Chapter 88: with translation of chapter title

88. Chapter 88: Cohesion

Matters of war and state cannot be taken lightly.

Throughout the ages, this has always required utmost caution.

However, in Dayong, it does not exist.

Those hoping for a great battle are not only the officials in the court, but also the nobles and, indeed, the soldiers below, who are also looking forward to it.

Dayong has actually always had a merit system for military achievements.

Expanding borders and changing one's status from commoner—no soldier doesn't desire that.

Having fought their way out of thousands of competitors to become salaried soldiers, they naturally hope to encounter a great battle to make a name for themselves.

Afraid of death?

In a lifetime, who can avoid death?

Even a mediocre life must end in death.

Then why not a good man relish a hearty battle?

With good luck, one can achieve merit, bring honor to one's clan, and secure titles for wife and children.

Bad luck?

Then die early, be reborn early, and start anew in the next life.

However, although Dayong has decided to wage war on the Western Regions nations, it has not announced anything publicly, but quietly mobilized thirty thousand imperial guards under the guise of drills.

Dayong's imperial guard exercises are held several times each year.

Therefore, even the secret agents of the Western Regions stationed in Jingcheng received no news of this troop movement.

Only after the main force reached the northwestern frontier and linked up with the border troops there did Emperor Xi He issue an edict announcing the campaign against the Western Regions.

The reason was clear: to punish the disloyal.

The Western Regions have colluded with the northern Rong tribes, planting spies in Jingcheng to gather intelligence on Dayong's army—this is an ironclad fact.

The edict spread, shaking both court and officials.

The ministers hurriedly submitted petitions, requesting to go to war.

These requests to fight were purely personal wishes.

"Nonsense!"

"You are all civil officials; how could you fight on the battlefield?"

Emperor Xi He, looking at these petitioning civil officials, was so angry he smashed the documents they handed him.

"Your Majesty, though I am a civil official, I have mastered the six Confucian arts and consider myself no inferior, and I am also proficient with bow and horse!"

The speaker was an Imperial Censor from the Supervisory Office.

"Your Majesty, we can attest that Lord Lin can draw a three‑stone bow and, within a hundred paces, has the skill to pierce poplar wood!"

"I can also testify!"

"Fine, even if Minister Lin possesses such marksmanship, what about you?"

"Your Majesty, I dare not deceive you; since childhood I have possessed divine strength, capable of lifting a cauldron!"

This speaker, however, was an official in the Ministry of War.

To showcase his strength, he rolled up his robe sleeves and displayed his 'kirin arm' to Emperor Xi He.

"Your Majesty, I inherit a family fist technique!"

"Your Majesty, I am a disciple of the Mohist school, specializing in machinery!"

…

One by one, the civil officials displayed their talents to Emperor Xi He.

Emperor Xi He was flustered.

He truly did not know that the officials under his command were each so versatile.

"Your petitions, I have already noted!"

"Very well, I will consider it and give you an answer tomorrow!"

In the end, Emperor Xi He could only employ a delaying tactic, temporarily pacifying the petitioning officials.

"Wang Deshun, go and summon the Minister of War!"

"Your Majesty, Minister Li has set out on campaign with the Duke of Chu!"

Wang Deshun quickly responded.

Emperor Xi He raised his hand to his forehead, muttering, "What kind of people are these!?"

He was also confused by his anger.

Li Lang simply acted first and reported later; after departing with the Duke of Chu, he finally submitted his petition to Emperor Xi He.

"Your Majesty, I, your humble servant, think that since the gentlemen wish to share the emperor's burdens, you might as well grant them their wish."

"Nonsense!"

"They are all jinshi graduates, seasoned for several years, and fully capable. If they were to be lost on the battlefield, my heart would ache!"

"Your Majesty, aren't you worried they might, like Minister Li, act first and report later?"

Well, Wang Deshun's words hit the very core of Emperor Xi He's concern.

Enough, enough!

When the heavens intend to rain, they will; when a mother intends to marry, she will—nothing can stop it.

Emperor Xi He ultimately compromised.

Since these men so desire to make a name for themselves, he could not block them.

The next day, another imperial decree was issued.

The Two Guard Imperial Troops set out again, targeting the Northern Rong tribe.

Over in the Western Regions, there is Lord Chu and Minister of War Li Lang, who have no need to send more troops; however, the Northern Rong tribe, though generally well‑behaved these years, occasionally has border incursions. Each time the Rong nobles quickly hand over the culprit, but it's time to give them a reprimand.

"I really want to go!"

On the city‑gate tower, Xie Zian watched the departing troops, his emotions stirred.

He originally only intended to give the Ministry of Rites a tap, casually helping the court eliminate these petty troubles, never expecting the court to launch a war outright.

He was eager to request battle.

But he knew he had no chance.

His ancestors at home would not consent, nor would his sister and brother‑in‑law.

He could indeed run off on his own, but if he did, it would only leave those who cared about him tangled and uneasy.

Living without ties, one would be too lonely.

With ties come many restraints, and at times life becomes rather tiring.

"Young master, you should just give up the thought!"

"The chance to achieve glory, you should leave it to others!"

Xie Lu saw Xie Zian's eagerness and couldn't help uttering a couple of words.

"Indeed, such a good opportunity should be left to others!"

The Xie Family has a long lineage; although he lacks a hereditary title, his imperial uncle already commands great prestige.

……

"It's a bit hard to imagine!"

Shen Yunyao, after learning that Dayong had declared war on the Western Countries, heard those sounds outside and truly found them hard to imagine.

For a nation like this, unless the court is utterly corrupt, what kind of enemy could destroy it?

This cohesion!

Shen Yunyao had only seen it under the red flag of her previous life.

By now, Shen Yunyao grew increasingly curious about that mysterious Dayong founding ancestor.

It can't be denied; the other party really is her fellow native.

However, this fellow native is certainly a dunce; otherwise why would they have to become a literary plagiarist or the like. After all, of the male‑oriented transmigration natives she's seen, hardly any are not literary plagiarists.

"Miss, Happy Princess has arrived!"

While Shen Yunyao was still sighing, Cuiyu hurried over.

"Qi Jiejie, Qi Jiejie!"

"Good news!"

"In a few more days, we'll have endless watermelons!"

"Earlier I told my imperial brother why we shouldn't subjugate the Western Countries, and he replied that we need sufficient justification."

"Hmph, if you ask me, he surely took my words to heart, thinking that these delicacies should be available whenever Dayong desires them."

Happy Princess wore an expression that seemed to see through the truth.

Shen Yunyao thought to herself, what a great companion; this truly is a gourmand's mindset.

In a gourmand's eyes, everyone, like her, is a gourmand.

However, Shen Yunyao did not rebut Happy Princess.

After all, only Emperor Xi He knows what he truly thinks.

Of course, over in the Western Regions there are not only tasty fruits but also the alluring Western dance maidens. It is said that this campaign against the Western Regions is because the Western Countries use those dance maidens to spy on Dayong.