Chaoge's Response
Before Ye Xuan could make any arrangements, Wushuang had already issued an order to summon the officials.
After all, news of the impending rebellion by Su Hu of Jizhou had already reached Chaoge.
Wushuang and the Human Emperor were of one mind, so Wushuang naturally understood the Human Emperor's next move.
When Ye Xuan appeared in the main hall, the civil and military officials had been waiting for a long time.
Even Wang Bi Gan, who had been away providing disaster relief, has been summoned back.
After all, the disaster relief efforts were nearing their end, and he was no longer needed for those minor details.
It's early autumn now, and the new harvest will be ready soon.
He could naturally breathe a sigh of relief.
His Majesty summoned his ministers outside of the morning court session, which clearly indicates that something important has happened.
Therefore, even though he had just returned to Chaoge, he went straight to the palace.
Ye Xuan strode to the highest point of the main hall and slowly sat down.
He glanced at the assembled civil and military officials below, then spoke.
"I have received news that Su Hu of Jizhou is currently secretly recruiting a large army, and so far he has recruited no less than seventy to eighty thousand elite troops in Jizhou."
"Besides that, he has also been secretly and massively plundering the people's wealth in the surrounding area, and has already stockpiled a huge amount of grain in Jizhou. Tell me, what exactly is the purpose of Jizhou's actions?"
These words were like a landmine exploding, instantly igniting the anger of the entire court.
Is it really possible for something like this to happen?
If His Majesty's news is true.
This undoubtedly represents Su Hu of Jizhou; this is an act of rebellion.
When the Human Emperor first stationed Huang Feihu's War Elephant Cavalry near Jizhou, it sparked much discussion.
In retrospect, the Human Emperor was clearly prescient.
His Human Emperor the Emperor had long known that Su Hu of Jizhou would rebel sooner or later, but he never expected that Su Hu would actually rebel at such a time when the world was about to have a great harvest.
Looking at the assembled officials, no one dared to utter a sound.
A slight smile appeared on Ye Xuan's lips.
"I have already said that you represent the entire Yinshan region."
"If even one of you is corrupt, a large part of the Yin Shang dynasty will be corrupt; if you are all corrupt, the Yin Shang will rise up against you."
"You must understand that water can carry a boat, and it is precisely because of your inaction that the consequences are now appearing."
"The rebellion of Su Hu of Jizhou may be the first, but it is certainly not the only one, nor will it be the last. Now, tell me, what should Chaoge do?"
Upon hearing His Majesty's question, many people exchanged bewildered glances.
The senior officials, especially, noticed a hint of worry in the other party's eyes.
Shang Rong Father of Shang the Shang Rong, began by saying:
"Your Majesty, this matter is of utmost importance. I implore Your Majesty to be extremely cautious. Jizhou is only three days' journey from Chaoge; the distance is very short."
"If Su Hu wanted to rebel, he could probably storm Chaoge in just three days. We must not be careless."
Many people agreed with this statement.
"Yes, Your Majesty should immediately organize a large army to go to Jizhou and send troops to suppress the rebellion."
"Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, we should not believe rumors about this matter. There has been no rebellion in Jizhou yet. If we immediately send troops to suppress it, wouldn't that invite gossip?"
"Then what should we do? Should we wait for Jizhou to send troops before Chaoge reacts? Wouldn't it be too late by then?"
"Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, we should immediately send an envoy to Jizhou to persuade Su Hu to surrender. Only in this way can we subdue Su Hu without losing a single soldier."
"Lord Wang is utterly ridiculous. If Su Hu could be persuaded so easily, why would he have rebelled so readily?"
"----------"
The entire hall was thrown into chaos.
As the saying goes, everyone has their own reasons, and many ministers offered their advice to Ye Xuan, each displaying their own abilities and methods.
However, the methods they proposed were not to Ye Xuan 'Ye Xuan liking, and the more he listened, the more his brows furrowed.
Only after Ye Xuan coughed slightly did the chaotic hall finally quiet down.
Ye Xuan's gaze swept around the main hall.
"Since Su Hu of Jizhou has not openly rebelled, if we send troops to suppress him now, we will likely face condemnation from all the warlords in the land."
"But if Chaoge waits until Su Hu of Jizhou rebels before taking any action, it will obviously be too late."
"And by then, all the feudal lords in the world will surely turn their attention to Chaoge. I believe that by then, no matter what happens, it will not escape their notice."
"If Chaoge cannot suppress Su Hu of Jizhou in a short time, it will surely cause an uproar throughout the land. It may set a precedent, and more and more lords may rebel."
Ye Xuan's words were definitely not unfounded.
Upon hearing this, the ministers were immediately in an uproar, for the Human Emperor's words were indeed extremely reasonable.
If Su Hu, a vassal lord of Jizhou, were to rebel and the army of Chaoge were unable to suppress him, then the consequences would be unimaginable, and there is even a high possibility that the enemy would rise up against him.
After all, many feudal lords harbored rebellious intentions.
Especially after the rebellion of the North Sea Seventy-Two Feudal Lords, led by Yuan Futong, the entire Yin Shang dynasty was naturally filled with fear and unease.
Wen Zhong Grand Tutor Wen, the pillar of the Yin Shang Dynasty, was sent to suppress the North Sea Seventy-Two Feudal Lords North Sea, but he has not yet succeeded in suppressing them. This has indeed given many people pause for thought.
If Su Hu of Ji Jizhou were to rebel again and the rebellion could not be suppressed for a long time, the situation would indeed be precarious, and the consequences would be unimaginable.
"Your Majesty, I am willing to lead troops to punish Su Hu of Jizhou. I only need 100,000 elite soldiers, and I will bring you his head within ten days."
The one who said this was Zheng Lun General Heng whom Ye Xuan had recently acquired from Jizhou.
He was quite familiar with the troop deployments in Jizhou, and since his former master was about to betray the new one, he naturally felt responsible for the situation.
Upon hearing this, Ye Xuan nodded without responding.
Another general also stood out from the crowd.
"Your Majesty, I only need to request 60,000 troops, and I will surely defeat Jizhou within ten days."
This general's name was Lu Xiong. Although he was extremely imposing, he was merely a minor character.
"Your Majesty, Martial King Cheng of Zheng, Huang Feihu, is currently stationed not far from Jizhou. This humble general only needs 50,000 elite troops to join forces with General Huang Feihu on the left and right, forming an encirclement that will surely cause Jizhou to collapse without a fight."
"--------"
Many of the generals in the imperial court began to volunteer for the campaign.
The current Human Emperor has subdued the Dragon Clan, rebuked the Saint, befriended Nuwa, and his Words Followed by Law. Now, the weather is favorable and the entire Shang Kingdom is thriving.
Those of them, as subjects, were naturally willing to share the burdens and difficulties of the current Human Emperor.
However, Wang Bi Gan and Prime Shang Rong were getting anxious.
Aren't these warriors underestimating Su Hu of Jizhou by claiming to command 100,000, 80,000, or 50,000 troops?
"Your Majesty, although Marquis of Jizhou Su Hu of Ji Province claims to command 80,000 elite troops, he must be hiding many more soldiers and generals in secret."
"Furthermore, Jizhou City is one of the most formidable passes in the land, historically known for its ease of defense and difficulty of attack. Your Majesty and all the generals must not be careless."