As an official, what's wrong with raising a few monsters?

Chapter 276 Low Probability Event

In this matter, there are problems with both options and no problems.

There are advantages to fighting, and there are advantages to not fighting.

"What does my sister think?"

Xiao Xinyue did not consult with Mingchen to resolve this matter.

This shows that she had already made up her mind and believed she could handle the matter.

She was the emperor, not an incompetent person who had to ask for help in everything.

Mingchen was more of a psychological support for her than a support in terms of her abilities.

And Mingchen wouldn't offer her any advice under these circumstances either.

"Fighting is fine, not fighting is also fine."

Ling Yu simply leaned against Ming Chen and whispered, "I am a general. I only care about fighting. Wherever His Majesty commands me to fight, I will fight."

Ling Yu's only obsession was to march north and fight against the Northern Lie.

Aside from that, she didn't really care.

She is like a nail; wherever the leaders and the people need her to be driven in, she will be driven in.

"Ha ha ha ha……"

That's a realistic idea; there's nothing wrong with Chunchen.

Ling Yu asked Mingchen, "What do you think?"

Mingchen thought for a moment and said, "I think His Majesty is inclined to wait and see for the time being."

Sending troops to Wang Huai was a prudent strategy.

Sending troops to Xu Zhongling would be a poor strategy.

War serves politics; the first thing to consider before starting a war is what the purpose of the war is.

A country that fights merely to vent its emotions or for the sake of war will perish sooner or later.

The purpose of attacking Daqi was to recover lost territory, while the purpose of attacking Xu Zhongling was to uphold the dignity of the monarch and the state.

Reclaiming lost territory can wait. The east is in constant turmoil. In the past few years, this land has unleashed far too much power, to the point of exhaustion. The people are suffering terribly, and the population has plummeted. The power in the east will only weaken, not strengthen. The longer we wait, the better. Qian Yuan should develop steadily in the west, then expand eastward, decisively settling the world in one fell swoop.

There's no need to send troops now.

As for Xu Zhongling's overstepping of authority, in the end, it didn't really matter; he just told a lie and disgusted everyone.

What is true cannot be made false, and what is false cannot be made true; hasty slogans will one day be exposed.

In a sense, this is still a handle that can be used to exchange for benefits.

Using war is the most costly and thankless act.

Xu Zhongling was only able to gain influence through Qian Yuan's power, and now Qian Yuan was sending troops to attack him, which felt like he was fighting his own enemy. Moreover, the Great Qi's reputation was already ruined, and helping the Blood-Clad Army was not a good idea. Even if the reasons sounded reasonable, the resulting public opinion would be difficult to control.

The reason we initially allied with the Great Qi was because the old dynasty rebels had usurped power. Now that the rebels have been executed and the old dynasty has been destroyed, it is only right that we should reclaim our lost territories.

If the Great Qi is unwilling to acknowledge Qian Yuan as its master, then it is an enemy.

Do you, Qian Yuan, truly intend to remain confined to a corner of the country and never venture eastward again, as you are fighting against the forces that oppose Qi?

Anger should not be mixed with matters of national importance. Anger is a tool, a means to gain personal benefits and emphasize the importance of things.

Qian Yuan's decision to send troops to Xu Zhongling in anger was not a wise move.

However, Xu Zhongling did not win. His seemingly amazing and bold move of creating something out of nothing brought him considerable benefits.

In reality, they were forced into a desperate situation and took a risky move out of desperation, focusing only on immediate gains.

He didn't have many bargaining chips, so he could only put on a brave face.

It's just to gather the greatest strength possible so that we can survive for now.

This is tantamount to mortgaging the future; the longer the timeframe is extended, the more disadvantageous it will be for him.

He had to face Qian Yuan's wrath and the soldiers' anxious urging as reinforcements never arrived.

He was dancing on a tightrope, reaping the benefits while simultaneously increasing the difficulty of his maneuver.

There are only two outcomes: either you survive by sheer luck, or you are betrayed by everyone and bring about your own destruction.

Mingchen affectionately rested his chin on Lingyu's neck, and the two looked at the fish in the pond together: "Sister, let's clear away the fog, put aside emotions, and get back to the essence of the matter. What is this matter?"

