dissatisfaction with Great Chu? Could it be you harbor intentions of defecting to Da Rong?!"

Elder Shangguan was taken aback; he had not anticipated such an accusation from the Emperor. He immediately dropped to his knees with a heavy thud and pleaded, "I implore Your Majesty to quell your anger. This humble servant lives by the ruler's grace and desires only to dedicate his life to Great Chu; I harbor no disloyalty whatsoever!"

Emperor Jingyuan emitted a cold snort. "I trust you would not dare."

With that, he dismissed Elder Shangguan and turned his gaze to the assembled officials. "What candidates do you all propose for the crucial role of the main general in this Fa Rong campaign?"

A hush fell over the hall, with over half the ministers wishing they could disappear into the earth to avoid the Emperor's scrutiny.

Emperor Jingyuan's expression was stern and heavy. Internally, he berated them as useless sycophants who merely collected a salary for their idleness. He resolved that once Da Rong was vanquished, his next endeavor would be to reform the court and replace these good-for-nothing officials!

Emperor Jingyuan then directed his attention to the Minister of War.

The Minister of War, surnamed Dai, had only held his post for six years, a tenure far less distinguished than his predecessor's. Witnessing the Emperor's fury, he feared for the security of his own position and felt compelled to speak. "Your Majesty, in this humble servant's judgment, for the position of main general in the Fa Rong campaign, no one is more fitting than Duke Xing."

He elaborated, "Duke Xing is one of the six founding dukes, and his military achievements are legendary. Five years ago, he successfully led the army to quell the rebellions of various Prefecture Soldiers, thereby stabilizing the Northwest Army. He is undoubtedly capable of fulfilling the duties of the main general for this Fa Rong campaign."

Upon hearing these words, an unnerving silence descended upon the grand hall, so profound that a pin drop would have been audible.

"What did you just say?!" Emperor Jingyuan's eyes blazed with murderous intent as he fixed his gaze upon the Minister of War. Was this Dai fellow an utter simpleton? How old was Duke Xing now? He had fallen gravely ill just last year; one could scarcely imagine sending him into battle, yet even donning heavy armor would likely prove too strenuous for him. And this Dai had the audacity to recommend him?

Five years prior, he had permitted Duke Xing to lead the troops and suppress the revolt because Duke Xing and Duke Wei were long-standing companions. Both were among the six founding dukes who had assisted the Imperial Grandfather in securing the realm, and the Northwest Army consisted of Duke Wei's former soldiers, who would naturally show respect to Duke Xing. However, this Fa Rong campaign presented an entirely different challenge compared to quelling the Northwest Army's mutiny.

Worthless imbecile!

Emperor Jingyuan internally cursed him and then turned to Elder Ying. "Lord Ying, you are a Pillar of the State for Great Chu. What wise counsel do you possess? Pray, speak without reservation."

Ming Shaoqing, upon hearing his wife's grandfather's name mentioned, did not even bat an eye. He considered managing such a matter to be child's play for Lord Ying, given his considerable abilities.

Indeed, Lord Ying responded, "Your Majesty, this old minister does have three candidates in mind."

Three candidates?

Emperor Jingyuan was visibly delighted. "Pray, reveal them, my esteemed subject!"

Lord Ying stated, "Your Majesty, Duke Yuan's clan stands among the six founding dukes, renowned for their martial prowess. Duke Yuan himself was immersed in military life from a young age, achieving remarkable military accomplishments in his youth. Perhaps Duke Yuan could assume command and lead our forces against Rong."

Emperor Jingyuan's smile vanished instantly.

While Duke Yuan's lineage was indeed reputable, they were also the Empress's maternal family. Entrusting nearly a million soldiers to an extended family member's command raised serious concerns about the Emperor's own security.

Lord Ying, fully aware that Emperor Jingyuan would never consent to this, continued, "The second option is Duke Ying. Duke Ying's household is also counted amongst the six founding dukes. Duke Ying, his sons, and grandsons are all versed in warfare and equally capable of leading expeditions."

However, Duke Ying's clan had a past marital connection with Duke Wei's family, maintaining a close relationship. This Fa Rong campaign was slated for the Northwest, a region guarded by Duke Wei's lineage for three generations. The Emperor worried that granting Duke Ying control over such vast troops might incite him to seek retribution for Duke Wei's family.

Emperor Jingyuan, naturally suspicious and even more so since his return from Da Rong's Ordeal, grew increasingly distrustful. He decided against such a gamble and remained silent.

Lord Ying, understanding the Emperor's hesitation, proceeded, "Then there's General Xu. Five years prior, General Xu served alongside Duke Xing in quelling the rebellion. His capabilities are exceptional, and his military achievements are numerous... Though he is not of advanced age and his seniority is still modest, there is no logical reason why he shouldn't be entrusted with overall command and dispatched to the campaign."

Ming Shaoqing, overhearing this, chuckled inwardly. Lord Ying was undeniably cunning; of the three suggested candidates, the Emperor could only feasibly select General Xu.

Yet, in his youth, General Xu had earned commendation from Duke Wei while serving in the Jingxi Camp, leaving the Emperor uneasy about placing him in overall command. The most probable arrangement was still Duke Xing leading as commander-in-chief, with General Xu as the primary field general.

For this particular Fa Rong campaign, unless a divine artifact miraculously appeared, defeat seemed inevitable. General Xu, not foolish but rather astute, would undoubtedly defer entirely to Duke Xing's decisions once the campaign began. Duke Xing, advanced in years and frail, would certainly bring his two sons, making it highly probable that they would be the ones making critical military judgments.

Both of Duke Xing's elder and younger sons were known for their incompetence and were bound to commit errors in battlefield strategy. As long as General Xu adhered to orders, he could plausibly claim to have "acted under command" after a potential defeat, shifting blame to Duke Xing and absolving himself.

Consequently, the sole casualties in this scenario would be Duke Xing's family.

And Lord Ying would remain blameless; his recommendation was for General Xu, not Duke Xing himself.

It must be acknowledged that Ming Shaoqing had accurately assessed Emperor Jingyuan's disposition. Following a brief pause, Emperor Jingyuan finally declared, "Xu You is indeed competent, but he has no prior experience as an overall commander. This Fa Rong campaign is critical to the very foundations of the Great Chu Kingdom and demands utmost seriousness... I decree that Duke Xing shall serve as the main commander for the Fa Rong campaign, with Xu You as the main general. Together, they shall march against Rong!"

With the commander's appointment finalized, Lord Ying personally proceeded to Duke Xing's estate to deliver the imperial message.

Upon receiving the decree, Duke Xing's aged face was overcome with tears. "This aged servant shall not falter in Your Majesty's trust. I vow to make those Da Rong brigands pay dearly for breaching Longshan Prefecture!"

Duke Xing's two less-than-brilliant sons also jubilantly accepted the decree, expressing their thanks. They were so eager they could barely contain their desire to depart immediately and eradicate Da Rong from existence.

Lord Ying offered a smile that concealed his true thoughts: Heh, each of the six founding ducal families appears increasingly disadvantaged. I had hoped Duke Xing's clan might meet a favorable end, but it now seems they too are destined for complete annihilation. Truly a pity.