Chapter 856
Lan Yu was almost scared to death
Fu Youde requested to lead the eastern expedition with a sincere attitude, and all the civil and military officials looked at Fu Youde. Chen Jie looked at Fu Youde and said, "Minister Fu, I have seen your loyalty and bravery, and I believe that you are a qualified soldier who will not be bound by emotions."
"But it was Lan Yu who ultimately conquered Fusang, your beloved disciple. How could I bear to let you, master and disciple, kill each other?"
Chen Jie spoke up, and upon hearing this, everyone around felt the same way. Indeed, Fu Youde's relationship with Lan Yu was too special. If he were to be put in command, it was inevitable that some people would have other ideas.
As everyone was thinking this, Chen Jie spoke up: "So, Minister Fu, I..."
"His Majesty!"
Upon hearing this, Fu Youde immediately knelt on the ground and said, "Your Majesty, although I have a teacher-student relationship with Lan Yu, he has hindered the great plan of unifying the Han Dynasty, so he is my enemy. I have absolutely no intention of favoritism or corruption."
"If Your Majesty assigns this task to someone else, it will make it seem as if I am intentionally protecting someone else. I beg Your Majesty to give me the task, otherwise I will have no way to defend myself!"
Looking at Fu Youde, Chen Jie met his eyes and sighed, "Alas, well, since you have such thoughts, how can I not consider your feelings? In that case, I will help you bear the blame for forcing your master and disciple to kill each other!"
After saying that, Chen Jie took a deep breath and said, "Fu Youde, Feng Sheng, obey my orders!"
Upon hearing this, Fu Youde and Feng Sheng immediately stepped forward, cupped their hands, and said, "Your subjects obey your command."
Chen Jiedao said: "Fu Youde led the Zhuque Army Group from Zhejiang, using Jeju Island as a springboard, to launch an eastern expedition against Lan Yu."
"promise!"
Fu Youde immediately accepted the order and loudly agreed.
Chen Jie then looked at Feng Sheng, who stepped forward. Chen Jie said, "Feng Sheng, you and Fu Youde both have the talent of great generals. Fu Youde is going to conquer Japan, so you should follow him to conquer Goguryeo."
These two countries are located northeast of the Han Dynasty, yet they do not think about civilizing or educating the people.
We were conquered by the Tang Dynasty once, but were not completely subdued. This time, I hope you have the might of Xue Li, and can settle the Tianshan Mountains with a single arrow, helping my Han Dynasty to take over this fertile land and expand the territory of my Han Dynasty.
Upon hearing this, Feng Sheng immediately clasped his hands in a fist salute and said, "I will certainly not fail in my mission."
Chen Jie said, "Feng Sheng, I order you to lead the Azure Dragon Army from Liaodong into Goguryeo and win a decisive victory!"
Upon hearing this, Feng Sheng immediately clasped his hands in greeting.
Then the orders were issued. At this point, Chen Jie said, "Although the other armies have no strategic missions, they should still prepare for war and be ready to launch a northern expedition and a western expedition as soon as the time is right."
After saying this, Chen Jie looked at Hu Weiyong and said, "Prime Minister Hu."
Hu Weiyong then stood up, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty."
Chen Jie said, "You must cooperate well with the logistics work for the army's expedition."
Hu Weiyong said, "I have worked with the six ministers to make a detailed plan to ensure that everything goes smoothly. Your Majesty can rest assured."
Upon hearing this, Chen Jie nodded slightly and said, "Yes, that's good."
After saying that, Chen Jie said, "Then today's meeting will be adjourned. After the meeting, everyone can make their own arrangements. The army will depart in half a month. Meeting adjourned."
"promise!"
As soon as Chen Jie finished speaking, everyone present responded. Then Chen Jie turned and left, leaving the officials to handle the specific matters. He had gained a deep understanding of the incense and divine way today, and naturally he needed to go back and cultivate it carefully.
Especially the method of summoning the Yang spirit.
Thinking this, Chen Jie said to Chen Chun behind him, "Your cabinet recently came up with a plan regarding the management of religious statues nationwide."
Chen Chun bowed his head and said, "Yes, Your Majesty. In which direction should we develop? Should we standardize, expand, or refine?"
Chen Jiedao said, "Standardization and refinement are both necessary. The most important thing is to find a way to make the people believe in it. Go to the cultural department and mobilize the grassroots forces. Storytelling, opera, and get them all promoted."
