Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 557: Sowing Discord

A few days later, the memorial from Nanyang County Princess arrived at the court.

The border army achieved a great victory, and once again, Nanyang County Princess donated one hundred thousand stone of military grain to support the border army. The Nanyang Army continued to escort the grain, leaving no burden on the court.

After Emperor Taihe read the memorial, he smiled at the secretaries and said, "With my cousin Shao Hua present, I can rest easy."

Wang Jin was the first to smile and agree, "The Commandery Princess cares for the people, contributing both grain and manpower to support the border army. Such magnanimity and spirit command our utmost respect."

Li Boyuan also smiled and said, "There are few I’ve admired in my life, but now I am wholeheartedly impressed by Nanyang County Princess."

Jiang Yi’s eyes flashed, perhaps intentionally or unintentionally, and he casually remarked with a smile, "Although the Nanyang Army is a stationed force, it is well-equipped with many soldiers and generals, making it an elite force. Its combat power even surpasses that of the border army!"

"I remember the Nanyang Army’s military roster lists five thousand men," Zheng Chen chimed in, "Previously, four thousand were deployed to transport grain, and now two thousand more Nanyang soldiers appear. Unlike other garrisons that have inflated rosters, the Nanyang Army is unique, having actual strength exceeding the roster numbers."

Such words were insidiously spoken.

Wang Jin frowned slightly and glanced at Zheng Chen, "Nanyang County Princess made significant contributions by donating grain, and the Nanyang Army bravely defeated enemies, achieving great merit in Si State. How is it then that in the words of Zheng Sheren, this all sounds tainted? If these words reach the Princess’s ears, wouldn’t they chill her heart? Who would dare to be loyal and dedicated to the court in the future?"

Zheng Chen glanced back and replied, "What I said was the truth. While Nanyang County Princess’s loyalty is unquestionable, it is also true that she secretly raises an army for self-weight."

He then solemnly bowed and said, "I know that the Emperor trusts the Princess, and I should not speak ill of her before the Emperor, as it seems like sowing discord. However, it is a major taboo for a Vassal King to raise an army for self-weight. As a Vassal King, Nanyang County Princess should adhere to the rules."

"Prince Gaoliang Mansion only has two hundred trusted aides, and Prince Wu’an, Prince Dongping, and Prince Huaiyang are far in the vassal territory, each with fewer than five hundred personal soldiers. Only the Nanyang County Princess commands a large number of trusted aides and has even brought the Nanyang Army under her command."

"If this continues, it might give rise to greater ambitions. For the sake of the Princess’s reputation and long-term consideration, I request the Emperor to thoroughly investigate Nanyang County’s military strength."

Jiang Yi smoothly took over the conversation, "Zheng Sheren is overly worried. No matter how capable cousin Shao Hua is, she is still a woman. She raises more soldiers for self-protection. Would a woman dare to lead a rebellion?"

After speaking, he laughed heartily, as if he had told a very amusing joke.

Li Boyuan noticed something amiss, thinking about how Zheng Chen and Jiang Yi suddenly became so close, with one following the other’s lead. This was clearly an attempt to cause trouble for Jiang Shaohua in the eyes of the Emperor!

This matter had nothing to do with him, so he chose to remain silent and watch the commotion.

Wang Jin’s brow tightened, and a trace of anger crossed his handsome face, "During the night raid on the Rouran army camp, the Nanyang Army lost over a thousand men. Nanyang County Princess, for the border army to continue winning, once again offered grain and manpower. Such sincere loyalty, yet you defame the Princess like this, it’s truly excessive! I, Wang Jin, am ashamed to be associated with you."

He then bowed to Emperor Taihe, "For the sake of justice and fairness, I ask the Emperor to decide."

Emperor Taihe first placated Wang Jin, "Wang Sheren, calm yourself and do not be angry. I am well aware of everything Shao Hua has done."

Then he looked towards Zheng Chen and Jiang Yi, "Aside from writing a memorial, Shao Hua also sent me a letter. She told me that those two thousand elite soldiers, flying the Nanyang Army’s banner, were actually the trusted aides of the Nanyang Prince Mansion."

"These elite trusted aides were left to her by the late Prince Nanyang. She has never hidden her army-raising matters from me. Even the matter of her dispatching the Tang Family to run grain businesses in the North was privately disclosed to me."

Zheng Chen: "..."

He was about to expose Nanyang County Princess’s use of grain shops in the North to build influence. Luckily, he hadn’t said it, or he would have been a presumptuous snitch.

"Cousin Shao Hua has a pure heart, solely devoted to the court and the people," Emperor Taihe said slowly, "I allow her to raise soldiers because I know of her loyalty. I can trust General Fan with the army, trust General Bao with the Imperial Army, and trust Generals Liu, Song, and Sima with the army, so why can’t I trust cousin Shao Hua?"

Jiang Yi: "..."

If that’s the case, why not also trust your cousin and let me raise soldiers for self-weight as well?

It all boiled down to the fact that Jiang Shaohua was a woman and posed no threat to his throne. If Jiang Shaohua were a man, he would have already been kept in the Capital City.

Jiang Yi’s heart was filled with complaints, but he laughed, "The Emperor has a generous heart, which makes both me and Zheng Sheren seem like troublemaking villains."

Zheng Chen came to his senses and bowed to apologize, "I spoke out of turn and ask the Emperor to punish me."

Emperor Taihe, casual with his childhood reading companions, said with a smile, "You also spoke with loyalty, thinking for me, how could I blame you? But in the future, don’t speak such words again. If they reach cousin Shao Hua and annoy her, causing her to beat you, you’d have to take leave to recuperate."

Zheng Chen’s expression was somewhat stiff, and he forced a laugh.

Everyone burst into laughter.

Wang Jin watched the scene with satisfaction, privately intending to write a letter to inform the Commandery Princess of Zheng Chen’s attempts to sow discord.

...

Zheng Chen’s petty behind-the-scenes actions were all well known to Jiang Shaohua.

In the past, it might have caused her the pain of betrayal. Now, having cut ties with the past, when she looked at Zheng Chen, she saw nothing more than an ambitious, power-hungry, and despicable character.

She, Jiang Shaohua, would not be saddened by such a man!

He, Zheng Chen, was not worthy at all!

The one hundred thousand stone of military grain from Nanyang County was already en route to Si State. The two thousand elite soldiers from the Personal Guard Camp, each with two horses, were openly and grandly heading to Si State. Along the way, numerous officials from passing states and counties came out to greet them.

The Red Flood Dragon Banner of Nanyang Prince Mansion fluttered in the northern states and counties, just like the reputation of Nanyang County Princess.

Over the next month, battle reports from the border army frequently arrived.

Most of the grain supplies in the Rouran army camp were burned, and in the chaotic battle that night, the Rouran cavalry suffered heavy losses, losing eight to nine thousand elite soldiers.

The Khan, Fu Mingdun, who had been leading the Rouran cavalry in raids, was furious and returned to his camp with the plundered grain and slaves. After regrouping, he launched another full-scale attack on the city.

The border army had achieved a great victory, and morale was high. The defenders, well-prepared and holding the high ground, used the towering city walls as an impregnable shield. Therefore, the relentless attacks from the Rouran were all repelled by the border army.

The reinforcements led by General Song, after traveling for over a month, finally arrived at Si State.

Eager to earn merits, General Song allowed the soldiers a brief rest and reorganization for two days before launching an attack on the Rouran camp.

However, who would have thought that a frontal confrontation would result in a big defeat?