Chapter 786: The Emperor Stood Up

Yan Yan's words still echoed in the hall.

"His Majesty the Emperor, for the sake of the state, employs talent without restriction—truly a model for all ages." He gave the emperor a slight praise with a blank face, then suddenly shifted his tone: "However, the Chen clan has always been proud; after suffering great upheavals, they have become extremely hostile toward the court. The emperor's magnanimity may not be for the prosperity and stability of the dynasty, but instead invite disaster."

"Chen Wuji's ambition is already obvious; now, relying on the emperor's favor, his wings have grown full, he has become a formidable force. If we let him continue like this, the day he leads his troops northward will not be far off!"

The emperor sat slowly on the Yu Ta and asked, "Yan Yan, what do you mean by these words?"

He couldn't be bothered to cross swords with these people over useless talk; he got straight to the point.

Today they raised this issue—what exactly are they aiming for? He roughly guessed.

It's nothing more than they had long regarded this place as their backyard garden, when suddenly a wild donkey appeared, and this uncontrollable wild donkey even seemed to have a man‑eating habit, so they could no longer sit still.

The land and people of Lingnan's four prefectures had long become wealth in their treasury; they also wanted to make a fortune from that vast frontier, so they could hardly allow Chen Wuji to continue as he is.

Actually, seeing the court officials flustered like this—even the usually unflappable Yan Yan, who liked to issue orders with a glance, stood up and gave a long speech—deep down the emperor was actually quite pleased.

Chen Wuji did a splendid job!

He just wanted to make them furious and helpless.

"Chen Wuji, this sort of wolf‑cub with wild ambition, ought to be eliminated early, lest he shake the state!" Yan Yan finally summed it up, then fixed his gaze on the emperor.

The emperor spread his hands and said, "I have no opinion; if you want to fight, go ahead, fight!"

The court officials' mouths twitched in unison.

Yan Yan's usually expressionless face instantly darkened.

Among the court officials there was hardly any reaction—only the foremost Ruan Xiang and Ruan Yuchang.

He still kept his eyes on his nose, his nose on his heart, as if asleep.

Watching them like that, the emperor couldn't help but be amused—though the smile came and went in a flash, which he hid very well.

After fighting this bunch of bastards for so long, the more they struggled the more they lost face; today he finally got to vent his frustration, and it wasn't for nothing that he'd been thinking of that self‑styled mountain hunter.

This guy really does have some skill!

"Your Majesty, Chen Wuji commands two hundred thousand troops, with over fifty thousand armored soldiers—this battle won't be easy!" Cao Lin suddenly stepped forward and said again.

The emperor's face was expressionless.

Sure it won't be easy—look, Chen Liehu has a two‑hundred‑thousand‑strong army, with more than fifty thousand in armor, a number that matches the Imperial Guard; if it were easy, how could they have achieved what they have today?

Moreover, they slaughter the Qiang people as easily as killing chickens, casually burying tens of thousands alive and building burial mounds of over a hundred thousand.

This record of theirs dates back to the former dynasty.

It seems the Chen clan achieved it as well.

But what does whether the battle is easy or hard have to do with him? He isn't even planning to fight Chen Wuji!

The emperor waited a while, seeing no one speak, then said: "Since you officials think Chen Wuji harbors ill intent and may be disloyal to the court, then let's fight—I am an emperor who listens to counsel."

"I have approved this move, but as for how to fight the war—since Yan Yan proposed it, let him take charge of planning and submit a memorial to me when ready."

The court officials were dazed again.

When did His Majesty the Emperor learn this trick?

This kick in cuju caught them off guard, nearly wrenching their lower backs.

Yan Yan's usually expressionless face also showed a moment of astonishment.

He lifted his head, his deep‑hidden gaze sweeping over the emperor, then glanced at Ruan Xiang standing opposite him.

Ruan Xiang still showed no reaction, not even an extra expression.

The emperor took in all their reactions, his brows suddenly knitting tightly: "Yan Yan, do you have any difficulties? I know the treasury is tight and forces are thin, but that cannot be an excuse for not sending troops."

"I believe that since Yan Yan brought this up before the throne, he must already have a plan. You needn't pretend to be extremely troubled for my sake."

"But don't even think of aiming for my privy purse. Officials, today you speak of bandit troubles, tomorrow of floods, while palace expenses have been repeatedly cut; if anyone dares to covet my privy purse, I will move into the house of whoever suggested it."

The court officials' expressions tightened, all of them stunned.

Even Ruan Xiang, who usually shows not a flicker of expression, suddenly lifted his eyelids.

The emperor's chain of small moves left them completely dazed.

A few people readied themselves to step forward, then silently withdrew their feet.

They really feared the emperor would move into their homes.

Though the chance is small, what if it happened?

The emperor's behavior today is so abnormal that one can't rule out him actually doing such a thing.

"Yan Yan, I've given you the authority; if you botch the job, don't blame me for holding you responsible. As the saying goes, one who eats the emperor's stipend must bear his worries. You raised this matter, you want to wage this war—if the troops can't be dispatched or the battle can't be won, I see no point in your continuing as vice premier!" The emperor slapped the Yu Ta hard, his aura suddenly erupting.

Without waiting for the court officials' reaction, he rose and left, saying, "Court is dismissed!"

Court officials: …

They had the feeling that today the emperor had them completely under his thumb.

Is this still their holy sovereign?

But actually, the most dazed one right now is Yan Yan.

He indeed brought this up today to use troops in Nan Jun, but that's a later matter.

His immediate goal today was to pressure the emperor to regain that bit of military authority in the northern borders and grasp it in his hand—talking and talking, he even managed to press his own official hat down onto his head.

This is not right!

The court officials filed out of the Zi Chen Hall.

Yan Yan and Ruan Yuchang, in tacit understanding, walked to a spot, where Yan Yan said, "Ruan Xiang, you seem to be in a bad mood today?"

Ruan Yuchang's back was slightly bent, yet his steps were slow and steady, each as if he were exerting extra force: "Chen Wuji is indeed tough to deal with; if you can't muster four hundred thousand troops, you shouldn't fight this war."

"Just four hundred thousand troops? My Da Yu's standing forces already exceed a million—how could we be short of four hundred thousand? Ruan Xiang, are you really asleep, or can't you even figure this out?" Yan Yan snapped sarcastically.

The two of them have always been at odds, yet when it comes to dealing with the emperor they work together wholeheartedly.

Consequently, Ruan Yuchang today didn't even give him a facial expression, leaving Yan Yan extremely displeased.

"The border troops in the north cannot move; this year the grasslands are dry, and the large armies of the Xiongnu and the Jin will certainly come south." Ruan Yuchang said, "Moreover, you are a bit impatient."