Chapter 278 Lu Yihao’s wise choice
Lu Yihao looked around to make sure there was no one else, then whispered: "Your Highness the Princess, I recently heard that someone among the ministers wants the Crown Prince to return to the throne. I hope Your Highness the Princess will make preparations as soon as possible."
His words were like a bombshell, causing an uproar in Zhao Yingluo's heart.
Zhao Yingluo frowned slightly, thought for a moment and then said: "The prince is young and ignorant, how can he take on such a big responsibility? What are the intentions of these people?" There was a hint of displeasure and doubt in her voice.
Lu Yihao sighed and said: "Your Highness, the battle for the throne has been full of bloodshed since ancient times. Although the prince is young, there is a huge force behind him supporting him. These people are nothing more than I just want to use the prince’s hand to control the power of the government.”
Zhao Yingluo sneered and said, "These people are really wishful thinking! I will never let them succeed!" There was firmness and determination in her voice, as if she was fully prepared.
Lu Yihao looked at Zhao Yingluo's firm eyes and couldn't help but admire him secretly. He thought for a moment and then said: "Your Highness, I have something I don't know whether to say or not."
Zhao Yingluo looked at Lu Yihao's serious expression and knew in her heart that what he was going to say next must be extraordinary.
She nodded and said, "Ms. Lu, it doesn't matter if you say so."
Lu Yihao took a deep breath and said: "Your Royal Highness, the Song Dynasty is now in a troubled period. There are powerful enemies outside and treacherous ministers inside. For the sake of the country and the people of the Song Dynasty, I suggest that the Princess directly proclaims the emperor!"
The words of Left Prime Minister Lu Yihao seemed to open a door deep in Zhao Yingluo's heart.
She never dared to express her desire to become emperor easily, but she seemed to find some resonance in front of this veteran minister.
However, in this era, the prejudice against women becoming emperors is as heavy as a mountain. Zhao Yingluo knew that if she wanted to embark on that supreme path, she would have to endure more pressure and challenges than ordinary people.
She said calmly: "Mr. Lu, you know that I have not planned to become emperor for a long time. It's not that I don't have this idea in my heart, but I actually think that the time has not come. I want to use my great military exploits to suppress the conservative ruling and opposition forces and let the They have nothing to say."
When Lu Yihao heard this, a hint of admiration flashed in his eyes, and he said in a deep voice: "How could an old minister not know His Highness's concerns? However, Your Highness's talent and prestige have long been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people in the court. It is indeed difficult for a woman to become emperor, but if Your Highness, If you are interested, I am willing to do my best to pave the way for the princess."
Zhao Yingluo's face moved slightly. She stared at Lu Yihao and asked: "Prime Minister Lu, as a woman, don't you have any objection at all?"
Lu Yihao smiled, and he smiled calmly: "Your Highness, I have met countless people in my life, but a person as wise, powerful and outstanding as Your Highness is really rare. Your Highness's achievements have already surpassed many men, even compared to those of the early Tang Dynasty The Empress Wu is no less generous. What reason does the veteran have to object?"
A warm current surged through Zhao Yingluo's heart, and she felt unprecedented relief and determination.
She took a deep breath and said slowly: "Prime Minister Lu, there is no rush to proclaim the emperor. The most important thing at the moment is to solve the foreign troubles of the Song Dynasty. Only when the Song Dynasty is stable and prosperous can I consider the supreme position with peace of mind. "
Lu Yihao nodded in agreement. He thought for a moment and then asked, "How should we deal with those courtiers in the court who support the crown prince's ascension to the throne?"
When Zhao Yingluo heard this, a faint smile appeared on her lips.
She said softly: "Prime Minister Lu, don't worry. I have the responsibility of supervising the country and I have the power. Even if those courtiers intend to support the prince, what kind of trouble can they make? As long as I am in power, they will not dare to act rashly. ”
After Lu Yihao heard this, he was determined. He was well aware of Zhao Yingluo's methods and resourcefulness. With her sitting in the middle of the court, it would be difficult for those young people to succeed. He cupped his hands and said: "Your Highness is wise, and I admire you."
