Red Mansion: Picking up a Lin Daiyu

Chapter 524 I'll leave everything to Madam's arrangements!

He bowed and nodded to Yue Ling, and Chai Pu's aged yet deep voice once again resounded throughout the hall.

"Your Highness, in my opinion, the people of the capital region and the surrounding areas can no longer withstand another round of war. Moreover, times have changed. Back then, the barbarians were arrogant and overbearing, but today Dachang is rich and powerful, with elite troops and capable generals."

He glanced back at Shi Ding and said, "What Marquis Zhongjing said earlier makes some sense, but the Northern Barbarians are currently unable to divide their forces for battle. They are merely responding to the Jurchens and sharing the burden."

"It will certainly not be like the Tuqi Khan of that time, who exhausted the country's strength, divided his troops into three routes, and launched a large-scale invasion."

"Therefore, winning is not difficult; the key lies in how much to pay to achieve victory."

"Now our dynasty is fighting on two fronts, and we need to achieve victory with minimal losses. No one but the Duke of Dingguo can achieve such results without personally leading the troops."

Chai Pu's words were all reasonable and struck a chord with many ministers.

The new policies are just saplings that have just sprouted. If they get bogged down in the quagmire of war, it will be a devastating blow to them. The plans that were waiting to be implemented will have to be put on hold again.

Liu An's face was ashen, as if he were deep in thought, and the atmosphere in the hall became increasingly subtle.

Now it's not just military generals anymore; civil officials are all sticking to their own opinions, making the situation much more complicated than before.

Before he could finish speaking, someone else stepped forward and said, "Grand Secretary Chai is concerned about the country and its people, and his words are a wise and insightful analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of governing the country."

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw Lin Ruhai walking out from the ranks of civil officials.

Lin Ruhai, who has been in charge of the southeast for decades, is a representative of the upright and incorruptible faction in the imperial court.

His brilliance was completely overshadowed simply because he had a good son-in-law.

His speech today reminded everyone of his former glory.

A flattering remark is often the opening move of many civil officials in their arguments; if they truly agree, there is no need for them to step forward.

Everyone understood this principle, so they listened attentively to how Lin Ruhai would refute it, and the tension in front of the hall rose again.

"However, I have several concerns that I must speak out."

Lin Ruhai paced to the front of the hall, his lean figure standing tall and straight. He did not glance at Yue Ling, but held his tablet and bowed respectfully. He then said, "Firstly, the Grand Secretary said that the Duke of Dingguo could win with minimal cost by leading the army. This is evidenced by the Duke of Dingguo's illustrious military achievements, and I firmly believe it. However, it is not the best strategy to act rashly against the pillar of the nation."

Lin Ruhai didn't know whether these people were advocating war to make money from it or if they were genuinely concerned for the common people.

But the fact that he kept mentioning Yue Ling, wanting him to lead the army into battle, and even sincerely acknowledging his past achievements and praising him to a high position, made Lin Ruhai keenly aware that there must be a conspiracy that no one else was telling him about.

"Secondly, observing the court discussion today, the gentlemen strongly recommended the Duke of Dingguo, and their sentiments are certainly touching and their intentions commendable. However, were the words of praise used to the extreme a bit too deliberate? Is it really true that Dachang has no one else who can fight besides him?"

Lin Ruhai did not explicitly state his intentions, but it was enough to cause a slight change in the expression of the small group of people who had just supported Yue Ling's participation in the battle.

Chai Pu remained composed and whispered a warning: "Lord Lin, this is a matter of national importance, not a private matter! Do we really need to tell you, our esteemed father-in-law, about the Duke of Dingguo's many years of achievements?"

At that opportune moment, Shui Rong also stepped forward and said, "Lord Lin's love for his son-in-law and his earnest protection are deeply appreciated by me. The pillar of the Duke of Dingguo should indeed be cherished."

After making some polite remarks, the gentle and refined Shui Rong changed the subject, saying, "But what Elder Chai said is indeed reasonable. This is not empty praise, but a consensus of the world. The Duke of Dingguo's ability is not something we can say lightly, but a reputation forged through countless bloody battles in the past."

"Why would the people of the capital build a shrine for someone and enshrine a longevity tablet for no reason? If it were just empty words, there would be no reason why the name of the Duke of Dingguo could stop the barbarian children from crying at night."

Shui Rong turned to Liu An, who was overseeing the country, and bowed, saying, "Your Highness, since the Northern Barbarians dared to break the treaty and kill the beloved daughter of the Prince of Nan'an, it is a blatant provocation against our dynasty."

"We must not only win this battle, but win it beautifully and with overwhelming force, so as to deter the villains, comfort the souls of the dead, and prevent the Liaodong war from being hampered."

Shui Rong paused for a moment, then looked at Yue Ling, her tone gentle and her words sincere as she pleaded, "Duke Dingguo, it is not that we wish to put you in danger, but rather that the affairs of the state are dire, and we cannot do without you. While you are secure in the central command, thousands of soldiers and civilians outside Yanmen Pass and beneath the walls of Daizhou are eagerly awaiting your banner bearing the character 'Yue.' Your prestige is the greatest advantage in this battle. Please, consider the well-being of the nation!"

