Chapter 121

Chapter 121

As the "Southern Tour Travelogue" surged in popularity, its wave spreading from the capital to various prefectures and counties, Emperor Xingwu was already preoccupied with other affairs of state.

In mid-April, not long after the little princess's birthday, Emperor Xingwu summoned the Two Chancellors, Minister of Personnel Yang Zhimin, Minister of Revenue Peng Kai, Minister of War Tan Shixun, the commanders of the four military camps, and the Crown Prince and his three siblings to the imperial study.

Qingyang entered with Yang Zhimin. Her gaze swept over her father and her elder brother, who had arrived early, quickly settling on a large map hanging high on the northern wall. The lower part of the map depicted Great Qi's northern border, while above lay the vast grasslands, divided into two major powers: West Hu and East Hu.

With such a map and the simultaneous presence of the four commanders—Prince Yong, Lü Zan, Zhang Jie, and Hou Wanzhong—the emperor's intentions were laid bare.

Thus, Emperor Xingwu wasted no words. He walked to the map, tapped on the area marked as East Hu, and addressed the dozen or so people before him, young and old: "East Hu has grown increasingly audacious over the past few years. Last year, they even wiped out three villages in Jizhou. If I do not send troops soon, the people of the northern regions will surely lose faith in the court for neglecting their lives. I have called you here today to discuss how to proceed with this campaign."

Prince Yong's eyes lit up, and he was the first to speak: "What's there to discuss? Just lead the troops straight into their stronghold! Your Majesty, you didn't let me join the campaigns against West Hu and Biao State. This time, you must make me a general. I cannot stay idle any longer!"

Since his elder brother ascended the throne, Prince Yong had been tasked with overseeing the state during the emperor’s personal campaigns. Though it was an important responsibility, he far preferred warfare. Training troops in the northern camp was driving him to distraction.

Emperor Xingwu: "You, shut up first."

Qin Bing: "Father—"

Emperor Xingwu shot him a sharp glance: "You shut up too."

Uncle and nephew exchanged looks, both letting out frustrated huffs.

Emperor Xingwu’s gaze then fell on the Crown Prince standing beside Qin Bing.

Qin Hong avoided his father’s eyes as if burned, turning instead to Yan Xizheng. He believed his father trusted Yan Xizheng the most, and his words carried the most weight at this moment.

Yan Xizheng sighed inwardly. When the emperor had gifted them the "Southern Tour Travelogue," the Crown Prince had been genuinely happy for his little sister, even finding time to read several volumes in the Secretariat. However, after the book became a sensation in the capital—seemingly around the time of Rui Geer’s full moon celebration—the Crown Prince grew increasingly despondent, becoming more reluctant to offer opinions and preferring to let Yan Xizheng and Dai Lun make decisions.

Had he finally realized that his position as Crown Prince was not as secure as he thought?

If the Crown Prince still had the drive to improve, Yan Xizheng might have offered some guidance. But seeing him so disheartened and defeated, why should Yan Xizheng waste effort going against the emperor’s wishes?

Frankly, even if the emperor were willing, Yan Xizheng wouldn't feel assured handing Great Qi over to a Crown Prince like that.

Suppressing his pity for the Crown Prince, Yan Xizheng looked at Emperor Xingwu and asked, "Does Your Majesty intend to send troops against East Hu this year?"

Emperor Xingwu: "Yes. East Hu has been encroaching on our borders for years. Now that the northwest and southwest are stable, it is time to teach East Hu a lesson. Otherwise, they will truly believe I am as weak and easily bullied as the tyrant of the previous dynasty."

Yan Xizheng: "I understand Your Majesty’s desire to campaign against East Hu, but I must remind you that since the founding of Great Qi, we have fought three major wars: unifying the south, campaigning against West Hu, and conquering Biao State. After each war, we had to replenish military strength through conscription. Although the people have enjoyed a few years of stability, their households have not yet prospered. Meanwhile, East Hu has a population of over a million, with all males, young and old, capable of mounting a horse and joining the fight. Their current combat strength is 200,000-300,000. Once war breaks out, East Hu can easily replenish its forces, whereas conscription will be difficult for Great Qi."

