They had important matters to discuss, and Zhu Ling should return to the Song Manor. After they had breakfast together, she left.
Her ability to heal Baili Chong Yan was great news, but the news Long Qian brought back was bad.
"Half a month ago, I received word that the northern tribes were restless, showing signs of resurgence. The autumn harvest is over, yet there's no sign of grain and military pay. The army is now short of supplies. If a war breaks out, the northern army might not be able to resist."
"What?" the Captain of the Guards exclaimed. "They're going to invade? Then why did you come back?"
This man was a general of the northern border defense. If he left, wouldn't the northern border be leaderless?
Long Qian sighed. "It seems you don't know yet. I should have returned personally earlier. In June of this year, the Emperor issued an imperial decree, appointing Yang Zhong Xu to replace me. I sent a message back then, but never received a reply. I held onto a sliver of hope, and also felt that the northern border had suffered greatly and wouldn't dare to act rashly, so I suppressed my doubts."
The people who had carried the message back were clearly killed midway, which was why they had never received any news.
After the news from the northern border reached him, he deliberated and decided to make the journey himself.
"I was ambushed and chased several times on the way. Only after entering the capital did those people give up. Their aim was to completely sever the connection between the manor and us."
If this were to happen, both sides would be isolated and helpless, and it would only be a matter of time before they were defeated one by one.
Hearing this, the faces of everyone in the front hall turned grim.
Yang Zhong Xu was the Emperor's maternal uncle, and also the Crown Prince's maternal uncle. The Emperor's actions were clearly meant to bolster the Crown Prince's influence.
The Captain of the Guards scoffed. "He's quite bold. Isn't he afraid the Crown Prince will rebel before he can wait?"
While the Emperor was no longer young and vigorous, he was not yet at the age to abdicate. To hand military power over to the Crown Prince, did he truly believe she and the Crown Prince had a father-son relationship of filial piety and benevolence?
"Who issued the decree?"
Baili Chong Yan suddenly asked. Long Qian and the Captain of the Guards were both startled. Then, Long Qian reacted and replied, "A eunuch. I don't recognize anyone from the palace. Your Highness, what do you mean? Could it be..."
A forged imperial decree!
"If that's truly the case, then the Crown Prince and the Yang family are too audacious. Forging an imperial decree is a crime punishable by extermination of the clan. Isn't the Crown Prince afraid the Emperor will depose him?"
"It's just a guess," Baili Chong Yan said, not entirely certain. "Their actions might not be purely to force the Emperor's abdication and rebellion. The northern army will defend against external enemies, but they won't follow them into rebellion."
Perhaps all of this was for the northern army.
More precisely, it was for him.
To completely cut off his retreat!
Baili Chong Yan's eyes suddenly became sharp. "You must return to the northern border immediately, kill Yang Zhong Xu on the charge of forging an imperial decree, take over the army. The northern tribes are not to be provoked, and the northern army must not move. I will find a way to secure the grain and military pay."
Although Long Qian hadn't thought that far ahead, he was obedient to Baili Chong Yan and had no objections.
"Yes! Your subordinate will depart immediately."
After speaking, he turned to leave with his sword.
"Wait."
Long Qian turned back. "Your Highness, do you have any other instructions?"
Baili Chong Yan called over the young girl Zhu Ling had conjured and said to her, "Help me protect him on his way to the northern border."
The young girl's eyes widened slightly in confusion. Then she said, "But Master asked me to protect you."
Baili Chong Yan replied, "She also told you to obey me. I am now telling you to protect him."
The young girl clearly didn't understand the complexities of the situation and looked bewildered.
Baili Chong Yan took out another feather. "I still have these. Nothing will happen."
The young girl hesitated for a moment, then finally agreed. "Alright. You must take good care of yourself. If you die, Master will be sad."
Baili Chong Yan smiled and agreed.
Long Qian was puzzled and even thought she would be a burden. "Your Highness, I can return alone. Bringing her would be a drag. Your subordinate..."
"I have my reasons. You two should depart immediately." He paused and added, "If you see anything extraordinary about her, do not be afraid."
Thus, Long Qian could only agree to bring her along.
He looked at the ordinary-looking young girl in colorful clothes beside him, truly unable to understand the purpose of bringing her.
It wasn't until they encountered the first wave of assassins outside the capital that he understood. Before he could even make a move, the young girl, with lightning speed, annihilated them all. Only then did he feel respect for her and no longer dare to despise her.
Bringing her along also made their return journey very smooth. All the assassins who came after them were killed. It took only half the time to reach the northern border.
Following Baili Chong Yan's instructions, he killed Yang Zhong Xu on the charge of forging an imperial decree, took command of the military, and rigorously interrogated Yang Zhong Xu's subordinates.
It was then that he learned the northern tribes had no intention of rebelling. Yang Zhong Xu, in the name of the Crown Prince, had colluded with foreign enemies to rebel, promising them benefits, thus creating the false impression.
Long Qian immediately assembled the army and gave the various tribes a show of force, suppressing their rebellious intentions.
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