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

Chapter 427 Let's see who's the real deal.

The attitudes of the top leaders on both sides can determine the direction of public sentiment.

Ethnic integration is destined to be a long process. Even if the war ends and one side wins, there will inevitably be many contradictions and chaos after the war.

The victor is destined to be superior, while the loser will inevitably be oppressed.

Both the Qian Yuan and Bei Lie sides have accumulated countless contradictions during these hundreds of years of division, and many of their hatreds are destined to be irreconcilable.

The woman and three children who had previously shouted "Beilie will never surrender" were a microcosm of many families.

Even if Qian Yuan wins, he is destined to encounter many problems.

Similarly, the conflict between Bei Lie and Qian Yuan is even more profound.

Over the years, Qian Yuan has been in a weak position. The officials have done their best to promote the theory of terror of Bei Lie, while Bei Lie has indeed caused countless killings and plundering...

This may be an even more difficult problem than unifying the world.

The ruler's statement can greatly promote ethnic integration and prevent some ambitious individuals from finding an excuse to rebel, which is beneficial to a unified empire.

But clearly, no one would want to be the one to surrender.

It was just a verbal mention when they met last time, but now Qin Lou is seriously putting it into practice for Mingchen.

Such a promise is practically impossible for anyone to keep.

Power is a poison; once you grasp it, it's hard to let go.

However, Qin Lou, this seemingly ambitious monarch, did exactly that.

This is the only war we'll ever fight; it will be the last one.

It was only natural that we won.

We've lost, so be it; we're not going to let this stalemate continue.

The Northern Lie royal family has built up its empire over hundreds of years, and now they're just giving it up like that.

The shame of a monarch who lost his country was something he had to bear.

He so openly gave up all of this.

Few in this world can truly understand this monarch.

Mingchen was taken aback for a moment, then said, "Your Majesty trusts me quite a bit!"

He shook his head and smiled: "If I, Qian Yuan, am defeated, and if His Majesty thinks highly of me, then I will switch allegiance to you."

"I accept on behalf of His Majesty. If we lose this battle, we will no longer resist."

Xiao Xinyue: ?

He lowered his eyes and said softly, "I also hope that the iron hooves of the Northern Lie will not ravage the people of our Qian Yuan. They have suffered from war for years and have never had a good life..."

Qin Lou spoke first, actually waiting for Ming Chen to give an equal reply.

He was right about this person.

"it is good!"

Upon hearing Mingchen's agreement, Qin Lou smiled and raised his wine cup: "It's a deal!"

Mingchen's words are like farts; he's always plotting and scheming.

But now, they're drinking face-to-face, eye to eye, and it's just a drunken conversation, without even a written contract, yet Qin Lou believes it.

The world is a place of intrigue and warfare, destined to be filthy and dirty, but... there is also romance hidden within it.

Mingchen also raised his wine glass: "It's a deal."

A biting wind blew, and withered leaves flew into the sky, dispelling some of the effects of the alcohol.

Before I knew it, the snow began to fall, the snowflakes fluttering down with the gentle breeze.

This is the first snow this year.

A quiet pavilion by the lake, where plum wine is brewed.

The emperor and the duke, who controlled the fate of the world, were like leisurely travelers, quietly appreciating the scenery of the first snow.

"Tsk tsk tsk~ It's snowing..."

Mingchen swirled the wine in his goblet and said to Qin Lou with a smile, "This wonderful place will belong to Qian Yuan from now on!"

"Rest assured, Your Majesty, Chen will renovate this place properly as a memorial..."

Being serious and earnest didn't seem to suit him at all; in the blink of an eye, he transformed back into that carefree and playful demeanor.

Qin Lou snorted coldly: "Heh!"

So brave!

Qin Lou glanced at him and said coldly, "If you like this place so much, when my Bei Lie unites the world in the future, I'll leave you here to govern the land for me!"

"Hahahaha~"

"Then I thank Your Majesty!"

The wind and snow fell silently, unnoticed by anyone.

The domineering monarch and the legendary duke made a pact in this secluded lakeside pavilion that would determine the future of the world.

The charcoal fire gradually died down, and the drinks were almost finished.

Everything that needed to be said has been said.

Qin Lou didn't want to say anything sentimental or sentimental.

He stood up and waved to Mingchen: "Mingchen, this ends here for today. Farewell!"

"Good~"

Mingchen also rose and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, have a safe journey!"

"Let's see who's the best."

Qin Lou uttered a single sentence, flicked his robes, and simply turned and left.

His solitary figure, meeting Mingchen's gaze, gradually disappeared into the wind and snow.