Minister of Revenue Peng Kai added with difficulty: "Last year, three provinces suffered disasters. After providing relief, the national treasury is thirty percent emptier than it was after the campaign against Biao State. We now have only over seven million taels left. If we send troops against East Hu, the treasury will be strained. Even if we mobilize all official granaries in Jizhou and Liaozhou to the front lines, it would only sustain a force of three hundred thousand for half a year. If Great Qi cannot end the war within six months or mobilizes more than three hundred thousand troops, we will need to transport provisions from the south in advance."

With challenges in troop numbers, military funds, and provisions, Emperor Xingwu’s expression darkened immediately.

Among the military officials, Lü Zan had fought many battles with Emperor Xingwu in the Central Plains before the founding of the dynasty but had little experience fighting East Hu. His only encounter with West Hu was when Emperor Xingwu cleverly lured their cavalry into the Wuwei Great Wall. From the initial clash to pursuing the enemy, he never ventured far beyond the border.

Though Lü Zan had at least fought West Hu once, Prince Yong had never even seen the grasslands beyond the pass, let alone been allowed to speak freely by Emperor Xingwu.

Zhang Jie glanced at the map and said, "Your Majesty, East Hu usually roams deep in the grasslands, only gathering forces to move south when they intend to invade. If our army wishes to campaign against them, we must venture deep into the grasslands. With a front stretching over a thousand miles, transporting weapons and supplies would require thirty percent of our troops. We would need to mobilize at least five hundred thousand troops to have a chance of victory, all while remaining vigilant against East Hu cavalry cutting off our supply lines."

Hou Wanzhong, who had been promoted from Liangzhou to the capital, agreed: "Indeed. If Your Majesty is determined to campaign against East Hu, we could muster forces from the capital camps and the three provinces of Liao, Ji, and Jin to engage East Hu. However, we must prepare provisions in advance."

Minister of War Tan Shixun: "If we start now, we can transport three million *dan* (a unit of dry measure) of provisions from Qingzhou and Yangzhou to Jizhou by September."

Minister of Personnel Yang Zhimin: "After West Hu submitted to our dynasty, East Hu has often harbored ambitions to annex them. If we truly intend to send troops against East Hu, the court could send envoys to persuade West Hu to launch a simultaneous attack, which would at least tie up some of East Hu’s forces."

Right Chancellor Dai Lun: "It is still too risky. I urge Your Majesty to reconsider. This year is not the right time to campaign against East Hu."

With this, the civil and military officials had all expressed their views.

Emperor Xingwu once again looked at his four children.

Qin Hong knew his father was disappointed in him and likely wouldn't take his words seriously, but he still spoke up anyway: "I also believe this year is not the right time to send troops."

Qin Bing was still ordered to remain silent. Qin Ren glanced at the officials and tentatively suggested, "Perhaps Father could wait a few years until the treasury and military strength are sufficient before campaigning against East Hu?"

Emperor Xingwu finally turned to his daughter.

Qingyang held the same view as when she learned of East Hu’s border incursions last year: "I believe the national policy should still focus on rebuilding our strength, avoiding large-scale wars that mobilize the entire nation. However, East Hu has repeatedly encroached on our borders with increasing audacity. Great Qi must send troops to deliver a severe blow to deter their ambitions and reassure the border people."

Everyone looked at the little princess. Tan Shixun asked, "East Hu has three hundred thousand cavalry. If we do not mobilize a large army, how can we deliver a severe blow?"

Qingyang: "When East Hu invades our borders, they often travel light, breaking through passes to plunder and kill before retreating with their spoils. This is also the best time for our army to intercept them. Since East Hu can travel light to raid our people, why can't our soldiers travel light to raid their tribes? They come for grain; we go to retaliate. Aside from supplies along the way, we do not even need to plunder their livestock. Engage small forces and retreat from larger ones, moving freely just as East Hu does."

Hou Wanzhong: "The princess’s strategy is militarily feasible, but East Hu is familiar with the grasslands and undaunted by long journeys. Our soldiers venturing deep into enemy territory would lack home turf advantage and face the risk of supply cuts and entrapment, likely losing morale from the outset and making execution difficult."

Zhang Jie: "We could select brave soldiers from the capital camps and border armies, led by scouts familiar with the grasslands. For raids alone, ten thousand troops each from the eastern and western routes would suffice, but each soldier would need three warhorses to rotate carrying loads, just as East Hu does in battle."

Prince Yong exclaimed in surprise: "Twenty thousand troops would require sixty thousand warhorses! If East Hu surrounds them, the capital camps would have no horses left to train cavalry…"

Emperor Xingwu: "It seems you don't want to go?"

