331: Chapter 331 Meekness

Princess Meng Xi said solemnly, "That is Tengri, the sacred land of the Northern Barbarians' Shamanism. The Wudugan Temple is also there."

"If you want to kill Khan Jilun, you will have to face the mysterious and unpredictable Grand Shaman."

"As far as I know, throughout all the dynasties, even during the peak of the Central Plains' empires, no general has ever been able to conquer the Shaman Temple!"

Lin Xiao said indifferently, "Whether I can succeed is my business. You only need to tell me if you can agree."

Previously on the battlefield, Lin Xiao had fought against people from Shamanism and had some impression of them.

Although their moves were quite peculiar, to the current him, they were just some flashy tricks.

Princess Meng Xi bit her silver teeth, suddenly took out a dagger, made a cut in her palm, and clenched her fist, letting the blood spill onto the sandy ground.

"I, Princess Meng Xi of the Western Qiang royal family, swear to the Eternal Heaven that if Lin Xiao kills Khan Jilun and helps me seize the throne of Western Qiang, I will fully fulfill all the terms on this parchment! If I violate this, may I suffer eternal damnation!"

Lin Xiao thought to himself that she was quite a ruthless person; that cut was made very decisively.

"Princess Meng Xi, aren't you worried that I might take an inch and want a mile, eventually annexing the entire Western Qiang?"

Princess Meng Xi gave a self-deprecating smile, "General, let's not mince words. At this point, do I have a choice?"

"Even if I refused these terms, you would surely have a way to find someone else to be your puppet, wouldn't you?"

"Rather than leaving it to someone I don't trust, I might as well be this 'traitor' myself."

"To put it bluntly, you no longer have any worries in the north. To ensure the border is safe, it's only a matter of time before you send troops against the Northern Barbarians."

"My request for help just gave you a better reason to enter the grasslands early, killing two birds with one stone."

Lin Xiao smiled. Talking to smart people was indeed easy.

"In that case, pass on my military order: target the Golden Tent Royal Court at Tengri! Set out!!"

The soldiers nearby had long been unable to wait. The Northern Barbarians had been harassing, invading, burning, killing, and looting year after year. They had been suppressed for so many years and could finally vent their anger!

Accompanied by the rapid sound of iron hooves, Lin Xiao led more than five thousand experienced cavalrymen straight into the northern grasslands!

One day later.

Lu Sanchuan and Zhao Yunting, the two great generals, each led twenty thousand cavalrymen.

They entered the grasslands from the east and west ends of Cang Province respectively, marching north to support Lin Xiao's vanguard.

Two days later, the capital finally received the definite news.

In the imperial court, before Emperor Hong even arrived, the civil and military officials were already in a noisy uproar.

After Emperor Hong held court, no joy or anger could be seen on his face.

"My dear ministers, I presume you have already heard the news of Lin Xiao leading his army north?"

The group of ministers looked at each other, and no one dared to speak.

Obviously, this action had no authorization from the imperial court at all.

That meant Lin Xiao had essentially deployed troops and started a war without permission.

If one were to make a big deal out of it, this was no different from "rebellion."

But looking at it from a smaller perspective, as a border general, what was wrong with resisting the barbarians?

The military pay for the Zhenbei Army was earned by Lin Xiao himself; the imperial court hadn't given a single cent.

"Why is no one speaking?"

Emperor Hong looked at his son, "Crown Prince, you have always highly praised Lin Xiao. What is your opinion this time?"

Crown Prince Li Chenghao hurriedly stepped out and said, "Father! Although I appreciate Lin Xiao, in this matter, he has still overstepped his bounds!"

"War is a matter of vital importance to the state, a matter of life and death, the road to survival or ruin! How could he take matters into his own hands?!"

Emperor Hong nodded, "Then how does the Crown Prince think he should be handled?"

"This..."

Crown Prince Li Chenghao froze there, not knowing how to answer.

Arrest Lin Xiao and hold him accountable? Who would dare? Who could?

"Think it through before you speak. Step down!"

Emperor Hong scolded in disappointment, and Crown Prince Li Chenghao hung his head and retreated in a sorry state.

"Prime Minister Yang, what do you think?" Emperor Hong asked again.

Prime Minister Yang Gengzhong stepped out and said, "This old official believes the Crown Prince's words are reasonable. Lin Xiao's move is certainly an overstepping of bounds, but this matter... is also understandable."

"Oh?" Emperor Hong narrowed his eyes, "What do you mean?"

Prime Minister Yang Gengzhong said, "Lin Xiao comes from the Border Army. The hatred of the border soldiers for the Northern Barbarians exceeds that of the citizens in any other part of Great Gan."

"The Zhenbei Army's deployment against the Northern Barbarians this time should be because the Northern Barbarian Marshal Suhe led troops to invade Western Qiang."