"The result of this incident is that Xu Zhongling, who was originally in a weaker position, has become stronger and is now locked in a life-or-death struggle with Daqi, wearing each other down. As for me, Qian Yuan, I made no promises and gave nothing in return. After all, it was you, Xu Zhongling, who unilaterally declared that the agreement was fulfilled. Not causing you any trouble is already a great favor. How dare you still try to coerce me into demanding troops?"

"Wouldn't it be better to observe the outcome from the sidelines before deciding on a move?"

The difference between hunter and prey lies in who holds the initiative.

Qian Yuan now holds absolute initiative.

Whoever Qian Yuan helps will win, and whoever he attacks will die.

Do nothing, and both sides demand to come over.

Often, holding a knife in your hand is far more useful than using it to directly chop someone up.

In general, Qian Yuan's current strategy is to focus on development and patience; the longer the development period, the greater the chance of victory.

"Since Xu Zhongling claims to have obtained an agreement with Qian Yuan to unite, there must be a leader and a follower. He is merely an armed force, and his actions need a legitimate reason. He is a dog looking for a master. In terms of strength, influence, and legitimacy, we are in a dominant position. He has shamelessly come over, so he must be doing so under the banner of our Emperor, right? If he demands benefits, he must bear the consequences. Those who join him are doing so for the name of Qian Yuan, not for Xu Zhongling himself. Therefore, nominally speaking, Xu Zhongling's armed force belongs to Qian Yuan, and we can issue orders and command him to serve us in the future."

“If he obeys us, he will work for us; if he disobeys us, he will have ulterior motives and intend to rebel. We can then justifiably wipe them out.”

"Mingchen, why aren't you attending court?"

Although they were already so familiar with each other that they shared a blanket, Ling Yu still felt a little emotional about her husband sometimes.

Mingchen seems to have been born to become an official.

Although he didn't attend court, his few words were insightful, clear, and irrefutable, even offering solutions. He seemed more persuasive than the ministers arguing in court.

Without meeting him, I was able to glimpse His Majesty's thoughts.

In fact, Mingchen was right; he and Xiao Xinyue thought about the same thing.

During the court session, Xiao Xinyue sat upright on the throne, expressionless and cold as ice, seemingly angry about the matter.

After all, Xu Zhongling's actions were meant to disgust her and the Qian Yuan court, so it would be strange if she wasn't angry.

However, after the ministers debated for a while, she did not express her opinion, but only said that they should keep a close eye on the situation in the East and discuss it again later.

What's the point of attending court?

Mingchen rolled his eyes: "It's exhausting to fight with a bunch of shrewd people, who are openly and secretly trying to curry favor with you.

If it's something serious, he'll discuss it directly with Xiao Xinyue.

Mingchen chuckled and said, "I stay at home every day, waiting for our family's general to return from court so he can help you change and bathe. Isn't that nice?"

Ling Yu: ……

You'd better actually take a bath and change your clothes.

This person described himself as if he were a female member of the family.

They're clearly here to cause trouble.

"but……"

Mingchen lowered his eyes and changed the subject: "What I just said was His Majesty's inclination. Personally, I actually prefer the inferior strategy of sending troops to annihilate Xu Zhongling."

"Ok?"

Ling Yu was taken aback, not expecting Ming Chen to give him such an unexpected answer again.

"Why?"

Although she was told by her boss to fight whomever she wanted, she didn't want to make any decisions.

But she had her own thoughts, and she herself thought that hitting Xu Zhongling was a bad idea.

After Mingchen's analysis, the foundation was laid even more solidly.

Unexpectedly, Mingchen said something else.

Mingchen lowered his eyes, looking at the fish swimming in the pond, and said softly, "Reality is full of coincidences. Everyone does things with a purpose. No one would do something that is impossible."

"What Xu Zhongling did is enough to prove that he is a smart man. Without purpose, without benefit, and without possibility, a smart man would not easily take a desperate path."

"Even a one percent, one in a thousand chance is still a possibility. What if he defeats Wang Huai, takes over Wang Huai's power, and gains control over Qian Yuan?"

"That's quite a problem."

That might be too far-fetched.

Major powers always make decisions based on predictions of high-probability events, rather than on low-probability events.

