mtlumby2d Chapter 329 Japan's Ambitions
Chapter 329 Japan's Ambitions
At this moment, a sudden noise came from outside the hall, breaking the silence inside the hall.
"Get out of the way, I want to go in, I want to see His Majesty!" The voice was crying, it was Concubine Li.
The guards on duty hurriedly tried to stop them, their tone filled with fear and helplessness: "Your Majesty, this is the Hall of Supreme Harmony. No one from the harem is allowed to enter without His Majesty's permission!"
Concubine Li was extremely anxious at this moment and refused to listen to any advice. She became more and more agitated: "Get out of the way. I must see His Majesty today! If you try to stop me again, I will die here!"
The guard's face was filled with embarrassment, almost collapsing. He knelt down with a plop and begged bitterly, "Your Majesty, please don't embarrass me. I beg you!"
Seeing that the guards refused to compromise, Concubine Li was angry and anxious, but there was nothing she could do.
She could only shout at the top of her lungs, "Your Majesty, I beg to see you. Please see me!"
The sound echoed outside the empty palace, sounding particularly desolate.
Inside the hall, Zhao Guoan heard the noise and his originally focused expression instantly turned into anger.
"Who is making the noise outside?"
Eunuch Xu hurried forward and replied cautiously, "Your Majesty, judging by the voice, it should be Concubine Li!"
"Empress Li?" Zhao Guoan frowned slightly and fell into deep thought.
He has been deliberately avoiding Concubine Li these days because he is afraid that if Japan attacks Li Kingdom, Concubine Li will come to plead for mercy.
He knew very well that this matter was difficult, but he did not expect that he would not be able to avoid it in the end.
After a moment of silence, Zhao Guoan took a deep breath, tried to calm himself down, and said, "Let her in!"
Then he straightened his body and sat upright on the dragon throne.
After a while, Concubine Li walked into the hall in a hurry, her hair was a little messy and her skirt was covered with dust.
As soon as she saw Zhao Guoan, she fell to her knees, tears streaming down her face, and cried:
"Your Majesty, I heard that Japan wants to attack Liguo. Liguo is my motherland. I hope Your Majesty can send troops to help!" Her voice was trembling and full of pleading.
Zhao Guoan looked at her with a complicated expression and slowly said:
"My dear, I also want to help you, but our country is short of food, and General Chen is seriously injured. I really don't have any good generals to use." His tone was full of helplessness and embarrassment.
When Concubine Li heard this, she cried even harder and kowtowed repeatedly, her forehead turning slightly red.
"Your Majesty, if Li Kingdom is destroyed, I will be homeless. I hope Your Majesty will consider our friendship and save Li Kingdom."
She was filled with sorrow and only hoped that Zhao Guoan would remember their past friendship and lend a helping hand.
Zhao Guoan frowned, feeling very conflicted.
If we help, the country is indeed facing many difficulties; if we don’t help, we can’t bear it.
At this moment, Prime Minister Ouyang Ming stood up and said respectfully:
"Your Majesty, Japan is now extremely ambitious. If we allow it to annex Rei, it may threaten our country in the future. In my opinion, it would be better to send a small number of troops to help Rei, which would also demonstrate our great power."
Zhao Guoan fell into deep thought after hearing this. After a moment, he slowly spoke, "Sending troops is fine, but how do we solve the problem of food and good generals?"
This is indeed a difficult problem facing us. Without sufficient food and capable generals, this battle will be difficult to fight.
"Your Majesty, I am willing to go!" At this time, Crown Prince Zhao Haoxuan stepped forward, his voice firm and powerful.
After hearing this, Concubine Li's tear-stained face instantly showed joy, and she quickly thanked him: "Thank you, Your Highness, thank you, Your Highness!"
She secretly felt relieved that her previous kindness to Wang Xinyao had not been in vain. At least now the prince was willing to help, and Li Kingdom had a glimmer of hope.
"Xuan'er..." Zhao Guoan looked at his son, his heart full of worry. This was a battle with no certainty.
"Xuan'er, you can't go. Without food and generals, how can we fight this war?" He knew very well that the battlefield was dangerous and really didn't want to let his son take risks.
At this moment, Zhou Yunxi immediately stepped forward, clasped his fists, and said, "Your Majesty, I am willing to accompany His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!"
"Xier, no!" Zhou Yuhan, the Minister of War, became extremely anxious upon hearing this and tried to stop it immediately.
But when he felt the cold gaze of Emperor Zhao Guoan, he swallowed back the words that were on the tip of his tongue and could only choose to shut up helplessly.
"What do you think, my dear ministers?" Zhao Guoan retracted his gaze and looked at the ministers in the court.
For a moment, all the ministers discussed the matter and expressed their opinions.
Some supported Zhao Haoxuan leading the war, believing that this was a good opportunity to demonstrate national prestige and maintain stability in the surrounding situation; others expressed opposition, worried about the safety of the prince and the outcome of the war.
In particular, Imperial Censor Zhao Wenjin strongly objected: "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince is the pillar of the country and the future heir to the throne. How can he easily risk his life on behalf of another country?"
Zhao Haoxuan said confidently, "Don't worry, Father. I have it under control. Xinyao and I will take care of the food issue!"
"Royal brother, regarding the affairs of the Li Kingdom, for the sake of Concubine Li, our Xia Kingdom must help. Since the prince is so confident, why don't we trust him this time and let him lead the troops to war!" Zhao Yucheng stepped forward and said respectfully.
However, he was secretly thinking that it was too risky to go to war with Japan without food or generals. Even he had to think twice before acting.
But this is also good. Let Zhao Haoxuan fight against Japan, and then kill him with the help of Japan. Wouldn't it be better?
If Japan really can't take his life, it won't be too late to send people to hunt him down then. It's better than letting him stay in the capital.
When Concubine Li heard what Zhao Yucheng said, she immediately looked at him with gratitude, but she didn't know the sinister intention behind it.
When Zhao Guoan heard what Zhao Yucheng said, his brows frowned even more tightly.
He knew exactly what his younger brother was thinking.
"Xuan'er, you can't go!" He emphasized again, his tone full of determination.
"Father, please believe me!" Zhao Haoxuan insisted without backing down.
How could he not know what his uncle was thinking, but he knew very well that the war with Japan would break out sooner or later, and the current trouble in Li Kingdom was an opportunity.
"Father, please believe me!" Zhao Haoxuan knelt down again with a firm attitude.
Zhao Guoan looked at his son, his heart filled with entanglement and reluctance.
After a long moment, he finally nodded slowly, his eyes filled with worry. "In that case, I approve. Xuan'er, you must be careful on this trip."
Zhao Haoxuan knelt on one knee and said solemnly: "I will definitely live up to your expectations, father."
The voice was firm and powerful, echoing in the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
Concubine Li thanked him again, her eyes full of gratitude and satisfaction.
Afterwards, Zhao Haoxuan received orders to begin preparations for the expedition. A war that would determine the fate of many countries was about to begin.