Chapter 377: Zhen Will Lead the Expedition in Person

Wei Xi Yuan did not answer immediately; he walked back to the hall and sat down slowly, closing his eyes as if making a final weighing of options.

The hall was silent; the officials were also constantly comforting themselves in their hearts that it was just death, as long as they could leave their names in history...

After a long time, Wei Xi Yuan opened his eyes, clearly having made up his mind, "The King of Western Liang, Wei Wenlie, although a national enemy, but... he is surnamed Wei after all."

Yes!! Wei Wenlie was surnamed Wei after all, the brother of the late Emperor; counting it up, he was naturally orthodox.

But precisely because of this, Wei Xi Yuan actually hated Wei Wenlie even more; after all, they were family, why did you have to stir up all this trouble?

In Wei Wenlie's heart, he wanted to fight Western Liang even more, to clash with Western Liang, otherwise, the pent-up anger in his heart would truly be hard to vent.

But reason told him that attacking Beijiang was ultimately the best choice.

As for the many family members in the Hou Gong, if Wei Wenlie became Emperor, they might still live, but if Jiang Jinshi of Beijiang became Emperor... everything would be an unknown.

Wei Xi Yuan's voice gradually returned to calm, because he had already made his decision, "If Zhen dies, this empire... falling into the hands of a clansman is better than being taken away by that Jiang Jinshi, who has no known origin and destroys the moral order!

At least... Zhen would still have to call him uncle!"

He stood up again, encouraging everyone, "So Zhen's final strike will not be against Western Liang! If we are to fight, we fight Beijiang!

We fight Jiang Jinshi, that national traitor!

Zhen wants him to know that those who steal the country will surely face Heaven's retribution!

Zhen wants to destroy the little bit of popular support he has just gathered, to make his rear unstable, to let him know that this world is not a place where a mere mountain villager can call the shots!

Even if Zhen is defeated and dies, Zhen will still tear a piece of flesh from his Beijiang!

Let those in the world who harbor ulterior motives see what the outcome is of betraying Da Qian and opposing the mandate of Heaven!

And let Wei Wenlie see that Zhen, the Emperor of Da Qian, even until death, is clearing away the greatest scourge for the Wei family's empire!"

"Your Majesty... is wise!"

The old official who had previously tried to dissuade him was now weeping, prostrating himself and shouting.

He understood that this was not just the madness of the Emperor as an individual, but a desperate and tragic choice made in a hopeless situation to preserve "orthodoxy" and "legitimacy."

Giving the empire to a clansman was better than having it taken by a "rebel" who completely overturned the order.

This was... the final "sense of responsibility" and "pride" belonging to their class.

"Your Majesty is wise! The national traitor must be executed!"

Another censor echoed excitedly, a fanatical look on his face.

"Yes! Fight Beijiang! Your Majesty, this subject is willing to be the vanguard, to die for the cause, and will not shirk!"

A young official of the Ministry of War felt his blood boil and shouted hoarsely.

"We are willing to follow Your Majesty, to be destroyed together, to repay the grace of the nation!"

The remaining officials, young and old, were all incited by Wei Xi Yuan's words, all sharing a common hatred!

Since death was inevitable, then let them die heroically, let them die with value!

"Good! Good! You are truly loyal subjects!"

Wei Xi Yuan slammed his hand heavily on the armrest of the dragon throne, "Since that is the case, Zhen will plot this final battle with you! Draft the decree immediately, notify Guanzhong, Zhen will lead the expedition in person to crusade against the Beijiang national traitor Jiang Jinshi! All my Da Qian people must share a common hatred!"

One person immediately offered a plan: "Report to the Emperor! The most urgent priority is to raise a batch of grain to stabilize the morale of the army!"

Others echoed: "That's right! Even if it's only to stabilize it for a while, we must make the Beijiang rebels feel pain!"