Watching his departing figure, Mingchen gently stroked the little fox's head, his eyes sparkling as if he were lost in thought.

The little fox also fell silent.

An emperor is not just a name; he must bear weight and responsibility.

It turns out that supporting a country requires such magnanimity and such courage.

Having met Qin Lou today, Hua Rong also gained a clearer understanding of her childish emperor.

"Hua Rong, let's go home too!"

"Oh……"

……

"Humph!"

The biting wind was piercing to the bone.

Inside the Yongqi military tent, the charcoal fire burned brightly. The garrison commander, He Minghao, snorted coldly and put down the letter in his hand.

"That Northern Emperor is seriously underestimating us!"

"Do you really think I, Qian Yuan, am a spineless person?"

"Do you really think I, Qian Yuan, am a traitor like Liu Xifeng, who colludes with the enemy and betrays the country?"

He was left by Ling Yu to guard this godforsaken corner of the city; the main battlefield had nothing to do with him.

However, things changed the day before yesterday.

A small group of Northern envoys arrived, carrying a letter personally written by Emperor Qin Lou of the Northern Kingdom.

The other party's meaning is very simple.

They hoped that He Minghao would betray Qian Yuan and open the city gates to surrender to Bei Lie.

Qin Lou seemed to be able to read his mind, saying that the Qian Yuan ruler was incompetent, allowing sycophants to hold power and failing to recognize talent, causing him to be ostracized and waste his time doing thankless and arduous tasks. He promised that as long as He Minghao opened the city gates and let the Bei Lie army into the city, he would personally lead his troops to launch a surprise attack on the Qian Yuan army from the south. If they won this battle, they could severely damage Qian Yuan, and the Bei Lie would surely be victorious.

After that, He Minghao became the greatest contributor to the Northern Army. Qin Lou Hui appointed him as a Pillar of State, granting him endless wealth and honor.

The letter even brought up Mingchen, claiming that Mingchen had long been colluding with Beilie and had secretly met with the Northern Emperor, implying that Qian Yuan was about to be defeated.

Although He Minghao had many complaints about Ling Yu and was quite proud, he felt that his current status did not match his abilities.

However, he remained very loyal to Qian Yuan.

His family members are still in Yueyang City.

This single letter alone could not possibly be enough to make him betray Qian Yuan and burn all the merits and glory he had worked so hard to achieve in his life.

but……

His brow furrowed, and he gripped the letter tightly in his hand: "Mingchen..."

So this is where Bei Lie's real trump card lies.

The letter stated that Mingchen was colluding with the Northern Emperor, which greatly concerned him.

When the Northern Emperor said this, he was actually threatening him in a veiled way. If Mingchen and the Northern Emperor were truly related, Mingchen could easily crush him if he wanted to.

It should be noted that at the very beginning, Mingchen made a name for himself and became known to the world.

It was because he made great contributions during his mission to the Northern Lie. Half the province was occupied by only one person, leading to a power struggle between two kings.

This was the beginning of Mingchen's rise to fame, using Qin Lou's name to climb to power.

Qin Lou never concealed his admiration for Ming Chen from beginning to end.

Mingchen's strategy for Beilie, the construction of the irrigation canal, did indeed help Beilie achieve a qualitative leap.

All of this makes it really hard not to doubt Mingchen's stance.

You have to understand, Mingchen is no ordinary person!
That was the Duke of Anguo, second only to Emperor Qian Yuan!

With Bei Lie supporting him from behind, it's not surprising that Ming Chen was able to accomplish so many miraculous things.

Could it be that Mingchen has always been a trap planted by the Northern Emperor in Qianyuan?

To betray at a crucial moment and deliver a heavy blow to Qian Yuan?
He Minghao himself could not possibly betray them, but he didn't know what Mingchen was thinking!

If Mingchen betrays us, the nation will be in grave danger!

How to do?
He Minghao became increasingly alarmed as he thought about it.

He felt he had discovered a terrifying truth.

Everyone was fooled by Mingchen.

However, there was something I couldn't do.

Your Majesty... I am deeply concerned for the future of the nation, but alas, I am of humble status and power! He felt as if the safety of the country rested on his shoulders, making it hard for him to breathe.

After a while, He Minghao called a meeting with his subordinates.

The contents of the letter concerning Mingchen were omitted; instead, the matter of the Northern Emperor's persuasion to surrender was told to these people.

This statement firmly demonstrates his stance.

He will absolutely not surrender.

"The Northern Emperor is truly insidious and ruthless; his heart is utterly despicable!"

"General, we are paid by the emperor and are loyal to him. We must not be misled by him!"

"What nonsense are you spouting? General He is utterly loyal; how could he possibly do something disloyal and unjust?"

