The Prodigal Son

After finalizing the location of Tiangongfang, Qin Yu was finally able to relax again.

He spends his days flirting and being affectionate with Nan Que'er and Luo Qingyi, living a very happy life.

However, Jiang Ci's frequent visits to the Qin residence were giving Qin Yu a bit of a headache.

I'd rather not go ahead, but I'm afraid I'll develop feelings for them, and I'll definitely feel awkward about it.

If I don't go, it's easy for people to become suspicious.

After all, his reputation for being a womanizer had long been known throughout the capital.

Left with no other choice, Qin Yu was forced to make fun of himself for indulging in excessive sexual activity, admitting that his old habits had relapsed.

To make it more realistic, Nan Que'er also got him some tonics.

In the afternoon, Qin Yu was lying on a recliner watching Nan Que'er and the others playfully fighting with Jiang Ci, who had run up to the door again, when a palace eunuch rushed in: "His Majesty's decree: Summon Marquis Qin to the palace immediately for a meeting, without delay!"

Qin Yu stood up and asked, "What happened?"

The three girls who were playing around suddenly stopped, and Jiang Ci listened carefully.

"Lord Xue returned to the capital an hour ago."

The eunuch didn't say much, just gave a simple reply.

Qin Yu instantly understood and turned to Luo Qingyi and the others, saying, "Don't wait for me for dinner!"

After saying this, Qin Yu immediately left with the eunuch.

Watching Qin Yu leave, Jiang Ci looked at the two women with worry: "Are we going to have another war?"

Who knows?

Luo Qingyi sighed softly, "I hope it's not about war!"

Nan Que'er also sighed, instantly losing her playful mood.

Meanwhile, Qin Yu followed the eunuch and rushed to the palace.

Upon entering the Imperial Study, one finds that many officials of the third rank or above have already arrived.

Song Xian, the newly appointed Academician of the Zizheng Hall, was also prominently listed.

Zhao Luan only arrived at the Imperial Study after everyone had arrived.

Zhao Luan walked to the throne and sat down. After everyone had finished paying their respects, he got straight to the point: "I summoned you all here for one matter! How should our dynasty fight this battle against Northern Qi?"

Hearing Zhao Luan's words, many people showed expressions of "I knew it."

When everyone saw Xue Chengdao, who had just returned from Zhenzhou, they could basically guess what the topic of the day would be.

Faced with the issue raised by Zhao Luan, the ministers looked at each other, waiting for someone to speak first.

Su Yu looked around, then slowly stood up. "This old minister humbly begs Your Majesty to temporarily cease hostilities!"

"Did Old Master Su not hear what I said?"

Zhao Luan frowned and looked at Su Yu. "I said, today we will only discuss how to fight, not whether we should fight at all!"

"Your Majesty does not wish to discuss this, but as the regent, I have no choice but to speak out!"

Su Yu said solemnly, "Although our dynasty's treasury is currently full, we are not yet prepared for a full-scale war with Northern Qi!"

"Right now, our dynasty should take advantage of its abundant treasury and focus all its efforts on war preparations, prioritizing defense!"

"As long as Northern Qi does not launch an attack, our dynasty should focus on governing the newly acquired territories!"

"After we've made full preparations, we'll fight a decisive battle with Bei Qi, striving to settle the score in one fell swoop!"

Hearing Su Yu's words, many ministers nodded secretly.

Indeed, with the gold and silver treasures that Qin Yu escorted back, the treasury of Da Ning was more abundant than ever before.

In this situation, the priority should definitely be defense, and only after sufficient preparation should an attack be launched.

To rashly wage war against Beiqi without making sufficient preparations would mean losing a great opportunity if we were to fail.

Some people were still secretly wondering.

Hadn't the imperial court already basically decided on a strategy of uniting with the Yan state to jointly attack the Northern Qi?

Why did the wind suddenly change direction again?

Qin Yu didn't say anything, but secretly despised the old man Su Yu in his heart.

This old man knows perfectly well that they're going to attack Yan this year, yet he's still putting on a show here!

He's definitely got the acting prowess of a movie star!

