After stepping forward and bowing, Li Ji cleared his throat and said, "Your Majesty, this humble subject has a petition."
Li Chen raised a hand, signaling for him to continue.
They were brothers of the imperial clan and had indeed seen each other often in the past, though they had not met in recent years.
Li Chen was something of a homebody, while Li Ji did not dare stir up trouble. There really was no conflict between them.
The moment Li Chen saw Li Ji appear at the Imperial Court, he knew his brother must want something.
"In recent years, the Sasanian Dynasty has repeatedly cast covetous eyes upon our borderlands. Its ravenous ambitions threaten the very foundations of our dynasty. As the Prince of the West, this humble subject holds the nation's safety close to his heart. Thus, I boldly request permission to serve our country by marching against the Sasanian Dynasty, displaying our heavenly might and securing peace along our borders."
Li Ji delivered his speech with impassioned fervor, drawing the attention of everyone at court.
Everyone wondered what medicine he was selling in that gourd of his.
The Minister of War felt thoroughly aggrieved upon hearing it. Well, well! The Prince of the West is stealing my lines!
He had planned to make his presence felt before His Majesty, but now Li Ji had said everything for him.
Following Li Ji's request, many military officers also volunteered for battle, including Grand General Guo Poyun. For a time, calls to join the campaign rose one after another throughout the court.
Under normal circumstances, warfare required money, and Minister of Revenue Liu Minghan would certainly have been the first to object.
This time, he said nothing. After confiscating the Wang Family's assets, the treasury really did have money.
Besides,