No one wants to believe such a low-probability event.

Those exceptionally talented individuals have the opportunity to achieve those low-probability events, etching them into history as legends.

Just like no one would believe that the cowardly old man Liu, who was thrown into Hanzhong, could defeat the invincible overlord.

Xiao Xinyue herself is a prime example. Who could have imagined that a princess who fled the capital in such a sorry state could eventually sit on the throne?
The allure of history often lies in these low-probability events that people are unwilling to believe, in the contradiction between speculation and reality.

Killing Xu Zhongling and keeping Wang Huai alive may have a thousand or ten thousand disadvantages, but it has one advantage.

That is, Wang Huai was personally promoted by Mingchen. He knows his elder brother well, knows him inside and out, and there are many lingering problems within the Blood-Clad Army. If a war breaks out in the future, it may be a bit complicated, but the outcome is predictable. Mingchen is 90% confident of victory.

However, he didn't recognize this Xu Zhongling who had suddenly appeared. This man was cunning, bold, meticulous, ruthless, and probably not someone to be trifled with. If he won and stole Wang Huai's fruit without either side losing too much, he would definitely be able to reach an even higher level, which would mean he was out of control.

Mingchen likes to have everything under control and dislikes things that are beyond his expectations, even if they seem insignificant.

Mingchen had originally given the Blood-Clad Army a 20% chance of winning, but his elder brother had narrowed the path he was on.

If Xu Zhongling were to take that 20% chance, he would face another period of exhausting intrigue and scheming.

Such a possibility exists, but it is extremely small, requiring Xu Zhongling to possess extraordinary blessings, luck, and talent.

Even if Mingchen brings this up in court, it will only invite ridicule from the officials.

So, this is just a private chat with Ling Yu right now.

"Besides, I'm petty and don't like others taking advantage of me or using my name."

"I can't bear it. I don't care about the consequences. I'm going to beat him to death."

They have strong personal emotions, a free and romantic nature, and are unwilling to suppress them.

Therefore, he did not want to be emperor.

"Hey……"

A man's charm lies in his tolerance, composure, and calmness in the face of adversity, which makes others feel safe.

However, Ling Yu found the man who was frankly admitting his 'petty' nature quite endearing.

She smiled unconsciously and gently pinched his cheek.

She had a hard life from childhood, carrying a heavy burden of hatred.

She is now very happy in this peaceful life, so happy that she is unwilling to think too much and just wants to immerse herself in it, forgetting the hatred that she has carried for too long.

"Sister, what happened?"

Mingchen, whose cheek was being pinched, leaned closer, grinning mischievously: "Could it be... you've been thinking about it?"

Well, Ling Yu withdrew her earlier flutter of the heart.

"Yeah~"

The next moment, a woman's exclamation suddenly rang out in the courtyard.

The two laughed and joked for a while, and Ling Yu's cheeks were a little red, making the valiant and capable female general look a little softer.

"Yun Yao is gone."

Compared to Xiu Die, although both are cold-hearted children, Yun Yao is much more opinionated.

After Mingchen returned, Yunyao mentioned her idea of ​​traveling to Mingchen.

The world is so big and she wants to go see it.

She wants to see more of the world and forge her own path.

Since the older brother had no objections, Mingchen, the teacher he was taking for granted, readily agreed.

He simply told her to be careful on the road, and that if she encountered any danger, she could consider calling his name. He also gave her the jade staff.

The child nodded and left without hesitation.

Mingchen, holding the beauty in his arms, couldn't help but sigh, "Hmm... the child has grown up~"

"Husband..."

Suddenly, Ling Yu used a name she was usually somewhat embarrassed to use.

"Ok?"

The older sister pursed her lips and asked Mingchen, "When are we going to have a child?"

This era is different from Mingchen's previous life; their thoughts and ideas are completely different.

From royalty and nobility to ordinary people.

The prevailing belief is that having many children brings good fortune and that having many children brings honor to the family.

Many people mean great strength, and the more offspring a family has, the more prosperous it will be.

The significance of marriage lies in having offspring.

Every family hopes to have a qualified and outstanding heir to continue the bloodline.

However, Mingchen seemed a bit unconventional.

