Can't a princess ascend the throne?

Chapter 303 The fight started
Seeing the Fourth Prince's continuous roars, the guards, though acting on His Majesty's orders, were at a loss. The Fourth Prince was, after all, His Majesty's only son, and his desperate struggles could easily lead to injury, which would be difficult to explain. Jiu Que felt she couldn't stay any longer. If she stayed any longer, word would spread that she was His Majesty's woman, a reputation she couldn't bear. Heaven knows she had always regarded His Majesty as an elder.

Emperor Jingtai coughed incessantly in anger, picked up a dagger scattered by the bedside and threw it. He was skilled in archery and horsemanship throughout his life, and even though he was weak at this moment, the dagger still flew out like a sharp arrow, grazing the fourth prince's shoulder. Blood gushed out immediately, and the fourth prince screamed in pain, but dared not shout again for a moment. He was afraid that His Majesty would stab him to death in a fit of anger.

Only then did Emperor Jingtai manage to calm down, his eyes filled with weariness.

"You keep saying you'll always be my only son. You need to understand that your status as a prince is recognized because of me, not because you were born a man! This is also because I have no other children. If I had other children, what if they were princesses? As long as they are outstanding and can govern this country and its people well, what would it matter if they became empresses? Sons! What use are sons?! My whole life has been ruined by these two words!"

Hearing this, which could only be described as utterly rebellious—no, it was his father, so the word "rebellious" wasn't appropriate—was enough to leave the Fourth Prince dumbfounded. For a moment, he even doubted his ears and forgot to struggle! How could he possibly have such a rebellious father?! Everyone else valued the continuation of their lineage above all else, yet his father, who clearly possessed the entire empire, refused to pass it on to his sons, and now even said he would pass it on to his daughters. Was he supposed to be grateful that his father had no other children besides the four of them?

For some reason, in his anger, the Fourth Prince, a man of dullness his entire life, suddenly turned his gaze to Ying Jiuque as if divinely inspired. The incredulous understanding in his eyes left Jiuque utterly bewildered. "Why are you looking at me like that? I didn't scold you. Has the Fourth Prince gone mad with anger?" Of course, Jiuque was also surprised. She had long known that Emperor Jingtai was extraordinary, but only now did she realize just how exceptional His Majesty was. Even in later generations, let alone in this feudal era, some people stubbornly believed that only boys could carry on the bloodline. His Majesty's thinking was truly unprecedented.

Seeing that the fourth prince had something to say, Emperor Jingtai quickly gave an order before the prince could speak.

"gag!"

"She's mumbling—"

The fourth prince was dragged out like that. Jiu Que didn't know how His Majesty would deal with him, but it was not her business. She could only pretend that she hadn't seen or heard anything.

Fortunately, Emperor Jingtai didn't mind. He glanced at Jiu Que, who was feigning ignorance, and his anger gradually subsided. Although his son was extremely foolish, the Great Jing Dynasty was vast and full of talented people, so there was no need to worry about the ship sinking.

"Now that you've come to the palace, take this opportunity to tell me how you promoted smallpox vaccination."

"Yes."

Jiu Que, having stolen a half-day of leisure, recounted his actions of the past few days to Emperor Jingtai. Emperor Jingtai, a seasoned ruler, possessed a shrewdness and insight unmatched by ordinary people. With just a few words of guidance, Jiu Que seemed to gain a sudden understanding. The rare moment of peace between the emperor and his minister was interrupted by an urgent report from the border: the Northern Barbarian Khan, Saqi, had led an army of 300,000 to the frontier and had already engaged in battle with the Northern Frontier army!

Emperor Jingtai's fingers trembled slightly upon hearing the news before he calmed down, opened the urgent report, and his expression changed after reading it. He slammed his hand hard on the bed, the thick bedding making a dull thud.

"Has this Sachi gone mad? Smallpox is rampant on the grasslands, and with winter approaching, he has chosen this time to attack our country. Even if he wins, it will be a Pyrrhic victory. Why would he do this?"

Jiu Que was extremely anxious upon hearing this. His uncle Yu Chi and aunt Lin were both on the frontier, and if a war broke out with the grasslands, they would undoubtedly be at the forefront. However, it was uncertain whether the method of smallpox vaccination had reached the frontier. The military camps were densely populated, and if smallpox spread, the casualties would be devastating.

After receiving Emperor Jingtai's permission, Jiu Que picked up the urgent report and read it quickly. When he saw that the grasslands had shamelessly sent soldiers with smallpox to the front lines, and even deliberately splashed the blood of smallpox patients on his own soldiers, he was so angry that he wanted to curse them out. Wasn't this cheating? Who in the world wasn't afraid of smallpox? Even the bravest and most skilled soldiers would be afraid when faced with such shameless and reckless behavior from the enemy.

That Khan Sachi has been the Great Khan for decades, how come he doesn't show any compassion for his subordinates? Since they have smallpox, they should be treated properly. Instead of treating them, he sends them into battle. What kind of logic is that? Do they really think his subordinates listen to him?
Jiuque did not know much about Saqi Khan, but Emperor Jingtai knew a great deal about this enemy of several decades. After a moment of contemplation, he gave an affirmative answer.

"Sachi certainly doesn't have much time left to live. If a man like him had another ten years, he would obediently stay in the royal court and let his son lead the army to attack my Great Jing. Now that he is personally leading the army, he must know that he doesn't have long to live and wants to use this opportunity to leave a good name for himself before and after his death. Moreover, a whole army of 300,000, Sachi has probably drawn all the able-bodied men from the entire grassland, right? How could the people of those small tribes be willing to do that? There must be a reason for this!"

Wait a minute! It seems that the Great Jing's ceiling suddenly spread when the Northern Barbarian envoys were traveling south?
Even with his excellent self-control, Emperor Jingtai's face flushed with hatred at this moment.

"Wei Yuan! Wei Yuan! Go to the post station and tie up all those Northern Barbarian envoys! Interrogate them thoroughly and find out if they brought this smallpox from the grasslands. Ask them carefully if any of them fell ill with a fever on the way here!"

That Sachi, he's a madman! He's dying, he had no choice but to go mad! Smallpox is actually easy to control. Since smallpox is rampant in my Great Jing territory, his grasslands will inevitably suffer too! Since you're so heartless, don't blame me for being ruthless! You can use the same methods on my Great Jing, and I can use them on your grasslands! Moreover, I now have one more bargaining chip than you: my Great Jing has already found a way to solve smallpox, while your grasslands can only endure it! Do you think you can outlast me?
"Jiufu! Send a message to Chunyu, telling him not to hold back. The court has found a solution to smallpox, and medical supplies will soon arrive in the northern frontier. I want Sachi's head in this battle!"

(End of this chapter)