Wanyan Ningjie, the envoy of the Kingdom of Jin, is in the prosperous city of Kaifeng, but his mind is like a mirror, always paying attention to the developments in all directions.
When he learned that Wu Jie was leading a mighty army to Daxia, he was shocked and realized that this would be a contest that would affect the fate of the Jin Kingdom and the Song and Daxia Kingdoms.
He did not dare to slack off at all, and immediately sent a messenger to Yanjing to report the news at night, so that Emperor Wanyan Zonghan of the Jin Kingdom could make preparations in advance.
In the Yanjing Imperial Palace, Wanyan Zonghan was sitting on the dragon chair with an angry look on his face. He held the military intelligence report sent by Wanyan Ningjie tightly in his hand, and the paper rustled, as if telling his anger.
"Da Song, your hands are stretched too far!" Wanyan Zonghan said through gritted teeth, his voice full of majesty and anger.
The courtiers were silent and lowered their heads, not daring to look directly at the furious emperor. Wanyan Zonghan's eyes glanced around the court, and finally landed on Wanyan Zongfu.
"Zongfu, you are the think tank of our dynasty. In your opinion, how should we deal with this?" Wanyan Zonghan asked in a deep voice.
Wanyan Zongfu smiled slightly, walked out of the queue calmly, bowed and said: "Your Majesty, now that the leader of Tibet, Zhao Yongji, has good relations with our country, this is a good opportunity for us to show our skills. We should lend a helping hand to Zhao Yongji to contain the big army. Song’s actions.”
"Oh? How can I help?" Wanyan Zonghan raised his eyebrows, obviously interested in this suggestion.
Wanyan Zongfu continued: "Since the Song Dynasty did not hesitate to send a hundred thousand troops to help Daxia defend Zhao Yongji, then we will send troops to Daxia, and in the name of regaining the land of Hexi, the Song Dynasty's one hundred thousand troops will be exhausted. . In this way, the Song Dynasty will be trapped in a two-front war, and we can take the opportunity to consolidate our alliance with Tubo and achieve multiple goals with one stone."
When Wanyan Zonghan heard this, a glimmer of light flashed in his eyes. He slapped the armrest of the dragon chair and praised loudly: "Wonderful! This is a wonderful plan! The land in Hexi was originally allocated to them in order to win over Daxia. Now Daxia Since we have turned to the Song Dynasty, it is natural for us to take back the land in Hexi."
Above the court, a chorus of agreement suddenly sounded. Wanyan Zonghan nodded with satisfaction and said to Wanyan Zongfu: "Zongfu, I'll leave this matter to you. Be sure to select elite soldiers and strong generals to take back the land west of Hexi in one fell swoop!"
"Your Majesty, rest assured. I will definitely fulfill my mission!"
After receiving Wanyan Zonghan's order, Wanyan Zongfu did not act in a hurry. He is fully aware of the importance of this operation, so he must proceed with caution to ensure nothing goes wrong.
So, he summoned his generals and counselors to discuss a specific action plan.
In Yanjing's military mansion, everyone sat in front of a huge map. Wanyan Zongfu glanced at everyone present solemnly, and then slowly said: "Everyone, this operation is related to the future of our Jin country. We must succeed in one fell swoop and must not make any mistakes."
When the generals heard this, they all looked solemn. They knew that Wanyan Zongfu had always been steady, but being so serious this time showed the seriousness of the situation.
"In order to suppress the 100,000-strong army of the Song Dynasty," Wanyan Zongfu continued, "I decided to mobilize 200,000 troops, starting from Yanjing and heading towards Xiazhou. We must use lightning speed to give the Song army a Caught off guard."
When everyone heard this, they immediately started talking. An army of 200,000 was enough to crush the Wu-level army.
