Chapter 1286: Chapter 1122: Good News from the Front

Another small general dressed in black armor also came over, asking if they should retreat even before General Luo Busang could be found?

"Since the avalanche was caused by the enemy, do you think they have no countermeasures? It’s likely that the opponent hasn’t lost a single soldier, and the only losses are ours!"

Gu Wanqian was not optimistic about this matter; Little Uncle never did anything without assurance. Especially with something planned in advance, Little Uncle would minimize the risk to the lowest possible.

If even the Dayan army would have casualties, Little Uncle would never have done this.

Gu Chengyu stationed the army twenty miles away from the battlefield, and Ming Yan carefully placed the heads, as this was their lord’s achievement in battle.

"My lord, this time Daxing’s soldiers must have suffered significant casualties. After such a blow to their strength, they might not invade again anytime soon."

Ming Yan was full of joy, as their lord had been promoted two ranks, which would inevitably result in court gossip. With such outstanding military achievements, let’s see what those people have to say now.

"At most, less than half, about twenty thousand. We can’t be too optimistic. Over the years, Daxing has been strong, with no shortage of soldiers, maybe more than twenty thousand, which wouldn’t be a severe blow to Daxing."

Gu Chengyu couldn’t help but pour cold water, knowing that although Daxing’s territory was two-thirds smaller than Dayan, their number of soldiers was far behind Dayan.

But because of the survival environment, Daxing’s soldiers are very combative, way more passionate in war than Dayan’s soldiers, with a spirit that doesn’t give in easily.

And they are more agile than Dayan’s soldiers, and most of them are more robust than Dayan’s soldiers.

"I have a question, my lord, why not pursue victory?" Ming Yan was puzzled. With so many troops on their side and the opponent already having more than half casualties, why not continue the attack and leave none of them behind?

"We can’t guarantee another avalanche won’t happen. It’s exceedingly dangerous to cross over after an avalanche. Similarly, we can’t go over, and neither can they. For now, it’s a temporary stalemate! In truth, it’s not the perfect time for war; it’s only because Daxing challenged us that we had to respond. Besides, Daxing’s resources are rather scarce now, and for their livelihood, they will fight desperately."

Gu Chengyu sighed. If the border had an open market, perhaps there could be a few years of peace.

With a mutual market, everyone gets what they need, and with good management, most Daxing people wouldn’t want to cause trouble. If we had annexed Daxing before they rose in power, making them a tributary state of Dayan, all these troubles wouldn’t exist now.

Unfortunately, it was left unchecked before, and now they have grown strong, wanting to use force to suppress them, Dayan might be overwhelmed.

"When should we return to the city? I’m afraid Prince Gong might take advantage of the chaos, and won’t the court blame you then, my lord?" Ming Yan was worried. If they didn’t go back, and Prince Gong acted in the chaos, their lord couldn’t reach him!

Gu Chengyu pondered for a moment. Indeed! If Prince Gong weren’t resolved, could the Emperor summon him back to the Capital?

Thinking of having sent Ming Mo to investigate Yumen Pass’s main general Ren Xiuguang, Gu Chengyu was once again headached, with the matter of his senior brother still unresolved.

...

"Emperor, the good news from the border has arrived!" Pang Chu came in with a look of joy, just stepping into the inner hall, and happily reported to the Emperor lying on the dragon bed.

"Oh? Was it a victory?" The Emperor leaned back against the headrest, also breaking into a slight smile.

"Yes! Emperor, you should look, it’s absolutely a great surprise!" Pang Chu had inquired from the soldier delivering the good news, stating firmly it was tremendously good news.

The Emperor had been sluggish for several days due to the poison; today, he could finally be happy.

The Emperor immediately took it, his smiles widening with every glance. He patted the bedding repeatedly, exclaiming, "Good! Good! I indeed did not misjudge him!"

"Without losing a single soldier, they annihilated twenty thousand enemy troops, simply unheard of. I said so! Sending him to the border was indeed wise; fortunately, my foresight led to promoting his rank. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have worked so hard for the court!"

"He is a court official; if he does not work for the court, not for the royal child, then what’s his use?"

Suddenly, a hoarse female voice resounded, and the smile on the Emperor’s face disappeared instantly.

"Mother comes?"

"Dundun, you look much better today!" The Empress Dowager’s gaze swept once over the Emperor’s face, seeing that his complexion was much improved than before, feeling comforted.

"Mother, I have told you, don’t show such an attitude towards Gu Chengyu in the future. This victory at the border is all due to him. Please be more courteous to him in the future, as he is a meritorious person."

The Empress Dowager once again showed disdain toward Gu Chengyu, causing some displeasure to the Emperor. He couldn’t understand why the Empress Dowager found Gu Chengyu so disagreeable? Was it only because his father, before dying, only summoned Gu Chengyu for his last words?

"Dundun, you said the victory at the border was solely Gu Chengyu’s merit? Where do you place the contributions of the other soldiers at the border?"

The Empress Dowager thought the Emperor was relying too much on Gu Chengyu, which was not a good thing.

"Please have a look, Mother!" The Emperor handed the report to the Empress Dowager, who took it with curiosity. She had also just heard the border’s victory news and came hurriedly, without having caught up on the details yet.

After a quarter of an hour, the Empress Dowager finally spoke, "This certainly is a joyous event to be proclaimed to the whole world!"

"It naturally must be. Recently, due to the National Mourning, the atmosphere in the Capital has been somewhat gloomy. Having just ascended the throne, proclaiming this to the whole world would also help establish my prestige among the people!"

There was no avoidance from the Emperor regarding this thought. Just having ascended the throne, previously, Prince Gong rebelled, causing the Imperial Family to be a subject of public debate. The new Emperor received plenty of criticism. While no one openly discredited him, the court was already filled with gossip.

His reputation among the people wasn’t strong, and this was a good opportunity.

"Dundun! Since your strength has returned, you should attend court tomorrow! The Empress Dowager worries that your continued absence will fuel more court gossip."

Although the Empress Dowager felt concern for the Emperor, long days without attending court were already leading to unsavory speculation. If these rumors reached the workshop and spread among the people, it would worsen the current challenges for Dayan.

"I have the same plan!" The Emperor clutched his still somewhat stuffy chest, recalling that roughly a fortnight had passed since his last court appearance. Shen Shikang had passed along court gossip previously.

Some officials claimed he had an incurable disease, while others said he was lost in pleasures. The rumors grew more outlandish by the day, and unless he showed his face, who knows what stories they might conjure next.

"Bear it a little longer, once you have the antidote, you won’t have to suffer like this again!" The Empress Dowager sighed softly, angered to the core by the very thought of those princes, wishing to devour them.

"Mother, can we truly get the antidote?" In recent days, the Emperor often questioned anxiously, suddenly growing unsure of acquiring the antidote.

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