Chapter 218: Chapter 217 DecisionHe Ying shared the same thought as Sang Yan, also believing that Qi Wuya, who had killed his father and brother, was a total scoundrel!


    Yet, on second thought, such a person, while holding Sang Yan hostage, had refused to harm her even slightly.


    His expression turned even uglier—the damned bastard had truly taken a liking to his Ah Yan!


    Detestable!


    Suppressing his murderous rage, he slammed the secret letter on the table and angrily said, "The Beiqi Crown Prince is unconscious, and it seems he will never wake up again. He’s already a cripple. Now that Qi Wuya is in power, it’s only a matter of time before he attacks Da He."


    Upon hearing the Emperor’s words, Gao Wenliang immediately knelt down and pledged his loyalty, "Emperor, this humble subject is willing to lead troops to Beiqi to support Marshal Rong!"


    Although Da He had returned three cities to Beiqi in the peace talks, Marshal Rong had continuously stationed troops at the border and even secretly operated near Beiqi.


    All of these were condoned by He Ying.


    Both parties knew that the peace talks were just a temporary measure!


    Thus, Gao Wenliang made this suggestion.


    True men naturally should lead troops, fight wars, and achieve great deeds.


    Considering his Gao Family, they were not from a civil servant origin; how could he contentedly remain a state official?


    Lu Zijin also knelt and said, "I am also willing to lead troops."


    Seeing both men say this, He Ying was quite satisfied.


    He admired courageous people and couldn’t help but nod and say, "War is inevitable."


    Perhaps he should have taken advantage of the political turmoil in Beiqi to launch an attack.


    But the war had just ended, and the peace had only been a month; should he be the first to break the treaty?


    "No!"


    Seeing He Ying’s thoughts, Sang Yan shook her head and said, "War, no!"


    As soon as she spoke, everyone in the room turned to look at her.


    Gao Wenliang and Lu Zijin both looked puzzled.


    He Ying was relatively calm, only tenderly looking at her and smilingly asked, "Ah Yan, why not?"


    Sang Yan pursed her lips and stated her views, "I think it’s not yet time for war. First, there is the treaty. Breaking it first means we have no justified cause. You know, if the name is not proper, the words will not carry; if the words do not carry, the deeds will not prosper. Second, Beiqi is not yet chaotic enough. If Da He rashly starts a war now, they will only unite as brothers and repel the foreign threat."


    "The Empress speaks wisely."


    Gao Wenliang nodded in praise, but then his tone shifted, "However, we should not miss this opportunity. Now that Beiqi is weak and in turmoil, it’s an excellent occasion to strike hard. If I may speak boldly, had it not been for the Emperor’s encounter with danger, Marshal Rong would not have halted, and we could have directly taken the Beiqi Imperial City."


    Lu Zijin agreed, "Empress, forgive my boldness, but I also feel Mr. Gao speaks sensibly. In the matter of conquering kings and defeated foes, the reputation is determined by whatever the victors say. The strong hold the authority to speak."


    Listening to their philosophy of the strong, Sang Yan paused for a moment before saying, "You seem to underestimate Qi Wuya too much. Think about He Hongzhao, and think three times before acting."


    He Hongzhao was a hidden danger.


    She might have already fled to Beiqi and become a strong supporter of Qi Wuya.


    A malicious medical officer with a dangerous mind, his destructive power was immense.


    Hearing this, Gao Wenliang was also startled: Yes, that He Hongzhao, should not be underestimated.


    "Then according to the Empress, what should be done?"


    Gao Wenliang humbly sought advice.


    Sang Yan lowered her eyes, remaining silent.


    Seeing this, He Ying encouraged, "Ah Yan, feel free to speak your mind."


    Encouraged by him, Sang Yan continued, "I always feel that if Qi Wuya dares to rise to power at this time, he must be prepared. If not heard, it is nothing; but when heard, it is startling. Having been dormant for so many years, he couldn’t possibly be as weak as he appeared in Puluo Country. Therefore, sending troops now, I fear, would play right into Qi Wuya’s hands. How can a ruler who isn’t firmly established quickly seize real power? War! How to win people’s hearts? War! War destroys everything, but also creates everything!"