Prince Yong immediately puffed out his chest: "I'll go! With me there, I guarantee we'll wipe out East Hu, and not a single horse will fall into their hands!"

He was only worried about the hard-won warhorses, not cowardly!

Emperor Xingwu made the decision: "I believe Qingyang’s tactic is feasible. However, on the surface, we must still appear to be launching a full-scale campaign against East Hu. The border armies in Liangzhou, Jizhou, and Jinzhou total three hundred thousand, plus the hundred thousand capital troops from the northern and southern camps. This should be enough to put East Hu on alert. Peng Kai, Tan Shixun, tomorrow you will begin transporting supplies from Jizhou and Liaozhou to the north, based on the consumption of four hundred thousand troops."

The two accepted their orders.

Emperor Xingwu: "Prince Yong, Hou Wanzhong, I order you to prepare the troops and set out for Jizhou in May."

The two generals accepted their orders!

Qin Bing volunteered: "Father, I also wish to go!"

Emperor Xingwu granted permission, then said to his daughter: "This tactic was your idea. The battlefield is ever-changing, so you shall serve as my Military Supervisor. If the commanding generals are indecisive, I grant you the authority to make decisions on the spot. Of course, if your command leads to defeat, I will punish you according to military law. With that, do you dare accept the position of Military Supervisor?"

Qingyang knelt and raised her head: "I am ready to serve!"

The exchange between father and daughter was so swift that the civil and military officials took a moment to react. Prince Yong was the first to object: "Your Majesty, how old is Qingyang? She has never even been to the battlefield. How can you put her in such an important position as Military Supervisor?"

Emperor Xingwu sneered: "You have been to the battlefield. When I asked for tactics earlier, aside from knowing how to kill and worrying about warhorses, what else do you understand?"

Prince Yong: "...But there are still great generals like Hou Wanzhong, Meng Ji, and Guo Yanqing. Aren't any of them more reliable than Qingyang?"

Emperor Xingwu: "That is why I am only making her Military Supervisor, not commander-in-chief. If you generals can come up with a solid plan, Qingyang will have an easier time."

Unable to refute his elder brother, Prince Yong glanced at his second nephew.

Qin Bing, however, thought his sister’s tactic of using cavalry to raid East Hu was excellent. Moreover, during the southern tour, his sister had handled the civil officials perfectly, proving herself a hundred times more capable than him and a thousand times wiser than their uncle, who had read few books. Qin Bing said: "I agree with having my sister as Military Supervisor. She may not be suited for fighting on the front lines, but she excels at reading maps and planning strategies. She is qualified."

Emperor Xingwu: "When I personally led the campaign against West Hu, Qingyang was only nine years old but already figured out that West Hu would launch a night attack on Wuwei from the open terrain of Huaian Town Pass. Now, years later, her military strategy has only improved. You can rest assured; I do not treat the battlefield as a game."

Lü Zan, who had remained silent until now, exclaimed in surprise: "The princess actually predicted that? At the time, I thought West Hu would attack the more vulnerable Shiheling Pass."

Emperor Xingwu smiled and looked at his daughter: "Qingyang, do you remember how you explained it to me back then?"

Qingyang had only personally experienced that one battle in her life, leaving a deep impression on her. She walked directly to the map, quickly located the positions of the two unmarked passes, and began to recall the details once more.

Her familiarity with the map and Wuwei's defenses alone was enough to convince most of the senior ministers present. Upon further reflection, during that critical moment when Emperor Xingwu had put himself in danger, the nine-year-old princess had not been trembling in fear but had instead stayed by the Emperor’s side, speculating about the West Hu's sneak attack routes. Such composure alone was worthy of everyone’s admiration.

Amid the chorus of praise for the little princess, Qin Hong was rooted to the spot, stunned.

He remembered the incident—it had been a test Emperor Xingwu had given him and his sister that night. He had answered incorrectly, so had his sister agreed with his view back then merely to spare his pride?

Qin Hong’s shock and doubt lasted only a moment, as it had been common over the years for his sister to cover for him and make excuses for him in front of Emperor Xingwu. It was nothing unusual.

So, his sister was indeed fully capable of serving as the Military Supervisor, and his second brother would likely prove to be a brave and fierce general on the battlefield.

Only he, unworthy of being the eldest brother, was unable to help lighten Emperor Xingwu's load.