The number one rebel of the Great Wu

The Great Wu Dynasty, Chengtian Hall.

At the morning court assembly, civil and military officials stood in rows according to their ranks, and the Golden Palace was solemn and dignified.

The emperor, seated on the dragon throne, had a somber expression and held in his hand an urgent report that had just arrived from the border.

"Urgent report from the North."

Emperor Xiao Jingtian's voice echoed throughout the hall.

"Three days ago, the Di cavalry launched a surprise attack on the outskirts of Yunzhou, burning down two granaries and looting more than ten villages. The defending troops were caught off guard and suffered nearly a thousand casualties."

The imperial court was in an uproar.

"The east side isn't peaceful either."

Xiao Jingtian continued, his gaze sweeping over the assembled officials.

"Japanese warships have been frequently appearing along the coast recently, plundering merchant ships and harassing fishermen. The Ningbo garrison reported that three merchant ships have been hijacked and dozens of fishermen are missing."

The hall was immediately filled with discussion.

With the Di people to the north and the Japanese to the east, the Great Wu Dynasty was under pressure from both sides, making it the most severe situation it had faced in the past decade.

"What good strategies do you gentlemen have?"

Xiao Jingtian asked in a deep voice.

The ministers looked at each other, and for a moment no one dared to speak.

The Di cavalry are swift and highly mobile. Although the Great Wu Dynasty has a large army and many generals, the northern border is a harsh and cold land with long supply lines, making it difficult to confront them head-on.

As for the Japanese, although their forces were small, they relied on the agility of their warships to plunder and then quickly retreat, making it impossible for the coastal garrisons to defend against them.

Just as the court fell silent, an old and steady voice rang out.

"I have something to report."

Everyone turned around and saw an old general with white hair slowly stepping out of the ranks.

He stood tall and straight like a pine tree. Although he was over sixty years old, he had a fierce look in his eyes and a sharp nose, and his military uniform, though worn, was still neat and tidy.

It was none other than the old general Jiang Boheng.

"General Jiang, please speak."

Xiao Jingtian nodded slightly.

Jiang Boheng bowed respectfully, his voice booming.

"Your Majesty, I humbly request that you grant me permission to retire from military service and return to my rural home."

These words immediately caused an uproar in the imperial court.

Jiang Boheng is one of the most senior generals of the Great Wu Dynasty, having guarded the northern border for many years and accumulating numerous military achievements. If he were to resign, who would command the northern army?

Moreover, at this critical juncture, is this what it means to be a deserter?

"General Jiang, what makes you say that?"

Xiao Jingtian frowned slightly.

"This old minister is over sixty years old and suffers from old injuries."

Jiang Boheng spoke earnestly.

"My energy has declined significantly in recent years, and I fear I am no longer capable of shouldering heavy responsibilities. The war in the north is urgent, and we should choose a better general to prevent this old minister from neglecting important military and national affairs."

He paused, then said, "This old minister recommends Vice Minister Li of the Ministry of War and Deputy General Zhang of the Tiger Guard Battalion. Both are young and promising and are capable of undertaking important responsibilities."

In the imperial court, many people understood the implied meaning.

Lord Li was a civil official and had never led troops; although Deputy General Zhang was brave and skilled in battle, he was only a fierce general who charged into battle, and was by no means a commander.

Anyone with a discerning eye can tell that the two people recommended by Jiang Boheng are not qualified.

But out of politeness, no one pointed it out on the spot.

Among the officials in the Fourth Prince's faction, some immediately stood up to echo his sentiments.

"In my opinion, General Jiang has made great contributions and deserves to enjoy his old age in peace."

"Although the war in the North is urgent, we cannot let the old general go to the battlefield again."

"good."

Another person stepped forward.

"General Jiang is getting on in years; the court should show consideration for this elderly minister."

These people appeared to be speaking up for Jiang Boheng, but they actually had ulterior motives.

Although Jiang Boheng is old, he enjoys extremely high prestige in the army. If he continues to command troops, it will be detrimental to everyone. Now that he has taken the initiative to resign, it is a good opportunity to let him step down and replace him with one of our own.

Xiao Jingtian watched the debate in the court with a blank expression.

How could he not see through these people's thoughts?

Just as the noise in the court was getting louder, a calm voice rang out from the ranks.

"Your subject has objections."