    As she spoke, her tone was very calm, even slowing down.


    But each sentence, each word, was powerful and resonant.


    He Ying involuntarily thought of his own path to power.


    He was a beneficiary of war!


    Initially, he had quickly seized military power and won people’s hearts precisely through war.


    "Ah Yan never disappoints me."


    He Ying stroked her hair and laughed heartily, "Ah Yan is unequaled in her cleverness, there’s no one else like her in the world."


    Sang Yan: "..."


    There’s no need for such exaggeration.


    It’s just that she has read too much history.


    Lu Zijin was listening intently and hurriedly said, "I hope Her Ladyship will continue to enlighten us. If we cannot wage war, what should we do?"


    "You all—"


    He Ying sighed. He stopped short of saying "fools," also sparing them some dignity.


    Sang Yan continued, "The ancients said, ’He who has the Way receives much support, while he who loses the Way has little.’ The matter of Qi Wuya assassinating his brothers could be spread. A beast who murders his father and brothers, how can he sit securely in power? Of course, besides spreading this news, we must also be more vigilant. For instance, dispatch medical officers to the border and enhance medical research to protect the soldiers and people there from poison."


    She suggested two methods, both offensive and defensive.


    Lu Zijin was very admiring: "Her Ladyship is wise, truly a remarkable woman." Sёarch* The N??elFirё.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Sang Yan: "..."


    She felt awkward.


    She really wasn’t that impressive.


    Being praised too much made her feel uneasy.


    As she felt uneasy, she modestly reflected, "I am but a strategist on paper, how to implement these ideas should be discussed among yourselves."


    Exactly.


    What she suggested might not work well when applied in reality.


    Spreading negative news and waging a war of public opinion aren’t very effective if those in power don’t care.


    And medical development is hard to advance quickly.


    He Hongzhao remained a significant concern.


    Perhaps a violent onslaught could yield unexpected gains.


    Unhappened events, who knew?


    Gao Wenliang respectfully bowed and asked, "Emperor, please make a decision, should we fight, or should we heed Her Ladyship’s words?"


    He Ying didn’t speak, pondering.


    Both sides had valid points.


    How would he decide?


    He took out the Dahe Territory Map from a nearby bookshelf, spread it out, and examined it closely several times.


    Beiqi wasn’t always called Beiqi.


    It was once Da Qi.


    After ceding its land, it had migrated north, thus becoming Beiqi.


    But as Beiqi expanded northwards, it also conquered part of Mengka Country’s territory.


    Overall, Beiqi’s territory had expanded.


    Taking over this country wouldn’t be simple.


    Calm.


    Prudent.


    His fingers landed on the border line between Mengka Country and Beiqi Country, and he suddenly thought of something: Mengka is a bellicose equestrian nation. Beiqi has been fighting Mengka for years, so Beiqi must have a large contingent of troops there. When Dahe was causing Beiqi to retreat step by step, was Beiqi also in battle with Mengka? If so, then Beiqi would be caught between two enemies. And for Dahe... it might somewhat be fighting an unfair battle.


    So, perhaps he really underestimated Beiqi!


    "Let’s heed Her Ladyship’s advice."


    After pondering, He Ying picked up pen and paper and wrote a secret letter: 1. Quickly investigate the details of the conflict between Beiqi and Mengka, especially the timing. 2. Secretly protect other princes of Beiqi from the scourge of Qi Wuya, also support a few princes to rise. 3. Spread the news of Qi Wuya’s parricide and fratricide among the people. 4. Vigorously recruit medical officers and promote medical development.


    He wrote down four directives, stamped them with his imperial seal, folded them carefully, put them in a mechanical box, and handed them to Lu Zijin: "Deliver this secret letter to Marshal Rong quickly. He knows what to do."