Several subordinates were discussing it amongst themselves.

Suddenly, a man stepped forward, his eyes gleaming, and said to He Minghao, "General, I have a plan!"

"Oh?"

"Since the Northern Emperor is so eager and desperate for our Yongqi, why not feign surrender?"

"Feigned surrender?"

"General, you can pretend to be deceived by the Northern Emperor and feign allegiance to the Northern Lie. Set up an ambush in advance, and when the Northern Emperor leads his army into the city, catch him off guard."

"The Northern Emperor also said he wanted to personally lead the army south. If we successfully ambush and capture the Northern Emperor, we..."

The conversation abruptly stopped there.

For a moment, everyone present couldn't help but breathe more heavily.

This is an incredible opportunity for wealth and prosperity!
Is that really possible?
If a monarch personally leads an expedition, there is a risk of being captured by the enemy!
How is that impossible?!

Since the Northern Emperor personally led the expedition, although they had a numerical advantage and were on the territory of the Northern Lie, they had not gained any advantage at all. On the contrary, they were defeated by Ling Yu.

From this perspective, this legendary monarch doesn't seem so amazing after all.

In the end, he was just a mortal; he would also fail. He wasn't as supernatural as the Northern Lie people believed.

Many of Qian Yuan's soldiers lost their fear of him.

He Minghao had long been frustrated by being assigned to this godforsaken place, where there was no battle to fight.

Now the Northern Emperor has actually shifted its strategic focus to them.

What does this mean?
This is their chance!

This could be the turning point of the entire battle.

If we can truly gain the upper hand, then wouldn't we have already won this battle?

He has done a great service!

The opportunity to be ennobled and appointed prime minister, surpassing Mingchen and Lingyu, lies here.

Often, overwhelming temptations and profits are enough to blind people, causing them to ignore all potential risks.

"This……"

Upon hearing this, He Minghao was shocked, his heart pounded, and he repeatedly considered various possibilities in his mind.

His gaze swept over everyone present.

"Do not utter a single word about what happened today."

He gripped the hilt of his sword and said coldly, "If I discover that you have leaked any secrets, don't blame me for turning my back on you!"

"Yes!"xn
Everyone present knew that the general was making a decision that would change the fate of them all.

But just then, a sudden voice came: "General, should we inform General Ling about this matter?"

He Minghao frowned slightly upon hearing this.

However, he calmly replied, "Of course, I will report to General Ling."

He winked at the general who had just suggested a feigned surrender.

Night fell, and a cold wind howled as the gates of Yongqi City opened a crack.

The two headed north under the cover of night.

Three days later, some unspoken agreements had been reached, and the gates of Yongqi City were opened wide.

Bei Lie's troops were looking for a surprise attack, and they were in a great hurry.

In the distance, spirited horses neighed, their hooves pounding the snow-covered earth, as a massive, dark procession surged forward.

One soldier rode in a carriage. He was tall and strong, wearing a red-tasseled silver helmet. His cloak fluttered in the wind, and he was imposing and extremely eye-catching.

He Minghao stood on the city wall, gazing into the distance.

As soon as he could see, the first person he noticed was the most special one.

He had never seen Qin Lou before, and he was too far away to see her clearly. But her figure and attire were enough to explain everything.

For a moment, he unconsciously gripped the hilt of his knife, his breathing becoming rapid.

coming!

coming!

It's really coming!

The Northern Emperor was truly a stubborn, reckless, and foolish madman.

You believe that?

He actually dared to go to the battlefield in person.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

My heart was pounding so hard it felt like it was going to jump out of my chest.

He Minghao swallowed hard, feeling as if time was passing exceptionally slowly.

He was already imagining a future where he would capture the Northern Emperor, expose Mingchen's conspiracy, be ennobled and appointed prime minister, and achieve unparalleled merit.

Closer, closer.

The closer this unit is to his dream future, the closer it is to him.

But, right now.

"stop!"

The Northern Fierce forces seemed to have sensed something, and with a loud shout, the charging troops became somewhat chaotic and stopped in their tracks.

He Minghao, standing on the city wall, was also jolted, his heart seemingly stopping at that moment.

"withdraw!"

"withdraw!"

"withdraw!"

"There's an ambush!"

"Escort! Escort!"

The Northern Army soldiers kept shouting.

The team began to turn around and retreat in a somewhat chaotic manner.

"not good!"

He Minghao immediately drew his sword and shouted to the guards, "Quickly, have General Chen and General Liu follow me to lead the troops into battle!"

"Whatever you do, don't leave Qinlou!!!"

(End of this chapter)