Having many children brings many blessings; the struggle for power begins with marriage.

Chapter 159 Lin Gaoyuan's Little Thoughts

After hearing Zhao Wenhan's words, everyone thought about it and felt that there was some truth to them.

Beijun was indeed quite important to the Xia Dynasty, so the Xia Emperor could not stand by and watch Beijun be taken. Therefore, it was inevitable that troops would be mobilized to the north.

Didn't the Xia Emperor send 70,000 troops north last time?

Zhao Wenhan glanced at Chu Qinwu and Wang Hai, then said calmly, "Let's go, His Majesty is waiting for us to discuss important matters."

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhao Wenhan walked towards the side hall. Chu Qinwu and Wang Hai exchanged a glance and then quickly followed.

At this moment, Wang Chengshuo came to Lu Shuyun's side. Seeing Lu Shuyun squinting at Zhao Wenhan's back, Wang Chengshuo whispered, "Your Highness, I think Prime Minister Zhao's approach is correct. Since we cannot stop His Majesty from sending troops north, why not take the initiative to offer support to Beijun? In that case, how many troops to send north will be a matter for the Ministry of War to discuss."

After listening to Wang Chengshuo's analysis, Lu Shuyun pondered for a moment and felt that there was some truth to it.

It seems that the old fox is indeed shrewd. If it were him, he would definitely find a way to stop his father from sending troops north.

The Northern Commandery already has 50,000 heavy cavalry, so why send troops north? They would love for those 50,000 heavy cavalry to be wiped out. It is because of this idea that they seem to be too eager for quick success and instant benefits, and thus they do not consider things very thoroughly.

Lu Shuyun was somewhat relieved that Zhao Wenhan, that old fox, was on her side.

Next, we'll wait for the outcome of their discussion.

About an hour later, Lin Gaoyuan was the first to come out of Emperor Xia's study. He seemed much calmer today, unlike last time when he was full of anger over the matter of sending troops north.

Lin Gaoyuan quickly returned home.

Lin Xiuming happened to be at home at that moment.

Upon seeing Lin Gaoyuan return, Lin Xiuming asked, "Father, when can I go to the front lines?"

Lin Xiuming's 70,000-strong army had only recently returned from Beijun, so when the war between Daxia and Dawu broke out, Lin Xiuming and his 70,000 troops stayed in the capital to rest and were not sent to the front lines to fight against Dawu. This made Lin Xiuming somewhat restless.

After all, what man doesn't want to make a name for himself? Moreover, this is a national war, unlike the war in Beijun. This war is on a very large scale. Dawu has already assembled an army of nearly 800,000, while Daxia has already sent 400,000 troops to the front.

If Lin Xiuming could achieve great merit in this great battle, his prestige in the army would be even greater, and his status would be greatly enhanced. Therefore, Lin Xiuming had always hoped that the imperial court could transfer him to the front line.

Upon hearing Lin Xiuming's question, Lin Gaoyuan smiled and then stroked his beard.

"You're going to the front lines soon."

Upon hearing this, Lin Xiuming was stunned for a moment, then overjoyed. "Really? How many soldiers does His Majesty intend to give me?"

Lin Gaoyuan then said, "Don't be too happy yet. His Majesty only plans to give you 20,000 soldiers, and your main task is not to fight, but to transport supplies."

Lin Xiuming was dumbfounded. He was a general, and instead of letting him go to the front line to lead troops into battle, he was being put in charge of logistics.

Seeing that Lin Xiuming was stunned, Lin Gaoyuan continued, "Also, the front line I'm referring to isn't the fighting in the west, but in the north."

"North...north?"

Lin Xiuming looked completely bewildered.

The war in the north was over long ago, wasn't it? The Sirius King's tribe was destroyed by the Northern King, and he only recently returned from the Northern Commandery. How come there's another war in the north? Who would dare to provoke the Northern King, who commands 50,000 heavy cavalry, at this time?

Lin Gaoyuan continued, "I just received the battle report during court. The Northern Xian King is leading an army of 200,000 south. The Northern King sent a messenger with red silk to the court to request aid. Zhao Wenhan believes that the war with Da Wu is more important now, so he plans to send you to Beijun to transport some supplies and assist the Northern King in resisting the Northern Xian King's southward advance."

