kingnovel Chapter 2118 Handed over to the Imperial Noble Consort
Chapter 2118 Handed over to the Imperial Noble Consort
The generals had different reasons, but their core demands were surprisingly consistent.
If we can really launch a major invasion of the Tang Dynasty this time, it will be an epic war that could determine the fate of the world!
The destruction of the Tang Dynasty and the unification of the Central Plains was an immense achievement, worthy of being recorded in history!
Faced with such a historic opportunity, which ambitious and capable general would be willing to stay in the rear and guard the supply lines?
To watch helplessly as one's comrades seize the greatest glory? That's worse than losing a battle!
Looking at the generals scrambling to leave, unwilling to stay, Jia Yu wore a wry smile, as if he had expected this situation.
The real challenge has now been presented to Chu Ning.
Who should we keep?
Who is willing to stay?
Who should be left behind to ensure absolute stability in the rear, without causing resentment among the generals and affecting morale?
The atmosphere inside the hall instantly shifted from discussing strategy to a subtle competition for credit and a contest for leadership.
All eyes were once again focused on Chu Ning, who sat on the throne.
He listened as his top generals, one after another, eagerly and with compelling reasons, declared their unwillingness to stay.
Chu Ning was not displeased at all; on the contrary, he showed a smile of understanding and even approval.
He nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the faces of Zhao Yu, Guan Yun, Ran Ming, and Xue Huaide, each filled with fighting spirit and longing.
"Hahahaha!"
Chu Ning let out a hearty laugh, breaking the slightly tense atmosphere in the hall caused by the competition for credit.
"Excellent! Excellent! My generals are all fierce tigers and dragons, full of ambition! These are the pillars of my Great Chu!"
He put away his smile, and his tone became serious and encouraging: "What you, my dear ministers, have said is absolutely right!"
"If we can truly march north this time, strike straight at the heart of the enemy, and engage in this final battle with the Tang Dynasty that will determine the fate of the world, I would feel as if I had lost an arm without any one of you!"
"General Zhao's white horse cavalry, General Guan's Green Dragon Crescent Blade, General Ran's invincible Mo Dao, and General Xue and his son's Fangtian Halberd are all powerful weapons for our army to defeat the enemy and conquer cities!"
"I also need you on the front lines to slay generals and capture flags for me, thus upholding the prestige of our nation!"
This affirmation and praise greatly boosted Zhao Yu and the others' spirits. They stood taller, their eyes shining even brighter, as if they could already see themselves galloping freely across the Tang Dynasty's territory.
However, Chu Ning abruptly changed his tone, becoming deep and serious, as if pouring a bucket of ice water onto a red-hot iron: "But!"
This single "but" made everyone's hearts leap into their throats.
"Generals, you must also understand that Zhennan Pass is not just a pass behind us."
"It is the only lifeline for our hundreds of thousands of troops, the throat connecting the heart of the empire with the front lines!"
"The grain, fodder, and weapons stockpiled here are the lifeblood of our army's expedition! Every grain route from here to the Tang Dynasty is the lifeline upon which our army depends for survival!"
Chu Ning stood up, walked to the map, and heavily traced the location of Zhennan Pass with his finger, his voice carrying an undeniable force:
"If this place is lost and the supply lines are cut off, even with a million strong army in front of us, we will become like a tree without roots or a fish without water, collapsing without a fight!"
"At that time, let alone destroying the Tang Dynasty and unifying the Central Plains, even the prospect of escaping unscathed would be as difficult as ascending to heaven!"
"This task is of paramount importance, concerning the life and death of the entire army and the success or failure of the national war. Its importance is no less than that of beheading generals and capturing flags on the battlefield, and may even be greater!"
He turned around, his gaze sharp, sweeping over the generals who had just been vying to volunteer for battle:
"I need someone I can completely trust, someone who can keep this place in order, someone who can coordinate civil and military affairs, someone who can handle any unexpected events, and someone who is absolutely loyal and reliable, to take on this important task!"
"This person must have sufficient prestige and ability to gain the trust of the soldiers stationed here, to gain the cooperation of officials from all sides, and to prevent any possible evil spirits from acting rashly!"
With each word Chu Ning spoke, the hearts of the generals sank a little lower.
The more I listened, the more nervous and uneasy I became.
They exchanged glances, both seeing unease in each other's eyes.
Your Majesty is absolutely right; the responsibility of staying behind to guard this post is indeed too heavy!
They had previously only thought about the achievements on the front lines and had somewhat underestimated the importance of this.
Now that His Majesty has pointed it out, and considering the matter concerning the survival of the entire army, who dares to confidently say that they can take on the responsibility without any mistakes?
But similarly, who would willingly be entrusted with this heavy responsibility, which offers no chance for the greatest achievements on the front lines?
The impatient Ran Ming was the first to lose his temper. Fearing that His Majesty would call his name, he quickly stepped forward again and almost shouted:
"Your Majesty! Guarding the pass and protecting the grain is certainly important, but... but this humble general is just a rough man."
"I excel at charging into battle and slaying enemy generals, but I'm really not good at sitting in the central command and coordinating supplies!"
"If anything goes wrong and delays His Majesty's important affairs, I will be eternally ashamed!"
"Your Majesty, please let this humble general go to the front and behead them! This humble general guarantees to cut off the heads of Li Jingye and Guo Ziyi and present them to Your Majesty!"
His almost shameless self-disclosure of his shortcomings and his renewed request to fight drew sidelong glances from several generals nearby, but they also tacitly understood his anxiety.
"Your Majesty, I am also willing to be the vanguard!"
"The last general invites you to fight!"
The others also spoke up again, trying to emphasize that they were more suited to the front lines.
Looking at the generals' hesitant yet eager-to-reward demeanor, Chu Ning revealed a profound and enigmatic smile.
He slowly raised his hand and pressed it down.
The hall fell silent instantly. Everyone held their breath, waiting for the name that might determine their fate in this campaign to be uttered by His Majesty.
Who is it?
The composed and steady General Feng Anguo?
However, he was already quite old, and as the Minister of War, he probably had a more comprehensive set of responsibilities.
Is that Zhao Yu?
Although he was brave, it seemed unsuitable for a cavalry general to guard the pass.
Guan Yun?
Xue Huaide?
Everyone was calculating rapidly in their minds, both afraid of being called on and anxiously waiting for the result.
In this suffocating silence.
Chu Ning's gaze passed over all the eagerly awaiting generals and landed beside the throne.
That figure who stood quietly, dressed in a smart outfit, exuding a heroic aura—Imperial Noble Consort Feng Mulan.
A gentle yet firm smile curved his lips, and his voice carried clearly throughout the hall:
"After much deliberation, I have decided that this mission is crucial: to guard Zhennan Pass, oversee the transport of grain and supplies, and ensure the rear of the army..."
He paused briefly, and under the astonished gazes of everyone, slowly said, "It will be entrusted to—the Imperial Noble Consort, Feng Mulan!"
"what?!"
"My Lady Concubine?!"
"This……"
When these words were spoken, everyone in the hall was shocked!
All the generals, including Feng Anguo, stared in disbelief, their eyes wide.
No one expected this answer.