“—The Xi Liang forces have violated the border,” Zhang Gu continued.
Xie Yanlai drew a breath that flooded through his organs. His foot landed on the ground as he scolded with furrowed brows: “If they’ve violated the border, they’ve violated the border! What’s there to panic about!”
Zhang Gu was stunned. Such a major matter, and he shouldn’t panic?
Looking again at the expressionless face of the young officer before him, he sighed in admiration. As expected, A’Jiu was extraordinary—calm in the face of events, his composure unchanged even if Mount Tai collapsed before him.
Zhang Gu quickly regained his composure and said loudly: “The Captain’s rebuke is correct.”
Xie Yanlai glanced at him and asked in a deep voice: “What’s the situation? Explain in detail.”
……
……
“The Xi Liang envoy said they came to send off the Late Emperor and congratulate the new Emperor on his enthronement.”
“But they brought tens of thousands of troops.”
“General Chu Ling directly beheaded the Xi Liang envoy, saying they didn’t need to send a person—sending the head would suffice.”
At this moment in the great hall, Xie Yanfang had also received the news and immediately had someone summon the Grand Tutor and court officials. The young Emperor, who had been eating, was also urgently called to sit on the dragon throne.
Hearing the courier report, the officials’ expressions showed shock.
“This—” an official couldn’t help saying, “General Chu is too—shouldn’t he be more cautious? Isn’t this provoking war?”
Xie Yanfang said: “General Chu made a decisive judgment to demonstrate威严, turning passive into active. Since the Xi Liang envoy brought troops, they came for war. No matter how cautious we are, it’s unavoidable.”
Indeed, if they truly came to pay respects, why would they need to bring tens of thousands of troops?
“The Xi Liang King truly has an unrepentant treacherous heart!” an official said angrily. “Beaten until he knelt begging for mercy, cowering for so long, and now seeing our Da Xia court in turmoil, he immediately jumps out with ill intent!”
Officials throughout the hall clamored angrily about the detestable Xi Liang traitors.
Deng Yi silenced everyone: “There’s nothing to be angry about. The Xi Liang King has always been like this, and we’ve known his treacherous heart never dies. That’s why we’ve always stationed heavy troops in the border commanderies. Since he dares come now, we’ll teach him a harsh lesson again.”
He turned and bowed to the Emperor on the dragon throne.
“This subject requests Your Majesty issue an edict to the realm to engage Xi Liang in battle.”
Xiao Yu sat on the dragon throne. Whether it was hearing the courier report earlier or the officials’ anger, he had shown no reaction. The officials thought the child didn’t understand or grasp the severity of the situation, or perhaps was frightened.
Hearing Deng Yi’s words, Xiao Yu finally nodded and said: “I will certainly engage them in battle. Da Xia has never feared war.”
The officials were somewhat surprised. The child understood! And he even knew what to say.
A smile appeared on Xie Yanfang’s face. A child who had experienced his parents’ brutal deaths and nearly been murdered himself—how could he fear these things? He bowed: “We subjects, for Da Xia, have no fear of death.”
The officials hesitated no longer and bowed in unison: “We subjects, for Da Xia, have no fear of death.”