Chapter 778 - 40: The Human Heart’s Turmoil, Controlling the Grand Game

"Recover lost territory!!" Voices echoed sporadically all around, all deliberately imitating the Khitan accent.

Yeli Yuqi’s heart was greatly shaken as he looked at the Liao Army’s armor glistening in the firelight, and listened to this unmistakable slogan, a surge of betrayal-fueled rage rushed to his head.

"So it really is you! Kill! Kill all these treacherous Liao dogs for me!"

The attack came swiftly and left just as quickly.

By the time Western Xia reinforcements arrived upon hearing the news, the pasture was already in shambles, with heavy casualties among men and livestock.

And that Liao army had long since disappeared into the gradually brightening dawn, taking with them a small number of looted horses, leaving only the chaotic scene and the boast of recovering lost territory, spreading like a plague among the Western Xia garrison.

The situation has taken shape!

——Various reports rapidly spread across the entire realm.

As the news spread, the situation had already become utterly chaotic.

Western Xia, Xingqing Prefecture.

The court’s atmosphere was extremely solemn.

Looking at the enraged young emperor on the dragon throne, though they knew full well that the emperor did not wield much power yet, the ministers couldn’t help but feel some fear, their expressions turning quite ugly.

"How dare those Liao dogs!"

Li Liangzuo, his face flushed with anger, suddenly stood up from the imperial seat and roared, "Is this what you called rumors that must be cautiously dealt with? Now the blade is already at our throats!"

Although he didn’t name names.

Almost everyone understood his implication.

This was directed at Meicang Ebang!

This was Western Xia’s current biggest problem, as the young emperor continued to grow, the issue of power inevitably had to be brought into the open.

Even at this moment, many were still thinking that the emperor was deliberately targeting the Prime Minister!

The entire hall was silent.

Meicang Ebang’s expression was extremely complex. After hesitating for a long time, he finally stepped forward and bowed to Li Liangzuo, saying, "Peace, Your Majesty!"

"This matter is most peculiar!"

"Even if Liao harbors ulterior motives, why choose this moment when our army is fiercely engaged with the Song Army, an act tantamount to declaring war?"

"Would this not sever their own arm and let the Song reap the benefits?"

"I fear... this is still the poisonous scheme of the Gu Clan!"

"Intending to enrage Your Majesty, forcing Great Xia to completely break with Liao, allowing them to escape unscathed, Your Majesty!"

However, under the current circumstances, how could everyone be willing to listen?

This is the grand scheme orchestrated by Gu Rui!

Almost immediately, a military general forcefully retorted, "Prime Minister!"

"The facts are there, General Yeli personally saw and heard it; could it all be false?"

"That talk of recovering lost territories is clearly a long-held wish of the Liao dogs!"

"They saw our army tied up by the Song on the eastern front, leaving the Western Capital Route empty, and took advantage of the opportunity!"

"If we do not counterattack now, where would Great Xia’s dignity lie?"

"How could the other tribes of the Western Capital Route be willing to fight to the death for us then?"

"Yes, Your Majesty! Even if the Gu Clan is cunning, can they conjure hundreds of sets of Liao armor and command real Khitan accents to put on an act?" another person chimed in loudly.

As he watched the fervent crowd in the hall, Meicang Ebang’s heart turned icy cold.

He knew that any rational analysis he presented at this moment seemed pale and powerless against the overwhelming public opinion of an attacked homeland and the ignited fury of the military; it might even be interpreted as cowardice or ulterior motives.

Looking at everyone present.

After a long silence, Li Liangzuo finally waved his hand sharply, "Enough!"

"Prime Minister, I have noted your concerns."

"But with the Liao’s blade at our throats, if we do not retaliate, wouldn’t the world laugh at Great Xia’s cowardice?"

"My mind is made up!"

He turned to the Minister of the Ministry of War and said sternly, "Immediately mobilize part of the Capture Live Army, swiftly reinforce the Western Capital Route, and keep a close watch on the Liao’s every move for me!"

"The frontline... the offensive against the Song will be paused!"

"Order Ren Duo Baozhong to stabilize the current position, no large-scale attacks without my command!"

This order, though not an immediate full-scale war against Liao, clearly indicated Western Xia’s stance by shifting strategic focus and halting the offensive against the Song.

Moreover, it was not over!

"Also... send someone to Great Song."

A lightly spoken sentence fell slowly.

And finally, Li Liangzuo looked at Meicang Ebang, the youthful vigor evident on his face.

This was the core of the plan.

Regardless of the truth behind this, for Li Liangzuo, it didn’t matter much.

He didn’t care about these things.

For Li Liangzuo, he only knew that this was the best opportunity to target Meicang Ebang.

He wanted to reclaim the emperor’s rightful power!....

....

(Ps: Begging for monthly tickets, please support, brothers, the fish is extremely grateful!!!)