Seeing their resolute expressions, if Jiang Chen hadn't already known what had happened, he might have been moved by their patriotic hearts.

The Xiongnu had slaughtered the entire family that welcomed them.

Precisely because of this, these fellows who used to hedge their bets on the Xiongnu had now completely lost their confidence in them.

"Your Highness, this time the Xiongnu are coming on fiercely with a clear intention. They fear that they want to annihilate us in one fell swoop and replace us."

"We hope that Your Majesty can quickly send troops and must not encourage the Xiongnu's arrogance. If they feel that our dynasty is easy to bully, then we may fall into years of war."

At this point, many older ministers were in tears, but many generals just stood silently with grim faces, waiting for Jiang Chen's orders.

Infantry has always been at an absolute disadvantage against cavalry. That’s always been the case, so whenever the Xiongnu came south, they could only defend dangerous passes, and sometimes they had to abandon those outside the city…

Now, the Xiongnu were coming aggressively, which was no different from slapping them hard in the face, but they could do nothing about it.

Not to mention that the military has been neglected in recent years, and those who can directly confront the Xiongnu have long ceased to exist.

Just when everyone was estimating who Jiang Chen would send north to strike the Xiongnu,

Jiang Chen had already made a decision.

"Since this is the first time in recent years that the Xiongnu have come south, we must give them a head-on blow."

"To promote our national prestige, I will personally lead the expedition, and all civil and military officials will accompany me."

As soon as these words came out, there was an uproar. The court instantly changed from the quietness just now to chaos.

Just when many civil officials were still trying to find excuses to avoid such a dangerous action, many generals knelt down in unison.

"Your Majesty is wise. This time, we generals request to fight. We also hope that Your Majesty will withdraw the order to guard the court. The country cannot be without a ruler for a day. We are willing to shed our blood for Your Majesty until we die on the battlefield."

Unlike the generals' unified statement, the civil officials were still trying to shirk these responsibilities onto others.

The heads of those large families seemed even more unbearable. Although they all held high positions, at this critical moment of life and death, they all chose to escape, and no one was willing to face such a crisis directly.

"Ministers, there is no need to discuss it further. Since I have made such a decision, there will naturally be no changes."

"As for those who dare not go to the front line, I will grant your wish. From this day on, you will all retire and return to your hometowns to be your cowards."

"The choice is in your own hands. If you can't grasp it, then don't blame me for wielding the butcher's knife. I can attack Jiang Zuo Wang, and I can attack you people even more."

Feeling the chill that instantly came to his neck, these civil officials who were just full of excuses instantly changed their attitude.

Soon, the news that Jiang Chen was going to lead the expedition spread throughout the entire capital. After learning of Jiang Chen's decision, many people took to the streets to pray for Jiang Chen.

Jiang Zuo Wang, who was hiding in the mountains, naturally also learned of this news.

However, what Jiang Chen didn't expect was that even though he had decided to lead the expedition and the rear was empty, Jiang Zuo Wang still couldn't muster the courage to come out of the mountains.

"If we can seize the opportunity to take the capital first this time, then wouldn't we have the final say on the throne? Why do we have to look at Jiang Chen's face here?"

Perhaps dissatisfied with Jiang Zuo Wang's reaction, under Jiang Chen's instructions, some people couldn't help but start to instigate Jiang Zuo Wang to continue to take action.

But unexpectedly, Jiang Zuo Wang seemed extremely disdainful of this.

"What I want is to be able to defeat him in a fair and square manner. Even if I can achieve it by using such sneaky means, what meaning does that throne have for me?"

"Since he has chosen to lead the expedition, we will also follow directly behind him, but I want to create a world before him, so that those Xiongnu will be terrified when they hear my name, and completely spread my reputation."

When Jiang Zuo Wang's decision was conveyed to Jiang Chen, Jiang Chen felt a little surprised, but finally shook his head helplessly. Although those people he arranged under Jiang Zuo Wang were considered elites, on the battlefield, two fists are ultimately hard to beat four legs.

Ten thousand elites against one hundred thousand enemies, even if the blade is rolled, it will never cause too much damage to the opponent.

Jiang Chen sighed helplessly at this.

"Your Majesty, let your concubine accompany you. Your concubine has already shared the same heart with Your Majesty. If something happens to Your Majesty, your concubine will never live alone."

Shu Guifei couldn't help but burst into tears as she said this.

The historical records of previous imperial expeditions are very brief. No matter how much gorgeous rhetoric is used to embellish them, each time is a meat grinder-like battlefield.

Thinking that Jiang Chen was about to face such a terrible situation, Shu Guifei felt extremely unbearable in her heart.

Just when Shu Guifei was racking her brains, not knowing how to persuade Jiang Chen to give up such a dangerous idea?

Jiang Chen reached out and wiped away the tears on Shu Guifei's face.

"Don't worry too much, just help me guard the harem. I don't want a fire in the backyard while I'm fighting in the north and south."

"Once you are distracted and look ahead and behind on the battlefield, that is the real taboo for military strategists."

Although Jiang Chen tried his best to make his voice sound unusually relaxed, Shu Guifei cried even harder.

The next day, looking at Shu Guifei, who was still asleep with tears on her face, Jiang Chen sighed helplessly. After asking the eunuch to help him put on his armor, Jiang Chen left this place.

But as soon as Jiang Chen left, Shu Guifei slowly got up.

Looking at the direction where Jiang Chen was leaving, Shu Guifei felt like her heart was being cut.

"Your Majesty, don't worry, your concubine will definitely ensure that no one will let you look ahead and behind."

"But why are you unwilling to bring your concubine with you and let me share some of the pressure for you?"

Thinking of what Jiang Chen said last night, Shu Guifei's tears wet her clothes again.

When Jiang Chen appeared in front of many imperial guards wearing armor, a chilling aura spread throughout the entire palace.

Although those civil officials had previously made all kinds of excuses, they were all wearing armor at this moment and standing aside. Perhaps because their bodies were too weak, they seemed a little overwhelmed even wearing light armor.

"I know that many civil and military officials must have a lot of complaints about my decision."

"But this will be a critical moment for the survival of our dynasty. Now the Xiongnu have gathered nearly 500,000 troops, intending to go south. For them, this is a complete mobilization. Regardless of success or failure, they will never retreat."

"And behind us are our families and friends."