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

Chapter 301 The Wind Rises

"how?"

"Does our vast Qian Yuan only have two generals, Ming Chen and Ling Yu?"

As the discussion drew to a close, Xiao Xinyue raised an eyebrow and looked down at the civil and military officials below.

She did not explicitly state whether to fight or not.

But the attitude has already been made clear.

That means Mingchen and Lingyu must come back.

The officials stood solemnly, their minds racing, trying to guess what their leader was thinking.

Xiao Xinyue sat upright on the throne, her eyes slightly lowered, and said in a clear voice, "Gentlemen, it is time. I have decided to march east!"

"The Marquis of Jing'an and the Marquis of Zhongyong have set a good precedent for us. Next, we should launch a major eastward expedition and let the world see the might of our Qian Yuan army."

As Yun Zheng said, this is indeed an opportunity.

With Wang Huai dead, the Great Qi Dynasty is finished. The eastern region is fragmented and chaotic, and is now a land without a ruler.

Mingchen's expedition was originally intended to eliminate a potential threat.

However, it brought unexpected results, so it is only natural that we should seize the opportunity.

If we don't move east now, when will we?
Are we waiting for the remnants of the Great Qi to form another leadership alliance? Or are we waiting for the chaos in the East to breed a Gu King?
The construction of the Beilie Canal is nearing completion, and the ambitious Tiger King is bound to march his army south. Before that happens, Qian Yuan will certainly seize any opportunity that comes his way.

But... why use a sledgehammer to crack a nut? It would be enough if Mingchen and Lingyu came back.

There are so many officials and so many people in one country!

If Mingchen has to do everything personally and Lingyu has to be on the battlefield in every battle, then what are the rest of the people doing?
Unlike the previous emperors who valued literature over military affairs, Xiao Xinyue was full of martial virtue and prepared her troops for war.

While it appears to be developing steadily, a large portion of the national fiscal expenditure is actually spent on the military.

Compared to the old Qian Yuan dynasty, the new dynasty has many brilliant generals waiting to establish their merits!
"Your Majesty, the general is willing to go!"

Xiao Xinyue's attitude was already quite clear.

We must go into battle, but not Mingchen and his companion. Instead, we must send other generals east to clean up the mess.

This is your chance!

If military generals do not enter the battlefield, kill enemies, win victories, and establish merit, then what is the meaning of their existence?

A composed middle-aged general stepped forward and cupped his hands in greeting to Xiao Xinyue: "Your Majesty, I will not go to Yueyang. I hope Your Majesty will appoint troops for me. I am willing to march east and recover the lost territory."

A robust man stepped forward, looking rather straightforward and honest. He laughed heartily in the main hall and said to Xiao Xinyue, "Hahaha, Your Majesty, the credit can't all go to the Marquis. I am also willing to fight! I am willing to be the vanguard!"

"Your Majesty, I will not go to Yueyang either; I wish to march east!"

"Me too! Me too! Your Majesty, this old minister's body is also embroidered."

"Your Majesty, Linzhou in the east is my hometown, but it is being persecuted by bandits. I toss and turn at night, unable to sleep, only regretting that I cannot go into battle to fight the enemy. I am also willing to go east!"

Xiao Xinyue's attitude was clear, and the attitude of her subordinates naturally followed suit.

One general took the lead, and then one after another, military officers stepped forward, their eyes gleaming, eager to fight.

The opportunity is coming!

A military general's reputation is earned on the battlefield.

Otherwise, how can one establish merit and obtain rewards?

The various separatist forces in the east, and the remnants of the Great Qi, were not seen as formidable enemies by these fierce generals, but rather as sources of merit and glory.

Civil officials governed the country well, strategists devised plans, and military generals fought bravely... everything was a scene of prosperity and flourishing.

At least that's how Xiao Xinyue sees it now.

She was in a good mood as she watched the military officers step forward to take their oaths.

"Good! Good! Good!"

Xiao Xinyue stroked the armrest of the throne, her face beaming with delight: "General Wang, I hereby appoint you as the General Who Conquers the South, with 30,000 troops, to march south from Baizhou Linguang and subdue the three southern prefectures of Hao, Ze, and Yong."

The first general to speak up was the one whose name was called.

He trembled and respectfully bowed to Xiao Xinyue, saying, "This subordinate obeys the order!"

"General Niu, I hereby order you to lead 10,000 elite troops eastward from Lingxi City at the mouth of Shenjiang River to subdue the Lingze region."

"Hahaha, Your Majesty, just you wait and see!"

