How could my childhood sweetheart be the current empress?

"...!!!"

Finally, even Yan Jixue could no longer hold back her anger, and in a fit of rage, she tore off the armrests of the dragon throne.

This traitor! I want to kill him!!!

Chapter 107: A good sword should be used on the blade

There was silence in the court.

At this time, no one dared to speak.

Only the sound of the armrests of the dragon throne being broken was heard, echoing in everyone's heart.

This time, His Majesty was completely enraged.

Military expansion is one of Dayan's most important state affairs, and it is carried out every year. However, this time, it was strongly opposed by the prime minister.

Yan Jixue resisted the urge to drag him away and behead him. She stared at the man in front of her and said:

"Prime Minister, in your opinion, you will not allow me to expand the army next year?"

"This matter is still up to your majesty to decide, and I dare not object."

Xu Chengling shook his head and looked at the empress above with his dark eyes. He was upright and fearless.

In fact, no matter how much he opposed, the matter of military expansion was still decided by His Majesty, and he was only responsible for giving advice.

If His Majesty insisted on expanding the military next year, then she could simply reject all his previous opinions and forcefully implement this policy.

After all, he is just a minister. A minister can give advice to the king but cannot make decisions for the king.

Xu Chengling has said everything he should say. If the empress still wants to expand the army, then he has nothing to say.

But if she did so, within a few years, the imperial power in Dayan would change, because she ignored the most important thing, which is the power of the people.

Let's put it this way, if the empress expands the army by 100,000 next year and the treasury is in short supply, where will the military expenditure come from? It will naturally come from increasing taxes, which will undoubtedly increase the living burden of the people.

These common people have been forced into a desperate situation. What can they do? They can only join the rebels and start an uprising. Since ancient times, all peasant uprisings have been forced out.

So, where did these rebels come from? They were forced out by the heavy taxes and levies imposed by the imperial court.

After a long time, the empress still did not make a decision.

Will this military expansion be pushed forward?

Just when the ministers were confused about His Majesty's thoughts, the empress sitting above finally spoke, saying slowly:

"Prime Minister, in your opinion, what should I do to satisfy you?"

Yan Jixue's voice sounded extremely cold, which made the ministers below feel a chill.

Anyone with a discerning eye could tell that His Majesty had reached the end of his patience and although he seemed to be compromising, he actually had murderous intent.

But the Prime Minister seemed not to notice the change in His Majesty's tone, and replied with a straight face:

"Your Majesty, you do not need to care about my opinion. If Your Majesty has any opinion of me, I will have no complaints. However, regarding the expansion of the army, I implore Your Majesty to think twice and put the country first."

Having said that, Xu Chengling couldn't help but raise his head and meet the gaze of the woman in dragon robe in front of him.

Being stared at like this by him, Yan Jixue couldn't help but feel a little guilty. She turned her head away and avoided his direct gaze.

Xu Chengling could not help but take another step forward and stepped onto the third step. At this time, he was very close to His Majesty and could vaguely see the face of the woman behind the curtain.

Looks like him, very much like him. Both in appearance and in the expression that he reveals unintentionally, she looks so much like his wife.

And now, his wife should have returned to the palace.

He couldn't help but have a bold idea. Is it possible that the empress in front of him is his wife, and she deliberately exchanged identities with her sister to see his reaction?

As for why Xu Chengling had this feeling, there was naturally a reason.

The most important basis for this is that the empress in front of him and the empress he had met before have very different styles of doing things, one is more casual, and the other is very tough.

But this is just Xu Chengling's idea after all, and such a ridiculous thing should not happen.

Thinking of this, Xu Chengling couldn't help but stop. He was already very close to the empress. If he took another step forward, it would be an overstepping of authority.

Probably, he would be thrown out of the hall by the empress's personal guards.

"Your Majesty, I actually have a solution that can solve your urgent needs without expanding the army."

Xu Chengling said to the empress in front of him, everyone can raise questions, but the key lies in how to solve the problems.

