After ten years of accompanying me in my studies, the entire court begged me to shut up.

Chapter 118 I Have a Difficult Request

After the morning court session, Yang Tinghe was left behind alone.

The Hongzhi Emperor cut to the chase: "You must have something to say, so speak!"

Seeing this, Yang Tinghe did not hide anything and said directly, "The Crown Prince is young, can Your Majesty rest assured that he will be sent to Liaodong?"

The Hongzhi Emperor shook his head and said, "Of course I'm not at ease!"

"Then why bother—"

"Why ask a question you already know the answer to, Minister Yang?"

Yang Tinghe remained silent and obediently shut his mouth.

After a long pause, the Hongzhi Emperor suddenly asked, "Do you think the border garrisons are really so lax in their military preparedness?"

Yang Tinghe pondered for a moment and said, "As the Junior Grand Tutor of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, my main duty is to assist His Highness the Crown Prince—"

"Alright, alright!"

The Hongzhi Emperor impatiently interrupted, saying, "There's no one else here, so don't give me that nonsense!"

Yang Tinghe awkwardly fell silent, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Your Majesty asked whether the border garrisons are lax in their military preparedness. This question cannot be answered in one general way."

"How so?"

"Just as people have rich and poor, strong and weak, so too do border towns. Some places are heavily guarded, while others are practically non-existent. Since the Tumu Crisis, our Great Ming has begun to consolidate its defenses, forming a nine-border system."

"Among the nine border regions, Liaodong is sparsely populated with vast lands and scattered garrisons, resulting in insufficient troops. In addition, the imperial court has been short of funds and provisions in recent years, and military pay has often been delayed, leading to a large number of desertions. Some garrisons have five thousand soldiers on paper, but in reality, fewer than two thousand are capable of fighting."

The Hongzhi Emperor frowned deeply: "Is this really true?"

Yang Tinghe said, "I only learned about this after reviewing the Ministry of War's annual reports. Liaoyang and Haizhou, where this incident occurred, are already weak points. The Uriyangkhai Three Guards have been restless for years, with the Huozhe tribe being the most notorious. They frequently raid our border towns, killing and plundering soldiers and civilians. I believe it is time to send troops to strike them down."

The Hongzhi Emperor remained silent for a long time, then suddenly let out a long sigh.

"I originally thought that since I took power, I had not waged large-scale military campaigns, and that the world was at peace and the Ming Dynasty was showing signs of revival. I never expected that I would forget to be mindful of potential dangers even in times of peace."

"Fortunately, Yang Shen reminded me, otherwise I would still be in the dark. I am truly ashamed!"

Yang Tinghe quickly said, "Your Majesty is too kind! My son is young and doesn't know the rules. He spoke a bit bluntly. Please forgive his impudence."

The Hongzhi Emperor waved his hand: "Isn't it better to speak frankly? Must one be like those court officials, using roundabout language and never getting to the point? They may not dare to offend me, they only say nice things, but are their words even useful?"

"Just like now, when I asked you about the border towns, you said you were in charge of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. Wasn't that just empty talk?"

Yang Tinghe was speechless for a moment.

The Hongzhi Emperor continued, "Wasn't it your son's idea to pressure Wang Zongli about donating medicine?"

Yang Tinghe lowered his head and remained silent.

The Hongzhi Emperor snorted: "No need to deny it. I know who else besides that brat has such cunning?"

Yang Tinghe could only say, "My son is also trying to share Your Majesty's burdens. Liaodong is freezing cold, and the soldiers urgently need those ointments. Moreover, Liaodong is the hometown of Imperial Censor Wang, so defeating the enemy will also benefit him."

The Hongzhi Emperor nodded: "Of course I know, that's why I sent him. He may not be dedicated to fighting for me, but he should be very concerned about reclaiming his own land."

Yang Tinghe sincerely said, "Your Majesty is wise!"

The Hongzhi Emperor abruptly changed the subject, his smile fading: "I am worried about my son, and you must be worried about your son too."

Yang Tinghe's heart tightened, and he asked, "Why does Your Majesty say this?"

The Hongzhi Emperor stared at him and said, word by word, "I hereby appoint you to be in charge of all logistics work. Frontline battle reports, logistical supplies, everything will be your responsibility."

"If my son unfortunately dies for his country, your son will be the first to be buried with him!"

Yang Tinghe's legs went weak, and he knelt on the ground: "Your Majesty, please rest assured, I will do my utmost!"

The Hongzhi Emperor waved his hand: "Get up! You report to me about the front lines every day. I don't want to hear what you have to say; it's all up to me. You can decide directly! I've never fought a war, never led troops, and I consider my military talent to be inferior to the Crown Prince's! Therefore, I only care about results, understand?"

Yang Tinghe's forehead was beaded with cold sweat as he kowtowed deeply: "Your Majesty, I understand! I will certainly not fail Your Majesty's expectations!"

The Hongzhi Emperor waved his hand: "Go!"

