Chapter 146 - 124: Mother and Son Compete for Favor

Quickly, the civil and military ministers who had not yet arrived home received a summons and hurried back to the Jinluan Hall, where Emperor Jing held court once more.

Inside the hall, the atmosphere was heavy, and all the ministers were solemn, quietly waiting for the emperor to speak.

Emperor Jing sat on the dragon throne, a hint of anxiety evident between his brows. He waved his hand, signaling to Li Zhongxin beside him to read the two urgent reports from Beiguan.

Li Zhongxin held the memorial, his voice loud and steady, each word ringing clear.

"Urgent report from Beiguan. Ala and Meng Country have simultaneously dispatched troops, appearing to form an allied force, with their military prowess directly targeting our Da Jing’s Ling’an City. Ling’an City is in crisis, requesting the court to urgently dispatch troops to aid!"

After reading one, Li Zhongxin’s forehead was already drenched in cold sweat.

Just now, when he heard Emperor Jing solemnly summon the civil and military ministers to court again, he knew it was not good news. He didn’t expect it to be a coalition of two countries.

Li Zhongxin wiped his forehead and opened the other one.

"Urgent report from Beiguan. A two hundred thousand strong Turkic army is marching south, directly threatening Yong’an City. Marshal Cao is held up at Ling’an City, hoping the court will urgently dispatch troops to aid."

As soon as Li Zhongxin’s voice fell, the hall was instantly in an uproar. The civil and military ministers looked at each other, whispering in low voices.

Beiguan is the northern gateway of Da Jing and has always been a strategically contested location.

Now, with the aggressive advance of the three-nation coalition, it is clear they are prepared. If not promptly dealt with, the consequences are unthinkable.

Emperor Jing’s brows tightened, his gaze sweeping over the ministers in the hall, and he asked in a serious tone: "The alliance of three countries outside Beiguan is advancing. Yong’an City and Ling’an City both request the court to send troops for reinforcement. What are your views, my dear ministers?"

The Minister of War, Cao Ge, was the first to step forward, bowing to report: "Your Majesty, Beiguan is the shield of our Da Jing’s northern frontier and must not be lost. The aggressive advance of the three-nation coalition, if not promptly responded to, poses a risk of national peril. I believe we should immediately dispatch elite troops to quickly reinforce Beiguan, to stabilize the army and assure the people."

Cao Ge’s words were earnest, his expression the most anxious among all the civil and military ministers.

His younger brother, Cao Xiong, had just taken up the position of marshal of Beiguan for a little over three months and now faced the war of the three-nation coalition. Cao Ge’s heart was naturally burning with anxiety.

The Minister of Revenue, Li Qian, a middle-aged man about the same age as Cao Ge, appeared scholarly.

Just as Cao Ge finished speaking, he immediately followed, stepping forward to report: "Your Majesty, the war at Beiguan is urgent, and provisions and supplies must also be promptly organized. I command the Ministry of Revenue to speed up the preparation of grain and fodder to ensure that the Beiguan soldiers have no worries about resources."

Emperor Jing nodded, indicating agreement with Li Qian’s proposal. After Li Qian saluted, he turned back to the Ministry of Revenue to prepare the supplies.

"Prime Minister, what do you think?"

Emperor Jing turned to Mr. Wei.

The civil and military ministers in the Jinluan Hall were all those gradually replaced after his ascension to the throne. Although they were all loyal to him, they lacked experience.

In matters critical to the country’s fate, he was still accustomed to consulting Mr. Wei, his teacher.

Mr. Wei furrowed his brows and thought for a moment, slowly standing up from the Taishi Chair specially set up for him, and bowed.

"Your Majesty. The combined force of the three countries is strong, and our army, relying solely on the current strength at Beiguan, will be difficult to resist. I believe we should dispatch reinforcements from neighboring prefectures and counties to increase the strength of Beiguan."

As soon as Mr. Wei finished speaking, the Minister of Industry, Zhang Shiyang, also stepped forward to report.

"Your Majesty, although the Beiguan city wall is strong, the subsequent assault of the three-nation coalition is fierce, and it may be difficult to hold for long. I immediately order the Ministry of Industry to hasten the production of siege defense equipment and request permission to personally lead craftsmen to Beiguan to assist in fortifying the city defenses."

The ministers in the hall echoed their approval, all agreeing that reinforcements should be dispatched immediately to aid Beiguan.

At this time, Mr. Wei continued: "Your Majesty, Jingzhou and Xuzhou are the closest to Canzhou North Pass, and their troops are strong. As an old minister, I believe that the soldiers from these two provinces can be dispatched swiftly to aid Beiguan."

Emperor Jing nodded slightly, pondered for a moment, then immediately issued an order.

"Convey my decree, commanding Minister of War Cao Ge to dispatch an army of one hundred and fifty thousand from Jingzhou to swiftly support Ling’an City; Xuzhou, separated by only a river from Yong’an City, should dispatch an army of one hundred and fifty thousand swiftly to support Yong’an City. The Ministry of Industry must set off immediately, ensuring they travel day and night to reach Beiguan, and produce siege defense equipment on-site to help Beiguan stabilize its defenses!"

Cao Ge heard this, and immediately stepped forward to accept the order: "I comply! I will immediately dispatch the military forces to ensure reinforcements swiftly aid Beiguan!"

The Minister of Industry, Zhang Shiyang, bowed and replied: "I comply! I will immediately gather the craftsmen and rush to Beiguan."

Zhang Shiyang was a young official in his thirties, so his speech was full of vigor.

Although his appearance was ordinary and his skin dark, his craft was exquisite.