Chapter 342: Chapter 340: The Old General Wants to Go to the Battlefield
Just as Lin Yi was about to leave, he stopped in his tracks upon hearing the old general’s words.
He cast a curious glance toward the old general.
But as he heard the other’s words, calling him “Brother Lin” repeatedly, Lin Yi couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt.
When he looked at the old general, his face showed a hint of embarrassment.
However, this slight change in expression was interpreted differently by the old general.
It seemed to be related to the upcoming contest.
At this moment, Lin Yi probably lacked confidence.
This realization made the old general’s heart skip a beat.
And at this time, Lin Yi was representing the young Emperor.
It could be said that this guy knew everything about the young Emperor like the back of his hand.
The subtle change in Lin Yi’s face at this time was enough to reveal some unknown secrets.
Of course, the old general would never believe, nor could he imagine, that this guilty expression originated from his precious Empress daughter.
After all, even if the old man racked his brain, he would not think of this, nor would he associate it with this matter.
What he could think of was only that Lin Yi felt guilty toward himself and the civil and military officials of You Country, thus revealing this trace of guilt.
“Brother Lin, may I have a word with you?”
After the two reached a secluded corner, Lin Yi awkwardly spoke up:
“General, in the future, please don’t address me as ‘Brother Lin.’ We must not upset the hierarchy.
You are the Emperor’s father-in-law, holding such a revered status.
If I were to address you as a brother, wouldn’t that put me at the same generation level as His Majesty?
If His Majesty hears of it, he will certainly be displeased.”
However, although Lin Yi was saying this, General Mu didn’t care about these minor matters.
So after Lin Yi finished speaking, the old general simply waved his hand:
“Brother Lin, do not fuss over these trifling concerns; it’s just a form of address after all.
Besides, we hit it off at first sight, what’s the harm in addressing each other as brothers?
Haha, we each stand on our own merits, and it has nothing to do with His Majesty.
Let’s not talk about these trifles for now; the truth is, I stopped you today because I wanted to ask if His Majesty has made any plans?”
Regarding the old man’s question, Lin Yi had already thought about it, as it was unlikely the general would stop him for any other reason than to exchange a few pleasantries.
However, when such a question was posed, Lin Yi found it somewhat difficult to answer.
It would have been fine to ignore the question, but after all, the general’s status was clear to see.
If it were just the Empress’s father, it wouldn’t matter, but the Empress and he shared a deep connection.
And for this reason, Lin Yi couldn’t simply refuse the old general.
To put it bluntly, Lin Yi’s relationship with the old general was closer than that of the Emperor with the old general.
“Hehe, General, don’t worry, His Majesty already has plans for this matter. As for the matter of these barbarians, just rest assured, they won’t be able to stir up any trouble.”
Sure enough, as Lin Yi had guessed, the Emperor indeed had plans, and today’s events were not reckless.
But he had no idea what the Emperor’s trump card was, what gave him the confidence to challenge these 1,000 barbarians.
Moreover, observing today’s court meeting, the young Emperor seemed fearless even in the face of tens of thousands of barbarian troops.
Such mettle genuinely surprised the old general.
And he knew that if the contest went ahead, war between You Country and the barbarians would be inevitable.
Whether those barbarians won or lost, it would be detrimental and unprofitable for his own side.
Of course, there was another possibility, to keep all 1,000 of those men here and silence them, preventing them from returning to the Grassland.
Doing so would buy more time for themselves.
Yet, the likelihood of such an action was almost negligible.
Without exaggeration, if those 1,000 barbarians were truly determined to break through, no one could stop them.
This was not about boosting the morale of others and diminishing one’s own prestige, but the stark reality.
“So, I wonder if this old brother still has a chance to go to the battlefield?
If possible, I’d really like to lead the troops and encounter those barbarians.
Heh heh, no offense, Brother Lin, but as the days pass, I’m getting older, and after this war, I probably won’t have another chance to go to the battlefield.”
Looking at the old general, whose hair and beard were already graying, Lin Yi couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.
Indeed, although the old man wasn’t particularly old, being only in his fifties, in this society he was already considered aged.
If he lasted only a few more days, he might truly be unable to go to the battlefield again.
Of course, he would not be allowed on the battlefield this time; it would be Lin Yi’s own stage.
How could they allow the old general to risk his life?
Furthermore, even if Lin Yi himself went, he would not engage in a head-on clash with the enemy.
Such foolish acts were to completely change from today onward.
“General, as you know, His Majesty has already decided, and I’m not clear on who will participate in this contest.
Why don’t you follow me to the Imperial Study Room to inquire?”
In the end, Lin Yi couldn’t bring himself to call him “old brother.”
That term was simply too hard for him to utter.
Calling him that would always feel awkward deep down.
After all, he often sparred with the Empress, and he couldn’t very well address the Empress as his niece during their sparring sessions.
That would feel very strange.
But forget about not being able to call the Empress “niece,” perhaps addressing the Emperor that way during a sparring session could be a novel experience.
As for whether the young Emperor would take offense after being addressed as “nephew,”
Heh, that certainly wouldn’t happen.
At least, not during the sparring session.
As for seeking retribution afterward, that was another matter.
In the worst case, he would just slip away and run off to Nanshan Base.
The young Emperor wouldn’t possibly chase him down to Nanshan Base, right?
“If that’s the case, please lead the way, Brother Lin, and announce beforehand that this old man seeks an audience with His Majesty.”