After rebirth, the Queen of Madness has gone against the will of Heaven

Chapter 423 The Strongest General

Yu Zhengsha was the first to raise questions. He asked with some doubt, "Your Majesty, this matter is a bit strange. Not to mention the source of this battle report, the timing is also a bit off."

Murong Shiling raised his eyebrows, "Oh, what do you mean, Prime Minister?"

"Your Majesty, you should know that this northern country is located in a cold place, especially in winter. I heard that it snows frequently, and sometimes you can't even find the road. To start a war at this time, you must be a fool!"

After hearing what Yu Zhengsha said, the emperor felt that it made sense. The ruler of the northern country was not a fool, and there was no reason for him to go to war during the worst weather in the northern country in a year. So, was the battle report false?

"Father, I believe this war report is true. The border has been turbulent for years. Furthermore, the northerners are inherently warlike and often live in harsh conditions. Snowstorms present a challenge to us, but not necessarily to them. Taking advantage of the snowy season to provoke a war would definitely give them an advantage."

Murong Cheng's analysis seemed to make sense. The emperor was stunned for a moment, his eyes falling on Murong Feng, "Feng'er, what do you think?"

Murong Feng pondered for a moment before speaking, "I believe the Prime Minister and the Crown Prince each have their reasons. However, now is not the time to dwell on the truth of this intelligence. As the saying goes, it's better to be prepared than to be caught off guard. Regardless of whether this battle report is true or not, we should make the necessary preparations as soon as possible."

Murong Shiling nodded with great satisfaction. This arrangement was very reasonable, and his eyes softened when he looked at Murong Feng.

Murong Cheng lowered his head and said nothing. At a time like this, there was no need for him to show off. The overall situation should be the most important thing!

"If the Northern Kingdom were to invade, who would be the best person to lead the troops?"

As soon as Murong Shiling asked the question, General Lin stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I am willing to go to the battle!"

Murong Shiling looked at General Lin, whose temples were already gray, and sighed for a while. "My dear Lin, it's not that I don't believe in your ability, but this northern country is remote, and your health is not as good as before. I am worried about you traveling such a long distance..."

"Your Majesty, there is no need to say more. I know I am old, but I still have a heart to serve my country. I hope Your Majesty will support me."

"General Lin, I'm deeply gratified by your sincerity, but I really don't recommend you go to battle this time. How about we transfer one or two outstanding generals from the Lin family army to replace you? I believe that the soldiers led by the old general must also be very outstanding."

General Lin was speechless. Now that things had come to this, it was obvious that the emperor didn't want him to go to war!

"Your Majesty, if General Lin does not go to the expedition, who will be the commander-in-chief of the three armies?" Yu Zhengsha raised a realistic question. Over the years, Canghe has emphasized civil affairs over military affairs, and there are few outstanding generals among the younger generation. For a while, it was really difficult to find a suitable commander.

Murong Shiling was confident, even though he really didn't want that person to take on this important task. He looked around and said, "Actually, there's one person who can!"

When Murong Shileng mentioned it, Yu Zhengsha first thought of a candidate, "Your Majesty, are you talking about the Prince of Yan?"

"That's right. Although my seventh brother has been unruly these years, it has not hindered his ability as a commander. The late emperor said this when he was still alive."

"That being said, the Prince of Yan hasn't led an army in many years, so I'm afraid he wouldn't be able to do it. Moreover, if the military power falls into the hands of the Prince of Yan, I'm afraid..."

Yu Zhengsha didn't say anything else, but Murong Shiling clearly understood what he meant. He only frowned slightly, "Prime Minister, there are some things you can't say without evidence."

"Your Majesty, this old minister is also doing this for the good of the people. I hope Your Majesty will reconsider!"

Murong Cheng, standing by, took over and said, "If the Prime Minister truly cared about the people, he wouldn't be trying to sow discord here. Although the young emperor's uncle is a playboy, he hasn't done anything to harm the people in recent years. Besides, shouldn't the Prime Minister prioritize defending against foreign enemies?"

"Father, I think the Prime Minister's concerns are justified. With such great power in his hands, there's no guarantee that the young uncle won't harbor other ideas. Besides, people's hearts are hidden, and the most unpredictable thing in the world is their hearts, right?"

"Big Brother, your words are nothing but petty, aren't they? So tell me, if you don't let the little uncle be the commander-in-chief, do you want to take the position yourself?"

"Your Highness, I came to this conclusion after careful consideration based on the overall situation. I have absolutely no other intentions."

"Hmph, I think my eldest brother is just jealous of talented people!"

"Your Highness, you worry too much..."

"Enough! Stop talking to me!" Murong Shiling shouted angrily. "The enemy hasn't even arrived yet, and you brothers are already fighting. Is now the time to be fighting?"

"I know my mistake!"

Murong Cheng and Murong Feng said in unison that the emperor was right. Now was not the time to get angry. The overall situation should be taken into consideration.

"Alright, you all may withdraw for now. I need to carefully consider this battle report."

