"What Minister Dong said is very reasonable, I hope Your Majesty will consider it carefully!" Wei Bugong also hurriedly kowtowed, "Typically, when emperors personally lead expeditions, it is to show that they are chosen by heaven and blessed by it, with both civil and martial prowess. But Your Majesty is already our Zhou Dynasty’s war god and has implented new policies beneficial to the nation and people, earning the reverent praise of citizens as a sage. Now is not a ti of crisis for the Zhou Dynasty, and there is truly no need for you to lead an expedition personally!"
"Elder Sister! You are the Emperor... how can you easily leave the capital!" Bai Qingyu also disagreed, "I don’t agree either!"
"Yes, Eldest Young Lady, Eldest Young Lady, like , your brother doesn’t agree either!" Bai Qingqi also disagreed.
"Then... should I still go?" Bai Jinzhi asked.
Bai Qingjue raised his hand and lightly patted Bai Jinzhi’s forehead, signaling him to speak less, then smiled and said to Bai Qingyan, "Eldest Young Lady, Xiao Si and I are enough! Such a small Dongyi... Eldest Young Lady, give Xiao Si and a chance to gain rit, otherwise, I’ll feel sowhat guilty as a King."
Bai Jinxiu also appeared urgent, "The business of the Court Affairs Departnt can temporarily be handed over to Wei Zhong for managent, and as for Brother Wang... it is all for our Zhou Dynasty, Brother Wang will surely understand as a mother! Eldest Young Lady, I’m going!"
Listening to her brothers’ persuasion, Bai Qingyan picked up the gold dal placed at the corner of the table, gently rubbing it with her fingers, once again recalling how Cheng Yuanzhi had relayed the ssage that the King of Hancheng had bid farewell before departing, saying he would serve her in the next life, her heart couldn’t help but feel heavy, speaking with a hoarse voice: "To the King of Hancheng... I feel guilty."
"Your Majesty, the death of the King of Hancheng for the country is known and it brings you sorrow, but Your Majesty... you are the Emperor, not a hot-blooded youth, nothing should be done rashly!" Commandant Lu interrupted before Bai Qingyan could finish her words, solemnly kowtowing in hope that Bai Qingyan would reconsider her decision.
Commandant Lu was not Dong Qingping, but Bai Qingyan’s uncle, who always spoke with careful consideration, saying Bai Qingyan acted impulsively today was already quite bold.
"Going personally to destroy Dongyi is not an impulsive act." Bai Qingyan put the gold dal in her hand aside, looked up at Commandant Lu, Minister Dong, Master Wei, and her brothers and sisters, speaking heavily, "The King of Hancheng is the surrendered prince of Daliang; our military commanders or court officials of Zhou may look down on him, yet the King of Hancheng surrendered to avoid civilian slaughter, holding high prestige among Daliang’s naval forces and populace!"
Her eyes were sore: "This ti, the King of Hancheng died for protecting fishern and envoys! The escort navy was annihilated! Do you not think this... would not stir up a massive uproar in the hearts of forr Daliang citizens?! The navy we use in Zhou originated from Daliang’s navy and is not entirely one-hearted with Zhou, yet the King of Hancheng... it was he who pacified those navy soldiers along the coast with his status! Protected the coastal civilians!"
"Now the Dongyi Kingdom has spread word that they want , the Zhou Dynasty Emperor, to personally co and collect the King of Hancheng’s body; do you think it’s rely a casual challenge from Dongyi Kingdom? Think about how the King of Hancheng died for protecting fishern and envoy ships, if I don’t go, wouldn’t it break the hearts of navy soldiers and coastal fishern?"
Commandant Lu wanted to speak, but Bai Qingyan raised her hand to stop him; she knew what Commandant Lu was going to say.
"I do not seek fa in civil and military prowess, nor do I think I can win battles only by going personally, nor do I care for any fa in this sure-win battle! I go... to fulfill the loyalty of the King of Hancheng! Also, to rally the loyalty of the navy, to capture the hearts of the people who have beco Zhou citizens but still rember Daliang’s royal family! Let them know... the Zhou Dynasty Emperor is personally coming to avenge the King of Hancheng! The Zhou Dynasty Emperor views the King of Hancheng and their navy as his own! Treats civilians as his own children!" Bai Qingyan’s fingers clenched tightly, speaking one word at a ti, "Especially at this mont, the King of Hancheng died for protecting civilians, whether coastal civilians or navy, surely mourning deeply; it is ti for the Zhou Dynasty Court to state its position, the Zhou Dynasty Emperor follows Dongyi Kingdom’s proposal to request the body of King of Hancheng, personally leading an expedition against Dongyi, that is the best statent!"
Bai Qingyan knew from early on the importance of unity between soldiers and citizens; she believed that a monarch should not be enthroned rely to be provided for by citizens in the capital palace, but should appear wherever there is disaster or war, united with her citizens.
Such... citizen hearts would unite with Zhou and with her, so the country could truly be united at both ends.
Her grandfather once taught Bai Qingyan that a commander who dares to lead personally can ignite the fiery spirit of soldiers, ensuring victory in battle and success in conquests!
Sitting on the throne, Bai Qingyan believed that the inspiration of soldiers would gain their loyalty, just like gaining the loyalty of the citizens; as long as she didn’t rely sit in Jinluan Palace in Dadu City but led personally in tis of great disaster and battle, she would gain the loyalty of the citizens too.
Bai Qingyan indeed did not receive teachings on how to be a conventional ruler, but she had her own thod of governing the country and people.
"Why do you think... we want Daliang’s land? Do we want Daliang’s lands and cities? We want Daliang’s citizens! People are the foundation of a nation! The direction of the people’s hearts is most important! Just like Shen Tianzhi is currently in the Yan’s Zhou Domain fighting for us to win the hearts of Yan Kingdom’s people!" Bai Qingyan’s fingers struck heavily on the table, "We will not discuss this further, national politics are handed to King of Zhen, King of Huguo, King of Fuguo, and King of Xing, Commandant Lu and Minister Dong, you discuss among yourselves!"
"King of Zhongguo and King Gaoyi, tomorrow morning, follow together..." Bai Qingyan’s fists clenched, "To set off... to annihilate Dongyi!"
"Bai Qingjue accepts the command!"
"Bai Jinzhi accepts the command!"
Bai Qingyan was set to depart tomorrow morning, catching Commandant Lu off guard: "Isn’t it too hurried to leave tomorrow morning?"
"Speed is crucial in military action, I have already sent Wei Zhong to dispatch ssages to the Yuanping Camp, deploying thirty thousand soldiers swiftly to provide aid along the coast, I will lead horseback from Dadu City, chasing... trying to rendezvous quickly." Bai Qingyan looked at Commandant Lu, "If there is any need to mobilize further troops, I will send a ssage back!"
Before they arrived, Bai Qingyan had already sent word to the Yuanping Camp, it seed Bai Qingyan’s mind was firmly made.
"I will imdiately send a letter to the Southern Border, having Ji Tingyu and Zhao Ran, along with the Shuoyang Army, called back." Bai Qingqi said.
"Naval warfare will be of no use!" Bai Qingyan turned to look at Bai Qingqi, "Have them guard the borders well; while our Zhou Dynasty destroys Dongyi, Tianfeng Kingdom must not stir trouble!"
"Understood!" Bai Qingqi nodded.
"Regarding my departure from Dadu City to the coast, after I have left, relay it during the morning court session to the court officials, stabilize the court." Bai Qingyan looked at Commandant Lu and the others.
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