kingnovel Chapter 2119 Take the initiative to ask for help
Chapter 2119 Take the initiative to ask for help
The generals looked at Chu Ning, then at Feng Mulan, who was also frozen in place, and almost thought they had misheard!
Even Feng Mulan herself was startled and abruptly raised her head the moment she heard her name.
Those eyes, usually calm as autumn water and sharp as cold stars, were now filled with extreme astonishment and confusion.
She stared straight at Chu Ning, her red lips slightly parted, as if she wanted to say something, but she couldn't utter a single word.
Only the shocked expression on his face, as if to say, "Your Majesty, are you kidding me?", said it all.
Why would you appoint a concubine from the imperial harem, even if she were a female general renowned for her bravery, to serve as the rear commander-in-chief, a position so crucial to the victory or defeat of the nation and the lifeline of the entire army?
This...this is far too shocking and unprecedented!
After Chu Ning's earth-shattering appointment, the hall fell into a brief, extremely eerie silence.
No one, including Jia Yu who made the suggestion, expected His Majesty to make such an unexpected decision.
All eyes were fixed on Feng Mulan, filled with astonishment, confusion, and a complex mix of emotions.
After the initial shock, Feng Mulan's strikingly handsome face quickly revealed obvious displeasure and resistance.
Unlike the usual obedient concubines in the imperial harem, she straightened her back, met Chu Ning's gaze, and let out a clear, defiant snort:
"Humph!"
This cold snort was exceptionally clear in the silent hall, making many generals' hearts skip a beat.
Only this unconventional Imperial Noble Consort would dare to act this way in front of the Emperor.
Immediately afterwards, Feng Mulan's clear and firm voice rang out, showing no sign of backing down:
"Your Majesty! I am not only your Imperial Noble Consort, but also the Commander of the Vermilion Bird Legion!"
"In this southern expedition, our Vermilion Bird Legion of 60,000 soldiers fought a bloody battle at Zhennan Pass, achieving great feats, even at the cost of losing soldiers and generals!"
"Now that the army is about to march north to attack Tang, how can my Vermilion Bird Legion be absent from such a battle that will determine the fate of the world?"
"As the commander-in-chief, I should lead by example, sharing the joys and sorrows with my soldiers!"
"If I am left behind to guard the supplies, who will command the 60,000 Vermilion Bird Army soldiers? How will their morale be maintained? What will the soldiers think of me, Feng Mulan? What will they think of Your Majesty?!"
Her words were resounding, filled with a military officer's sense of honor and responsibility towards his troops.
In her view, this was not only depriving her of the opportunity to make personal contributions, but also negating her responsibilities as the commander of an army, and might even affect the morale of the Vermilion Bird Legion.
Chu Ning seemed to have anticipated Feng Mulan's opposition; his expression remained unchanged, and his tone was gentle yet carried an undeniable air of persuasion:
"Mulan, I understand your feelings."
"The merits of the Vermilion Bird Legion are etched in the hearts of me and my soldiers. However, it is precisely because you are both my beloved concubine and the commander of the legion that I need to consider your situation even more."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the generals below who had just been vying to volunteer for battle:
“All of you generals are the pillars of our great Chu, each with the ability to command troops and an urgent desire to make achievements.”
"This campaign into the Tang Dynasty is fraught with both danger and opportunity; it is the time for them to serve their country and demonstrate their bravery."
"As an Imperial Noble Consort, you are of noble status and have no need to compete with the generals for merit on the battlefield."
"Staying behind to oversee the overall situation and safeguard the army's lifeline is a merit no less significant and crucial than slaying generals on the battlefield."
"And it will better demonstrate your consideration for the overall situation... well, your leadership qualities. You can temporarily hand over the Vermilion Bird Legion to the deputy general and let it go on the expedition with the main army."
Chu Ning's words were clearly well-intentioned.
This not only highlights the special status of Consort Feng Mulan, but also implies that she should avoid suspicion or set an example.
He also emphasized the importance of his responsibilities in the rear, attempting to persuade her with the promise of great merit.
A compromise was also proposed—the Vermilion Bird Legion could participate in the war, but its commander would be changed.
However, Feng Mulan was clearly not buying it.
Her delicate brows furrowed, and the displeasure on her face did not ease at all. On the contrary, she became even more stubborn because Chu Ning mentioned her status as an Imperial Noble Consort.
She seemed to feel that His Majesty was using his status to pressure her and deny her value as a general.
"Your Majesty, I cannot agree with your words!"
Feng Mulan's voice rose a few decibels, filled with obvious emotion: "Merit has no distinction of rank, and duty has no distinction of nobility or baseness!"
"I command troops based on my martial arts and strategy, and the trust I share with my soldiers on the battlefield, not on my status as a Noble Consort!"
"The Vermilion Bird Legion is an army that I personally trained. Changing generals in the middle of battle is a major taboo in military strategy!"
"The soldiers are used to my command. How can they exert their full strength if they are suddenly replaced by a different commander?"
"This is not a matter of personal gain or loss for me alone, but concerns the lives of 60,000 soldiers and the success or failure of the battle! I must go!"
Her tone was resolute, even carrying a hint of defiance.
He was clearly extremely dissatisfied with Chu Ning's arrangement, and his eyes were even slightly red. He felt wronged by not being understood, but also insisted on his identity and responsibilities as a soldier.
The atmosphere inside the hall became somewhat tense for a moment.
On one side was the emperor's appointment and persuasion, and on the other side was the uncompromising insistence of the Imperial Noble Consort and Female General.
The generals looked at each other, none daring to interrupt at this moment.
Jia Yu stroked his beard and pondered, seemingly also considering how to resolve the situation.
Just then, a deep and aged voice broke the deadlock.
Feng Anguo, who had been silently observing, slowly walked out from the ranks of military officers.
He arrived at the foot of the steps, first bowing deeply to Chu Ning, then glancing at his stubborn daughter, a complex expression of helplessness and understanding on his face.
He faced Chu Ning, his voice loud and sincere: "Your Majesty, this old minister has something to say."
“Please speak freely, Minister Feng.” Chu Ning nodded.
Feng Anguo straightened his back and looked openly: "Your Majesty, the Imperial Noble Consort is concerned about the front line and misses her comrades. Her ambition is commendable and her feelings are pitiful. She also shows her loyalty and courage. This old minister is also moved by her."
"Indeed, what Your Majesty says is also very true. The safety of Zhennan Pass and the grain route is indeed the lifeline of the whole situation, and it needs to be guarded by a veteran general who is highly respected, experienced, and absolutely loyal."
He paused, took a deep breath, as if making a firm decision, and said loudly:
"Your Majesty's trust has granted me the position of Minister of War. I have also served on the frontier for a long time and have some experience in matters such as grain and fodder allocation, border defense arrangements, and emergency response."
"Moreover, this old minister has spent half his life in the military and has a small reputation. Perhaps he can keep order and coordinate with all parties."
He raised his head and looked at Chu Ning with a firm gaze: "Therefore, this old minister is willing to volunteer to stay and guard Zhennan Pass, and oversee the transportation of grain and the defense of the pass!"
"Your Majesty, please entrust this important task to this old minister! This old minister will do everything in his power to ensure that Your Majesty's army has a secure rear and unimpeded supply lines! Even if it means sacrificing his life, he will not hesitate!"