Chapter 52: Invasion by a Hostile Nation

Seeing Princess Ruyue's high spirits, Li Ye knew his plan had succeeded.

Relying on Princess Ruyue's influence to help promote his products would not only drive a frenzy of purchases among the crowds but also command exceptionally high prices.

She was undoubtedly the ultimate product ambassador.

He simply had to keep her happy.

Suddenly, a messenger from the palace arrived, commanding Li Ye to enter the inner court immediately.

"Why is His Majesty summoning me in such a rush? Has something happened?" Li Ye asked, deeply puzzled.

Normally, the Emperor could not be bothered to pay him any attention.

This was the very first time the Emperor had taken the initiative to summon him.

"The Kingdom of Annan has suddenly mobilized its forces, invading the borders of our Dayuan Empire, burning, killing, pillaging, and committing every conceivable atrocity.

Because the border is so far from the capital, coupled with the heavy miasma in the southern regions, transporting military provisions has proven extremely difficult.

The imperial court is currently deliberating on how to deal with Annan.

Since Your Highness commands troops, you must naturally attend the discussion."

"That petty little state of Annan is truly courting death!" Li Ye's expression instantly turned icy.

This fickle little nation, taking advantage of its distance from the capital of the Dayuan Dynasty and the complex terrain that made it difficult for imperial troops to adapt to the local climate, frequently raised arms and stirred up rebellion.

If they were not thoroughly subjugated, border stability could never be maintained.

Once an invasion began, it invariably brought slaughter and plunder, and it was the innocent commoners of the Dayuan Dynasty who suffered the most.

Li Ye would never allow such a thing to happen.

"Very well, I understand. I shall enter the palace at once!"

Turning to Princess Ruyue, he said, "I am terribly sorry, but His Majesty has summoned me, so I cannot keep you company any longer."

Princess Ruyue stood up and said, "Then you should hurry to the palace. I will take all these items with me and help you promote them."

"Many thanks, Princess!"

Li Ye followed the eunuch into the palace.

Nearly all the military generals had already arrived.

Emperor Li Xuantian's expression was exceptionally gloomy.

Although the Kingdom of Annan had never been well-behaved, launching a sudden attack at this particular juncture was highly suspicious.

Furthermore, the army they dispatched this time was massive, inflicting heavy losses upon the Dayuan Dynasty.

The garrison forces had already suffered defeat, resulting in the loss of several cities.

Sending reinforcements would take a long time, and military provisions had once again become a tremendous problem.

Having just fought a campaign against the northern barbarians not long ago, the imperial treasury had been heavily depleted.

It would be difficult to raise sufficient grain and military pay in a short period.

"His Imperial Highness the Sixth Prince has arrived!" Even before he stepped through the threshold, the eunuch chanted at the top of his lungs.

Li Ye walked into the Imperial Study and bowed respectfully, "This subject pays respects to Your Majesty, my imperial father."

"Rise!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Li Ye stood to one side, casting a glance at the people around him.

To his surprise, he saw Qin Qingxue and Shi Wushuang among the gathering.

"All of you, speak your minds. How shall we repel the Annan grand army?

The most troublesome issue with this military campaign is the supply of provisions. At the same time, I demand the complete annihilation of all Annan forces.

We must counterattack and make the Kingdom of Annan pay a bitter price.

Which of my loyal ministers is willing to lead the army into battle?"

At these words, all the generals wore expressions of difficulty.

Dispatching troops without adequate provisions was tantamount to marching to their deaths.

Procuring grain locally would present countless obstacles.

In particular, the climate and toxic miasma posed an even greater hazard to the soldiers.

While they would eagerly scramble to fight enemy nations in the north, they were entirely unfamiliar with southern conditions and had no certainty of victory.

No one could afford to bear the consequences of a defeat.

Astonishingly, not a single person stepped forward to volunteer for the campaign.

Li Xuantian grew even more furious, slamming his palm heavily onto the desk.

"As the saying goes, troops are raised for a thousand days to be used in a single hour, yet not one of you military generals dares to answer the call.

Could it be that you are all afraid of a petty little nation like Annan?"

