12dz Chapter 98 Northern War Report
Chapter 98 Northern War Report
"Brilliant!" Emperor Cheng clapped his hands in approval, then turned to the Empress and said, "Would the Empress like to add some embellishment to this girl's appearance?"
"I was just about to say that the child deserves a reward, but my gift is not as valuable as Your Majesty's." The Empress said, removing the phoenix hairpin from her hair.
"Your Majesty, you mustn't do this!" Xiao Bailing and Shen Zizai came up and tried to dissuade her.
Not only are phoenix hairpins valuable, but they are also a symbol of status and cannot be given away easily.
"I gave it to her to play with, so why can't it be used?" Empress Ning smiled kindly and dignifiedly as she slowly placed the phoenix hairpin next to the yellow jacket that had been prepared in advance on the tray.
Consort Zheng snorted when she saw the Empress's affected manner, not even bothering to put on a show.
"Thank you, Your Majesty and Your Majesty the Empress." Shen Yue expressed her gratitude.
"Minister Shen, your two daughters are truly a source of pride for you," Emperor Cheng said with a smile.
"My daughter is unruly, and we still rely on His Majesty and the Empress's kindness." Shen Zizai spoke humbly, and as he spoke, he saw out of the corner of his eye that Zhou Zhen had returned to his seat, and the Grand Secretary's face was even a little pale at this moment.
The emperor had clearly noticed this as well, and immediately asked, "Is the Grand Secretary unwell? I haven't seen you since the banquet began."
"Your Majesty, I am suffering from an upset stomach and have been disrespectful," Zhou Zhen said, his voice weak.
He didn't know what was wrong with him; he started feeling unwell in the afternoon, constantly sweating and running to the toilet. If he hadn't been worried about the Crown Prince, he would have asked for leave long ago.
He only heard from the palace servants that something had happened to the Crown Prince, but he was powerless to help and couldn't get back in time.
"How can you endure feeling unwell? Someone, please invite Imperial Physician Jiang to examine the Grand Secretary's pulse." Emperor Cheng showed great concern.
Zhou Zhen thanked the emperor, but after sitting down, he looked more at the crown prince. Seeing that the prince looked rather dejected, he couldn't help but frown. How could he be so disrespectful in such a situation?
Just then, Zhou Qianqian looked over, and he gave her a wink. Only then did Zhou Qianqian remind Li Heng.
Li Heng straightened his back, and his face quickly became calm and composed, displaying the noble air he had cultivated over the years.
He grew up among scholars, and his innate elegance and humility contrasted sharply with the cold and aloof demeanor of the King of Chess, making him appear gentle and dignified at first glance.
Zhou Zhen was somewhat satisfied. As the Grand Secretary, he couldn't choose sides himself, but he was also quite pleased with Crown Prince Li Heng, who was less opinionated and easier to control.
The only thing to do is to promote Qianqian to the rank of concubine as soon as possible, so that she can secure her position as empress in the future.
Shen Yue happily returned to Shen Li's side. At this moment, Shen Li was waiting for dinner, and Gu Chang'an gently soothed her anxious emotions.
Shen Yue originally wanted to share her joy of being in the limelight, but now she felt like she was superfluous to come back. Her sister seemed particularly...unsteady in front of her brother-in-law.
"Sister, I'm going to our parents' table." She was quite perceptive and slipped away before Shen Li could speak.
Upon hearing this, Shen Li simply smiled and looked at Gu Chang'an, only to see his evasive gaze and slightly reddened earlobes.
Her husband, a man of great learning and iron will, couldn't hide his feelings at all in front of her; his shyness was written all over his face.
She was about to make a joke when she suddenly saw a soldier with a command flag on his body rushing towards her from a distance, and her heart tightened immediately.
On the same day in my previous life, on my birthday, the court received news of a complete defeat at the front lines, with General Lin and Xiao Qi killed in battle.
Her grandfather fainted on the spot, and Lin Wan'er immediately wept blood. From then on, the Great Zhao ceded territory and paid reparations, never to recover.
She has been restless about this for the past few days, and she still dares not breathe, unconsciously clenching Gu Chang'an's hand.
Gu Chang'an realized what was happening, looked at Shen Li and then at the soldier, placing his hand on her shoulder while keeping a close eye on the soldier.
The banquet, which had just been bustling with activity and preparations for serving the dishes, gradually quieted down from the outside in. Everyone noticed that the soldier's expression had become solemn; he could not present anything to the emperor except for urgent military matters.
The soldier ran to the dragon's desk, knelt down neatly, presented a military report with both hands, and said loudly, "Your Majesty, we have achieved a great victory in the northern border. General Lin has specially ordered me to deliver this battle report."
"A great victory?" Emperor Cheng stood up, his expression a mixture of excitement and disbelief. "You mean, we won?"
"The Liang army launched a midnight attack, but our troops bravely held them off outside the city," the soldier said in a strong voice that everyone present could hear.
The Crown Prince and the King of Chess had different expressions.
The King of Chess was naturally pleased, because his efforts in offering advice and contributing to this matter were evident to everyone in the court and among the people, and the victory was due to his contributions.
The crown prince, however, showed no obvious joy. He was unaware of the consequences of losing, only knowing that winning would put him in a more passive position.
Duke Zhenguo Xiao Zhan stood up unconsciously, tears welling up in his eyes, his hands clenched into fists, unsure of what to say.
“Father.” Xiao Bailing came over and helped the old Duke up, her voice choked with emotion. “This is a good thing. Please sit down and listen, take your time.”
Shen Li, who was in the distance, closed her eyes to hide the intense emotions in them. Among all the people present, only she knew the enormous cost of defeat, and only she knew the hardships that would be incurred to avoid that cost.
Lin Wan'er did it.
However, her anxiety did not completely subside. Only she knew the scale of the forces that the Great Liang had mobilized this time, and even if they were defeated, the cost would likely be substantial.
The emperor saw the contents of the memorial and his expression became slightly somber, but after putting it down, he said, "Good, Minister Lin has done well. I will definitely reward him handsomely."
Shen Li caught the emperor's subtle emotions, but she knew that the secret could not be revealed at this time, and she was still not at ease.
The court officials raised their glasses in celebration.
Even the vassal states that came to pay tribute appeared very happy, but no one knew what they were really thinking.
"Don't worry, Ah Li, we'll find out the details tonight." Gu Chang'an could see her nervousness; her usually warm fingertips were even slightly cold at this moment.
Shen Li nodded slightly.
The banquet proceeded as scheduled and did not end until late at night. After the banquet, Emperor Cheng did not return to the inner palace but met with several court officials in the Imperial Study.
The attendees included the late Duke Xiao Zhan, several cabinet ministers, the Minister of War and his vice minister, and the vice minister of the Ministry of Revenue. The Crown Prince and Prince Yi were also present as observers.
"Take a look, everyone." Emperor Cheng placed the battle report on a tray and had it passed around for everyone to read.
Xiao Zhan, who was sitting at the very front, was the first to read it. After he finished reading, his hands were shaking, and Shen Zizai had to comfort him.
“Eight hundred thousand?” he murmured. “The Northern Border Army at full strength is only three hundred thousand. With insufficient military funding, a group of people were sent back to their hometowns. Now there are probably only two hundred and fifty or sixty thousand.”
The battle report was indeed a victory, but its core message was a request for reinforcements. The Great Liang not only had a large and well-equipped army but also ample supplies. They had even used heavy artillery in the siege. Without reinforcements, the city would not be able to hold out for long.