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw the Third Prince Xiao Ce calmly stepping out of the ranks.

"Ce'er, what are your thoughts?"

Xiao Ce bowed respectfully, his voice neither hurried nor slow.

"Your subject believes that General Jiang should not retreat."

"Oh?"

A flicker of interest crossed the emperor's eyes.

Why?

Xiao Ce turned to face his ministers and said loudly, "You all just said that General Jiang is old and frail and no longer fit to command troops. But I ask you—what is needed for the war in the northern border?"

He didn't wait for anyone else to answer; he asked and answered his own question.

"It's experience, prestige, and familiarity with the Di people's tactics."

"Three years ago, the Di people's 100,000 iron cavalry marched south. It was General Jiang who, with 30,000 troops, held Luoyan Pass for 47 days and finally defeated the enemy. That battle brought twenty years of peace to the northern border."

Xiao Ce's voice echoed in the hall, and the assembled officials remained silent.

That battle was indeed Jiang Boheng's masterpiece. With 30,000 men against 100,000, he held out in a besieged city for nearly two months, ultimately turning defeat into victory, a classic in military history.

"I ask you all here..." Xiao Ce's gaze swept over the assembled officials, "Who possesses General Jiang's experience and prestige?"

No one answered.

"As for the Japanese in the east..."

Xiao Ce continued.

"The Japanese rely on their agile warships, which come and go like the wind. The way to deal with them is not through numbers, but through the wisdom of their generals. General Jiang is well-versed in the coordination between land and naval forces, making him the best candidate."

"Your Majesty, I humbly request that you rescind General Jiang's resignation and entrust him with the important responsibility of Commander-in-Chief of the Northern Route Army, leading the northern army to punish the Di people and deter the Japanese pirates!"

After Xiao Ce finished speaking, he bowed deeply.

The imperial court was completely silent.

The emperor nodded slightly, a look of satisfaction in his eyes.

This is exactly what he wanted to hear.

He favored Jiang Boheng for the position of commander-in-chief of the Northern Frontier. However, Jiang Boheng's prestige in the army was too high, and appointing him directly would likely provoke a backlash from other factions.

So he kept waiting, waiting for the right time, waiting for the right person to make this suggestion.

Now, Xiao Ce has stepped forward.

"Ce'er is right."

Xiao Jingtian spoke, his voice carrying a hint of approval.

"Besides, this matter doesn't require you to personally fight on the front lines. You only need to act as the commander-in-chief and direct operations from the center. Your Jiang family has plenty of talented young men!"

He turned to Jiang Boheng.

"General Jiang, my mind is made up. I hereby appoint you as the commander-in-chief of the Northern Route Army, to lead the army in the north to punish the Di people and deter the Japanese pirates."

Jiang Boheng bowed and accepted the order.

"This old minister... obeys the decree."

His tone carried a hint of reluctance.

But those who knew him well knew that the old general's eyes clearly burned with the flames of war.

After the court session ended, the officials left Chengtian Hall one after another.

Jiang Boheng walked slowly along the palace road.

Footsteps sounded behind me.

"General Jiang, please wait."

Jiang Boheng stopped and looked back.

The Third Prince, Xiao Ce, was walking towards him with a smile.

The two looked into each other's eyes and suddenly smiled at the same time.

No words are needed, no further explanation required.

This strategy of advancing and retreating was exactly what the two of them had hastily discussed and came up with yesterday.

Jiang Boheng's resignation was a "retreat," while Xiao Ce's attempt to retain him was an "advance." With this retreat and advance, the position of commander-in-chief of the Northern Route Army firmly fell into Jiang Boheng's hands.

It also... fell into Xiao Ce's hands.

At least, that's how Xiao Ce saw it.

Xiao Ce took two steps forward and walked alongside Jiang Boheng, his steps powerful and imposing!

It should be noted that the Crown Prince had served as a general under Jiang Boheng and had a good relationship with him, which is why he was trusted by his father.

With the crown prince now deposed, the emperor has tacitly acknowledged his relationship with General Jiang, the meaning of which is self-evident.

Most importantly, just before the court session ended, the Emperor suddenly announced some news.

That was his decision to leave the capital for a southern tour. During the tour, all matters, large and small, in the court were to be handled by the Third Prince, Xiao Ce.

Regent... Hahahaha! That's the power of regent!