On the surface, except for the shortage of soldiers, the Great Zhou is fully prepared in all other aspects.
Before Murong Jie went on the expedition, he verified the silver in the national treasury and arranged for military supplies. Zi'an was still responsible for controlling the expenses in the palace and tried his best not to increase the pressure on the national treasury.
And at this time, Concubine Yi took the lead in asking the concubines in the harem to donate gold, silver and jewelry, and sell them to pay for military expenses.
This was surprising, but no one delved into her motives behind it, because the court really needed the money, the more the better.
Of course, the motive is not difficult to understand. She is the biological mother of the Seventh Prince. If she is praised, it means that the Seventh Prince is praised, and he will have a better chance of winning the throne.
On the second day of the second month, the dragon raises its head.
When Murong Jie led his army to the battle, Zi'an got up early and put on armor for him.
Looking at him who was so mighty, Zi'an felt both proud and sad. She married a regent, so she had to help him to stabilize the government; she married a general, so she had to sharpen his sword and let him kill the enemy in the battlefield.
She only hoped that he would be a farmer in the future, and she would only need to fetch water for him and work the fields with him.
Murong Jie didn't allow her to see him off and held her in his arms for a long time.
Zi'an didn't dare to cry. Even if a heavy rain fell in her heart, she didn't dare to cry because it was unlucky.
Zi'an poured a glass of wine himself and looked at him. "Since you won't let me see you out of the city gate, I will toast to the Marshal here and wish him a successful victory and a triumphant return soon."
He stared at her, his blood boiling in his heart, and held her hand, and the wine glass at the same time, "Princess, wait for the king to come back."
He took the wine, drank it in one gulp, threw the cup to the ground, shattering it, then looked at her deeply, rolled up his battle robe and walked out, resolute and decisive.
Zi'an looked at his back, tears welling up in her eyes. She raised her head, slowly sat down, took a few deep breaths, and tried to calm herself down.
"Princess, have a drink of water!" Xiaosun couldn't hide her tears and stepped forward to pour a cup of tea for Zi'an.
Zi'an held the tea, the tea was warm, but it couldn't warm her heart. She sighed softly, "I miss you so much right after we parted."
I was used to having him around and his scent, and suddenly he was thousands of miles away. I couldn't calm down at all.
"Where is the princess?" Zi'an asked.
"The princess has gone to send the troops." Boss Dao came in, looking a little dejected.
"What's wrong with you?" Zi'an asked.
Boss Dao sat down on the threshold and drew out his sword, "Princess, I want to join the army. I want to kill the enemy."
"Ah?" Zi'an didn't expect that he had such ambition. This kid just wanted to have enough food to eat before.
"These past few days, I've been walking around Beijing and heard a lot of people say they want to join the army and go to war. I also want to defend my country."
He began to think about his life, which was a rare thing because he had a dull head. But he suddenly came to his senses. The wave of military service in Beijing first brainwashed him.
He felt that there was another way to live life, or another way to die.
He longed for such a vigorous life.
"Xiaodao, war is not fun. War is the cruelest thing in the world." Zi'an said earnestly.
"I know. I don't want to play. I have a lot of strength. I know how to kill people. I don't want to waste my strength."
Zi'an was both amused and confused, "You don't want to waste your energy on killing people?"
"It's to kill the enemy!" Dao Lao Da corrected, "It's to defend our country and prevent foreign enemies from bullying the people of our Great Zhou!"
Zi'an looked at him and saw a determined light in his eyes. She knew he was serious and he really wanted to go into battle and kill the enemy to defend his country.
Zi'an's heart suddenly became excited. Even Xiaodao knew that every citizen has a share of responsibility for the rise and fall of a country, and the Great Zhou would not lose.
"Okay, if you want to join the army, I will recommend you to the military camp for training when the prince returns triumphantly."
"I want to go now."
"Who will protect the princess when you go?" Xiaosun's eyes widened. "Why are you so ignorant? You have never been to a military camp and have not received any training. How can you go into battle and kill the enemy? Do you think you can just chop with a big knife? What if you kill one of your own people by mistake? There are so many people on the battlefield, it is difficult to distinguish between enemies and friends, and you are confused. You can't act rashly, you have to think carefully. Protecting the princess is your duty. If you eat the bowl of guard, you have to do your job well. You want to kill the enemy and go to the battlefield. Do you think that only the prince's side is the battlefield? It is more dangerous here than the battlefield at any time."
Zi'an was really amazed this time. The people around her had grown up. Even the girl Xiaosun knew how to speak such profound truths.
She held their hands and said, "Listen to me, whether in the palace or on the battlefield, we are all doing meaningful things. You are not wasting your life and energy in vain. There will be a place for you to be useful. Just wait."
After listening to Xiaosun's words and Zi'an's, Dao Lao Da's excitement slowly calmed down. He said with shame: "Princess, I am too ignorant."
"No, you are very sensible. I am really happy to see that you have all grown up." Zi'an said.
"Empress Yi is here!"
A loud shout came from outside the door. Zi'an let go of the two people and frowned slightly, "This guy hasn't even gone far yet, and he's here to cause trouble?"
"If the princess doesn't want to see him, I will go and stop him." Boss Dao stepped forward immediately.
Zi'an said, "No need, let her in. If you can't hide, you'll have to face it."
She has never been an ostrich. Murong Jie's expedition did not discourage her. On the contrary, she would always remind herself not to let Murong Jie fight alone.
She was here, accompanying him through all the hardships.
Concubine Yi came in with two palace maids. She was wearing a snow-white fox fur cloak with gold edges today. She put her hands in the warm water and walked in leisurely and easily.
"Empress Yi!" Zi'an bowed and welcomed her in.
"I know that the prince has gone to the battlefield, so I came here specially to comfort you." Concubine Yi was smiling brightly. After coming in, she took off her fox fur cloak and handed it directly to Zi'an, asking him to hold it for her.
Zi'an didn't answer, but looked at her indifferently.
"Take it. You don't understand anything." Concubine Yi said unhappily and threw the cloak directly on her.
Zi'an smiled slowly, took a step back, and the cloak slipped from her shoulders and fell to the ground. Zi'an walked over and stepped on the fox fur, leaving a yellow footprint.
Concubine Yi looked back at her and smiled darkly, "Xia Zian, do you know your identity?"
"What does Concubine Yi want to say?" Zi'an sat down, neither humble nor arrogant.
"I want to tell you that although you are the Regent Princess, there is a Regent Princess only when there is a Regent. Without the Regent, you are nothing, just a waste." Concubine Yi suddenly said viciously.
"Thank you for your advice." Zi'an sneered, "If you just want to say a few words of nonsense, just leave after you're done."
"You really don't have the right to drive me away. In the palace, I have the final say now." Concubine Yi smiled maliciously, "I am here to inform you to move back to the palace. There is no place for you here."
(End of this chapter)