OBS Chapter 188 The main event – the Grand Court Assembly!
Chapter 188 The main event – the Grand Court Assembly!
Jiang Yueli knew perfectly well where Qian Tao and the others' contempt for her came from!
Is it simply because she holds the title of Protector of the Nation but knows nothing about soldiers?
Of course not!
The prejudices held by the military generals were mostly because Jiang Yueli was a woman!
The eldest princess naturally understood the identity of the Blue-Faced War God, which could make Qian Tao and others immediately submit.
But she still wanted to use her female identity to gain the support of the military generals!
Others might not understand, but Zhou Wei, who was also a woman, could understand Jiang Yueli's thoughts at this moment.
The eldest princess always had confidence in herself.
Whether she is the Blue-Faced War Goddess or the Princess of the Great Zhou Dynasty, she can win over a military general like Qian Tao with her abilities.
As the saying goes, a woman can be a hero among men!
The eldest princess reached out to help Qian Tao up: "I know what General Qian said. However, what I said at the court meeting was true. The Crown Prince's command of 500,000 troops was indeed taken from my hands."
Qian Tao and the others looked troubled: "Your Highness, whether this matter is true or false is no longer important. What is important is that the Tiger Tally is now in the hands of the Crown Prince."
Zhou Wei then asked, "General Qian, does this mean that if the Crown Prince uses the tiger tally to mobilize troops in a rebellion, you will also obey his orders?"
Qian Tao knew that Zhou Wei was originally a palace maid in the princess's residence and might not know much about military affairs.
He patiently explained, "General Zhou, that's not how it works. The Crown Prince holds the Tiger Tally, making him the commander-in-chief of the army and giving him the authority to mobilize troops."
“The Crown Prince has many reasons for mobilizing troops. Even if it is a real rebellion, as long as he does not state it, we generals must obey his orders.”
"Especially now that the Imperial Noble Consort is overseeing the country, the capital is suffering severe disasters, and the Great Zhou is on the verge of collapse. If the Crown Prince mobilizes troops under the pretext of purging the court, what do you think we should do, or not?"
Zhou Wei seemed thoughtful, then asked, "What if I don't comply?"
Qian Tao smiled bitterly: "If we don't comply, then it's not the Crown Prince who is rebelling, but us who are rebelling."
"As soldiers, we must naturally obey military orders and follow the orders of the Tiger Tally. If we do not obey, no matter who eventually ascends the throne, those who disobey military orders will no longer be employed."
Zhou Wei understood now.
Obeying military orders and receiving orders from the tiger tally is a soldier's duty!
This is also the rule that all those in power agree on; otherwise, there would be no need for the Tiger Tally to exist.
Qian Tao's words made it clear that the Tiger Tally was indeed very important, but since the Crown Prince was holding onto it and refused to hand it over, even the Eldest Princess was powerless to do anything about it.
"Princess, how about I go to the East Palace and steal the tiger tally for you?"
Hearing this, Po also raised its paw and patted its chest.
It means that I, the bear, can also go. I am agile and can even steal honey, let alone that tiger's talisman.
Upon seeing this, the eldest princess chuckled and exclaimed how adorable the human and the beast were.
“Weiwei, there’s no need for this. Have you forgotten what Master once told me?”
The tiger tally is just an object; the person is what matters!
The eldest princess had no worries whatsoever about the crown prince's ability to fight back with his powerful army.
Some people, even if given the entire army of the world, will find it difficult to achieve great things!
"General Qian, I have spoken frankly today, and I am aware of your intentions."
"Obeying military orders is your duty as military officers, and I will not interfere..."
Hearing this, Qian Tao became a little anxious. If the eldest princess really wanted to seize the throne, then he had to be fully prepared.
Qian Tao even thought that Zhou Wei's suggestion to steal the tiger tally was excellent!
If the tiger tally can truly be stolen, once the seven-day period is up, the Imperial Noble Consort will depose the Crown Prince, and the Crown Prince will be powerless to reverse the situation.
"Your Highness, would you please reconsider what General Zhou said? Otherwise, if the Crown Prince mobilizes troops from the three major camps, we will not dare to disobey."