At this time, the officials below couldn't help but prick up their ears, wanting to hear how the prime minister would solve this matter.

If this problem is not solved properly, His Majesty will keep it in mind and my life will not be easy in the future.

"Hmm? What do you think, my dear?"

Yan Jixue's voice was much calmer than before. As the ruler of a country, she attached great importance to controlling her emotions and must not let her emotions affect her correct judgment.

If what he said was good, I could still forgive him for his previous gaffe. But if what he said was bad, well, he will have a hard time in the future.

Xu Chengling bowed to the empress above him, and then slowly said:

"Your Majesty's intention of expanding the army is to consolidate the domestic regime and deter the surrounding countries. In this case, Your Majesty might as well spend this treasury budget on training the expanded Dayan Army, enhancing the comprehensive quality of these soldiers, improving the level of their equipment, and using the best swords on the blades."

Xu Chengling couldn't help but pause, then continued:

"This will not only save the country's young labor force, but also significantly reduce the amount of food that needs to be fed. The saved treasury budget can be used for major domestic projects and solving people's livelihood problems."

"Your Majesty, we feel that what the Prime Minister said is absolutely right."

As soon as Xu Chengling said this, he immediately gained the support of many old officials in the court.

Of course, these old ministers who supported him were all cultivated by the old prime minister and were his people.

"Well, let me think about it..."

Yan Jixue nodded slightly and thought carefully about the suggestions put forward by Xu Chengling. What he said made sense.

If this military expansion budget is used on the already expanded soldiers, it can indeed enhance the combat capabilities of these soldiers, and the saved treasury budget can be used in other places.

The most important thing is that these Goose Troops are all in her hands and can be directly deployed by her.

But there is a problem with this suggestion, that is, she essentially only has the power of 250,000 troops. No matter how much she trains this group of wild goose soldiers, it will be difficult for them to defeat an army of 400,000 or 500,000.

Unless there is some way to rapidly improve the combat capability of the Dayan Army in a short period of time.

"I also think that what the Prime Minister said makes sense, but improving the combat capabilities of soldiers is a slow process that requires long-term training and military expenditures. If an external enemy invades during this period, wouldn't all the previous efforts be wasted?"

Yan Jixue said calmly, her eyes inevitably sweeping over Prince Jing.

Compared with external enemies, she was more worried that Prince Jing in the country might suddenly rise up in rebellion. With the 250,000 troops in her hands, which had not yet been trained, her chances of winning against Prince Jing's 400,000 troops were low.

Although she still has the Eighth Wise King's 200,000 border troops to back her up, the military power is not in her hands after all. If the Eighth Wise King suddenly rebels one day, how should she respond?

As an empress, Yan Jixue must have this worry. She cannot trust anyone around her, and the only person she can rely on is herself.

"Your Majesty, I have a method that can quickly improve the combat capability of the Dayan Army. Even if we face an army twice as large as ours, we will still be able to fight."

At this time, Xu Chengling said again that he had already thought of how to improve the combat capability of the Dayan Army, but it would take some time.

So, he signed a military order in front of the empress and said:

"Your Majesty, please give me a month. In a month, I will be able to more than double the combat capability of this Dayan Army. If I cannot do that, I am willing to resign as Prime Minister."

----

One good news, one bad news.

The bad news is that there will be no full attendance requirement in the first month of release, and the extra updates at the end of the month have been temporarily cancelled.

The good news is that the wind will turn around in two days, and during this period the author will work hard to update more chapters, at least four or five chapters a day. Currently I am a full-time writer, and my income depends entirely on subscriptions, so there is no need to worry that the author will run away at any time. After all, I still have to eat, haha.

Chapter 108: The Idol of Contemporary Young People (Part 3)

As soon as Xu Chengling finished speaking, the most nervous person on the scene was none other than Prince Jing.