"General Qi..."

"Everyone, this land belongs to Qian Yuan, and the people here also belong to Qian Yuan."

"The Great Qi swept across the country with great fanfare, but vanished in just half a year because they were brutal and barbaric and forgot the support of the people."

"In recent years, the weather has been favorable and the harvests have been plentiful, which is sufficient for our country's reserves."

"Generals, I hope you will enforce strict discipline and recruit those who can surrender, but do not plunder the people."

His Majesty, who had always ruled with gentle and wise rule, changed his expression at this moment.

Head east! Head east! Head east!

I've been living in this cramped western area for so long.

While the east was in chaos, we remained calm, developed steadily, and resisted many temptations.

This is the day we've been waiting for.

When she was feeling somewhat lost, the libertine told her a story: it was said that there was a bird on a sacred mountain that would not fly for three years, but when it did, it would soar into the sky; it would not sing for three years, but when it did, it would amaze everyone with its song.

Now, she's going to be that bird that makes a name for itself.

She was about to unleash her pent-up power and let the world witness the brilliance of Qian Yuan.

Her eyes were sharp, her voice resounding, and she methodically assigned each appointment in an orderly manner.

The military officers were all eager and excited.

Who doesn't want to achieve great things?
Who wouldn't want to be like the Marquis of Jing'an or the Marquis of Zhongyong, famous throughout the world, granted titles and high positions, and become a bright star of the times, shining brightly?

Xiao Xinyue's expression changed, and the atmosphere of the entire court seemed to change as well.

Whether it was the civil officials who had been arguing before, or the military generals who were now in high spirits.

An invisible wind swept over them, and the emperor sitting on the throne exuded an aura of power and majesty that was so overwhelming that no one dared to look directly at him.

The fish swam slowly toward the Heavenly Gate, intending to shed its mortal form and transform into a dragon.

They ignored her age, her gender, and all the basic qualities of a human being.

She seemed to be the rightful leader, born into wealth and high above others.

got windy!
The world is about to change drastically.

In an instant, everyone was shocked, and the same thought involuntarily arose in everyone's mind.

……

The sea is vast and boundless, with waves crashing against the shore, leaving white foam on the beach before disappearing.

A slender figure stood on the beach, quietly gazing at the vast and endless sea.

Time flies, and apart from the Zhu You Rebellion, nothing major has happened to the Jinglan Alliance.

Based on the three passes of the northern border of Qian Yuan, they steadily expanded their territory to the south.

However, after this chaos, the already elusive leader of the alliance seems even more unpredictable.

She has changed a lot. In the past, she loved to play, was carefree and undisciplined, and didn't like to deal with politics.

But now it seems like he's a completely different person.

Since Lord Chen died in the chaos, she has become much more diligent and is gradually becoming more like the leader of the Central Plains Empire.

"Alliance Leader, urgent report from the South."

A man strode over and reported to Hong Ling Shuang.

"kindness."

Hong Ling Shuang, gazing at the vast sea, lowered her eyes slightly and accepted the letter.

She glanced at her subordinate and, in a daze, seemed to see that stubborn and rigid old man again.

However, the subordinate lowered his head even further, not daring to meet her gaze.

In the short term, she will find it difficult to find another trustworthy right-hand person.

She sighed softly and waved to the other person, "You may leave now."

"Yes!"

The beach returned to calm, and she was alone, occasionally hearing the sound of seagulls circling overhead.

She opened the letter, but after reading its contents, she was shocked and her eyes widened.

When Qian Yuan marched east, Ming Chen and Ling Yu led their troops to support the Blood-Clad Army. With only 8,000 soldiers, they defeated Xu Zhongling with minimal casualties. Wang Huai died, the Great Qi collapsed, and all the troops under his command surrendered to Ming Chen.

"Mingchen... Mingchen..."

This name, which had amazed her, reappeared before her eyes after a long silence.

I hadn't heard from this person in a long time, but when he reappeared, he was bound to do something big. He always succeeded, and he always managed to do things that were truly astonishing.

In short, Mingchen held a very special place in her heart, representing many of her firsts. Hearing news about Mingchen made her happy.

There was even a sense of pride in it.

See? I told you he wasn't an ordinary person!
As expected of me, you have excellent taste.

Sending troops to Xu Zhongling would be a losing proposition. If Hong Ling Shuang were in Ming Chen and Xiao Xin Yue's shoes, she would never honestly send troops to support the Blood-Clad Army. At most, she would send some troops to observe from the sidelines and see if there was any opportunity to gain benefits.

