Chapter 706 - 484: An Imperial Campaign in Person

Chapter 706: Chapter 484: An Imperial Campaign in Person

The visit was a success, and Song Yunzhao was quite satisfied. It was her first meeting with the Empress Dowager at Shouci Palace since becoming an Imperial Concubine, and it had gone more smoothly than she’d anticipated.

She returned to Yaohua Palace and sent Zhang Maoquan to Taiji Palace to report on the Empress Dowager’s health, allowing the Emperor to focus on matters of state without worry.

For several days straight, snow mixed with hail fell upon the Capital City. A biting cold wind made the windows HOWL.

Song Yunzhao had a bad feeling. ’The plot is already a complete mess, and the original female lead is gone. I have no idea what year it is or what part of the story I’m in anymore. I don’t remember the book ever mentioning such a harsh winter.’

’Come to think of it, the entire world of the book must have changed after I got rid of the protagonist.’

’I don’t know if it’s for the better or for the worse.’

With Ding Xian’s help and their vigilance against Mrs. Zhao, the new policies in the south progressed smoothly.

A month ago, Yun Zhao had received a letter from Song Buran, which had been passed on to her. In it, he wrote that Zhao Ling’e indeed had a reputation for talent and beauty throughout the southern Prefectures and Counties. He had never met her, but everyone who spoke of her had nothing but praise.

However, no one in Mrs. Zhao’s household was talking about the imperial selection next year. Song Buran also told her he would continue to keep an eye on things and that she shouldn’t worry.

Perhaps because Song Buran wasn’t too subtle about watching Mrs. Zhao’s activities, the Zhao Family grew wary. This was part of Song Buran’s intentional pressure, which in turn sped up the implementation of the new policies.

Just before the end of the year, he and Ji Yunting returned to the Capital, bringing with them the newly surveyed Land and Population Registers, as well as reports on the performance of local officials during the implementation of the new policies.

The new policies in the south were a resounding success. The two rising stars had rendered great service and firmly established themselves in the Capital City.

As a result, Song Buran was appointed to a post in the Capital City.

However, their new official appointments were somewhat surprising. Song Buran was assigned to the Ministry of War, while Ji Yunting was transferred from the Ministry of War to the Ministry of Revenue.

After the beginning of the twelfth lunar month, a fierce blizzard swept across the entire Northern Border.

The eight northern cities were buried in ice and snow. Even the Capital City was battered by the blizzard, while regions like Liaodong were hit even harder.

Memorials from officials all over the north flew to the Capital City like snowflakes, each one reporting on the sudden blizzard and the resulting devastation in their jurisdictions.

If Great Chu was suffering, the disaster was even more severe for Beiming, deep in the lands beyond the frontier. Recently, Beiming’s mounted scouts had been spotted probing the border cities more frequently, seizing the chance to plunder villages and steal grain. The number of villagers who suffered was immense.

In court, one military general after another stepped forward to request for war, but the civil servants disagreed. Launching a campaign in such weather, they argued, would do more harm than good, and it was not a time for rash decisions.

Prince Zhenbei, who had been on sick leave for half a year, attended court this time in full armor. He immediately kowtowed and implored the Emperor to allow him to mobilize the border garrisons of three northern cities, march beyond the frontier, and give battle to Beiming.

"Your Majesty, our border garrisons have been trying to drive out the Beiming cavalry, but their numbers are insufficient, and their efforts have had little effect. We chase them off, and a day later, they sneak back. The Beiming cavalry have mastered guerrilla tactics. They’ve figured out the guard rotation schedules in the border cities. They run if they can’t win and plunder when they can. The civilians and soldiers of the border cities can’t bear this harassment any longer. If this continues, both military and civilian morale will collapse, and I fear the border cities themselves will be in grave danger."

Prince Zhenbei had been fighting for decades; he knew Beiming intimately.

For the pastoral tribes of the steppe, this blizzard was a cataclysm. Countless cattle, sheep, and horses had frozen to death. They would not survive unless they plundered Great Chu.

They would eye Great Chu with predatory hunger, if only to survive.

