nycdaug Chapter 185 Recommendation
Chapter 185 Recommendation
Su Fuying lowered her eyes in deep thought, and time slowly passed as she pondered, while Chen Ji's actions remained unchanged.
After a long while, Su Fuying finally reached out and took the cup of tea.
By this time, the cup had become warm. Just then, a crisp crowing of a rooster broke the silence before dawn.
Upon hearing this voice, Su Fuying no longer hesitated. She took a deep breath and drank the cup of tea in one gulp.
"Life is unpredictable. Do things according to your heart. Keep your mind clear like a mirror. Let go of distracting thoughts and you will see the truth."
Chen Ji clasped his hands together, watching the woman's departing figure, and murmured something to himself.
His gaze was deep and calm, and Su Fuying did not pause in her steps upon hearing this.
Taking advantage of the deep darkness, she quickly ran down the mountain, her figure gradually disappearing into the darkness.
The next morning, sunlight streamed through the clouds, illuminating the entire palace.
In the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the officials stood in neat rows, awaiting the start of the morning court session.
"Speak if you have something to say, otherwise the court may adjourn." Eunuch Gao stood beside the dragon throne and shouted loudly.
His voice echoed in the hall, filling everyone with a sense of solemnity and reverence.
At this moment, Ren Zhong stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, I have something to report."
The emperor slightly raised his head, his eyes revealing fatigue and drowsiness.
He coughed lightly, trying to rouse himself. "Please speak, my lord."
The emperor's voice sounded somewhat low.
"I have found the Black Armor Token in the Regent's Palace today, and I will be able to send reinforcements to support Grand Commandant Pei soon."
Ren Zhong's tone carried a hint of excitement, and a blush appeared on his wrinkled face, making him look a few years younger.
Upon hearing this, the emperor's previously serious expression immediately became interested. He narrowed his eyes slightly, the corners of his mouth turned up, and he said with a smile, "Oh? Is that really true?"
Ren Zhong stepped forward with a calm expression, clasped his hands in a fist and respectfully replied, "Your Majesty, everything I have said is true."
A flicker of surprise crossed the emperor's eyes, but he quickly regained his composure and asked slowly, "That's wonderful. But where is this Black Armor Token now?"
The emperor's tone was calm and casual, but his eyes were fixed on Ren Zhong, as if trying to see through him.
Ren Zhong raised his head, looked firmly at the emperor, and replied neither humbly nor arrogantly, "The Black Armor Token is in my residence. Your Majesty only needs to give the order, and I can directly mobilize the troops."
The emperor nodded slightly, his gaze sharpening. He looked quietly at Ren Zhong, whose hair was now gray, in the hall, and after a moment of silence, he said, "I understand."
At this moment, another civil official stepped forward, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "Your Majesty, the most urgent task is to quickly send reinforcements over."
The emperor nodded slightly, turned his gaze to the civil official, and asked calmly, "In your opinion, which minister should the Black Armor Order be given to now?"
"Your Majesty, this Black Armor Token now belongs to Your Majesty, and naturally it is up to Your Majesty to decide."
Ren Zhong spoke in a serious and deliberate manner, his head bowed, making it impossible to discern his emotions.
"Humph."
The emperor sneered, finding the words laughable. How could he make a decision when he didn't even have the goods in his hands?
"Do any of my esteemed subjects wish to recommend themselves?"
"Your Majesty, I am willing to lead the troops..."
Ji Bailin was somewhat excited, never expecting that he would one day have the opportunity to lead the Black Armor Guards into battle.
"Your Majesty, this old minister has a candidate whom I may recommend."
Before he could finish speaking, Ren Zhong interrupted him directly. Ji Bailin's face stiffened, and he was somewhat dissatisfied, but because of his status, he dared not say anything more.
Upon hearing this, the emperor immediately asked with curiosity, "Who is it that makes Minister Ren think so highly of you?"
Ren Zhong raised his head and looked at the middle-aged man on the dragon throne. "Your Majesty, that man is none other than Zuo Xin, last year's champion in the martial arts examination."
"Oh?"
The emperor frowned slightly, seemingly vaguely recognizing the name but unable to recall who it was.
Does such a person exist?
The emperor looked puzzled.
"Your Majesty has probably forgotten that Zuo Xin is currently unemployed. This old minister sees him as a promising talent. Why doesn't Your Majesty allow him to temporarily serve as the commander of the Black Armor Guard?"
Ren Zhong spoke sincerely, as if he truly thought highly of this person.
"Your Majesty, Zuo Xin is not only highly skilled in martial arts, but also an upright man. He is a rare talent. If he were to lead the Black Armor Guards, he would surely be able to play a greater role."
Ren Zhong's eyes were firm, full of confidence in Zuo Xin.
He continued, "I believe that with Zuo Xin's abilities and character, he will certainly be able to fulfill this role."
Ji Bailin looked disappointed. He had thought he would finally have a chance to show his skills, but Ren Zhong beat him to it.
These are Black Armor Guards!
The invincible Black Armor Guards, feared by other nations, had just had a chance to command them, but Ren Zhong unexpectedly snatched it away.
"Your Majesty, this is not appropriate. Is Grand Tutor Ren's decision somewhat inappropriate?"
The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review stepped forward, stood next to Ji Bailin, and loudly advised him.
Why is it inappropriate?
Ren Zhong did not answer; instead, someone behind him stepped forward.
A short, sleazy-looking man stepped forward.
"Although Zuo Xin is highly skilled in martial arts, he has never had any experience in leading troops into battle. Moreover, the enemy he is facing this time is no ordinary opponent; they are ruthless. It is too risky to let such an inexperienced person lead an army of 100,000."
The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review's expression turned serious, and his tone was sincere and pertinent.
"Moreover, war cannot be resolved by individual force alone; it also requires sufficient strategic vision and command ability. Does Zuo Xin possess these qualities? Can we allow the people in the border city to gamble?"
The words of the Minister of Justice resonated with everyone present, and they all nodded in agreement.
Upon hearing this, the emperor frowned and fell into deep thought.
"Yes, Your Majesty, leading troops into battle requires time and experience; it cannot be accomplished overnight."
Seeing the situation, the Imperial Censor could no longer remain neutral and stepped forward to offer his suggestions.
"Why not? Wasn't the Regent the same back then? Zuo Xin is just as young and promising now, and even older than the Regent back then, so he must be much more experienced."
The man, not to be outdone, continued speaking.
Ji Bailin immediately became agitated, "The Regent? How dare you compare yourselves to the Regent!"
Back then, the imperial court was beset by internal and external troubles. The late emperor was seriously ill, and enemy countries frequently harassed the border people.
The regent was only twelve or thirteen years old at the time, but he volunteered to lead 20,000 generals straight to the border.
No one had a good chance of supporting the Regent, because the Northern Li had an army of 200,000 men pressing in, and everyone thought he would never return, which would be a waste of the lives of those 20,000 soldiers.
Who would have thought that half a month later, news from the border would be that the Regent had led his 20,000 soldiers to two consecutive victories and successfully recaptured a city that had been captured by the Northern Li.
However, no one expected that the Regent would use his amazing wisdom and courage to successfully repel the 200,000-strong army of Bei Li, and even kill the enemy leader, severely weakening Bei Li and preventing it from daring to invade again for decades.