Lin Xiuming was somewhat bewildered after hearing his father's words.

He had just returned from North County, and now he was going back to North County again?

What was he doing in Beijun? Was he there to help the Northern King clean up the battlefield and carry corpses?

The Northern King, relying on the small number of soldiers in the Northern Commandery, was able to defeat even the 300,000-strong army led by the Heavenly Wolf King. There was no need for the imperial court to send troops north.

Seeing that Lin Xiuming seemed somewhat unwilling, Lin Gaoyuan asked directly, "What's wrong? You don't want to?"

Lin Xiuming snapped out of his daze. "Father, with those 50,000 heavy cavalry in Beijun, there's no need for the court to send troops north, is there?"

Lin Gaoyuan said, "Do you think that sending you north is to defend against the Northern Xian King's 200,000-strong army? The court sent you north only to appease the Northern King. After all, the Northern King sent a red silk messenger to ask for help. Everyone knows that the Northern King's methods are extraordinary and he doesn't need the court's help at all. Your 20,000 soldiers are no different from the peasant soldiers in the transport team."

Lin Xiuming said unhappily, "It doesn't matter who we send, why do we have to go? I want to fight against the Great Wu Dynasty and earn more military merits."

Lin Gaoyuan chuckled and then said, "How old are you this year? Why are you in such a hurry to make military achievements? Look at Zhou Wangtian and Mu Changtian, neither of them had a good ending."

Upon hearing Lin Gaoyuan's words, Lin Xiuming was taken aback, but then realized that having too many military merits was indeed not a good thing.

Lin Gaoyuan stroked his beard and then said, "Now, the ministers in the court and those aristocratic families basically believe that the 50,000 heavy cavalry are His Majesty's private army. However, based on the information you brought back from Beijun, in my opinion, the fact that the Imperial Preceptor personally went to Beijun and asked you so many questions shows that His Majesty doesn't understand Beijun at all."

"These 50,000 heavy cavalrymen will most likely only obey the orders of the Northern King. The Northern King is not a simple person. It won't hurt for you to have more contact with him."

Lin Xiuming was taken aback when he heard Lin Gaoyuan's words.

His father was very wary of the succession struggle. No matter which prince came to see him, he always had the same attitude: he would resolutely not take sides with anyone and would basically remain indifferent to the matter.

But today, his father actually asked him to have more contact with the Northern King. Doesn't this mean that his father thinks highly of the Northern King and that the Northern King is his chosen successor?

Seeing Lin Xiuming looking at him with surprise, Lin Gaoyuan said, "What's with that expression? Is there something on my face or something?"

Lin Xiuming snapped out of his reverie and said, "Father, do you really think the Northern King might ultimately..."

Lin Xiuming did not continue speaking, after all, this kind of thing was not convenient to discuss publicly.

Lin Gaoyuan said, "Nobody can say for sure. By the way, didn't you say you saw Xiaoyun in Beijun last time?"

Lin Xiuming had been in Beijun for so long, so he naturally heard about Xuan Yue Palace opening a restaurant there. He even met with Lin Wanyun and they chatted for a bit.

Lin Xiuming said, "Yes, I heard that she seems to have been living in the Northern Prince's Mansion."

Lin Gaoyuan pondered for a moment, then said with a smile, "Although I don't know what Xuan Yue Palace wants from the Northern King, it would be perfect if your sister could become the Northern King's woman."

Um... this...

Lin Xiuming reminded her, "Father, if I remember correctly, Sister Yun is already in her thirties. Some women in their thirties have children who are as old as the Northern King..."

Although it wasn't explicitly stated, Lin Xiuming's meaning was clear: Lin Wanyun was old enough to be the Northern King's mother.

Lin Gaoyuan glared at Lin Xiuming and then said, "You don't know anything. The Northern King lost his mother when he was young. People like him like to prefer mature women who are older than themselves. Look at Chu Yuqin, the Queen Consort of the Heavenly Wolf King, isn't she also that old?"

"Alright, enough talk, let's get ready."

"The Ministry of Revenue has already prepared the provisions for the expedition. You will have to head north in no more than five days."

Lin Xiuming sighed and didn't say anything more.

(End of this chapter)