Simply avoiding a fight was not an option.

Feng Yi made no final decision during the court session. Instead, he ordered the Six Ministries to deliberate and then submit their recommendations in a memorial.

After court was dismissed, he braved the wind and snow to go to Yaohua Palace.

Charcoal fires burned within Yaohua Palace, making it a world apart from the icy snowscape outside. Feng Ze was playing with Feng Yun. Despite talking completely at cross-purposes, the two seemed to be getting along splendidly.

Yun Zhao sat nearby in her everyday robes, looking over account books while keeping an eye on her sons. The tension in Feng Yi’s heart instantly eased at the sight.

Song Yunzhao looked up and saw Feng Yi standing in the doorway. She quickly rose to greet him. "When did you arrive? Why didn’t anyone announce you?"

Song Yunzhao took Feng Yi’s hand and found it was ice-cold. She quickly pulled him inside, busying herself with helping him change his robes and warming his hands.

Feng Ze started to run over for a hug from his Imperial Father, but the moment he moved, Feng Yun also waved his little arms and shifted his tiny body. Alarmed, Feng Ze immediately planted himself at the edge of the couch, terrified his younger brother might roll off.

Feng Yi chuckled at his son’s antics. After changing his robes, he went over, lifted Feng Ze onto the couch, and played with his two sons.

Yun Zhao stepped out to order the meal to be served. Since Feng Yi hadn’t announced his visit, his dishes had to be brought over from the main kitchen.

During the meal, Feng Yun was carried away by his wet nurse for a feeding. Feng Ze chattered excitedly about his lessons in the study that day. Yang Weiqing had been punished by their tutor for not paying attention, and Feng Ze was clearly smug about having escaped punishment himself.

Yun Zhao listened with a smile. ’Children this age really do turn everything into a competition.’

Feng Yi quizzed his son on a few things, which the boy answered correctly. After the meal, he sent him off.

Feng Ze ran off happily to see his little brother. Song Yunzhao sent a servant to watch over him, then sat down across from Feng Yi. "What is it? Did something trouble you today?"

When Feng Yi explained the day’s events, Yun Zhao’s brow furrowed. There had never been an easy solution for such matters.

"What do you plan to do?"

’Going to war at a time like this isn’t good for Great Chu,’ she thought. ’A campaign in this bitter cold would be a tremendous trial for the soldiers.’

Feng Yi looked at Yun Zhao for a long moment before speaking. "It is precisely because this war will be so difficult that I intend to lead the campaign myself."

Song Yunzhao was stunned.

"Lead the campaign yourself?"

She had never imagined Feng Yi would consider such a thing.

"You know as well as I do how difficult this campaign will be. Leading it myself will inspire the troops. As the sovereign of this nation, if I show fear, how can this war be won?"

Song Yunzhao clutched her handkerchief tightly. ’Warfare in ancient times is completely different from the modern era. In this age of cold steel, there are no advanced protective measures. The risks are enormous.’

"I’ll go with you."

Feng Yi chuckled. "That’s out of the question. After I leave the Capital City, you must remain in the palace to manage things. Zhaozhao, I don’t trust anyone else. Only you."

Song Yunzhao’s heart leaped into her throat. She quickly said, "What use is it telling me, Your Majesty? I’m afraid the courtiers will never agree to such a reckless plan. Why don’t you get their approval first, and then come talk to me."

Song Yunzhao was genuinely frightened, and her face grew taut.

Feng Yi took Yun Zhao’s hand. "Leading the campaign myself doesn’t mean I’ll be personally fighting on the battlefield. I will command from one of the border cities. Besides, this isn’t just about clashing with Beiming. I intend to use this as an opportunity to clean up several of the border cities."

Song Yunzhao breathed a small sigh of relief. She looked up at Feng Yi. "Do you really have to go?"

Feng Yi nodded.

Song Yunzhao wrapped her arms around his waist. ’The book never had a plotline where the emperor personally led a campaign, but now he’s going to war.’

’In the end, it’s all because the new policies were so successful. The Emperor now has money and provisions, and with them, the confidence to act.’