The scorching sun blazed high, its relentless rays cutting through the people under it like a sharp sword, the ground was scorching hot, emitting waves of heat.
Beads of sweat rolled from Li Qingmu’s forehead, yet he remained indifferent, supporting his head with a single hand, leaned back leisurely on the palanquin, with closed eyes, rejuvenating himself.
A gust of wind blew, drying the sweat on his forehead, unexpectedly bringing a slight coolness.
Behind him, several palace maids could no longer endure.
They had been exposed to the sun for a full hour and a half, nearly dizzy from the heat, and as the first and second one collapsed, the remaining ones also began to falter, their bodies swaying.
Finally, one of the guards couldn’t bear it and turned to report inside.
This guard had a liking for one of the palace maids behind Li Qingmu, naturally unwilling to see her suffer, so he went to inform.
Li Qingmu opened a slit to look, a sneer forming in his heart.
Knew it would be like this!
This ti it didn’t take long before Rong Si ca out, followed by You Su.
Seeing Li Qingmu sweating profusely, Rong Si said with concern, "Mu’er, why are you under the scorching sun? What if you get sunburned? Quickly co inside!"
"Mother, you ntioned before that you and the State Preceptor were discussing important matters, I knew I couldn’t disturb you, but the situation was urgent, so I had no choice but to wait here."
Important matters?
Rong Si pondered for a mont and said, "Then co inside to discuss!"
Li Qingmu followed Rong Si inside, observing the layout of her palace all the way, trying to figure out so clues, but to no avail.
Upon entering the inner hall, Rong Si arranged her skirts and slowly sat down saying, "Speak, what has happened to make you so anxious?"
"Zhang Liulang, Yang Shiqi, you speak!"
"Reporting to the Princess, upon our return, we discovered sothing which might be detrintal to our Daliang!"
Zhang Liulang kneeled on one knee, kowtowing as he spoke.
"Oh?" Rong Si replied softly, smiling slightly, "What news?"
Ever since Daliang’s spy network planted within Dazhou was uprooted completely, Rong Si was rather unclear about the situation there, if these two could bring valuable news, it would be considered a rit.
"Dazhou is likely preparing to wage war against our Daliang!"
"Nonsense!"
Rong Si slamd her palm heavily on the table, sneering continuously, "Has Dazhou eaten the heart of a bear and the gall of a leopard, daring to attack our Daliang? Are they not afraid of human annihilation?"
Zhang Liulang said, "Princess, we rely got wind of this news and rushed back to inform you, as for other details, we are unaware!"
Rong Si narrowed her eyes slightly, looking at the two.
Where do these two stand now?
A bridge connecting Dazhou and Daliang?
Exactly, they were maneuvering freely between the two countries, capable of acquiring information from either side at any ti, and delivering it to the other country.
At this mont, either eliminate them to root out future troubles, or thoroughly recruit them for personal use.
Last ti, to gain Emperor Zhou’s trust, Rong Si gifted them a list of the most basic personnel, not many, only a dozen or so, even if Emperor Zhou caught them all, her intelligence network would remain intact.
But who could have imagined, the Heaven and Earth Net she laid down was directly uprooted by him?
The intelligence network’s downfall was not much related to these two, for they lacked the capability, Rong Si thought through and said, "Are you sure about this news?"
Upon hearing her question, Zhang Liulang knew there was hope, quickly responded, "Princess, I dare stake my life on it, this news was overheard carelessly by !"
Li Qingmu lowered his eyes slightly, pursed his lips, revealing a faint smile.
Zhang Liulang’s tactful phrase stakes his life to have heard the news, but not guaranteeing the authenticity and reliability of the news!
However, the news is indeed true!
"Report—"
Just as Rong Si contemplated the authenticity of the news, soone suddenly rushed in.
"Report, reporting to the Princess, urgent ssage from 800 miles, Dazhou Army has violated our Daliang border, Shantong Pass is in crisis!"
"What did you say?"
Rong Si, in shock, slamd the table rising!
Shantong Pass is a crucial checkpoint connecting the cities of Daliang and Dazhou, once Dazhou Army breaks through this checkpoint, it signifies the beginning of war between the two nations!
"Qi Yun!"
Rong Si clenched her fists, grinding teeth, truly unexpected, he dared to make a move, and with such swift decisiveness!
"Haha, this man, ultimately I did not understand you!"
She had thought Qi Yun wouldn’t strike first, yet she was wrong, the opposite not only initiated the attack but intended a full-scale national war?
"Princess, the situation is critical, please advise!"
The one responsible for reporting, a military officer too, knelt pleadingly.
Rong Si took a deep breath, speaking coldly, "Fight! Since he wishes to fight, then fight, our great Daliang, have we beco too accustod to peace that we dare not wage war? I want to see, if his Dazhou Army is formidable in battle, or my Daliang warriors, invincible in war?"
"Princess is wise!"
"Princess’s decisive execution, we admire!"
"..."
Upon Rong Si’s concluding words, a chorus of praises surged like a tide.
Rong Si greatly enjoyed this feeling of shouts echoing for her, otherwise, she wouldn’t be so ardently pursuing power.
"Mother, I think what must be done now is quickly devise a counter-strategy! Dazhou dispatched troops, we naturally should respond, but rely deploying troops is not a panacea, is it? Wealth, strategy, army, none of the three can be lacking!"
"Right, Mu’er is correct!"
Rong Si looked at Li Qingmu, nodding comfortably, indeed, her son is outstanding, with his assistance, her grand endeavor, how could it not succeed?
"Mu’er, Mother will now gather the court ministers to discuss this matter, you should participate too, matters of the court, Mother alone finds it overwhelming, if you could oversee, Mother would be much relaxed!"
"Mu’er is willing to serve Mother!"
"Furthermore, Zhang Liulang, Yang Shiqi, though your reporting was a bit slow, it was truthful, hence ritorious, from now on, you two will be responsible for nurous communications and information transmissions regarding Dazhou, I hope you both handle matters well. What Dazhou can offer you, our Daliang, will offer much more!"
Upon hearing these words, Zhang Liulang and Yang Shiqi exhibited ecstatic expressions, too excited, their entire bodies shaking: "Yes, we shall serve the Princess without hesitation!"
"You all withdraw! Gather the ministers for overnight deliberation!"
A series of orders were rapidly dispatched, Daliang Palace was already bright with lanterns, now more brilliantly lit with candles.
Ministers aligned with the Princess, anyone above fourth-rank, all had arrived.
They entered Fengming Palace, comncing discussions on the imminent major affair.
anwhile, over at Qianyang Palace, Rong Zhuo too received the news about Dazhou’s intrusion on Daliang’s border.
"Yingzi, tell , why did Dazhou choose to dispatch troops at this particular ti?"
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