Minister of Personnel Sun Mo was the first to step forward and say, "Your Majesty, my idea remains the same: attack the state of Wei."
Vice Minister of Revenue Zhou Tailiang stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I believe we should attack the state of Zhao. Zhao cannot fully engage us in battle, so attacking Zhao is certainly the right move."
The Empress nodded, offering no opinion, and looked at the others, "Do any other ministers have other thoughts?"
Minister of Rites Wu Sheng said, "Your Majesty, I also believe we should attack the state of Zhao."
The Empress blinked in surprise and smiled, "Oh, what are your thoughts, Minister Wu? Yesterday you supported attacking Wei, why has it changed today?"
Wu Sheng nodded, "Your Majesty is correct, yesterday I did support attacking Wei. However, after thinking about it, I still feel that Zhao is easier to conquer, hence my change of mind. Moreover, I guarantee this is my final decision and will not be changed."
The Empress nodded and looked at Xie An, who quickly stepped forward, "Your Majesty, I still support attacking Wei. Although Zhao is eyed by the Xiongnu and Yan, and it would be easy to conquer Zhao, we would then likely face the more powerful Xiongnu and Yan."
"For our state of Yunyue, although we gain some territory from Zhao, we would face a more powerful enemy, which is not worthwhile."
"Rashly attacking Zhao, whether we conquer it or merely seize some of its territory, will not be beneficial to us."
Wu Sheng beside him couldn't help but shake his head, "That is where you are mistaken. If we only capture a few cities in Zhao but do not conquer it, wouldn't this problem be easily solved?"
Xie An, however, shook his head and sneered, "On the surface, it might seem so, but the outcome is likely the opposite."
"If we occupy Zhao's cities, the Xiongnu and Yan might join forces to support Zhao against us, weakening our strength."
"By the time we are exhausted from fighting Zhao and our strength is greatly depleted, even if we conquer Zhao, it will be of no avail. We will also lose the opportunity and ability to conquer the world."
Hearing this, Wu Sheng was stunned and speechless.
Minister of Justice Wang Zhe said, "Your Majesty, I believe our enemy is still Zhao. Even if we cannot conquer Zhao, we must at least weaken its strength."
"Moreover, we must not pose a fatal threat to Zhao. Capturing one or two cities is sufficient."
"In this way, Zhao will not go all out against us, nor will it alter the balance of power Zhao faces with the Xiongnu and Yan. We can advance or retreat as we please."
"Our aim in doing this is to catch Zhao off guard and establish the fait accompli of occupying two cities. It will be extremely difficult for Zhao to reclaim these cities."
The Empress nodded and said, "If that is the case, why don't we attack Wei?"
Minister of Justice Wang Zhe smiled, "Your Majesty, if we attack Wei, Wei can mobilize more troops and respond faster than Zhao. It is likely that we will gain little and have to retreat."
"For us, this campaign is about nibbling away at Zhao or Wei. It requires a step-by-step approach, and we must achieve our objectives."
The Empress pondered for a moment, nodded, and said, "Well said. Minister Meng, what are your thoughts?"
Meng Yuan blinked, glanced at Chu Chen, and then shook his head, "Your Majesty, I have no thoughts. I wish to hear the opinion of Prime Minister Chu."
The Empress nodded and finally looked at Chu Chen. Although she tried her best to conceal her feelings for Chu Chen, her gaze was still different from how she looked at others.
"Minister Chu, yesterday you said you wanted to go back and think carefully. What about now, have you come up with an answer? How should we deal with the states of Zhao and Wei?"
Chu Chen nodded and said, "Your Majesty, I have thought it through. To deal with these fellows, we should strike them head-on."
"My plan is clear and well-defined, but I have a humble request, and I wonder if Your Majesty can grant it."
The Empress's eyebrows raised. If they were not in court and were in private, the Empress would have agreed to Chu Chen's request even before he stated it.
However, this was indeed in court, and the Empress hesitated for a moment, "This is rather unusual, Prime Minister Chu actually has a request for me."
"Very well, tell me what your idea is. Speak freely, I will not blame you."
Chu Chen nodded, "This strategy of mine, therefore, after this morning's court session ends, I implore Your Majesty to spread rumors that our state of Yunyue will attack Wei, but in reality, we will attack Zhao."
"Oh, attack Zhao? Explain your reasoning. You said earlier that you had thought it through and must have made a decision."
Chu Chen nodded, "Your Majesty, between the states of Zhao and Wei, Zhao is easier to deal with, this is the first point."
"Secondly, the matter of the Wei Emperor inviting Your Majesty last time and setting an ambush, I fear Wei still remembers it. Now that Your Majesty has returned safely, they must be worried."
"In my opinion, Wei is likely to keep its troops stationed at the border to guard against us."
"Therefore, attacking Wei, let alone conquering it, even capturing a few cities, is unlikely."
"If a lightning war turns into a protracted one, the national strength that our state of Yunyue has painstakingly built up will be wasted."
The Empress's expression became serious upon hearing this.
She had initially thought Chu Chen was merely speaking casually, but after hearing his explanation, it truly seemed to be the case.
"What you say has some merit. If Wei truly harbors such intentions, wouldn't they take the opportunity to launch a surprise attack if we attack Zhao?"
The Empress couldn't help but worry.
Chu Chen, however, smiled and shook his head, "Your Majesty, rest assured, it will absolutely not happen. Wei is extremely wary of our state of Yunyue now and would not attack so casually unless they had no choice."
"However, we will not give them that reason. We will shorten our front lines and certainly not give them that reason."
"We will launch a lightning-fast raid on Zhao and then withdraw. This battle will be victorious. Then we will garrison the new cities, allowing us to advance or retreat as we please, and we can even launch a pincer attack on Wei."
"I fear the Emperor of Wei will come to express his closeness."
The Empress couldn't help but laugh heartily, "Chu Chen, you are correct. If that is the case, I believe the strategy of attacking Zhao is feasible. What do the ministers think?"