Chapter 1 The Eastern Expeditionary Army's Defeat

The news of the Eastern Expeditionary Army's defeat spread like wildfire.

The Li Bell rang, and there was no way to hide it. Even if the young people didn't know what the bell was, there were always those who did. A little inquiry would make it clear. Furthermore, the imperial court didn't try to suppress the news.

Back when the Yan people hadn't completely suppressed the barbarians as they had now, defeats were common. Every time the Li Bell rang, the old and young men would prepare their weapons, pull out the warhorses from the stables, provide their own weapons, warhorses, and armor, bid farewell to their families, and set off with the Emperor.

Now, although Yanjing had been at peace for a long time, the Yan people had built up a strong foundation over the years. A defeat was just a sign that the First Prince wasn't up to par, not that the Great Yan army wasn't capable. There was nothing else to say, just fight back.

The barbarians had been defeated; what was there to fear from some wild men?

If the Chu people dared to play tricks and interfere, then they would be beaten together with the Chu kingdom!

Over hundreds of years of inheritance, many things changed, but some things remained in the bones.

The imperial court didn't launch a mobilization, and the military registers hadn't been issued, but in Yanjing, many families had already prepared their men.

The laborers, the accountants, the retired veterans, the pot-bellied merchants, and even the pimps from the red tents...

Don't laugh.

It was really like that.

From all walks of life, no matter what skin you wore before, how new or expensive it was, after the Li Bell rang and they understood the reason, everyone spontaneously began to do what they thought they should do at this time.

It was: "The king is raising an army, let us repair our spears and shields. We will share the hatred with you!"

The Yan Kingdom's strong national power over the past century, coupled with the Yan Emperor's victories in foreign wars over the past two years, meant that the people's hearts were available.

In Yanjing, going back a few generations, which family didn't have ancestors who had been soldiers and gone to the battlefield? Well, they would dig out the ancestral belongings again.

Some people even went to the pawnshop to ask the pawnbroker if they could redeem the knives and armor that had been pawned off years ago. They certainly didn't have the money, otherwise they wouldn't have been reduced to pawning off those heirlooms.

Pawnshops were usually bloodsucking institutions, but few people knew that pawnshops also emphasized "righteousness." They had to be involved in both the underworld and the overworld. Without that awareness, you simply couldn't survive.

If they could find it in the warehouse, they would return it to the person first. As for what had already been sold, the pawnshop would fund the repurchase for you.

Those down-and-out people were also bold, saying:

"I won't deliberately take advantage of you. If I go to the battlefield and die, then it's just bad luck for you, pawnbroker, and you'll lose a deal. If I don't die, I'll use the rewards given by the imperial court to settle the account with you, pawnbroker, with interest!"

The men of Yanjing lived under the Emperor's feet, and they usually liked to show off and brag, but when something really happened, they didn't back down and were completely willing to go all out.

In a small inn,

The three constables that Yan Xiaoliu had brought with him this time to escort the congratulatory gifts were now shouting to hurry back and prepare to join the army.

They were慷慨激昂 (kāng kǎi jī áng, filled with righteous indignation), but Constable Yan seemed a little too indifferent.

It was a good thing that the people's hearts were available, but Great Yan wasn't yet at the point where it needed to rely on this method to support the war.

Constable Yan didn't know military affairs, but he often read military books, especially the one written by that Zheng fellow, which he had already read three times.

He also knew that without a period of planning and training, without deep accumulation, a rabble was difficult to directly transform into an elite army.

In the past, the people of Yanjing were able to boldly follow the Ji family's ancestors and emperors to personally conquer the desert because there were frequent wars at that time. Now, Yanjing had been at peace for more than sixty years, and trying to replicate the glory of the past was a bit too naive.

However, as a descendant of the Ji family, he was comforted to see the Great Yan people being so "commendable in their hearts."

But professional matters should still be left to professional people. Damn it, that seemed to be something that fellow had said as well.

"Boss, what are you thinking about?" one of the constables asked.

"Thinking that the wedding was called off, is the Princess still living in the West Garden?"

………

The court meeting ended in an extremely oppressive atmosphere.

The reason it was oppressive was because this defeat at Wangjiang was, first, a truly huge loss, so it was no wonder that the city gate guard directly followed the ancestral system and rang the Li Bell. The main force of the Left Route Army was almost completely wiped out, and the other armies also suffered some losses.

Secondly, the commander of the Eastern Expeditionary Army was the First Prince, Ji Wujiang, who was personally appointed by His Majesty, and was also His Majesty's eldest son.

Since suppressing the aristocratic families and then winning consecutive foreign wars, the Yan Emperor's "supreme" position had become increasingly consolidated. Even when speaking, the court officials had to be careful with their words, lest they utter something that sounded like "veiled criticism."

In fact, everyone knew what to do. How many fools could stand in this position in the court?

After the First Prince's defeat, he was obviously no longer suitable to serve as the commander of the Eastern Expeditionary Army. He had to be replaced.

Who should replace him?

Who could replace him?

Choose the closest?

Choose the most capable warrior?

Choose the one who knew the wild men best?

Well,

All three pointed to one person.

