Cultivation Simulator: Starting From The Empress' Palace

For Xiao Yunxi now, winning the battle is secondary; what concerns her more is the safety of Chen Mo. Only after hearing that Chen Mo is safe does she jump into the joy of victory.

Xiao Yunxi raises her hand and continues, ”Keep talking, what are our military casualties?”

Upon hearing this, the ministers quickly quieted down, their eyes showing some urgency.

The envoy holding the battle report continues, ”To the Empress Dowager, our army suffered heavy casualties, with less than ten thousand remaining, and General Wind Well was unfortunately killed in action...”

Xiao Yunxi, upon hearing this, has little feeling; she has never been to the battlefield, never had direct contact with war, and does not know what these casualties mean.

Yet the military generals present, having heard this, are astonished.

There are still so many left.

In their view, it is already unimaginable that Chen Mo could win this battle, much less have so many men remaining.

Xiao Yunqi finally speaks up, saying in a deep voice, ”Did Chen Mo bring any message back?”

The envoy continues, ”The commander said that the opportunity for battle is fleeting; now the enemy army is defeated, our army is unable to pursue, and he requests the court to dispatch a large army to chase and recover cities like Nanyang occupied by the enemy.”

Chen Mo means to suggest that the court should reclaim Nanyang County and other states initially captured by the enemy, to prevent Zhao Jiang from recovering in Nanyang County and then dispatching troops from Youzhou.

After all, although Zhao Jiang was defeated, he is not dead, his base is still there, and with millions in Youzhou, recruiting two or three hundred thousand more is not a problem.

Of course, if the court can directly send troops to attack Zhao Jiang’s base, that would be the best.

After the envoy finishes speaking, several generals step forward to request a battle.

In their view, the main force of the enemy is now broken, reclaiming the cities is an easy credit to gain, and they are no fools, not going would be a loss.

Even Shi Si of the Personal Guard Department requests to go.

Zhao Chong has completely become a puppet emperor, and has lost his imperial majesty. The ministers don’t take him seriously, first glancing at Xiao Yunqi, then looking at Xiao Yunxi behind the screen.

In major military and political affairs like this, Xiao Yunxi does not understand well enough to intervene, so she looks at Xiao Yunqi and says, ”Lord Anyang, what do you think?”

Though they are father and daughter, in the court, Xiao Yunqi is still a minister.

He respectfully bows and recommends Xiao Teng to lead the troops.

This danger-free and free credit opportunity is, of course, not something Xiao Yunqi would let go cheaply, even though those getting it are also in his camp.

His first thought is naturally his son.

After all, the legacy of the Xiao Family still needs Xiao Teng to inherit.

Facing Xiao Yunqi’s recommendation, the ministers dare not oppose it.

On the contrary, they each echo the sentiment, believing Xiao Teng to be the most suitable.

After discussing the military matters, it comes to the issue of rewards.

Regarding this, Xiao Yunxi personally speaks: ”Lord Anyang, for such great merits, how should they be rewarded to convey the importance I place on them?”

Xiao Yunqi ponders for a moment and says, ”As the saying goes, reward for merit, punish for mistakes. I believe that for military ranks, we can reward according to Song system, and for official positions, we can decide once they return to Bianliang.”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yunxi slightly frowns.

These words are merely meaningless official rhetoric, offering no clear direction on how to reward.

Moreover, it seems to be merely addressing the matter as a procedure.

Chen Mo is supposed to be your person, Father; what is going on now?

Pretending not to understand, Xiao Yunxi says, ”Lord Anyang, are you suggesting Chen Mo can be ennobled as a marquis?”

At these words, the ministers are all shocked.

Even Zhao Chong’s pupils slightly contract.

Such matters of ennoblement should not be suggested by the Empress Dowager of a nation.

Xiao Yunqi frowns, not understanding what his daughter is doing, and hastily says, ”Chen Mo is only twenty years old, his strategy, though outstanding, and his talent in commanding troops remarkable, is still young and inexperienced. Furthermore, according to the Song system, one must expand the territory for the Great Song to be ennobled, and Chen Mo does not meet this requirement yet.”

Having said this, how could the ministers not understand? Chen Mo’s brilliance has evidently overshadowed Xiao Yunqi, if he truly is entitled as a marquis, would he still willingly be under someone?

Xiao Yunqi clearly wants to suppress Chen Mo a bit.

As such, the ministers also held their tongues.

The matter of rewards is temporarily shelved.

But at this moment, Wu Lu steps forward, ”I have heard that Chen Mo, now nineteen, is unmarried. I have a niece, age sixteen, a well-grown beauty, and she has long admired General Chen Mo and swore to marry none other. Thus, I request that Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager grant them a marriage.”

With these words, the hall erupts.

Some ministers not so favorably inclined towards Wu Lu internally curse him as an old fox.

Yet they share the same thought as Wu Lu.

Given Chen Mo’s current achievements and his impressive capabilities, who wouldn’t want him as their ideal son-in-law?

Xiao Yunqi frowns, wanting to say something, but remains silent.

Although the Wu Family is not as strong in the court as the Xiao Family, they are far superior locally.

Moreover, Xiao Yunqi also needs the Wu Family’s support to stabilize Jiangnan, so he cannot oppose it openly.

So, he signals to Xiao Yunxi above.

As long as the marriage is not granted, it can be delayed.

Xiao Yunxi herself is actually quite satisfied with this match, but Chen Mo had once declined, and she respects Chen Mo, so she definitely cannot directly agree. But outright refusing in the court is also not quite appropriate.

After pondering for a moment, she says, ”Xin’Er, that girl, I am quite fond of as well, and in the world, only Chen Mo is a match for her. However, a forced melon is not sweet, so this matter requires Chan Mo’s own opinion. If Chen Mo is willing,

the Imperial Family and I are willing to grant them a marriage.”

Hearing this, Wu Lu, though slightly dissatisfied, also steps back.

After the court meeting ends,

Wu Lu returns home, grumbling all along.

Which makes Wu Chang’an curious, asking, ”Father, what is the matter?”

Wu Lu explains the morning court meeting to Wu Chang’an.

Upon learning that Chen Mo won with fewer troops, soundly defeating the enemy, Wu Chang’an is also astonished.

At the same time, he feels a strong surge of jealousy, then says, ”Our Wu Family is one of the Seven Great Prestigious Families, the foremost in Jiangnan, and our marriage prospects should naturally be within the Seven Great Prestigious Families. Though Chen Mo is powerful, he is still of humble origin, and there are too many rumors about him. Marrying Xin’Er to him is not a good thing.”

”What do you know?” Wu Lu, in a rare scolding, says to Wu Chang’an, then immediately adds, ”With his current achievements and strength, given time, he could become a member of the Eight Great Prestigious Families, and the Chen Family could be one of the foremost.

If the Wu Family can take him as a son-in-law, we will gain tremendous benefits.”

Wu Lu’s foresight is very long-term.

To ensure a family’s lasting prosperity, investment is one of the most crucial factors.