However, Mingchen made a choice that harmed his own interests, but instead achieved great success.

Mingchen praised her for her exceptional wisdom and insight, but that wasn't enough...

She might be a bit petty.

A monarch cannot always prioritize personal gain; he must have a long-term vision and be willing to sacrifice his own interests to gain more possibilities when necessary.

This is a growth that Hong Ling Shuang gained from her conversation with Ming Chen after the Zhu You incident.

She continues to improve.

"artillery?"

"You thief!"

"I knew you stole my cannon!"

"They took my things and didn't even say thank you!"

After calming down from her shock, she let out a soft breath, looked at the vast sea, and couldn't help but laugh and scold.

Thief! Bad guy!
The cannons she had previously deployed at the three passes of the northern border of Qian Yuan were blown away by a sudden gust of evil wind. Not long after, Ming Chen arrived in Bai Ling City, and now firearms have appeared in Qian Yuan as well. Clearly, this scoundrel stole her military weapons. These extremely powerful weapons were something she possessed that put her ahead of the Central Plains dynasties, but unfortunately, they were not something she monopolized.

People can learn and conduct research.

Both Bei Lie and Qian Yuan will catch up with her soon; it's unstoppable.

Her advantages are becoming increasingly elusive, while her disadvantages remain constant.

What should we do in the future?

The death of Wang Huai and the decline of Daqi were like a whale falling into the deep sea.

When a whale falls, all things are born.

The wind has risen, and the world's格局 (geju, a concept encompassing both state and overall situation) will be greatly changed.

She glanced at the distant sea, then turned and left.

She's going to be busy too.

This is big news, and she needs to make some preparations to meet the challenges ahead.

……

"Is the irrigation canal still not finished?!"

"Didn't we say the water supply would be operational this year?!"

Once the canal is flowing, Bei Lie will be able to mobilize the blocked national resources to do other things.

Inside the Northern Fierce Tiger Palace, Qin Lou frowned slightly, looking somewhat anxious.

"Your Majesty, it will be soon, it will be soon."

"His Highness is already finishing up."

Beside him, Tian Hong, a pillar of the state and a pillar of the Northern Lie, spoke to Qin Lou in a comforting tone.

A few days ago, Qin Xuan, the eldest princess of Beilie, married Tian Hong's second son.

The two, who already had a harmonious relationship as ruler and subject, are now even closer together due to their marriage.

When Mingchen left, Qin Lou gave Tian Hong a little test.

Tian Hong also passed the test.

Even though he was anxious, he did not disobey the king's order and secretly send people to intercept and kill Mingchen.

In that case, Tian Hong is still the elder brother Qin Lou acknowledges.

"kindness……"

Qin Lou nodded slightly.

Just as the two ministers were about to discuss something further, a message came: "Your Majesty, an urgent report from the south!"

The messenger called out from outside the palace and delivered a letter.

"kindness?"

Qin Lou raised an eyebrow: "Bring it here."

Upon opening the letter, like many others, he was startled, his brow furrowed, and he murmured, "What?!"

This is a rare instance of Qin Lou losing his composure.

Tian Hong asked with some concern, "Your Majesty, what's wrong?"

"See for yourself!"

"If you doubt someone, don't use them; if you use someone, don't doubt them." Qin Lou had no reservations and directly handed over the intelligence to Tian Hong.

After reading it, Tian Hong also frowned: "This..."

The contents of the letter were shocking.

Eight thousand men breached the city, capturing an enemy force several times their size, armed with firearms...

Bei Lie is known for his martial spirit. Tian Hong is a seasoned general who has fought countless battles, and Qin Lou himself is also quite skilled in military matters.

The information about the Battle of Xiaoyao City alone is enough to be shocking.

They were well aware of the significance of this victory, achieved with fewer troops and extremely low casualties.

Ling Yu and Ming Chen are military geniuses and formidable opponents.

However, the information that followed was even more unexpected.

Wang Huai... he's really dead?!
It was so sudden, and Mingchen even took over the inheritance.

What followed was an amazing battle, but what followed was a momentous event that could change the course of the world.

Everything is so unbelievable.

Qin Lou didn't know the relationship between Wang Huai and Ming Chen, but he knew that this matter was definitely not as simple as the information on paper suggested.

There must have been some treachery or manipulation behind this by that monstrous minister.

Because in the end, Qian Yuan became the biggest winner and gained the most benefits.

How could Wang Huai have died at such a convenient time?
How did Qian Yuan's army manage to accept the prisoners of the Blood-Clad Army so conveniently and smoothly?
How did he do that?
Mingchen, oh Mingchen...