If it is true as Xu Chengling said, he can double the combat capability of the Empress's Wild Goose Army in one month, then that would be very disadvantageous for him.

Moreover, the other party had directly issued a military order. If he couldn't do this, he would directly resign from his position as prime minister.

Where are the friendly forces and companions? Why did they turn against us so quickly?

"Prime Minister, why don't you think about it again? If you can't do it, you won't be able to report to His Majesty."

Prince Jing hurried forward to persuade and stop the Prime Minister from surrendering to the enemy.

"Yes, Lord Prime Minister, this military order is no joke. Please think twice!"

At this time, a group of ministers also hurriedly stood up and advised Xu Chengling.

You have to know that his position has a huge impact on the entire court. If the prime minister abdicates, what should happen to the people under him, and who can replace the prime minister?

The prime minister is the head of the civil servants. The significance of his existence is not only to lead the civil service team, but also to restrain other powerful officials in the court so as to achieve a balance of power.

Not to mention they were anxious, even Yan Jixue, the empress, was anxious, and even more anxious than them.

If she could get rid of the prime minister easily, she would have done it long ago. At least half of the officials in the court are the prime minister's men. If the prime minister is suddenly gone, who will help her to restrain these powerful officials?

Thinking of this, Yan Jixue couldn't help but said slowly:

"Prime Minister, I naturally believe in your ability, but this matter is of great importance and you cannot make a rash decision. I think it is better not to issue this military order. If you are willing to do so, then you can give it a try."

"If you succeed, I will definitely reward you, my dear."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your help."

Xu Chengling thanked His Majesty and couldn't help but smile in his heart.

Your Majesty has let him go to sea. Not only does he not have to issue a military order, but he will also be rewarded if he succeeds.

After all, his position is too important, so important that he cannot even resign from the position of prime minister. There are too many things involved behind his position.

At this time, Xu Chengling stepped forward again, full of confidence, and said boldly to the empress:

"Your Majesty, I dare to say that within half a year, I can make this army of wild geese into an elite force, and within three years, I can completely solve the famine problem of wild geese."

"Wow!"

After hearing what he said, there was an uproar again in the hall.

When the young officials heard what Xu Chengling said, they all stood there in a daze, and their blood seemed to be burning in their chests.

Since they are officials, who doesn't want to do something big? But when Xu Chengling opened his mouth, they said things that they dared not even think about, some of which were even far-fetched.

Not to mention the problems of the Dayan Army, Dayan has been suffering from famine since the founding of the country, with countless victims displaced and hungry.

If the problem of famine can really be solved, let alone three years, even ten years, or even a hundred years, Dayan will definitely solve this fundamental livelihood issue.

Amid the incredulous gazes of the officials, only Yan Jixue, who was sitting behind the curtain, raised a slight smile.

Was he talking about the corn cob he had mentioned to her before?

Can this small corn cob really solve the famine problem that has plagued wild geese for more than two hundred years?

For some reason, Yan Jixue was willing to believe this possibility.

Because she saw from Xu Chengling's eyes his vision for Dayan's future and his unshakable determination.

This determination also infected her, making her want to join his great cause.

"My dear, since you have such great ambitions, I will do my best to help you."

Yan Jixue looked at the man in front of her, made up her mind, and said to him.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Xu Chengling thanked His Majesty. He knew very well that his grand ambitions would inevitably require the help of the Empress.

In order to realize his ideal, he must rely on the power of the empress and promote it in Dayan.

This is also the reason why Xu Chengling wants to have a good relationship with the empress. However, it seems a bit difficult to have a good relationship with the empress who is at the pinnacle of power.

But no matter what, the matter has finally been finalized.

At Xu Chengling's suggestion, the empress decided not to expand the military next year, but instead use the treasury budget on major domestic projects and people's livelihood issues to stabilize the domestic situation first.

As for Xu Chengling, he also signed a military order in front of the empress, to improve the combat capability of the Dayan Army within one month. As for the method, he did not specify.