Many officials in the hall were filled with unease by Chai Pu and Shui Rong's successive analyses, and many nobles even declared war on such insults, expressing their indignation.

"That's exactly right! Only the Duke of Dingguo can do it!"

"Please, Duke Dingguo, take command and march north to pacify the northern barbarians!"

"Only a swift victory can ensure the stability of the nation!"

Some of the civil officials who had initially been cautious now showed hesitation on their faces, as if the Duke of Dingguo leading the expedition was indeed the least risky option.

All eyes in the hall once again focused on Yue Ling, who had remained silent.

Lin Ruhai, Shi Ding, Su Moyun and others all looked worried, but they also understood that if they tried to oppose it at this moment, it would not only be ineffective, but they might also be accused of disregarding the overall situation and putting personal interests before public duty.

The trend has already been formed and cannot be defied.

The eldest prince, Liu An, listened to the clamor of "request for battle" filling the hall, his gaze shifting between Yue Ling, Shui Rong, Chai Pu, and others.

The sudden change in Chai Ge Lao's attitude and his request to fight, as well as Shui Rong's words that, while seemingly explaining, were actually putting pressure on him, made him feel something was amiss.

Clearly, his military achievements would further solidify his position as Duke of Dingguo.

The Duke of Dingguo had always been ambiguous and vague about his ascension to the throne.

The Duke of Dingguo was loyal only to his father, the emperor, but now Chai Pu is still working for him. Is he also a staunch "royalist"?
But with public sentiment running high and the reasons seemingly plausible, even Liu An couldn't forcefully stop it.

Ultimately, the question had to be asked of Yue Ling, "Duke Dingguo, given the prevailing opinion and the dire military situation, what is your opinion?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the entire hall fell into a deathly silence.

Yue Ling stood in the center of the hall and slowly raised his head.

"Your Highness."

Everyone's heart seemed to be in their throat, their hands sweating with tension.

Yue Ling spoke slowly, his words clear and distinct, penetrating the minds of all the ministers before him.

"The northern barbarians are faithless, breaking their promises, killing our envoys, and invading our territory. This war is unavoidable and cannot be avoided."

With a determined look at Liu An, Yue Ling clasped his hands and said, "Your subject is willing to lead troops north to conquer the Northern Barbarians!"

A chorus of exclamations erupted instantly inside the hall.

Chai Pu and Shui Rong seemed to breathe a sigh of relief as well. Their eyes met for a moment, and both revealed a hint of satisfaction.

Liu An, who had been hunched over, now relaxed and settled steadily into the armchair.

At this moment, Yue Ling's voice suddenly rose, and he said, "But there are three things that Your Highness needs to grant permission for."

"Firstly, this battle needs to be won quickly. I should lead the elite troops to seek a swift victory. Therefore, I need to personally select the troops and generals and reorganize the military preparations."

"Secondly, scouts need to be widely deployed outside the capital, and they must be closely monitored for movements inside and outside the capital, while the Imperial Guards should be placed under martial law in the capital."

"Thirdly, I need sufficient supplies of food, fodder and military equipment for my mission, and I also need local cooperation. This is the key to winning the battle."

Every word made sense, and Liu An had no reason to refuse. "Very well, I grant the Duke's request! From this day forward, you shall take over all military affairs in the northern frontier. All supplies within the city and troop deployments along the nine borders shall be at your command! We must achieve a swift victory!"

After the court assembly ended, everyone stepped forward to congratulate Yue Ling on his upcoming new achievements.

Some military families also came to ask for help, wanting to bring their sons to earn military merits.

Many people had already benefited from Yue Ling's influence, and they certainly wouldn't let this opportunity pass them by.

Yue Ling avoided them all and returned to the Duzheng Hall with his trusted ministers.

Despite having obtained the imperial decree, everyone returned to their respective cells dejectedly, as if they had suffered a defeat.

Lin Ruhai took a deep breath, came to Yue Ling's side, and called him to come out so he could speak to him privately.

In the small courtyard behind the Duzheng Hall, the autumn wind swept through, scattering fallen leaves all over the ground.

Before the lotus pond, everything was in a state of decay, and even the chirping of insects sounded weak and listless.

"Father-in-law, you don't need to worry about the war."

Yue Ling was the first to offer comfort.

Lin Ruhai leaned against the railing and sighed, "I am not questioning your ability to lead troops into battle."

"Your military achievements are unparalleled in the world, which is well-deserved. But your current situation is truly a dilemma."

Lowering his voice slightly, Lin Ruhai continued, "If you lose this battle, your reputation will be ruined. If you win, you will have no more rewards or titles to bestow."

"But now, His Majesty is no longer in his prime, and the eldest prince is now in power in the court. Wouldn't he be worried about you?"