"Therefore, Lin Xiao believes this is a rare opportunity to catch them off guard while the Northern Barbarians' forces are depleted."

"As the saying goes, speed is essential in war, and opportunities are fleeting."

"If Lin Xiao had asked the imperial court for a decree, the round trip would have taken at least seven or eight days before he could set off, not to mention it's the New Year festival; it might not even be settled in ten days."

"By then, the Northern Barbarian army would have already retreated, and the significance of sending troops would be lost."

"Ultimately, Lin Xiao is still young and was promoted rapidly, so many things he considers are bound to be immature and a bit reckless."

"But he led the Zhenbei Army to fight the barbarians out of a surge of patriotic passion, not to stage a rebellion. This old official believes... there is no need to label him as a rebel in one stroke."

"If he is heavily punished, what would the common people think when word gets out? Wouldn't it chill the hearts of those border soldiers?"

After these words were spoken, they were well-reasoned and logical, making many court officials feel relieved, and they nodded one after another.

Minister of War Wei Mingzhuang stepped out and said, "Your Majesty, Prime Minister Yang's words are logical. Resisting the Northern Barbarians is the wish of so many soldiers in Great Gan!"

"Although Lin Xiao's move exceeded his authority, if he can truly win a great victory, then why not let his merits offset his faults?"

"As the saying goes, when a general is in the field, he may ignore some orders from the sovereign. As the Great General of Zhenbei, he is at the peak of his glory, yet he does not covet comfort."

"He immediately sent troops to the Northern Barbarians after the New Year festival. Is this not a manifestation of loyalty and service to the country?"

Emperor Hong's eyes softened a bit, and he looked at Official Xie Tong again.

"Lord Xie, you have met Lin Xiao. What do you think?"

Official Xie Tong stepped out and said, "I believe one sentence of Prime Minister Yang's is inappropriate. Although the Marquis of Loyalty and Valor is young, he is definitely not a reckless person; otherwise, it would be difficult for him to have his current achievements."

"His doing this must be the result of careful consideration and some plan."

"From the fact that Lu Sanchuan and Zhao Yunting led troops north, and they are all veterans and elites from the Silver Armor Army and Cold Iron Guard, it can be seen that this is a long-lasting war."

"However, I am not a military general after all. As for what exactly the Marquis of Loyalty and Valor wants to do, I do not know."

Hearing this, Emperor Hong finally showed a smile.

"You don't know, but I do!"

Emperor Hong reached out his hand, and Zheng Yangwei, who was beside him, stepped forward and unfolded a memorial.

"Lords, this is General Lin's memorial, which just arrived this morning..."

Zheng Yangwei cleared his throat and read:

"Your servant Lin Xiao risks death to submit this word. Your servant lived in the borderlands since childhood and frequently saw the Northern Barbarians' cruelty toward our people, burning, looting, and killing, leaving grief everywhere."

"Your servant hates this to the bone and vows to pacify the borders and bring peace to the people."

"The border is the shield of the nation, and its safety is tied to the state. Your servant has received imperial grace to guard the border, waiting day and night for the chance to strike a heavy blow to the Northern Barbarians."

"Recently, intelligence was received that the Northern Barbarians have come out in full force to invade Western Qiang, leaving their nest empty. This is a god-given opportunity to attack the barbarians, and it is fleeting."

"If this opportunity is lost, there will be endless future troubles."

"The safety of the state is of primary importance, while your servant's honor or disgrace is secondary. The military situation was urgent, so your servant decided to send troops to suppress the barbarians first and strike directly at their heartland."

"Your servant raised troops without reporting for imperial sanction, which is indeed an overstepping of bounds. On the day of my triumphant return, I will accept whatever punishment Your Majesty sees fit."

"Your servant is willing to die for the King's service and prays that Your Majesty will bless my royal army to return in triumph and ensure the eternal stability of our land."

"Your servant Lin Xiao bows his head a hundred times and respectfully submits..."

The officials in the entire court were in an uproar. Those who had just planned to denounce Lin Xiao were now breaking out in a cold sweat.

Emperor Hong had deliberately hidden the memorial; he was clearly testing them!

Anyone who used this opportunity to suppress Lin Xiao would be no different from a "traitor"!

"My dear ministers, the Marquis of Loyalty and Valor is dedicated to serving the country. You all should learn more from him."

"With more such responsible ministers, how can our Great Gan not prosper?!"

The whole court shouted "Your Majesty is wise," and Emperor Hong finally beamed with joy.

Official Xie Tong, however, frowned and looked at Prime Minister Yang Gengzhong in front of him with a playful look in his eyes.

Based on his understanding of Lin Xiao, that kid could not have written such a "docile" memorial...