The Challenge of a Farmhouse Son-in-Law-Chapter 1043 - 1037 Understood

"This..." The Duke’s expression changed repeatedly, and he looked troubled.

The Emperor said, "It stands to reason that since the Northwestern Desert is closest to Beiping and Beijing, if the deployment of troops were to happen, it would certainly be from the nearest to the farthest. I have already arranged it this way, which has put Lingnan and Dongzhou at a disadvantage. If the Duke has reservations... You may want to go back and think about the consequences."

The Emperor’s tone remained calm throughout until at the end, when it carried a palpable chill.

The Empress looked anxiously at the Duke, thinking, "The Emperor has already made himself very clear; if he doesn’t agree now, it would definitely provoke him. If he gets provoked and passes the throne to Jin Zijin, then real trouble would ensue."

"Grandfather, what the Emperor said is reasonable," the Empress said softly.

With this, the Empress even managed to elicit a gentle smile from the Emperor.

She only hoped that the Emperor, considering the many years of support from the Ducal Residence, would carefully weigh the pros and cons before deciding to pass on the throne.

The Duke, after much deliberation, thought, if I disagree, wouldn’t the biggest losers be the Emperor and the Ducal Residence if chaos breaks out in Xining at the end?

Replacements for the Emperor could come and go; Lingnan would remain Lingnan, and Dongzhou would stay Dongzhou while only the Emperor and the Ducal Residence would be replaced.

After assessing the pros and cons, he said, "In that case, if Lingnan and Dongzhou each contribute 50,000 soldiers, I shall indeed find a way to assemble 50,000 elite troops from my son. However, when soldiers from different regions each act on their own authority, who will lead as the General?"

"First, let the soldiers head to Xining. As for the General, the ablest will take the position."

...

With Beiping sorted, Lingnan had Yue Rujing along with Jin Zijin’s handwritten letter on the way, so there should be no significant issue at the Marquess’s end.

Currently, the greatest difficulty lies in Dongzhou.

The evening breeze was gentle, and like Jin Zijin, Gu Youyou was studying military strategies.

Someone reported that Huo Li of Xuanzong had come to visit.

Gu Youyou, surprised, turned to Jin Zijin, "Why is Huo Li here so late?"

Jin Zijin’s lips curled into a slight smile, put down his military book and whispered, "Good news!"

Gu Youyou sneered, "What good can come in the dead of night? At this hour, it’s either conspiracy or theft!"

Listening to approaching footsteps, Gu Youyou set down her book and slipped behind the screen.

She did not want to see Huo Li; it was better to avoid him.

Besides, no woman belonging to a household in this era would meet a man from outside late at night.

Huo Li, dressed in black, emerged from the darkness, with the servant holding a lamp that could not illuminate his dark figure.

Jin Zijin brightened the lamp in the study more and brewed a pot of tea.

"Please sit!" he said to Huo Li, then personally poured a cup of tea for him.

This night was likely to be sleepless; drinking more tea would help to stay alert.

"Hmm!" murmured Huo Li, nodding lightly. He then thanked Jin Zijin with a salutary fist then sat down.

"Have you figured it out?" Jin Zijin sat down opposite him, sipping his tea lightly.

"Heh..." Huo Li laughed bitterly, his face expressing immense bitterness. He said, "He has always been the person I trust the most, and I’ve always followed his word, striving to execute his orders perfectly and strictly disciplining my subordinates – all for the sake of Xuanzong. I don’t understand, why did he do this? He may seek immortality, but why does he treat me kindly on one hand while guarding against me on the other?"

"Isn’t that normal? A student grows to outshine the master, yet the master doesn’t aim to die," Jin Zijin replied lightly.

Huo Li discomfortedly picked up the teacup and downed it in one gulp.

Who to blame? Only that he followed a perverse master.