But that person had been isolating himself in his mansion for the past few months, refusing to even accept imperial decrees, clearly not giving face to the imperial court or His Majesty.

So, how could it not be oppressive?

You couldn't criticize the Great General you were replacing too much;

You couldn't say too much about the person you were replacing him with;

In the end, His Majesty simply ordered the court to adjourn, leaving only a group of important officials led by Zhao Jiulang to continue the discussion in the imperial study.

The other court officials were relieved, shouting "Long live the Emperor" before leaving.

Many officials did the same thing after leaving the palace gate:

Shook their heads,

Looked at the sky,

Sighed,

What a fine wedding,

How did such an incident suddenly arise?

………

The scenery in the West Garden was indeed breathtaking, making one marvel at it. The Qian people might not be good at fighting wars, but they were indeed the best in the world when it came to luxury and enjoyment.

The princess, having removed her wedding makeup, was sitting on a stone stool in the courtyard, holding a plate of candied fruit in her left hand, eating while swinging her legs. It was a rare sight of a young girl.

However, a woman's appearance was the most deceiving thing, and the more beautiful the woman, the more she understood this.

At least, General Zheng wouldn't forget that when he first started out, he was almost used as bait by this princess and died in the desert. This could almost be called General Zheng's "enlightenment lesson" on his understanding of the world.

Li Liangshen leaned on his sword, standing in the courtyard, just watching her.

The seven chief military officers of the Marquis's residence were all the princess's sworn brothers. It could be said that they had watched the princess grow up. The eldest brother was like a father, and this was absolutely true.

"Brother, do you think I'm a little heartless? Brother Bao died in battle, but I can still eat."

Li Liangshen replied:

"If you're hungry, you should eat."

"I am hungry. I didn't expect marriage to be so troublesome. The old women from the palace have been making a fuss from last night until this morning, and they'll continue to make a fuss during the day. I really can't stand it anymore."

"If you don't want to endure it, then don't endure it. The Ji family being able to marry you is not you climbing up, but you marrying down. Remember this principle, so you won't be bullied in the future."

"If Mom and Dad knew you were saying this, they would definitely scold you."

"The Marquis and Madam aren't here, so I can't let you suffer even the slightest grievance."

"But, Brother, aren't you going to make some preparations?"

"Prepare what?"

"Ji family's eldest son was defeated, not to mention the loss of troops, he definitely can't hold on to the position of commander of the Eastern Expeditionary Army, right?

You also know what Brother Fu Sheng is like, and I think His Majesty knows it too. He definitely won't let him be the commander."

"Even if he can't sit, it won't be my turn."

"But didn't that Jingnan Marquis say he was isolating himself at home? He won't even accept imperial decrees."

"He will accept them."

"Not necessarily. His wife is gone, and his child might as well be gone. Do you think he won't hold a grudge?"

"He will."

"That's right, people aren't plants, how can they be without feelings? I don't believe that the Qian people did this. The Qian people aren't good at fighting, but they're very good at other things, especially playing tricks. If they just used Du Juan up like that, wouldn't the Qian people be too stupid?"

"What do you want to say?"

"I want to say………"

The princess pointed to the east,

There,

Was the direction of the imperial palace.

"Some things can't be said."

"Can't even talk about them?"

"No, some words, once spoken, can't be taken back. You can think about them in your heart."

"But just thinking isn't going to get you anywhere. Although I haven't met the Jingnan Marquis, since he can be on par with Daddy, he must be a heroic man. If Daddy encountered this kind of thing, would he imprison himself in the Marquis's mansion and do nothing else?"

Li Liangshen sighed and said:

"Princess, this is Yanjing, not the Marquis's mansion."

"What are you afraid of? You're here, Brother. Even if Wei Zhonghe came, he wouldn't be able to eavesdrop, right?"

"I can't be by your side all the time."

"I'm not stupid. But, Brother, do you really have no chance at all? I don't think you'd be willing to be stationed outside Yanjing all the time."

"Jingnan Marquis won't give me this chance. Besides, the imperial court and His Majesty wouldn't trust me with this opportunity."

"Not even a sliver of a chance?"

"No."

"So sure?"

"Because he is Tian Wujing."

The princess was silent.

Li Liangshen looked around and said:

"The Li Bell has rung. According to the Ji family's rules, when the Li Bell rings, as long as the war isn't over, Ji family men can't marry or hold funerals.

This environment is good. I guess you'll be staying here for a while."

"Anyway, I don't want to get married so early. By the way, what disease does Xiaoliuzi have?"

"Can't find out."

"Okay, Brother, go get busy. Seventh Uncle is here with me."

At this time, Seventh Uncle happened to be walking over with a cloak, like a loving elder, draping the cloak over the princess's shoulders.

Li Liangshen and Seventh Uncle exchanged glances, and then turned and left the West Garden.

"It's getting cold, Princess. Let's go inside. If you want to eat something, I'll send someone out to buy it. There are many more delicious things in Yanjing than in our North."

"Seventh Uncle………"

"Hmm?"

"I want to eat pickled garlic."

Seventh Uncle was stunned.

Then he lowered his head,

Only to find that the woman sitting in front of him,

Had tears streaming down her face.