In the previous life, Emperor Taihe had already passed away at this ti, and the young Jiang Hao was placed on the throne. Rouran Khan Fu Mingdun sent an envoy with a state letter to Da Liang, seeking to marry a Da Liang Princess.
The young emperor did not understand matters, and Grand Empress Dowager Zheng and Pri Minister Wang, who were in regency, did not wish to start a war with Rouran, so they agreed to the political marriage.
The young and beautiful Princess Bao Hua, with a very generous dowry, was married off to Rouran. Within a few years, she died in despair.
From the mont Pri Minister Wang brought out the state letter today, Jiang Shaohua’s face darkened, watching coldly as the courtiers fiercely debated the matter.
At this mont, Pri Minister Wang adopted a respectful deanor as if seeking advice, but Jiang Shaohua had no intention of restraint and coldly said, "Since the Pri Minister asks this Commandery Princess, then this Commandery Princess will state her opinion."
"I absolutely disagree with the political marriage!"
"Rouran cavalry massacred Peng City, abducted tens of thousands of citizens, and the border army suffered heavy casualties. This blood debt must be repaid in blood. Furthermore, Rouran is ambitious and covetous toward Da Liang, having tasted advantages, they will inevitably deploy troops to invade the border sooner or later. By then, a national war will break out."
"A so-called political marriage is rely using a delicate girl and a large amount of gold and silver to exchange for temporary peace; it fundantally solves no substantive issue. Therefore, I disagree."
Jiang Shaohua’s cold and resolute words echoed in the ears of everyone.
The military generals, upon hearing this, were all invigorated. As military generals, defending against foreign enemies and safeguarding the nation is the right path. Using a delicate maiden for a political marriage to seek temporary peace is akin to slapping them across the face.
As for the civil servants, their feelings were much more complex. Vice Minister Dong, Vice Minister Yang, and others naturally supported the Commandery Princess. How figures as shrewd as Pri Minister Wang and Minister Zhang truly felt remained unknown.
Minister Ji of the Ministry of Revenue suddenly spoke, "The Commandery Princess is right, I also do not agree to the political marriage."
Princess Bao Hua is the only descendant of the late Empress Ji and the legitimate granddaughter of Minister Ji, who naturally did not want his granddaughter to marry far away as a concubine to the old and brutal Fu Mingdun. Yan Shi is equivalent to a Noble Consort in the court.
A dignified Da Liang Princess, how could she endure such humiliation!
Minister Li glanced at the indignant Minister Ji, thinking at such a ti, why this old fox hadn’t accounted for the Ministry of Revenue’s ledger or complained that the war would drain the National Treasury? In the end, in matters of state, there is no absolute right or wrong, only different stances and choices.
Pri Minister Wang pondered for a mont and said, "This matter is of great importance, and we must report to the Emperor personally, for the Emperor to make the decision."
Jiang Shaohua unexpectedly spoke again, "This Commandery Princess will go with the Pri Minister."
Pri Minister Wang’s eyebrows moved slightly but did not oppose, nodding in agreent.
The small court eting was temporarily adjourned.
Jiang Shaohua and Pri Minister Wang went to the Emperor’s bedroom. Pri Minister Wang first presented the state letter, and in the bedroom where Emperor Taihe could already pace around in two circles, upon reading the state letter, he furiously threw it to the ground.
"This is intolerable! My elder sister is beautiful, gentle, dignified, and virtuous; how could she marry a fifty-year-old man as a concubine! This is an insult to Da Liang, and a humiliation to !"
"Pri Minister Wang! There is no need for discussion on this matter, convey My imperial decree, imdiately reject and expel the Rouran envoy from the Capital City!"
Finally, the Emperor of Da Liang exhibits the decisiveness expected!
Jiang Shaohua secretly breathed a sigh of relief, her expression eased slightly, "The Pri Minister has heard the Emperor’s words. Please personally reject the Rouran envoy, and say Da Liang will absolutely not engage in a political marriage, letting Rouran completely abandon this thought."
Pri Minister Wang hesitated slightly and looked up to Emperor Taihe, saying, "Emperor, please calm your anger and listen to this old minister."
"Marrying our princess in political marriage is indeed unsavory, and makes Da Liang seem too weak and incapable."
"But once we refuse, it provides Rouran with an excuse and reason to deploy troops. Rouran is already covetous toward our Da Liang, and if they launch a massive campaign, with the strength of our border army, we may not be able to withstand it."
"By then, Da Liang will have to mobilize the entire country to fight Rouran. It would be great if we win, but if the war is unfavorable, Rouran cavalry might run rampant, slaughtering and looting, causing innocent citizens to die in vain and devastation everywhere, instability in the dynasty. Emperor, have you considered these consequences?"
Emperor Taihe glared fiercely, "If Rouran dares to send troops, Da Liang will battle Rouran. Victory will lead to national prosperity, defeat will reflect my incompetence, ashad before ancestors and citizens. But what does this have to do with my elder sister?"
Pri Minister Wang was left speechless.
Jiang Shaohua’s eyes glead with light, nearly applauding Emperor Taihe, saying, "The Emperor has spoken wonderfully!"
"Political marriages have existed since ancient tis. But every ti I read historical records, I rarely see anything but the tragic fate of early demised princesses. Only when the country is prosperous and militarily strong can the dynasty remain stable. Since Rouran is ambitious, granting a political marriage won’t bring peace for more than a few years. It’s better to prepare early and respond to any Rouran aggression."
Emperor Taihe nodded, "Cousin makes a valid point. I wish to et with several generals imdiately. I want to ask them personally if Rouran deploys troops, how they plan to respond."
With that, Emperor Taihe signaled to Eunuch Ge, who promptly stepped forward to support Emperor Taihe’s arm.
It had been a long ti since Emperor Taihe left the bedroom, and with Eunuch Ge’s assistance, taking a step felt like a world away.
Jiang Shaohua followed closely, and Pri Minister Wang, his emotions complex, silently followed.
Emperor Taihe appeared in the Zhaohua Main Hall, with the civil and military officials equally startled and delighted, collectively bowing in salute, "We greet the Emperor."
Emperor Taihe said, "Rise, my beloved subjects."
After exchanging formalities, Emperor Taihe spoke directly, "I have read the state letter, and I do not agree. There is no need for discussion on this matter."
"Now, I wish to ask you all, if Rouran uses this as a pretext to deploy troops, how should we respond?"
Left General was the first to salute and speak, "In response to the Emperor, I have been guarding the border for over ten years and frequently engage with Rouran cavalry, thus most familiar with their combat capabilities. Rouran cavalry are trained from a young age; they eat and drink on horseback, riding is as natural as breathing. In terms of cavalry alone, Rouran cavalry are extrely brave, unmatched in the world. Da Liang border army excels at defending cities, fortifying townships to keep Rouran cavalry out. However, counterattacking to decisively defeat Rouran is genuinely challenging."
Zuo Feng wasn’t trying to dampen spirits; what he said were facts.
General Bao, General Liu, General Song, and newly appointed General Sima each nodded.
"Da Liang has pastures, and in recent years has also bred many war horses; however, cavalry comprise only thirty percent of the army. Moreover, the elite cavalry, those with one rider and two horses, account for no more than ten percent."
"Using that minimal resource to fight Rouran might not be enough."
Previously, the military generals were passionate, unwilling to let the princess engage in a political marriage. Now that Emperor Taihe had decided and asked how to battle Rouran, the military generals’ attitudes subtly shifted.
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