As the hot air balloon took flight, Ding Yun, with the balloon in tow, began to steer it in her desired direction. Though the process was difficult and it was her first time, she managed to get it airborne, albeit with some fumbling, and successfully flew over the barbarian army.
Next, of course, was to drop firebombs.
While dropping them, she kept enlarging them.
The fist-sized bottles were enlarged to the size of large vats and jars, and the flammable liquids inside were also enlarged accordingly. As these firebombs, magnified dozens or even a hundred times, plummeted down, before long, an inferno ignited below, creating a scene of utter devastation.
The scene was so gruesome that Ding Yun could barely bear to watch.
She merely continued to adjust her position and drop firebombs.
After circling and dropping firebombs a few times, the barbarian army below had completely collapsed, with countless casualties.
At this point, Ding Yun, naturally, hurried to descend.
She landed in a relatively remote area.
The soldiers, who had been waiting nearby as per Ding Yun's instructions, had gone through initial panic and fear, even vomiting. After a while, and only when the flames within the barbarian army had largely subsided, did they cautiously approach.
They then proceeded to kill or capture the remaining troops.
The surviving barbarian army.
Everything, it could be said, proceeded according to plan.
On Ding Yun's side, however, some issues arose as she had anticipated. For instance, a hot air balloon without a tether was difficult to descend, and she wasn't sure of its approximate landing location or time for a safe descent.
Thus, she had to resort to her backup plan.
Using a homemade parachute to escape.
Fortunately, there were no major issues with this, and Ding Yun landed safely on the ground, completely unharmed.
She then spent a considerable amount of time rushing back to the capital.
Needless to say, the capital had already prepared a celebration for her. Simultaneously, her mother, elder brother, and other relatives, as well as the remaining family of the Right Companion King, all began to implore her for help in rescuing their loved ones.
However, this was something she genuinely couldn't do.
She could only place her hope in Emperor Zilong keeping his promise.
Initially, Emperor Zilong wanted to agree immediately and dispatch troops. After all, the barbarian royal court had lost its elites. If they didn't seize this opportunity to attack, wouldn't it be akin to nurturing a tiger and missing a golden chance?
But many ministers in the court objected.
Some argued that since the barbarian royal court's elite forces had been annihilated, they should not engage in further warfare or needless slaughter, but rather focus on the people's livelihood and seek peace.
Others claimed that the plateau curse remained unresolved, and dispatching a large army for rescue might result in heavy losses, making it unfeasible.
Some suggested that since the Grand Tutor was so powerful, why waste national resources and the people's livelihood on this endeavor? It would be better to have the Grand Tutor exert a little more effort and rescue both Companion Kings. Moreover, her own father was among them, so a child aiding an elder was only reasonable.
In short, the Emperor might not have had second thoughts.
But the officials did.
These officials were astute. Through Ding Yun's various actions and reactions, they had broadly deduced that her methods were relatively limited, possibly only involving the single spell of amplification.
A single spell like that would make rescuing people from afar exceedingly difficult.
The reason they deliberately obstructed was clearly to target Ding Yun, the Grand Tutor. If possible, they preferred to make her bow to them.
They were unwilling to see a woman rise above them, her merits and power surpassing their own.
She was merely a woman who, by some stroke of luck, had suddenly gained special abilities, yet she dared to surpass them, who had studied diligently for years, to become Grand Tutor.
If not for their fear of Ding Yun having hidden means,
They would have preferred to see her dead.
After all, a being that wielded such supernatural powers, breaking worldly conventions, was too disruptive. If she could achieve immortality, they might even have grudgingly sought the method for eternal life. But without even the promise of longevity, she was nothing but a thorn in their side, destroying the aristocratic ecosystem and their ruling status.
The unanimous opposition from so many ministers undoubtedly put Emperor Zilong in a difficult position. He was not an emperor who could simply dictate terms; in many aspects, he relied on his ministers. If the majority of ministers opposed something,
He genuinely struggled to implement certain decrees.
So, he turned to Ding Yun with a troubled expression:
"Grand Tutor, what do you think about this..."
"Enough. Since so many ministers are unwilling, I shall go and rescue them myself. However, may I know which ministers objected? Could they please step forward so I can see them, and we can have a vote!
Let's see whether the ayes have it or the nays, majority rules, wouldn't you agree, Your Majesty?"
Although Ding Yun verbally agreed to compromise, she couldn't possibly feel appeased. Thus, she decided to make a mental note of it and settle the score later when she had the time.
"Majority rules certainly makes sense.
Then, all ministers, please divide yourselves to the left and right to vote. Those who agree to the court sending troops stand on the left, and those who disagree stand on the right.
This is indeed much simpler and more direct than arguing."
Finding the suggestion sensible, Emperor Zilong immediately gave the order. Meanwhile, the ministers below began to look embarrassed and troubled. After all, they weren't fools. How could they not detect the underlying threat of Ding Yun seeking retribution later? If they were to take a stance, none of them could guarantee they could withstand the private schemes of a Grand Tutor possessing bizarre magical abilities.
Therefore, some immediately objected.
However, Ding Yun refuted all their objections.
Thus, in the end, they still had to take a stand and choose.
Whether to agree to send troops or not.
Then, apart from the few ministers who had directly objected at the outset, the vast majority of the remaining ministers all moved to the left. In the end, the number of ministers standing on the left, agreeing to send troops, was eighteen more than those standing on the right, disagreeing. It was nothing like the earlier dispute that suggested most people were against it.
The voting ratio stunned Emperor Zilong:
"The majority agrees, yet why just now..."
"Your Majesty, perhaps some individuals were using their loud voices to create the illusion that the majority agreed. And in my opinion, the silent ones in the court are the true majority. Some people incessantly spout nonsense, not allowing others a chance to speak.
Many ministers found it difficult to participate in the discussion.
Since that is the case, there's no need for me to personally handle it. As for the provisions, equipment, and the like needed for the campaign, I shall bear the responsibility for them.
This way, no one can say it's a waste of national resources or affects the people's livelihood.
Your Majesty, what do you say..."
Ding Yun had originally thought their spines were stronger and only intended to record their names and hold a grudge. She never expected them to change their minds before she even acted. But this was good, saving her trouble.
"The national treasury is not particularly wealthy, so I shall not decline. Henceforth, let us discuss the grand matters of this expedition!"
Since the majority agreed, Emperor Zilong saw no reason to prolong the debate and quickly made his decision. The ministers present, especially those who had objected, had no further grounds to argue and were forced to retreat.
Even during the subsequent discussion session,
They had little to say.
At this moment, what occupied their minds more was likely the worry about how the Grand Tutor would retaliate against them next.