They've already breached the palace, yet all they ask of me is an edict of self-reproach.

"this……"

The group of military officers were speechless.

Given the current situation in Qingyan City, even if Qin Zhaoyu hadn't been poisoned, she probably wouldn't dare guarantee that she could absolutely defend Qingyan City, let alone these veteran generals who have been pampered for many years.

"Victory and defeat are common occurrences in warfare. The situation on the battlefield can change in an instant. Throughout history, who can guarantee that they can remain invincible?"

An elderly military officer scoffed in protest.

Lu Xuanting remained calm and unhurried: "I know that victory and defeat are common occurrences in war, but if Qingyan City is lost, you are all veteran generals and should understand the implications better than I do. Therefore, once we send troops out, we can only win this battle and cannot afford to lose."

Lu Xuanting paused, glanced at the officials, and continued, "If we cannot even defend Qingyan City after sending troops from the imperial court, what will those surrounding vassal states think of our Great Li? At that time, these small states will definitely take advantage of the situation to launch an attack, and the imperial court will only be in a more passive position."

After Lu Xuanting's analysis, the generals, who were seething with anger, could only sulk in their hearts and dared not mention leading troops to defend Qingyan City again.

They were not afraid to die on the battlefield, but if they lost Qingyan City, they would be nailed to the pillar of historical shame and be infamous for eternity.

No one wants to bear this kind of infamy.

"Gentlemen, please don't be anxious. Doesn't Lord Lu have one more method he hasn't mentioned yet?"

At this moment, Qi Yuanqing spoke.

Qi Yuanqing was also a military officer who had been on the battlefield several times in his early years. Although he was somewhat dissatisfied with Lu Xuanting's denigration of the military officers in the court, he knew that what Lu Xuanting said was true.

There are indeed no capable generals to speak of in the court right now.

Even if they exist, they are stationed in other places.

For example, Zhao Xuan, the Prince of Zhennan, Chen Sangui, the Prince of Xiliang, and Han Pingchuan, who had just been appointed as the General Who Conquers the West, are also among them.

But let alone the fact that the court can't mobilize many people, even if it could, the court wouldn't dare to use them.

Upon hearing Qi Yuanqing's words, the assembled officials gradually quieted down, turning to look at Lu Xuanting and awaiting further instructions.

Lu Xuanting didn't keep them in suspense. He glanced up at the silent young emperor on the dragon throne and said calmly:

"Sue for peace!"

"Agency for peace?!"

As soon as Lu Xuanting said this, the officials in the Imperial Study immediately erupted in uproar.

Since the founding of the Dali Kingdom by Emperor Taizu, only neighboring countries have ever sought peace with Dali. Dali has never had a precedent of seeking peace with its neighboring countries.

"Lu Xuanting, do you even know what you're saying? My Dali is the legitimate dynasty of the Central Plains, how can we sue for peace with those petty villains?"

"What a disgrace! What a disgrace! If we set this precedent, how will we face the past emperors of Dali in the afterlife?"

A group of veteran officials immediately jumped out and started cursing.

The words "seek peace" undoubtedly struck a nerve with these veteran officials.

"Your Majesty, this old minister is willing to lead the army in my own coffin and defend Qingyan City to the death."

The old general immediately knelt down and volunteered for battle.

Zhao Ji remained silent, his gaze sweeping over the assembled officials.

Although many ministers cursed and volunteered for battle, most people in the Imperial Study chose to remain silent.

The situation is already very clear.

However, Zhao Ji could understand.

The Dali Kingdom's treasury is now empty and it is unable to support multiple fronts of warfare. If it cannot defeat the armies of the Northern Rong and Southern Di in one fell swoop, Dali will be dragged down sooner or later.

Moreover, there is also the King of Xiliang, who is eyeing us covetously from the west.

Although Xiliang is currently being held back, the imperial court can only do so for a short time. Given time, with the abilities of Chen Sangui, the King of Xiliang, he will surely be able to regroup his troops.

