Public indignation was like a fire, burning across a vast prairie.
From early shouts to the entire city roaring, finally, the common people of every city seemed to be infected, clamoring for the emperor to step down!
In less than half a month, this trend had spread to the capital and reached Huangfu Xi's ears!
In the imperial court, everyone stood listlessly in the great hall, listening to the shameless words of Duke Liu and the Emperor.
Duke Liu: "Your Majesty, this was all instigated by Fan Zehao. He simply does not wish for our province to be at peace and still covets the throne. If such a person is not eliminated, we will never know tranquility!"
Within the hall, those who heard this let out sighs of disapproval!
All the ministers found Duke Liu's words utterly contemptible. Anyone with a brain knew that Fan Zehao had no interest in the throne; otherwise, why would he have abdicated?
Yet, no one dared to voice this, as Duke Liu was now second only to the emperor in power, his authority immense, and even the emperor indulged his every whim.
After Liu Sheng finished speaking, no one stepped forward to second him. He subtly turned his head, surveying the people behind him, only to see them all with their heads bowed, lost in their thoughts.
Huangfu Xi frowned. He disagreed with these words from the bottom of his heart. However, he had indeed received word from Fan Zehao about the drought but had not believed it and made no preparations. Now, the entire nation was in turmoil!
But to protect his imperial seat, he could only feign agreement.
"Then, Minister Liu, what do you suggest we do now?"
Liu Sheng had long been nursing a desire for revenge. Now that the emperor had asked for his opinion, he naturally would not let Fan Zehao off the hook.
He immediately cupped his hands and declared loudly, "Replying to Your Majesty, we should dispatch troops to beat Fan Zehao to death with clubs and offer his head as a sacrifice to the Rain God."
Ruthless indeed!
It remained to be seen whether he would kill Fan Zehao or Fan Zehao would kill him.
Regardless of who died, it would be beneficial to Liu Sheng. At this moment, Huangfu Xi granted his request.
"Minister Liu speaks wisely. However, all our great generals are currently defending the borders and are unable to spare anyone to suppress Fan Zehao. Why doesn't Minister Liu take command of the expedition? I will grant you an army of one hundred thousand. Upon reaching Jinzhou City, have Shi Haoming assist you in capturing Fan Zehao!"
Liu Sheng froze on the spot. He had calculated everything, but he never expected that a civilian official would be appointed to lead a military campaign!
Fan Zehao, known as the God of War, and now they were sending him? This was clearly a suicide mission!
"Your Majesty, this minister does not know how to lead troops, nor how to deploy formations. Sending me to the battlefield would be like child's play. I implore Your Majesty to find a more suitable candidate for the position of marshal!"
Before Huangfu Xi could speak, Liu Sheng took it upon himself to recommend a military official from the court: "General Zhou is fully capable of undertaking this important task. Why not have General Zhou lead the troops?"
Zhou Wei's eyelids flickered, and he glanced at Liu Sheng in front of him, sneering inwardly.
He was afraid of death and refused to go, did that mean Zhou Wei was not afraid of death?
Furthermore, Zhou Wei owed his current position as a general to Fan Zehao's appointment years ago. Now, he was being asked to strike at his benefactor. He could not bring himself to do it.
If it meant killing Liu Sheng, then he would have no reservations!
Zhou Wei: "Your Majesty, this minister sustained a leg injury on the battlefield years ago. I now walk with a limp and cannot possibly go to the front lines. I am afraid I will have to disappoint Duke Liu's kind intentions!"
As his words fell, Liu Sheng's face darkened like coal. Yet, even so, the surroundings did not spare him.
He continued to address the Emperor, "This minister believes Duke Liu is very suitable for the position of marshal. After all, his son died at the hands of Fan Zehao. Duke Liu and Fan Zehao share an irreconcilable hatred. This expedition will be a fight to the death, and Duke Liu will surely do his utmost to complete the mission!"
Those around smirked at Liu Sheng. If you want me to go to my death, then I will send you first!
His words were exactly what Huangfu Xi wanted to hear. Without hesitation, he appointed Liu Sheng as the marshal and Shi Haoming as the great general, ordering them to jointly campaign against Fan Zehao!
As soon as this order was given, the news quickly reached Fan Zehao's ears!
He held the piece of paper with the superstition, smiling disdainfully, "They are not experiencing rain, and this can be blamed on me. They even want to sacrifice my head to the Rain God. Aren't they afraid the Rain God will be angered and refuse to bestow rain upon them for the rest of their lives?"
Zhao Jiaqi looked at the superstition that had been delivered and also found it amusing. However, they could not afford to be careless, as Liu Sheng genuinely harbored hatred towards them.
"Make preparations to respond!" Zhao Jiaqi sighed lightly.
This was not a matter of them not wanting to fight, but rather that others were aggressively coming to bully them, so self-preservation was the only option.
That afternoon, Huangfu Xu, Huangfu Xian, and Fan Xudong all arrived!
The four princes with their fiefdoms gathered and talked for an entire afternoon. By the next day, the soldiers were in motion, and Fan Zehao personally took the field to face the approaching storm.
Yu Meng, upon learning that her master was coming to fight them, immediately became furious: "Impossible! Master was so good to me and respected Father so much. How could he possibly ally with bad people to fight us? I don't believe it!"
"Your master is a minister, and Huangfu Xi is the sovereign. If the sovereign commands the minister to die, the minister must obey. Even if your master was good to you and your father, he could not be disloyal and unfilial!"
Yu Meng refused to believe her mother's words, stubbornly insisting that her master was not that kind of person.
"My master is a loyal subject, but the Emperor is foolish and incompetent, making wrong decisions. Should my master be sent to his death because of it? Didn't you say, Mother, that death is inevitable for all, whether it be as weighty as a mountain or as light as a feather? One cannot die lighter than a feather just because the superior made a wrong decision. If Master were to do so, it would be ignorance, foolishness. I do not believe Master would act like this!"
After speaking these words with sorrow, Yu Meng rushed out of the side hall. Zhao Jiaqi, following behind her, sighed repeatedly.
Su Ya, seeing her mistress distressed, tried to comfort her, "Madam, the young lady is still young; you need not be upset by her words. When she grows older, she will naturally understand the principles of sovereign and minister."
Zhao Jiaqi shook her head, "No, I am not upset by Yu Meng's words. I am worried about Shi Haoming!"
The child's perspective was not wrong, and though her words were harsh, they were the truth.
"Su Ya, go find Gao Wenbin for me. I have something to discuss with him!"
Su Ya bowed, "Your servant will go fetch Young Master Gao at once."
In the prince's study, Fan Zehao spread out the maps of the surrounding territories and studied them intently. Meanwhile, in the front hall, Zhao Jiaqi met Gao Wenbin and handed him a letter.
"This is a letter for General Shi Haoming at the military camp on the outskirts of Jinzhou City. You must deliver it to him personally. Only after you receive his reply should you return. Remember, be very careful and ensure your safety!"
Gao Wenbin placed the letter in his怀 (huai - bosom/pocket), nodded to her, and did not ask about the contents of the letter, nor was he curious.
However, he was aware that Huangfu Xi had dispatched Liu Sheng to claim Fan Zehao's head.
"If the Prince and Princess Consort can use my help, I will certainly come to assist in fighting the enemy!"
His words were few but enough to warm the heart.