They've been married for a long time and have had many children, but they still don't have any.

Mingchen showed no sign of being in a hurry and did not put any pressure on Lingyu at all.

My parents-in-law are both in Qingchi. They don't want to delay tomorrow's important event, so they won't bother them or urge them.

However, Ling Yu herself was somewhat anxious.

Although Mingchen is a womanizer, she is still nominally his only woman.

However, after so long, she still hasn't given him a son or daughter.

The vast mansion appeared somewhat deserted.

Neither of the two children are their biological children, and another one just passed away.

She herself didn't care, but she was worried that it might cause some bad rumors to spread to Mingchen.

She thought her military service had given her some kind of illness, and secretly consulted several doctors to take her pulse.

However, the results were all similar; the doctor said she had abundant qi and blood and was very healthy.

Could it be that there's something wrong with Mingchen's side?
Does he know it himself?
Or did he deliberately choose not to have children?

Should she give Mingchen some nourishment?
But if it's already hard to beat the beans, what if you can't control it after adding more?
After thinking it over, Ling Yu still wanted to talk to Ming Chen.

Mingchen had no idea about the chaotic thoughts running through his older sister's mind.
"Oh?"

Mingchen was taken aback, but sat up straight and looked at his slightly shy older sister in his arms, laughing as he said, "What's wrong? My silly sister wants to have my baby?"

Ling Yu looked up, somewhat embarrassed: "Isn't this what I should do?"

"Hahaha~"

Seeing his sister's adorable appearance, Mingchen couldn't help but cup her face and give her a big kiss.

He neither liked nor disliked children or the idea of ​​passing on traditions.

Because of the short average lifespan, people are very anxious about having offspring.

He felt he could probably live longer than ordinary people, and he liked to wander around aimlessly, disliking being bound by anything. His views differed from those of people in this world, and he wasn't in such a hurry, thus overlooking this point.

He was an outsider, but Ling Yu was an insider.

Judging from Ling Yu's appearance, she must be getting anxious.

"What's wrong?"

Unlike the reserved and demure nature of men in this era, Mingchen was quite flamboyant and unrestrained. Holding Lingyu, he spoke his mind directly: "It's nothing much, I just think my wife is so wonderful, I love you so much~"

"Well……"

Upon hearing this, Ling Yu blushed unconsciously: "So?"

Mingchen smiled upon hearing this and asked in return, "Sister, childbirth takes a long time. The world is in turmoil right now. You are the Marquis of Loyalty and Valor of the country. If war breaks out, what will you do?"

Ling Yu paused upon hearing this: "Uh..."

Ling Yu is now a marquis in the new dynasty, a general praised by the army and admired by the people. Bearing these honors, she also needs to fight bravely for them.

She wasn't as cunning as Mingchen; she was a pure and simple minister.

Mingchen never forcibly controlled Lingyu's freedom. If she liked to go to the army, she was allowed to go. If she liked to command troops and fight, she was permitted to do so as well.

However, this time he said it without any room for argument: "If my wife is pregnant, I will not allow you to leave the Marquis's mansion under any circumstances."

Ling Yu pursed her lips.

Seeing her silence, Mingchen added another question: "What if we go to war with Beilie?"

If war breaks out with Bei Lie, Ling Yu will surely have to fight no matter what.

Ling Yu remained silent.

If war breaks out with Bei Lie, she will go to the battlefield even if she is pregnant.

"We're both still young, only around twenty."

Mingchen patted the back of her head and laughed, "Let's wait a bit. When the world is at peace, we'll raise a whole brood! You can't refuse to have my kids! You'll have to give me a whole brood of footballs."

Ling Yu didn't know what 'football team' meant, but when she heard Ming Chen say that, the weight that had been weighing on her heart seemed to lift.

An ordinary woman would shyly say something like, "Who will give birth to your child?" However, although the silly older sister was shy, she was also very serious. She just stared intently into Mingchen's eyes, holding his hand as if afraid that he would change his mind: "Then it's a deal."

This is her character.

Cute and innocent.

"It's a promise! It's a promise!"

Mingchen simply held her, gently pressing her forehead against hers: "Have you forgotten what I told you before? From the moment I met you, I had already thought of names for our child!"

(End of this chapter)