"Don't you know about the past between Di Qing and Emperor Renzong? Emperor Renzong was truly worthy of the name 'Ren' (benevolent). Even if later emperors were more benevolent, they were still far inferior to him."

Yue Ling nodded, sighed, and then revealed everything: "Just as my father-in-law said, I also have this worry."

“But we already know that Chai Pu is connected with the barbarians, and today in the court, Shui Rong and Chai Pu have joined forces, so their determination to make me leave the city must have their own considerations.”

"In my opinion, the situation in the Ninth Border Region may not be urgent, but rather they want to provoke trouble."

Lin Ruhai frowned and muttered, "Now that the Second Prince has led his troops out of the city, if he finds out that you have also led troops north, he will surely become suspicious of the inner palace... Moreover, you have also taken away a portion of your elite troops, leaving only the old, weak, sick, and disabled in the city..."

After Yue Ling's prompting, Lin Ruhai immediately thought of an even more terrifying possibility.

His body swayed slightly involuntarily.

"How dare they act like this? Have they heard something in the inner palace?"

Yue Ling shook his head slightly, "Now we can only prepare for the worst and see what their next move is."

"I will need my father-in-law to look after the household while I am away from the city."

Yue Ling had just had a child, and the mansion was full of women, so it couldn't withstand any disturbance.

Fortunately, there were 800 guards, who were not to be trifled with in the city.

Lin Ruhai suddenly realized something and said, "Your guess was right, there must be something fishy going on. Don't worry, since they're taking precautions, nothing will happen in the manor!"

……

The news of Yue Ling leading troops into battle was reported even earlier than that of Yue Ling.

Upon hearing this news, the young ladies of the manor spontaneously gathered in the main hall, their faces serious, their usual playful demeanor completely gone.

Just then, the mandarin ducks hurriedly returned from outside.

Meeting the burning gazes of her sisters, she nodded silently, and the women all understood without saying a word, lowering their heads one by one.

The peaceful days hadn't lasted long; it had only been a little over a year since they traveled from Yangzhou to the capital. Now, war had broken out again on the border, and they would once again have to spend far less time with Yue Ling.

The conditions for fighting on the frontier are harsh, unlike in the past when one could enjoy sightseeing while properly handling official business, so the accompanying family members need not worry too much.

Moreover, injuries are inevitable when going out to fight, and they would not be able to bear to see Yue Ling injured in an accident.

The bitterness and hardship involved are beyond words.

Some sighed, some were stunned, some wept; the atmosphere was so oppressive it was almost suffocating.

Soon after, Lin Daiyu walked in through a side door.

Dressed in a graceful long dress, she seemed to have just returned from her mother's ancestral hall, still carrying a slight scent of incense.

Looking around and seeing the expressions on her sisters' faces, she couldn't help but sigh.

Once upon a time, I looked no different from my sisters, and I even cried harder than them.

Especially at that time, she had just arrived in the capital, all alone and had just begun to trust Yue Ling. Then, one war after another broke out, and the separations became longer and longer each time.

However, looking back now, Lin Daiyu realized that their relationship seemed to have deepened with each subsequent meeting after their separation.

Lifting her skirt, she swept past her sisters and sat down on the long bench in the center of the hall. Lin Daiyu clapped her hands to wake everyone and said, "I have also heard the rumors circulating outside. Regardless of whether they are true or false, if war breaks out on the border, Master will certainly have to go to war."

“Besides our small family, Master also cares about the common people and the entire nation. Moreover, the preferential treatment we enjoy in the Dingguo Mansion is all earned through Master’s military achievements. In this time of national crisis, it is his duty and responsibility to lead the army into battle. Would you really like someone who hesitates in the face of adversity and shrinks back from danger?”

Upon hearing this, the girls in the hall all stopped crying, wiped their eyes, and slowly straightened up.

After Lin Daiyu described her, the girls exchanged glances, seemingly all thinking of the same person. A hint of disgust rose on their faces, and they shook their heads in agreement with Lin Daiyu's words.

Lin Daiyu nodded slightly, paused, and then said, "We women in the inner quarters can't help much, but we shouldn't hold you back either. Don't cry and whine in front of the master; just do everything as usual."

"Just like you, I am reluctant to see him go to war. When we see him off, each of us will leave a letter or an object to express our feelings."

Upon hearing this, the girls blushed with embarrassment. Many of them had not yet made their relationship with Yue Ling clear to Lin Daiyu; it was merely a tacit understanding.

Now that Lin Daiyu has spoken frankly, it has made them feel somewhat embarrassed.

Seeing that they were all getting coy again, Lin Daiyu couldn't help but smile and say, "Once everything has settled down, Master will officially give you a title."

With a quick glance, Lin Daiyu added, "If any of the sisters are unwilling, they can pass the buck to each other. Anyway, there are enough people in the room."

"No, no, no!"

The room erupted in chaos. "We'll do whatever Lin Mei... Madam decides!"

"That's right, that's right!"

(End of this chapter)