Chapter 1147: 28: The Demeanor of a Great Nation! (Part 2)

Capítulo 1147: Chapter 28: The Demeanor of a Great Nation! (Part 2)

No matter how strong two individuals are, without the cooperation of the grassroots army, it’s impossible to hold the entire Northern Border Defense Line.

After sitting in the room for a while, Li Fei stood up and left.

He was going to find Ye Ze’an!

….

Ye Mansion.

“Marquis, please.”

The Ye Mansion’s butler welcomed Li Fei through the main door, then led him through corridors and courtyards to the outside of a study.

Today, Ye Ze’an was not stationed at the Central Government but had taken leave to stay at home.

Li Fei walked into the study and saw the Grand Secretary, with graying temples, working at his desk, reviewing memorials.

He looked up at Li Fei, succinctly saying, “Please sit, and wait a moment.”

Then continued his work.

Li Fei sat in the study, waiting quietly.

More than ten minutes later, Ye Ze’an finished processing the memorials on the desk.

He stood up, changed seats, and sat opposite Li Fei:

“Does Marquis Jing’an have business with me?”

Li Fei observed the other’s rather tired expression and asked:

“Lord Chief Minister, you specifically took leave to be at home but continue to work. Why take leave then?”

Ye Ze’an said bluntly, “Just to hide away a bit.”

To hide away.

Looking at the court, that which could make this Grand Secretary need to specifically hide away was probably only the Emperor.

Li Fei paused and then asked:

“Then why would the Grand Secretary be willing to see me?”

If the other could avoid even the Emperor, naturally he would have ways to avoid seeing him, Marquis Jing’an.

Ye Ze’an took a sip from the teacup beside him and replied with a smile:

“Because I had intended to meet with you.”

“Oh?”

Li Fei looked at him, “The Grand Secretary also has something to say to me?”

“First, let’s hear what you have to say.”

Ye Ze’an put down the teacup.

Li Fei was direct and asked:

“This morning’s protest by the Imperial College students blocking the city gates, the Grand Secretary must be aware of it?”

Ye Ze’an nodded.

Li Fei leaned slightly forward, gazing into the other’s eyes:

“May I ask if this was at the Grand Secretary’s behest?”

Ye Ze’an shook his head, “I did not give any such directive.”

Li Fei believed the other was not lying, nor did he have a reason to.

“But your silence itself is a statement.”

Li Fei said.

“Indeed, because I am not in favor of deploying troops.”

Today, Ye Ze’an was also quite direct.

During the late Emperor’s reign, the power of the throne was only second to the time of the Grand Ancestor, because the late Emperor had the support of two Peak Strong Persons, Wenren Zheng, and Yun Shu.

Power is the foundation of authority!

Suppressing the Aristocratic Family, carrying out reform, campaigning against the Northern Barbarians, establishing the Blue Patrol Pavilion… None of these achievements could have been accomplished without strong imperial power.

And another key reason among these was the strong support of Grand Secretary Ye Ze’an for the late Emperor.

Though the monarch and minister balanced each other out, they collaborated even better.

And if this Grand Secretary no longer wished to cooperate with the Emperor, many things could not proceed smoothly.

So Li Fei directly sought him out.

“Does the Grand Secretary believe our chances of victory are not great?”

“No, I trust your abilities, and I have faith in Da Lan Dynasty’s potential. If we truly fight with all our might, we may not lose.”

Ye Ze’an gave an unexpected answer:

“But I do not wish for you to take this risk.”

“Ah?”

Li Fei was stunned.

Ye Ze’an looked at him: “I know that once war starts, you will surely go to the frontline to fight. I do not want to take that risk.”

“…”

“The reason the late Emperor valued you so much is that he placed the future hopes of Da Lan Dynasty on you. Li Fei, letting you go to battle is essentially gambling with the nation’s fortune!”

“…”

Li Fei did not expect Ye Ze’an to refuse deploying troops for this reason.

“You asked His Majesty to wait for you for three years, suggesting you are confident of breaking through to the peak within that time. If that is the case, I would rather Da Lan Dynasty wait three years before going to war.”

Ye Ze’an expressed his view.

Li Fei took a deep breath, looking at the Grand Secretary in front of him:

“But I do not want to wait for these three years!”

Negotiating peace would inevitably involve ceding territory and paying indemnities.

Many people’s destinies would be altered, and it is uncertain how much humiliation the Da Lan Dynasty would have to swallow to gain three years of peace!

“Lord Chief Minister, from the first day I stepped onto the path of cultivation, I told myself—I seek a life of joy and righteousness!”

“If I have to rely on others’ lives and sacrifices to achieve my growth, I will never find joy!”

“Hiding away in Lanling City cultivating for three years, or going out to fight life and death battles, fighting in blood and fire for three years, the latter provides a greater chance for my breakthrough!”

Li Fei’s gaze was resolute, meeting Ye Ze’an’s.

Ye Ze’an remained silent for a long while, then sighed:

“Have you considered that going to the Northern Territory, the Buddhists might very likely target you?”

It was apparent to all discerning individuals that Li Fei had tremendous potential and could very well become the next World’s Number One!

Therefore, would the enemies of Da Lan Dynasty idly watch Li Fei safely grow?

Once on the battlefield, even the Profound Heart True Monarch could not guarantee his safety, let alone Li Fei, who was below the peak?

The inherent risks of the battlefield, coupled with the possibility of being attacked by Peak Strong Persons.

This is the reason why Ye Ze’an did not want Li Fei to take the risk.

The risk was indeed too great!

Li Fei felt helpless.

He was indeed not a match for the Peak Strong Persons right now; even with the Myriad Blood Pearl, he couldn’t ensure his survival.

He wanted to take the risk, but Ye Ze’an did not wish to gamble the future of Da Lan Dynasty.

The two could not persuade each other.

….

December 16.

The Emperor did not retract the order, and Li Fei did not back down because of Ye Ze’an’s words.

Today, Li Fei and Xuan Chen would lead a hundred thousand Forbidden Army soldiers to war!

But before this, outside the Imperial City.

At the Taixuan Gate, where the Imperial College students protested en masse yesterday, the court was holding a ceremony for the oath-taking before deployment!

At five in the morning, a thin mist still lingered outside the Taixuan Gate.