In the imperial court.
Once the Six Ministries had finished asking for silver, the military officials spoke up.
The words "Northern Expedition" instantly cast a heavy pall over the court.
The speaker was a marquis, the Marquis of Quzhou.
He sounded the opening note.
He asked the Female Emperor whether they could discuss the Northern Expedition.
Previously, they had refused to discuss it because the national treasury had no silver. Surely it had silver now?
Could they launch another Northern Expedition?
"Marquis! Great Wei is still not ready for a Northern Expedition. Though the national treasury has silver, countless things in Great Wei await rebuilding. Another Northern Expedition would cost an astronomical sum. These seven hundred million taels would not last long."
"We cannot launch a Northern Expedition. The livelihoods of Great Wei's people must come first."
Gu Yan grew serious and spoke up directly, rejecting the Northern Expedition.
Yes, Great Wei now had silver, but the problem was that they could not launch a Northern Expedition.
Absolutely not.
If they did, these seven hundred million taels would not be nearly enough. Unless they could guarantee conquering the north and slaughtering all the barbarians within six months, a Northern Expedition would drag Great Wei down.
Besides, Great Wei had finally acquired silver, and so many things needed doing. How could a Northern Expedition take priority?
"Hmph!"
"When we had no silver, you said we had no money. Now we have silver, and you still say we cannot march north? You civil officials and Confucian officials are all cowards! The northern barbarians are already regrouping and clamoring at our borders."
"If we do not strike now, once they have rested and recovered, we will face another Jingcheng Humiliation. Who will step forward then? You civil officials? Or will we send Grand