The eldest princess chuckled: "Since he's mobilizing troops, you'll all obey his orders!"
The military officers were puzzled by the princess's indifference, but seeing her insistence, Qian Tao and the others said no more.
However, the generals' uneasy expressions finally prompted Jiang Yueli to speak up and make some arrangements.
"You generals have shared life and death with me, and today you have expressed your feelings to me. Therefore, I do not wish to hide anything from you."
"I am ready. The grand court assembly in seven days will be the time to settle all matters!"
Upon hearing this, everyone felt a chill run down their spines.
There are three days left until the seven-day deadline.
The eldest princess meant that this grand court assembly was destined to be bloody and violent!
Many issues, such as the abolition of the heir apparent, the struggle for the throne, the disaster of snow disaster, the goddess saving the world, and the people's petition to the emperor, will take turns to appear in the court meeting.
The last court assembly was just an appetizer; this one is the real show that will change the landscape of the Great Zhou court.
Qian Tao and the others were breathing rapidly, their hearts pounding like drums!
Everyone knew that this wasn't fear, but rather excitement and anticipation.
They also wanted to see how this Princess Protector of the Nation would strategize and command the grand court assembly!
"Since Your Highness has already made up your mind, we will not say any more. There is still time before the Grand Court Assembly. If Your Highness has any orders, we will do our best to fulfill them even at the cost of our lives."
The eldest princess smiled and said, "There is indeed something I need the general's help with. I know that the general has a scout who is skilled in disguise. I would like to borrow him."
Qian Tao was greatly alarmed upon hearing this!
His scout was a trusted confidant, skilled in many arts, which even Feng Polu, a general so close to him, did not know.
How did the eldest princess find out?
However, this is not the time to think about this. Since the princess needs this scout, Qian Tao will do his best.
The next day, Jiang Yueli took Zhou Wei to find Ning He.
Ah Bao followed the two men furtively, trying to use a bamboo pole to shield himself.
Upon seeing this, Zhou Wei burst out laughing: "You're so big, do you think this little thing can block you?"
Abao dropped the bamboo and jumped to Zhou Wei's side, shaking the entire princess's mansion.
"No, you can't go out. We returned to the capital in the middle of the night yesterday, which startled the city gate guards. If you run out in broad daylight, wouldn't you frighten the people?"
"I'm going out with the princess on business. We'll be back in a bit. You stay here quietly and wait for me to come back so I can make you some milk."
Upon hearing the word "bowl of milk," Abao's mouth watered.
It had no idea how Zhou Wei had prepared it, but it tasted even better than honey!
While Abao was savoring the taste of the milk, Zhou Wei quickly pulled the princess away.
The two rode their little red pony to Ninghe's porridge stall. The princess asked with some concern, "Weiwei, is it alright to leave Abao alone?"
Zhou Wei said confidently, "What problems could there be? It's just a glutton; a bowl of milk and a watermelon are enough to bribe it."
"Didn't you see it didn't come out with us? This guy doesn't care about anything else when there's food."
The princess laughed when she heard this. Although A Bao was huge and had great fighting power, he was also very cute and cuddly, making people want to reach out and rub him.
Upon arriving at the princess's residence, Ziyu, Hongxiu, and the others were startled.
But when they discovered that Abao was intelligent, everyone couldn't help but come up and rub its ears, they loved it so much!
Abao watched the princess and Zhou Wei leave, but didn't chase after them. Instead, he rolled around and played happily in the snow in the courtyard.
Ziyu watched Abao play, her mouth practically stretched to her ears in a wide grin.
"Abao, you play here, I'll go cut you a watermelon!"
Abao nodded, buried his head in the snow and rubbed it until he looked like an old man with a white beard, appearing carefree.
But as soon as Ziyu left, it stopped playing, its little eyes darting around, its gaze fixed on the wall of the princess's residence.
Hmph, if you don't take me out, will I not go out on my own?
You think a little courtyard wall can stop this bear?
When Ziyu returned to the courtyard with the large watermelon, Abao was nowhere to be seen.
She turned around and found Abao's footprints on the courtyard wall, and immediately shouted in alarm.
"Oh no! Ah Bao climbed over the wall and ran away!"