Zhao Luan's face fell, and her gaze landed on Xue Chengdao: "Lord Xue, you are the Minister of War, what do you have to say?"

Xue Chengdao glanced at Zhao Luan's expression, then bowed and said, "Your subject also agrees with Elder Su's opinion!"

As soon as Xue Chengdao finished speaking, the courtiers erupted in uproar.

What's going on?

Xue Chengdao actually agreed with Su Yu's opinion?

He's the Minister of War!

"Lord Xue, as the Minister of War, how can you be afraid of battle?"

Gao Yi slammed his fist on the table and stood up, glaring angrily at Xue Chengdao.

"Exactly. If even you, the Minister of War, are afraid to fight, what hope can our dynasty have?"

"Words cannot be spoken, and not fighting does not mean we are afraid of war! Whether to fight or not depends on whether the timing is right!"

"Yes! This battle is no small matter; we must be fully prepared before we fight!"

"We can afford to wait this out, but Bei Qi might not! A defensive strategy is the best course of action!"

"Ridiculous! We're making preparations, don't you think Bei Qi is making preparations too?"

"..."

In an instant, the courtiers launched into a fierce argument.

The ministers in the court were divided into three factions.

One faction, led by Su Yu and Xue Chengdao, had a simple opinion: not to avoid war, but to make full preparations for war.

The other faction consisted of officials led by Gao Yi. They did not insist on starting a full-scale war with Bei Qi at this time, but instead criticized Xue Chengdao, the Minister of War, for being cowardly.

There is another group, namely Qin Yu and his ilk, who are in no hurry to express their opinions and are simply watching the show.

Qin Yu knew in his heart that a fight was inevitable.

It all depends on which side they fight on!

Beiqi is not the main battlefield!

But we must be wary of Northern Qi taking advantage of our misfortune.

Let the bullets fly for a while!

Since Su Yu and the others have such a strong desire to perform, they should be allowed to indulge in their acting passion first.

The ministers' dispute continued, and gradually escalated into a quarrel.

Seeing that the courtiers were about to engage in their familiar exchange of insults, Zhao Luan immediately interrupted them, shouting, "All of you, shut up!"

With Zhao Luan's intervention, the officials gradually stopped, but they were still silently talking to each other.

Just by looking at the shape of his mouth, you can tell that he is definitely cursing the other person's mother.

After calming the assembled officials, Zhao Luan surveyed them with a frosty expression: "I will say this one last time! Today, we will only discuss how to fight! Anyone who speaks against war again will be executed on the spot!"

Su Yu was unwilling to give up and wanted to speak again, but he was forced back by Zhao Luan's cold and sharp gaze.

Xue Chengdao sighed softly, looking at Zhao Luan with helplessness: "If Your Majesty is determined to fight, I suggest that we concentrate our superior forces to attack Yichi City."

"If the Yan state is willing to send troops from Panshan Pass to attack Xianzhou in Northern Qi, Northern Qi will surely be defeated!"

"However, I still do not trust the fickle people of Yan! This is my greatest concern!"

"Your Majesty, I humbly request that you consider Emperor Xiaowu's dying words!"

To destroy Northern Qi, one must first destroy Yan!

Otherwise, the Yan state could stab them in the back at any time.

No matter how well the negotiations went in the early stages, the Yan state could change its mind at any time.

"I also suggest that Your Majesty consider the great battle of a few years ago!"

Cui Xu also stepped forward to advise, "I believe that Lord Xue wants to defeat Bei Qi more than anyone else, but Yan State has always been a major threat! If our dynasty divides its forces to guard against Yan State, it will inevitably disperse our military strength!"

Faced with Cui Xu's indirect advice, Zhao Luan's face fell again.

"I don't want to hear any of this right now!"

Zhao Luan coldly looked at Cui Xu: "The Northern Qi invaded Shuozhou and provoked war. Now that our treasury is full, I have no reason to avoid war!"

"Then let's attack Shuozhou!"

After a long silence, Qin Yu finally spoke.

"Shuozhou?"

Zhao Luande's gaze suddenly fell on Qin Yu. "Tell me your thoughts."