"Yes!"

The four of them walked out of the imperial study. Yu Zhengsha walked side by side with General Lin and said casually, "It seems that General Lin won't be able to show his prowess on the battlefield this time. What a pity!"

General Lin snorted coldly, ignored Yu Zhengsha, and walked away in a hurry.

Yu Zhengsha looked at his back with a mocking smile. This old man, no matter how powerful he was, what good was that? After all, His Majesty still despised him for being too old! However, if the Northern Kingdom really attacked this time, it would be a great opportunity for his Han'er to make a name for himself! Once he held military power, no one in the court would dare to interfere in his affairs.

On the other hand, the Lin family, despite having two sons and two daughters, seemed incapable of any success. The eldest son was frail and sickly, unsuitable for leading troops in battle, lacking even martial arts skills. The youngest son was only eight years old, still a child, so what could he possibly understand? Lin Zhi, the eldest daughter of the Lin family, had followed General Lin since childhood and was both civil and martial, but unfortunately, she was still a woman. As for the second daughter of the Lin family, she seemed to have grown up in seclusion and had never seen much of the world.

Yu Zhengsha sneered in his heart. It seemed that the civil and military forces in the court were bound to change! In other words, the Lin family would soon decline. Concubine Lin in the palace had basically lost the emperor's favor, and the prince did not seem to be liked by the emperor. It seemed that he had to carefully consider the changes in the situation in the future.

As for Murong Feng, after coming out of the imperial study, he returned to Ju'an Palace, but found that Yu Qingli was already waiting for him, which surprised him a little.

Yu Qingli dismissed her attendants, as if she had something to discuss with him.

As expected, before Murong Feng could speak, Yu Qingli took the lead and said, "Your Highness, is His Majesty calling you over today because of the incident at the northern border?"

Murong Feng was extremely surprised. His father had only told a few of them about this matter. In addition, because they didn't know whether the battle report was true or not, his father ordered them to keep it secret for the time being. But how did Yu Qingli know about it?

Seeing Murong Feng looking at her with suspicion, Yu Qingli smiled and said, "Your Highness, don't be surprised. In fact, I was the one who sent the battle report to His Majesty."

"what?"

Murong Feng was even more shocked. He hurriedly pulled Yu Qingli into the inner room and closed the door. "Yu Qingli, do you know what you are saying?"

"Don't worry, Your Highness. I naturally know this. Not only that, I also know that this is an opportunity!"

"Chance?"

"That's right. Doesn't Your Highness want to regain the throne of Crown Prince?"

"Easier said than done?"

"What if Your Highness performs exceptionally well in this battle?"

"Oh? Qingli, do you mean to send me to the battlefield?"

Yu Qingli pursed her lips and smiled noncommittally, "That's exactly what I was thinking! And, I'm afraid His Majesty has decided the same thing."

Murong Feng looked at her suspiciously, waiting for her next explanation. These days, he found it increasingly difficult to understand his wife.

"If I'm not mistaken, Your Highness will definitely let Prince Yan be the commander-in-chief!"

Murong Feng was shocked, and his eyes became sharper, "So what?"

Yu Qingli explained calmly, "Although His Majesty favors Prince Yan, he doesn't completely trust him. Moreover, if the military power in the court is in the hands of Prince Yan, it may not be a good thing for His Majesty. Therefore, His Majesty will definitely send someone he trusts to be the military supervisor! And at present, the person His Majesty trusts most is you, Your Highness!"

Murong Feng's expression became increasingly complicated. He grabbed Yu Qingli's wrist, his eyes scorching as he asked, "Who are you?"

Yu Qingli didn't dodge or evade, she raised her eyes and smiled, "Your Highness, am I not your concubine? Yu Qingli!"

"Really? It's only today that I realize I haven't seen through you at all! How many things are you still hiding from me?"

"Your Highness, Qingli has never intended to hide anything. It's just that Your Highness's heart never seems to be with me. As long as Your Highness wants to know, I can tell You. Your Highness, don't forget that we are one as husband and wife, aren't we?"

Yu Qingli avoided the main point and did not directly answer Murong Feng's question. Her eyes fell on her wrist and she said softly, "Your Highness, you hurt me."

Murong Feng finally let go, but the suspicion in his eyes did not diminish. "Qingli, are you really willing to tell me everything?"

"Of course! I've said that we are interdependent. Everything I do is for His Highness, but His Highness never seems to believe me!"

Yu Qingli lowered her head somewhat dejectedly, and her beautiful face was stained with a hint of sadness, which made people feel a little sad. Murong Feng was stunned, and stepped forward to put his arm around Yu Qingli's shoulders, his tone unexpectedly gentle, "I'm sorry, Qingli, I have always wronged you."

Yu Qingli shook her head. "As long as Your Highness believes in my sincerity, it's fine. Qingli can't say she feels wronged. By the way, Your Highness, don't you want to know about the battle report? How about I tell you?"

Next, in front of Murong Feng's shocked gaze, Yu Qingli told him something half-truthfully.