At that time, the capital will be in danger.

Zhao Ji remained silent, and a brief silence fell over the imperial study.

After a long while, the Grand Secretary stepped forward and said:

"Your Majesty, the Southern Di have suddenly launched a northward invasion, but there has been no news from the Prince of Zhennan. This matter..."

The Grand Secretary only got halfway through his speech before he dared not continue.

To slander a prince without evidence is a capital offense, and the Grand Secretary, being such a cunning old fox, would naturally not easily give others cause for criticism.

Upon hearing this, all the officials turned to look at Zhao Ji on the dragon throne.

Many of them had wanted to talk about this for a long time, but they didn't have the guts, since it involved too many people.

It would be most appropriate for the Grand Secretary, who holds a high position of power, to say this at this moment.

Zhao Ji did not answer, but glanced at Qi Yuanqing.

Qi Yuanqing felt Zhao Ji's gaze and a tremendous pressure descend upon him. His body trembled, and he immediately knelt on the ground.

"I will investigate this matter as soon as possible."

Zhao Ji nodded slightly. Given the current situation in Dali, he wouldn't be surprised by anything that happened.

If Chen Sangui, a prince of a different surname, coveted the throne, then the Prince of Zhennan, a member of the imperial family, was even more eager.

"This matter will be discussed at the court meeting tomorrow. I am tired; you may all leave."

Zhao Ji waved his hand, ignoring the reactions of the officials, and got up to leave the Imperial Study from the side hall.

Peace talks?

Zhao Ji would never agree to peace talks in his lifetime.

The loss of sovereignty and national humiliation was something Zhao Ji couldn't tolerate even as an ordinary person in his previous life, let alone as the emperor of a dynasty now.

Judging from the silence of the officials, most of them were already inclined to negotiate peace, so there was no point in continuing the talks.

Zhao Ji might as well just leave and let everyone guess what he's thinking.

"..."

Seeing His Majesty leave so abruptly, the officials stood there dumbfounded. Many ministers opened their mouths, wanting to say something but daring not to, and in the end could only say: "Respectfully seeing off Your Majesty!"

"The Dali Kingdom is currently weak and needs to recuperate. If you generals are not confident in defending Qingyan City, you should not ask to go to war rashly, lest you cause great suffering to the people of the world."

Lu Xuanting said something indifferently, then turned and left.

He didn't want to be a traitor who would betray his country and humiliate it; it's just that Dali's national strength is indeed unable to support a prolonged multi-front war, and negotiating peace can give Dali a brief respite.

"Lu Xuanting, you traitor!"

The elderly general cursed.

Lu Xuanting stopped and snorted coldly: "If the old general is confident in defending Qingyan City, I am willing to devote all my wealth to help you. But does the old general have that confidence?"

"Very well, if Your Majesty agrees to send troops, I am willing to sign a military pledge!"

"A pledge of military authority? Don't you find that ridiculous, old general? If you were to die on the battlefield, the world might praise you for sacrificing yourself for your country, a great hero. But what will Dali face if Qingyan City falls? What will the people face? Are you going to gamble the fate of Dali with your own petty anger?"

After Lu Xuanting finished speaking, he ignored the other party and strode out of the Imperial Study, leaving the crowd looking at each other in bewilderment.

Lu Xuanting's words were a wake-up call, and the officials in the imperial study fell silent for a moment.

"Could it be... that our Dali Kingdom is truly forced to cede territory and sue for peace?"

The elderly general's face showed despair, and he was filled with grief.

He wasn't stupid; he naturally understood that what Lu Xuanting said made a lot of sense.

If he acts rashly, it could very well lead to widespread suffering and death.

Moreover, judging from His Majesty's attitude just now, he seems to be more inclined to negotiate peace; otherwise, he wouldn't have ignored my request to fight.

The rain is coming and the wind is all over the building.

Everyone in the Imperial Study had their own thoughts. After exchanging a few pleasantries, they left one after another.