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A few days later, Princess Nanyang's memorial was delivered to the court.

The border troops won a great victory, and the Princess of Nanyang donated another 100,000 shi of military rations to support the border troops. The Nanyang troops were still responsible for transporting the rations, so the court did not have to worry about it.

After reading the memorial, Emperor Taihe smiled and said to the secretaries, "With cousin Shaohua here, I can rest assured."

Wang Jin was the first to agree with a smile: "The princess cares about the people and provides food and men to support the border troops. Such a broad mind and courage makes us admire it very much."

Li Boyuan also smiled and said, "I have rarely admired anyone in my life, but now I am convinced by Princess Nanyang."

Jiang Yi's eyes flickered, whether intentionally or unintentionally, and he smiled casually: "Although the Nanyang Army is a garrison, it has a large number of soldiers and generals, and is well-equipped. It is an elite army. Its combat power is even greater than that of the border army!"

"I remember that the Nanyang Army had 5,000 soldiers on its roster." Zheng Chen continued, "Four thousand soldiers were sent out to deliver food before, and now another two thousand Nanyang soldiers have appeared. The other garrisons are just inflated numbers on their roster, but the Nanyang Army is different. Its actual strength actually exceeds the numbers on the roster."

What a sinister statement.

Wang Jin frowned and glanced at Zheng Chen. "The Princess of Nanyang donated grain and made great contributions. The Nanyang Army fought bravely and made great contributions in Sizhou. Why did Zheng She say something different? If these words were heard by the Princess, wouldn't it chill her heart? Who will dare to be loyal to the court in the future?"

Zheng Chen glanced at him and said, "What I said is all true. It is true that Princess Nanyang is loyal, and it is also true that she raises troops in private."

As he spoke, he bowed his hands and said solemnly: "I know that the emperor trusts the princess, and I shouldn't say bad things about the princess in front of the emperor. It's suspected of instigating discord. However, it is a taboo for a vassal king to raise troops and respect himself. Princess Nanyang is a vassal king, so she should abide by the rules of a vassal king."

"The Gaoliang Palace has only 200 personal guards. The Wu'an County Prince, the Dongping County Prince, and the Huaiyang County Prince are far away in the vassal state, and their personal soldiers are less than 500. Only the Nanyang County Princess has a large number of personal guards, and she even reached out to recruit the Nanyang Army under her command."

"If this continues, she may develop even greater ambitions. For the sake of Princess Nanyang's reputation and long-term future, I ask His Majesty to conduct a thorough investigation of Nanyang County's military strength."

Jiang Yi responded appropriately, "Mr. Zheng is really worrying too much. No matter how capable and powerful cousin Shaohua is, she is still a girl. She is raising more soldiers for self-protection. How can a woman dare to lead troops to rebel?"

After saying this, he burst into laughter, as if he had told a very funny joke.

Li Boyuan heard something wrong and wondered when did Zheng Chen and Jiang Yi become so close. The two of them were in perfect harmony and were trying to flatter Jiang Shaohua in front of the emperor!

This matter had nothing to do with him, so he just kept silent and watched the fun.

Wang Jin's brows tightened, and anger flashed across his handsome face. "When the Nanyang army attacked the Rouran army camp at night, more than a thousand people were killed. In order for the border army to continue to win the battle, the Princess of Nanyang once again donated food and sent people. You are so sincere and loyal, and you are smearing the Princess like this. It's really too much! I, Wang Jin, am ashamed to be associated with you."

Then he bowed to Emperor Taihe and said, "Your Majesty, please decide on right and wrong."

Emperor Taihe first comforted Wang Jin: "Wang Sheren, please calm down first and don't be angry. I know everything that cousin Shaohua has done."

Then he looked at Zheng Chen and Jiang Yi: "In addition to writing a memorial, cousin Shaohua also wrote a letter to me. She told me that the two thousand elite soldiers, under the banner of the Nanyang Army, are actually the personal guards of the Nanyang Palace."

"These elite personal guards were all left to her by the late King of Nanyang. She has never concealed the fact that she raised troops from me. She even told me privately that she sent the Tang family to run a grain store in the north."

Zheng Chen: "..."

He was planning to expose the fact that Princess Nanyang was using the grain shop to build up power in the north. Fortunately, he hadn't said it out loud yet, otherwise he would have been a villain in vain. "Cousin Shaohua has an open mind because she is devoted to the court and the people." Emperor Taihe said slowly, "I allowed her to raise troops because I know her loyalty. I can trust General Fan to lead the troops, General Bao who is in charge of the Imperial Guards, and Generals Liu, Song, and Sima to lead the troops. Why can't I trust cousin Shaohua?"

Jiang Yi: “…”

Since you put it so nicely, why don't you just trust me, your cousin, and let me raise my own troops?
In the final analysis, because Jiang Shaohua is a woman, she will not pose a threat to his throne. If Jiang Shaohua was a man, he would have been kept in the capital long ago.

Jiang Yi was madly complaining in his heart, but he laughed and said, "Your Majesty is broad-minded and tolerant. This makes me and Zheng Sheren look like villains who are stirring up trouble."

Zheng Chen came back to his senses and bowed his hands to apologize: "I said something I shouldn't have said, please punish me, Your Majesty."

Emperor Taihe was not arrogant towards his companions who grew up with him. He smiled and said, "You are also loyal and considerate of me. How can I blame you? But don't say such things in the future. If cousin Shaohua hears about it and makes her unhappy, she will beat you up and you will have to take leave to recuperate again."

Zheng Chen's expression was a little stiff, and he just smiled.

Everyone laughed out loud.

Wang Jin saw this and felt quite relieved. In private, he had to write a letter to tell the princess about Zheng Chen's gossip and discord.

……

Zheng Chen was constantly making small moves behind his back, and Jiang Shaohua knew all about it.

In the past, she might have felt the pain of being stabbed in the back. But now that she had cut off the past, she saw Zheng Chen as nothing more than an ambitious and despicable person who would do anything for power.

How could she, Jiang Shaohua, be sad for such a man?
He, Zheng Chen, doesn't deserve it at all!
The 100,000 dan of military rations from Nanyang County were already on their way to Sizhou. Two thousand elite soldiers from the Imperial Guards, each with two horses, were heading to Sizhou in a mighty and open manner. Many officials from the prefectures and counties along the way rushed out of the city to pay a visit.

The red dragon flag of the Nanyang Palace, like the reputation of the Princess of Nanyang, fluttered over the northern provinces and counties.

Over the next month, battle reports from the border troops came in frequently.

Most of the food and grass in the Rouran camp were burned. In the melee that night, the Rouran cavalry suffered heavy casualties, losing eight or nine thousand elite soldiers.

The Khan Fumingdun, who led the Rouran cavalry to plunder everywhere, was furious and returned to the military camp with the looted food and slaves. After the troops were reunited, they attacked the city with all their strength again.

The border troops had won a great victory and were in high spirits. The defenders were well rested and in a commanding position. The tall city walls were like an insurmountable shield. Therefore, the Rourans attacked repeatedly, but were all resisted by the border troops.

After more than a month of travel, the reinforcements led by General Song finally arrived in Sizhou.

General Song was eager to make a contribution, so he let his soldiers rest and reorganize for two days before launching an attack on the Rouran camp.

But I didn't expect that a head-on confrontation would lead to a crushing defeat. (End of this chapter)