Wei Xi Yuan nodded and ordered: "The Ministry of War is to immediately take stock of all available troops in the capital, prepare military equipment, and raise grain!

Tell the soldiers that this battle is not for survival, but for washing away shame, for repaying the nation, and for leaving one's name in history!

Whoever fights bravely to kill the enemy, Zhen will not be stingy with rewards of nobility! Whoever fears battle and retreats will be executed on the spot!"

Wei Xi Yuan certainly knew that he could no longer fulfill these rewards, but as long as he said it, a large number of soldiers would still charge forward without fear of death!

"Yes!" One person from the Ministry of War accepted the order.

Wei Xi Yuan continued to order: "The Ministry of Revenue will take from the palace..."

"Your Highness!" An old official said tremblingly: "The Ministry of Revenue has no one left!"

Wei Xi Yuan's expression did not change, and he immediately said: "Then you will serve as the Minister of Revenue, and take all the money, grain, and wealth that can be scavenged from the palace, the imperial clan, and even... the homes of you ministers, and use it all as military funds! This is a national disaster, we must share the hardships!"

"This subject obeys the order!!" The old official bowed again.

"Additionally, send a secret order to the garrison commander at Tongguan, telling him that no matter what, he must hold on for...

No, no need to hold on anymore.

Tell him to assemble all the troops he can still control, stop worrying about Western Liang, and immediately head north to create a posture of feigning an attack on Shuoning in Beijiang!

If they can fight, then fight; if they cannot, they must still create a stir, and must contain a portion of Beijiang's forces and create chaos!

Tell him that if we win this battle, our Da Qian will be prosperous and flourishing again!"

Wei Xi Yuan knew the hope of victory was slim, but that did not affect him painting a grand picture!

"Also! Select death squads, carry heavy gold to sneak into Beijiang, use all means to assassinate Beijiang generals, burn their grain warehouses, spread rumors, and it would be best... if they could find a way to get close to Jiang Jinshi himself! Zhen wants to hear the news that his Beijiang is in chaos!"

One by one, reckless orders were issued from Wei Xi Yuan's mouth.

The officials below no longer questioned their feasibility, but just reddened their eyes and accepted the orders hoarsely.

After the officials had all left, Wei Xi Yuan slumped on the throne for a long time; at this final moment, he suddenly thought of the "family members" in the Hou Gong, his favorite Imperial Consort Chen and... the former Crown Princess of his eldest brother.

Everyone thought that when he launched the riot, he definitely didn't leave anyone in the Dong Gong alive, but he actually hadn't touched the Crown Princess.

Since things had reached this point, he might as well let both of them go! Lest they be buried with him, this fallen monarch!

Although he had pretended to be dissolute and lawless, Imperial Consort Chen was indeed deeply favored by him, and she liked to tinker with those little trinkets to please him, which counted as one of the few things that made him happy during his reign.

He had indeed thought about having Imperial Consort Chen buried with him, so that even if he died, no one else would be allowed to touch her.

But no matter how hard-hearted a person was, there was a soft spot in their heart; in the end, he couldn't bring himself to do it. Thinking of this, Wei Xi Yuan walked toward the Hou Gong.

At this moment, Imperial Consort Chen was packing her bags in her sleeping quarters. Wei Xi Yuan hadn't come to see her recently, and it was said he hadn't flipped the tablets of other concubines either. After she inquired carefully, she understood the current situation.

Since Wei Xi Yuan, this Emperor, was setting like the sun, what was the point of her staying in this Hou Gong?

To be buried with Wei Xi Yuan?

Thinking of this, Imperial Consort Chen began to pack her bags in a panic; those jewelry and ornaments that had once been rewarded to her had to be taken along, which could be considered her harvest over these years.

Just as Imperial Consort Chen finished packing and was preparing to run away, Wei Xi Yuan's calm voice suddenly sounded behind her.

"My beloved consort... where are you going?" ===== CHAPTER 378 =====