He turned to the Empress: "Actually, I don’t care how the world sees me. Even if I was imprisoned, I did not betray the Great Zhou, and I am worthy of the people."
"Moreover, some in Dayue know that I was once imprisoned. Even if Uncle Chang Hao and the others don’t say anything, it’s possible that people from Dayue will spread it, and it cannot be stopped."
The Empress slightly parted her lips, wanting to speak but hesitating. Finally, her gaze met Fu Zhen’s, and after a long sigh, she gave up the discussion.
Fu Zhen said: "Let’s not talk about this now. What Her Majesty reminded us of earlier is that the Emperor and the court still don’t have enough information about this military expedition. We should sit down and discuss what else needs to be supplemented, to avoid any oversight."
Mrs. Pei agreed: "Indeed, it’s getting late. Let’s hurry up, Her Majesty still needs to return to the palace. We shouldn’t waste time and draw attention."
Everyone in the room sat down again and analyzed carefully based on the existing arrangements from the Ministry of War.
Meanwhile, in Kunning Palace, the room was already lit with lamps. The Emperor sat on the brocade couch where the Empress usually sat, staring coldly at the palace attendants kneeling on the ground, his face grim as water.
"This isn’t the first time she left the palace, and every time she went to the Pei family?"
The eunuch trembled on the ground: "Your humble servant wouldn’t dare to deceive Your Majesty, Her Majesty indeed visited the Pei family. Lately, Her Majesty only enjoys visiting the Pei family to relax."
The Emperor stared intently: "Only enjoys going to the Pei family? Just recently, the wife of Pei Zhan, that girl from the Ning Family, has been entering the palace frequently. So, what secret does the Pei family hold?"
The eunuch trembled even more: "Replying to Your Majesty, your humble servant, I- I do not know! The decisions of Her Majesty are not casually shared with us!"
The Emperor took a deep breath and looked up, gazing at the magpie-on-branch pattern on the screen in front: "Then prepare the carriage, we’re going to the Pei family!"
"Your Majesty!..."
The eunuch was shocked, and upon meeting the Emperor’s stern gaze, he shivered on the spot, then bowed his head and complied, getting up to follow the order.
...
Indeed, as the Empress had anticipated, the Ministry of War had merely made the decision for Pei Zhan to lead some Capital Camp soldiers to the northwest to capture the remnants of Dayue and secure the borders.
If it didn’t involve Yang Yi, this would be a normal action. But since Yang Yi, as the Emperor’s eldest son, had been imprisoned and was recently pursued by Lian Yang and his men, such matters cannot be forgiven or tolerated.
So, even though no one openly voiced it, everyone understood that the remnants of Dayue must be eradicated, and it was impossible for the current state within Dayue to persist.
The Ministry of War assigned Pei Zhan five thousand cavalry, and with the tens of thousands already in the northwest, this number was more than enough to crush Lian Yang.
But if there was an intention to occupy Dayue, it still fell short.
"Although the numbers are not ideal, it saves on provisions, and it doesn’t strain the national treasury," said Pei Yu after weighing the situation, agreeing to the arrangement and refraining from requesting additional troops from the court.
Pei Zhan, after some contemplation, also said: "I have familiarized myself with Dayue’s terrain. Even though Lian Yang has support from tens of thousands from Dongzi, there won’t be as much casualty as in the past years. We can give it a try."
Yang Yi, after hearing their opinions, also concurred: "Reducing casualties should indeed be one of our objectives. Besides, I am familiar with Dongzi’s terrain, and with Jin Xu’s cooperation, taking five thousand men there won’t be too difficult."
The Empress, seeing their confidence, let out a sigh of relief: "Not only should we reduce casualties, but we must also act swiftly. The longer it drags on, the less advantageous it is for us.
"After all, the Emperor’s health..."
Even if she didn’t finish the sentence, everyone understood.
Pei Zhan said: "Tomorrow, I’ll enter the palace to seek an audience with the Emperor and request to leave the city promptly."
The Empress nodded: "The procedures for the enfeoffment of King Yan are still underway in the Ministry of Rites. Estimating that the whole process will take at least a month, I hope you can complete the mission within that month."
Pei Zhan nodded: "I will obey the orders."
The Empress stood up and, after glancing around the hall, said: "Let it be for now. I need to return to the palace. You and your son discuss the travel plans with Yi Yi first, and have Zhen Er and Chang Hao’s wife escort me out. Once you’re done discussing, come out."
Pei Zhan and the others, hearing this, knew she had more to say, so they stayed accordingly.
Fu Zhen, along with Mrs. Pei, escorted the Empress out. On the way, the Empress said: "Yi Yi seems to have changed his mind, which is a good thing. Next, I should arrange a marriage for him, and you must help me come up with a good plan.