Chapter 625: Dispatching Troops

Xiao Yin's words just fell, and the Hall of Nurturing Heart instantly fell into a deadly silence.

If this battle is fought, the cost could be extremely heavy.

The Eight Great Families are unlike ordinary clans; although they were raided this time, nothing was confiscated.

The Eight Great Families' wealth, connections, and the many private guard units they secretly maintained—when combined, the idea of going to Yingzhou to exterminate the Eight Great Families is nothing short of a fantasy.

The Eight Great Families rebelled in Yingzhou, secretly transporting nearly half of Southern Qi's fiscal revenue there.

Southern Qi's treasury had been emptied by the Eight Great Families twenty years ago; now, whether it's Xiao Yin or Bai Xiaosheng taking over, they inherit only an empty shell.

Now everyone understands the crux of the problem: without money, where would military pay come from?

Without military pay, where would grain and fodder come from? Without grain and fodder, how could so many soldiers be fed?

Suppressing the Yingzhou rebellion cannot be accomplished in a short time; during this period, the soldiers raised by the Eight Great Families have become strong and well-mounted, secretly surpassing those of Zhejiang.

As for Southern Qi's troops, they are few in number; the only ones capable of fighting are probably the famed young marquis of the Princess Manor and the newly risen General Zhao Lang.

But these two individuals—one watches the Bei Di border, the other watches the Western Rong.

If their troops were transferred to Yingzhou, the border regions would surely descend into great chaos.

By then, Bei Di and Western Rong would certainly launch a surprise attack on Southern Qi.

If these two individuals are not sent from the court, looking around there is actually no one in the court, no generals in the country, clearly falling into crisis.

After the news of the Eight Great Families' rebellion in Yingzhou spread yesterday, those nobles who heard it first have already fled south overnight with their wives, children, and elders.

After all, Yingzhou is too close to Shang Jing; the rebel forces have been advancing south, capturing cities and territories, and will soon approach Shang Jing.

Once the rebels capture Shang Jing, those officials and nobles will likely all meet a deadly fate, none escaping.

At this moment, when people's hearts are troubled, someone also proposed dividing the north river and governing separately with the Eight Great Families.

The royal family of Shang Jing would automatically relocate south of the North River, with both sides ruling divided by the river, establishing two states.

This matter has already been argued about in private to the point of chaos; unexpectedly, before the topic was even raised, everyone else's mouths were completely shut.

Xiao Yin's meaning is that this battle must be fought, and moreover must be won.

But waging war is not playing house, not fooling around; no matter how formidable you, Prince Rui, may be, just talking won't do—how to open the situation is a major problem.

Bai Xiaosheng's eyes flickered with difficulty; he inhaled and said slowly: "Imperial Uncle, look, if we now want to capture Yingzhou and completely eradicate the Eight Great Families, which capable general of the court should be sent?"

The Crown Prince again threw out this difficult problem, and the others echoed in agreement.

"Yes, does Prince Rui have any suitable candidates?"

"General Zhao has set out to guard the Bei Di border, and I heard the Famed Young Marquis already went to Western Rong yesterday."

"The borders are surrounded by wolves and tigers watching hungrily; if we now draft the troops of these two editors back to the capital, the border regions will surely erupt, and then become even more chaotic."

Bai Xiaosheng sighed and said: "The old generals in the court, although they can also go on campaign while ill, but..."

"No need for 'but,' I will personally go on campaign!" Xiao Yin said slowly.

As soon as his words fell, a gasp sounded from all around; everyone looked at Xiao Yin in disbelief.

Since Xiao Yin barely escaped being burned to death in Qi Sha Gu nine years ago, he has become a cripple, unable to stand again.

Although he later won a match when playing polo with the Bei Di royal family.

But the court politics and noble games in daily life are far inferior to the ferocity of the battlefield.

Although Xiao Yin was once the Invincible War God, he has not fought a battle for nine full years, not even a decent one.

Those minor skirmishes are not worth mentioning, and this battle concerns the nation's fate; if lost, the consequences would be unimaginable.

How miserable Xiao Yin was when he first returned from Seven Killing Valley, later he became that decadent.

Everyone knows that after Qi Sha Gu, Xiao Yin became completely a waste.

Now, after nine years of silence as a waste, he suddenly said he would personally go to Yingzhou to conquer the Eight Great Families' army.

Everyone thought they had misheard, looking at Xiao Yin in disbelief.

Xiao Dingdang looked around and shouted loudly: "I'll say it again—I will be the commander-in-chief of this battle, please let Gu Kang be my military advisor, and let the Crown Prince guard and hold the central office, so that I myself will not be born."

After this, others could be said to have understood the implication, and they began to whisper; only Gu Kangmei on the side also echoed, exactly the same, lowering her eyes silently.

His brother-in-law truly listens to him; even though fighting this hard, a battle would actually have to bring him along, he secretly sighed, "Father."

Mr. Wen said he wanted to eliminate the Eight Great Items, so he used Xiao Yong's hand to give the Eight Great Families a swift blow.

Gu Kang, hearing Xiao Yin say this, had no room to avoid; he stepped out, bowed, and paid respects to Bai Xiaosheng, saying: "I am willing to follow Prince Rui to suppress this rebellion."

Bai Xiaosheng forced a smile, stepped forward, held Gu Kang's arm and laughed: "Minister Gu, young and talented, worthy of coughing also standing equal to the Imperial Uncle, surely this internal turmoil will soon be quelled."

Bai Xiaosheng is merely a puppet brought by Xiao Yin; whether this battle is fought or not is not up to them to decide.

Xiao Yin actually lets him go; in short, the current situation is that if Xiao Yin gains power, he will make him his puppet.

If Xiao Yin died…… Bai Xiaosheng's heart twitched slightly.

Bai Xiaosheng merely moved his lips, unable to say anything substantial.

But on one side, a few first-rank officials showed a look of difficulty.

Speaking of heroic spirit, everyone has a bit, but putting it into practice is very troublesome.

Moreover, with so many troops needing to march to the front, where will the money to support them come from?

Now the treasury is so empty that even the royal family's normal operations are somewhat difficult; where would extra money come from to buy grain and sustain this war of unknown duration?

The Minister of Revenue, steeling himself, stepped forward and clasped fists with Xiao Yin: "Your Highness, I dare say: how many troops do you intend to take to Yingzhou?"

Xiao Yin said lightly: "Since we are to attack Yan Prefecture, the more troops the better."

"Tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, even several hundred thousand—I, the Prince, can naturally bring as many as I can gather; what? Lord Wang, do you have any objections?"

The Minister of Revenue, steeling himself, inhaled and said: "Your Highness, as the saying goes, provisions must precede troop movement."

"If you bring several hundred thousand troops northward, what those hundreds of thousands will eat and wear—all this needs money; now the treasury is empty, truly unable to produce funds."

Xiao Yin knew these people would say this; he smiled faintly and said, word by word: "This man's affair is none of your business."