CHAPTER 1087: CHAPTER 597: UNMASKING! I REQUEST ORDERS FROM THE THRONE!

"I, the Commander, ask you gentlemen, is this the outcome you desire? Do you truly believe that ceding territory and negotiating peace will resolve the situation? Is it beneficial to the grand scheme? No! You are leading Her Majesty into injustice, leading the court into unrighteousness, causing the public support accumulated by Her Majesty’s benevolent governance over three years to be utterly wasted!"

Zhao Douan, angered by their lack of vigor, swept his gaze over the faces of the Peace Negotiation Faction ministers: "Lose the negotiation, lose much. Lose the public support, lose everything."

With a cold and proud expression, he spat:

"How foolish!"

A dead silence!

Many officials turned red with embarrassment, feeling as though they wished to burrow into the ground.

Yet, some from the Peace Negotiation Faction, seeing the unfavorable situation, attempted to retaliate, speaking: "Commander Zhao, we understand your feelings. However, the Western Regions Buddhism has already united east and west, Xuan Yin has entered the Western Regions, and various countries are preparing to raise troops. When spring comes, if we cannot secure the borders, the court will face enemies from both sides. Even if we extinguish the two kings of Hejian and Yanshan, letting the Western Regions people take charge would only lead to greater suffering, wouldn’t it?"

"Indeed, Commander Zhao, it is not out of self-interest. If we don’t negotiate, what are we to do? In the south, you should know that Prince Jing is eyeing fiercely, and Prince Chen is also holding his ground... If we cannot swiftly achieve victory, what should we do if chaos erupts?"

Zhao Douan remained expressionless, meeting the questioning gazes of the officials.

After being scolded fiercely, many officials harbored a simmering anger: Negotiating peace is humiliating, fine, but why don’t you propose a solution?

"Have you all finished speaking?"

Zhao Douan coldly scanned the crowd, and seeing no one speak, he turned, looked once more at the Empress on the throne, and cupped his fists in salute:

"Your Majesty, I request a military order!"

"Since the ministers want an explanation, then I shall provide one!"

"Once the ice melts and snow recedes, I request to rush to the Huai River Eastern Front to lead troops to quell the rebellion, and I suggest Lord Xue be dispatched to stall the various countries of the Western Regions along Xiping Road!"

"Three months!"

"As long as I can stall the enemy for three months, I will ensure Prince Jing Xu Wen is slain! Once the Jiancheng Army he leads is defeated, the rebel leader will be lost, and then if Prince Chen or the Lingnan King cannot form a climate, our Yu Country united can naturally repel the minor Western Regions states!"

His voice, like a rolling thunder, swept across the Golden Throne Hall:

"If in three months the rebellion is not quelled, I will die to atone for my crime! At that time, if anyone still wants to negotiate peace, even wrapped in a horsehide shroud, I cannot stop it, how’s that?"

His voice echoed in the quiet hall.

Suddenly, Ma Yan stepped forward and saluted the Empress: "I am willing to vouch for Zhao Douan, and if it fails, to share the responsibility."

Grandmaster Dong laughed heartily, leaning on his cane, and said: "I, too, am willing to vouch for Commander Zhao; besides, my eldest grandson has also gone to the Xiping battlefield, what’s to fear if my entire Dong family perishes?"

Yuann Li sighed, cupped his hands, and said: "Your Majesty, I am also willing to vouch for Junior Guardian Zhao."

"Your Majesty, I..."

"I am willing to vouch..."

One by one, the main war faction ministers stepped forward, their voices of endorsement merging into a surging sound, growing increasingly thunderous.

Outside the Golden Throne Hall, the densely packed, silently standing armored imperial guards "clattered" down on one knee, saying in unison: "We are willing to vouch for Commander Zhao!"

Their voices roared like thunder, and even the tiles of the Imperial Palace seemed to shake!

Inside the hall, the Peace Negotiation Faction officials felt that the situation had turned against them, remaining silent and speechless.

Representatives of the Peace Negotiation Delegation, including Xu Wenyan and Xu Xueling, turned ashen.

Amidst the voices of plea.

The Empress of Great Yu, Xu Zhenguan, slowly stood, raising her hands, her ten fingers pressing down gently: "Be at ease, rise."

The Empress smiled and gracefully descended from the throne, her peerless face carrying a trace of amusement: "There is no need for you all to vouch."

After pausing, the Empress gazed at the uniformly raised faces, looking at her with bewilderment.

Her words were as immutable as gold and jade: "Husband and wife are one. If Mr. Zhao is defeated, I shall bear the responsibility with him. I will take the blame, to apologize to the world."

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Incorrect typographic errors will be rectified later