Zhao Wudi gritted his teeth, stepped out, cupped his fists, and said, "This general is willing to lead the troops!

However, this general dares not boast; the imperial court must allocate sufficient provisions and medicinal supplies.

The army will find it difficult to adapt to fighting in the south, and upon arrival, the extreme heat will likely cause at least twenty percent of the soldiers to suffer from heatstroke and illness, rendering them combat-ineffective.

Therefore, we must prepare at least twenty percent more troops than usual."

"Nonsense! Do you think I am unaware of these circumstances? If we had ample provisions, sufficient medicine, and extra troops, I wouldn't be worrying so much.

I have already stated that the army must procure its own provisions locally.

Take the silver with you and purchase supplies along the route and at your destination.

As for medicinal herbs, they can be prepared for you.

Beyond that, I can only provide a maximum of fifty thousand troops, not a single soldier more."

All the generals once again drew in a sharp breath of cold air.

The enemy claimed to have a cavalry of two hundred thousand, and in reality, their numbers were no less than one hundred and fifty thousand.

Moreover, the enemy forces had long since adapted to the southern climate and could unleash their full combat effectiveness.

With the imperial court sending only fifty thousand troops, there was simply no chance of victory.

Zhao Wudi hesitated, saying, "In... in this situation, this general has absolutely no certainty of victory."

"Then stand down!"

Li Xuantian looked at the crowd with a dark expression.

"The commoners at the border are being slaughtered and plundered by the enemy, living through a veritable hell.

As generals, can you simply stand by and watch?"

Shi Wushuang felt the timing was right and nudged Qin Qingxue.

Although Qin Qingxue believed that leading a mere fifty thousand troops offered zero chance of winning, Wushuang had urged her to seize military command at all costs and volunteer for the campaign.

He had even promised that the Yunlu Pavilion would offer its full assistance.

Only then did Qin Qingxue regain a measure of confidence.

Prompted by Shi Wushuang's signal, she immediately stepped forward and declared, "This general is willing to lead the army into battle!"

The subtle interaction between the two did not escape Li Xuantian's notice.

The expression on Li Xuantian's face remained entirely unchanged.

He said calmly, "General Changying truly lives up to her reputation as a heroine matching any man! When all other generals lack the courage to answer the call, you actually push a woman to take the field.

However, as far as I know, General Changying only has experience fighting in the north and has never once campaigned in the south.

Given that you are facing a massive disadvantage, what plan do you have to secure victory?"

Qin Qingxue was left completely speechless by the question.

She had merely followed Shi Wushuang's advice and had no concrete plan whatsoever on how to fight the war.

"This..."

Shi Wushuang had not expected the Emperor to ask such a question.

He immediately spoke up, "Reporting to Your Majesty, I shall accompany General Changying on this campaign.

Furthermore, I will do my utmost to summon disciples of the Yunlu Pavilion to assist us.

I believe that with the help of the Yunlu Pavilion, we will surely defeat the enemy forces."

"As expected of a disciple of the Yunlu Pavilion, far superior to the generals of my Dayuan Dynasty.

That being said, although the disciples of the Yunlu Pavilion are scattered across the world and each possesses extraordinary skills, I fear they will struggle to make a significant impact in the face of an army of two hundred thousand.

Leading an army into battle is no child's play. If you wish to command, you must sign a military pledge."

Li Xuantian's gaze was as sharp as a sword, locked fixedly upon them.

Shi Wushuang had already made his calculations and said with absolute confidence, "I am willing to sign a military pledge alongside General Changying; this campaign will end in victory."

Qin Qingxue felt a deep sense of unease, utterly failing to understand why Shi Wushuang possessed such boundless confidence.

Leading troops into battle was one thing; if they truly lost, they could retreat and ask the imperial court for reinforcements.

Signing a military pledge, however, was an entirely different matter.

Once defeated, the penalty was death.

Shi Wushuang nudged Qin Qingxue with his arm, pulling her back from her thoughts.

Qin Qingxue realized she had no way out and could only echo, "This general is willing to sign the military pledge."