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

What came into view was the emperor's ceremonial procession, which was majestic and solemn.

However, a coffin followed quite abruptly behind the ceremonial procession.

The people on both sides of the street, seeing this scene, couldn't help but discuss it with curiosity.

"Why do you think His Majesty brings a coffin with him when he goes to war?"

"What else could it be? Of course, it's because they know they're doomed to fail and are preparing their coffins in advance."

Some ordinary people couldn't help but sigh.

"Keep your voice down. If these words reach His Majesty's ears, you'll be executed along with your entire family."

Someone nearby immediately reminded him.

"We are all subjects of Dali, can't you say something nice? Although His Majesty has made many mistakes over the years, the fact that he personally led the expedition this time is enough to show that His Majesty still cares about us people. Now that he is going to war with a coffin, he must be determined to fight to the death against those foreign tribes in the northern frontier."

There were still some people in the crowd who could distinguish right from wrong.

These words immediately moved the surrounding people.

Throughout history, emperors have always been pampered and comfortable people, and they have never wanted to go to the battlefield to fight.

If Zhao Ji's decision to lead the army with his coffin was truly for a decisive battle against the northern barbarians, the people were still somewhat moved.

However, soon, some people who hated the royal family jumped out to refute this.

"Brother, you are mistaken. Didn't we receive a report from the northern frontier recently that General Qin Zhaoyu was poisoned and Qingyan City was about to fall? This coffin is probably prepared for General Qin."

"Oh? It's prepared for General Qin?"

"What? This coffin is for General Qin? Doesn't that mean Qingyan City has already fallen?"

These words quickly spread.

At this moment, a member of the Imperial Guard who had come out of the palace to maintain order saw these people slandering His Majesty and couldn't stand it any longer. He immediately repeated almost exactly what Zhao Ji had said in the Meridian Gate Square.

The surrounding people were greatly shocked when they heard the Imperial Guards' words, and the rumor that the coffin was prepared for Qin Zhaoyu was also debunked.

Their incompetent emperor, who had been obsessed with Taoist cultivation for many years, actually decided to lead an expedition with his own coffin to fight a decisive battle against the northern barbarians.

The stark contrast before and after left the surrounding residents somewhat incredulous.

"His Majesty is actually willing to carry our coffins into battle for our sake. If anyone dares to slander His Majesty in the future, I, Liu Ergou, will beat them to death."

"I'm the same way, Ma Dahu."

"I'm going to join the army. Go back and tell my mother that I, Er Lengzi, am not a coward."

Upon hearing that the emperor was indeed leading his army in a coffin, the atmosphere among the surrounding people became increasingly lively.

It seems that the broken spine of the Dali is about to be reattached.

As the emperor's procession drew closer, the surrounding people knelt down to respectfully see Zhao Ji off on his expedition.

When the honor guard arrived at the city gate, a group of civil officials and scholars had been waiting for a long time.

When the emperor goes on a campaign, how can there be no farewell poems?

Although Dali was founded on military strength, its literary scene has also flourished in recent years.

As scholars, none of us want to miss this opportunity to make a name for ourselves in history.

Zhao Ji's imperial carriage stopped at the city gate, listening as scholars came forward to present their poems.

After listening for a while, I could only say that a few of the poems were passable, and there were almost none that could be recorded in history.

Zhao Ji sighed softly. He naturally wanted to hear a poem that could be recorded in history to cheer on the expedition, but unfortunately, these scholars were not up to the task.

"Do you expect me, the emperor, to compose a poem?"

Thinking of this, Zhao Ji couldn't help but feel a little tempted.

However, after reviewing the poems he had learned in his previous life, Zhao Ji realized that none of them seemed suitable for the emperor to write when he went to war.

For a moment, Zhao Ji was also at a loss.

But soon, Zhao Ji suddenly thought of something and raised his hand to signal everyone to be quiet.

Seeing that the emperor had something to say, everyone immediately fell silent.

Zhao Ji said, "I do not know whether I will be able to return from this expedition. My beloved ministers have composed poems to send me off, and I am moved to write one as well."

When the surrounding common people and officials heard that the emperor was going to compose a poem, they couldn't help but look over curiously.

Some ministers who knew Zhao Ji well couldn't help but want to cover their faces in embarrassment.

Zhao Ji was not particularly talented, let alone skilled in poetry.

However, if Zhao Ji were to compose a poem at this moment, it would surely be remembered for eternity. As for whether it is a good poem or just a doggerel, that is for future generations to judge.

The group of scholars who had just composed poems to bid farewell to Zhao Ji were somewhat dissatisfied when they saw that the emperor was going to compose a poem himself. Wasn't this a clear sign that he looked down on the poems they had just written?

Zhao Ji pondered for a moment, then said, "This poem I composed is not for myself, but for the soldiers who are fighting valiantly on the northern frontier."

These words aroused even more curiosity among the surrounding crowd.

They all wanted to see what kind of poetry Emperor Zhao Ji could produce.

Zhao Ji didn't keep them in suspense. He pretended to ponder for a moment, then recited aloud:

"Fine wine in a luminous cup, I long to drink, but the pipa urges me on."

Upon hearing these two sentences, the surrounding civil officials immediately understood what was going on and felt a strange sense of anticipation.

Could it be that their emperor can really create a masterpiece that will be passed down through the ages?

Everyone held their breath, not daring to make the slightest sound to disturb Zhao Ji.

Zhao Ji sighed softly, his mood suddenly turning somber, and continued reciting:

"Do not laugh at me, drunk and lying on the battlefield; how many have returned from ancient battles?"

quiet!

A deathly silence.

Drunk lying on the battlefield, Lord Grim, how many people have fought in ancient times?

This is simply a stroke of genius.

After a moment of silence, a commotion broke out around them.

Everyone present was shocked.

Even illiterate commoners felt the chill of those last two lines of poetry.

"What a fine sight to see drunk and lying on the battlefield! How many warriors have returned from ancient battles?"

A renowned scholar couldn't help but sigh in admiration, while simultaneously feeling an overwhelming sense of sorrow.

Those scholars who were initially unconvinced now completely admit defeat.

They asked themselves honestly, even if they studied the classics for a lifetime, they probably couldn't have produced such timeless lines that would be worthy of being recorded in history.

After the initial shock, everyone present was plunged into a state of sorrow.

Yes.

How many warriors have returned from ancient battles...?

Throughout history, how many soldiers who went to the border to defend their country have been able to return safely?

This last sentence undoubtedly struck a nerve with everyone, touching the deepest sore spot in their hearts.

War has displaced countless people and torn families apart.

Seeing the low spirits of the crowd, Zhao Ji continued, "The soldiers of Dali all died for their country and their people. As the saying goes, 'Loyal bones are buried everywhere in the green hills, why need they be wrapped in horsehide to return home?' This time, I will personally lead the expedition, and I will surely live and die with all the soldiers of the northern frontier. The fallen soldiers will return to their homeland with my dragon banner, becoming heroic spirits to continue to protect the people of Dali!"

"Long live Your Majesty! May the Great Li Dynasty live ten thousand years!"

Everyone knelt down and shouted!

Waaah—!

As the bugle sounded, the expeditionary force slowly marched out of the capital.

The procession went further and further away, but the shouts of the people could still be faintly heard from behind:

"Respectfully bidding farewell to the Emperor of Dali!"