Yang Tinghe left the imperial study and only then did he realize that his back was soaked with sweat.

Back at the mansion, Yang Shen was waiting for him in the front hall.

"Father, you're back."

Yang Tinghe agreed, sat down, took a sip of tea, and recounted the events of the day in detail.

After listening, Yang Shen remained calm and said, "Father, don't worry. When we get to the front lines, I won't be reckless. I will proceed steadily and cautiously."

""

Yang Tinghe glared at him: "You're so composed! I can't keep my composure!"

He paced around the room a few times, then suddenly stopped and looked at Yang Shen: "I think that Miss Liu is quite nice."

Yang Shen was taken aback: "What do you mean, Father?"

Yang Tinghe said, "You'll be sixteen after the New Year, not young anymore. Back in our hometown, sixteen would already be married with children. What if something unexpected happens to you on this trip to Liaodong?"

Yang Shen blinked but didn't reply.

Yang Tinghe continued, "Now that His Majesty has met Miss Liu, and I also think she is quite good, why don't you two consummate your marriage quickly and try to leave an heir for your family before you go to war?"

Yang Shen nearly choked on his saliva: "Father! Isn't that unnecessary? It was fake to begin with."

Yang Tinghe glared at him and said, "You're my only son! What will I do if something really happens to you? What will happen to the Yang family line?"

Yang Shen said helplessly, "Well, we'll have to see if Miss Liu is willing!"

Yang Tinghe waved his hand: "I think she has feelings for you, but you'll have to tell her yourself."

Yang Shen tried to decline, but Yang Tinghe pushed him out, saying, "Go quickly! Don't dawdle!"

Yang Shen was pushed out the door by his father. He stood in the yard for a while, stunned, before bracing himself and walking towards the backyard.

Liu Qing was placed in a separate room and was writing something at a desk.

The candlelight flickered, casting her profile in shifting light and shadow.

Hearing the knock, she didn't even look up: "Come in."

Yang Shen pushed open the door and couldn't help but take a couple of glances.

Liu Qing was dressed in a simple dress, her hair was casually tied up with a few strands falling around her ears, and she was writing intently. Her profile was soft, and her eyes and brows had a touch of heroism. She was indeed quite beautiful.

Yang Shen felt a little guilty and coughed lightly, "Um—are you busy?"

Liu Qing looked up at him, her hands still busy: "Is something the matter?"

Yang Shen sat down at the table, his fingers unconsciously picking at the corner of the table: "Nothing much, just came to see if you're settling in."

Liu Qing put down her pen and looked at him suspiciously: "If you have something to say, just say it!"

Yang Shen scratched his head, his gaze drifting elsewhere before returning: "Aren't we leaving? I'm going to the front lines to fight. People die in war, you know that?"

Liu Qing nodded: "Of course!"

Yang Shen added, "The situation there is very bad. It's freezing cold, and many soldiers didn't die on the battlefield; they died from the pain of frostbite."

Liu Qing said, "I know."

She picked up the paper she had just written on, blew on the ink, and seemed to be checking for any mistakes.

Yang Shen forced himself to say, "I have a favor to ask."

Liu Qing looked at him and suddenly said, "I know what you're going to say."

Yang Shen's heart pounded, and his palms began to sweat: "You—agree?"

Liu Qing nodded: "Okay!"

Yang Shen's mind went blank, and his heart pounded.

"Actually, I'm not ready yet, this is really a bit abrupt—"

Liu Qing looked puzzled: "What's so abrupt about this? Besides, what are you going to prepare for? If anyone should be preparing, it's me."

Yang Shen didn't understand and asked, "What are you preparing?"

Liu Qing replied matter-of-factly, "Didn't you want me to go to war with you? Of course I need to make preparations. The main ailment there is frostbite, so we need a lot of frostbite medicine, as well as wound medicine. I'm currently compiling the prescriptions."

She waved the paper in her hand, which was covered with dense writing.

Yang Shen was speechless for a moment, too embarrassed to say anything.

Liu Qing continued, "Actually, some herbs in Liaodong can be used directly. With these prescriptions, we can get the ingredients locally there, which will save a lot of trouble."

As she spoke, she picked up her pen again and added a few strokes to the paper.

Yang Shen opened his mouth, but after a long pause, he managed to choke out, "You can't go."

Liu Qing paused, pen in hand, and looked up: "Why?"

Yang Shen said, "According to the military law of the Ming Dynasty, women are not allowed to accompany the troops."

Liu Qing frowned: "I'm not a female relative; I'm a military doctor accompanying the army!"

Yang Shen shook his head: "You are nominally my fiancée, which means you are family, so you can't go."

Liu Qing looked at him and asked, "So what did you mean by all that talking just now?"

After hesitating for a while, Yang Shen finally said, "It doesn't mean anything. You should get some rest."

After saying that, he turned around and walked away as if fleeing.

Liu Qing stared at the door panel for a long time before shaking her head.

"What's wrong with this person today? He's talking incoherently—"