If this person were to fall into my Northern Lie, I could sweep across the world in three years!
Qin Lou clenched his fists and sighed inwardly.

Ironically, this person was unattainable for him... and instead became his rival.

How enviable! Xiao Xinyue!

A dog who wins by lying down!!!
Tian Hong cursed under his breath: "Ming Chen is indeed a major threat to our dynasty!"

He didn't know what Qin Lou was thinking, nor could he understand his decision.

But once it's escaped, it's escaped.

As a subject, the reality had already occurred, and he couldn't complain about it.

"Your Majesty, it is time to send someone to contact the Jinglan Alliance and demand the return of the Qian Yuan Three Passes."

Having remained hidden away in the southwest for so long, Qian Yuan kept a low profile, and no one knew how much power it had accumulated.

This small-scale expedition, however, was a resounding success, shocking the world.

Bei Lie was also secretly studying the novel firearms brought by the Jinglan Alliance. Qin Lou had spies who also knew that Qian Yuan was researching firearms.

However, he did not expect the other side to develop so quickly. He thought they should be ahead of Qian Yuan, but they had already maturely applied it to the battlefield and achieved great results.

He simply frowned and said to Qin Lou, "If peace talks fail, this humble general is willing to lead troops to attack."

This time, Qin Lou did not refuse Tian Hong. Instead, he nodded solemnly and said, "Okay!"

Qin Lou's vision was clear; no one understood militarism better than him.

The Great Qi is nothing more than a bankrupt version of the Northern Lie. Although it has hundreds of thousands of soldiers and seems unstoppable, its foundation is shallow and it has lost its most important reputation. Once it stops, it is destined not to last long.

He never considered the Great Qi as an opponent; his real opponent was Qian Yuan.

On the contrary, Da Qi was even his friend.

With the Great Qi still existing, Qian Yuan and Bei Lie formed a delicate balance, as the Jing Lan Alliance and the Great Qi Kingdom were sandwiched between them.

The construction of the canal was a policy of isolationism that Mingchen devised for Beilie.

Similarly, Daqi is also an obstacle in Qin Lou's eyes that locks Qian Yuan in.

As long as the Great Qi Dynasty does not perish, the Qian Yuan Dynasty will never be complete and will never be qualified to sit at the table.

Therefore, during this period, the Beilie did not move south and steadily developed the canal.

However, Wang Huai's sudden death and the sudden collapse of Daqi are destined to change everything.

Qian Yuan broke free of the cage first.

He believed that Xiao Xinyue was not a coward, and that she would definitely seize this opportunity to launch a major eastward offensive.

The eastern part of Qian Yuan has been ravaged by war and is devastated, with widespread suffering and people desperately longing for peace.

Xiao Xinyue has a good reputation; the broken plaque from the 500th anniversary of the Qianyuan era hangs above her head, and the eastward expansion is the will of the people.

The few cats and dogs in the east are no match for the long-accumulated power of Qian Yuan, and will inevitably be swept away by Qian Yuan with overwhelming force.

The momentum of Qian Yuan's restoration of unification is unstoppable.

Therefore, Beilie can no longer wait for the irrigation canal.

They intend to force their troops south, at least until Qian Yuan has swiftly recovered its lost territories, and to bring the three northern passes of Qian Yuan under their control.

These three passes are extremely dangerous.

Whoever occupies this place will gain the upper hand in future wars.

If Qian Yuan occupies it, he will be able to block the thousands of troops of Bei Lie.

If the Northern Lie occupy the city, they can launch a large-scale cavalry offensive and storm into Yueyang City in the future.

……

"What?! Wang Huai is dead?! Who did it?"

"Internal rebellion? Bullshit! That's impossible!"

……

“Mingchen, Lingyu…”

"Things are about to change."

……

"Emperor Qi has already passed away?"

"What, what should we do?!"

"It was Mingchen! It must have been Mingchen who plotted against our Emperor!"

……

There are no secrets that stay hidden forever, and big things can't be concealed.

Meanwhile, the same intelligence was sooner or later delivered to leaders of various factions, large and small.

They watched, some with fear, some with shock, some with helplessness...

A storm is brewing, and the winds are rising, changing the fate of many.

Everything happened too suddenly; the castle in the air collapsed with a crash, and the dazzling name once again amazed this era, leaving a strong mark.

Wang Huai was right. Ming Chen really did step on his head and once again became famous and shocked the world.

(End of this chapter)