Upon hearing this, Chen Chun replied, "I understand."
Having followed Chen Jie for so long, how could Chen Chun not know Chen Jie's thoughts? He immediately understood that this was what His Majesty meant.
So he said, "Yes, Your Majesty, I will have someone do it right away."
Chen Jie said, "Yes, go to the Imperial Treasury and withdraw 100,000 taels of silver as funding for this matter. If it goes well, I will allocate another 500,000 taels to you."
"Yes, Your Majesty, I will not fail in my mission."
Chen Chun immediately went out to handle the matter.
Meanwhile, Chen Jie was meditating with his eyes closed inside the palace. At the same time, his spiritual power directly penetrated the palace and arrived at the stone statue in the square. He observed the people coming and going in the square from the stone statue. Then, finding it interesting, he left and drifted away from Dadu to the surrounding cities. Chen Jie discovered that these statues were the coordinates of this world.
He can fly to the corresponding location using coordinates, and arrive at these places with a single thought.
It turned out to be the case.
Chen Jie thought to himself that as he strengthened his publicity and used storytelling and other theatrical performances to showcase himself, he should soon receive more support and be able to reach more places.
Chen Jie thought to himself, then closed his eyes and remained silent.
And one day, his idols will be everywhere in the world.
Leaving aside Chen Jie's cultivation for the moment, the mobilization of his large army, along with the gathering of ships along the coast, was immediately noticed by Lan Yu, who was based in Fusang.
Upon receiving the news, Lan Yu immediately convened a meeting in the palace he had built.
The main attendees at the meeting were Wang Muying, who was on par with Lan Yu, as well as Cao Zhen, the Duke of Jing, and Zhang Yi, the Duke of Qing.
Cao Zhen and Zhang Yi were Lan Yu's trusted generals. After Lan Yu conquered Fusang, he proclaimed himself Emperor Dade.
Furthermore, he bestowed titles upon his meritorious officials. Mu Ying, one of his brothers who had defected with him, was granted the title of "Prince of the First Rank," a title with power comparable to that of the emperor, and he was the head of all officials.
Then he appointed Cao Zhen and Zhang Yi, his most valiant generals, as dukes, established the state of Dade here, and became emperors.
This meeting was held because Lan Yu had received information that Chen Jiu Si was preparing to launch an attack on them, and that the commander-in-chief was none other than his master, Fu You De.
This gave even the usually arrogant Lan Yu a headache.
At this moment, inside Lan Yu's palace, Lan Yu, dressed in a bright yellow robe, sat on a stool without any regard for appearances, eating with his generals.
After taking a bite, Lan Yu put her chopsticks down on the table in dissatisfaction: "This wretched island doesn't even have a good cook. We eat this rubbish every day. I should have brought a few good cooks from Jinling when we came here."
Upon hearing Lan Yu's words, Cao Zhen said, "Your Majesty, why don't we send someone back to check? Maybe they'll bring back a few good cooks."
Upon hearing this, Lan Yu glared at Cao Zhen and said, "I am the emperor, possessing the entire world. Do I need to tie someone up to get a cook?"
Upon hearing this, Cao Zhen immediately smiled apologetically, "Hehe, yes, I misspoke." Hearing this, Lan Yu glanced at Mu Ying and said, "You've received the news, haven't you?"
Mu Ying nodded slightly. Lan Yu looked at Mu Ying and said, "Tell everyone about this. This matter is very troublesome."
Upon hearing this, Mu Ying immediately said, "Alright, everyone."
As soon as Mu Ying spoke, everyone looked at him. Then Mu Ying said, "Do you all know why we have gathered you all here today?"
Cao Zhen spoke up, "Your Highness, isn't this to celebrate the New Year?"
Mu Ying said, "If it were the New Year, why hold a banquet in this hall today?"
At this point, Mu Ying said, "According to reports from our scouts in the Zhejiang coastal area, there has been a large-scale military mobilization in the past few days, with the number of personnel appearing to be no less than 100,000, and the target is very likely us."
Cao Zhen was taken aback upon hearing this, then stood up and said, "Chen Jiu Si wants to attack us?"
At the same time, the civil and military officials around were all extremely surprised. Zhang Yi frowned and said, "Is Chen Jiu Si going to launch an external campaign so soon? He has only been in power for five years."
Mu Ying said, "Chen Jiu Si is extremely ambitious. This day was expected. All these years of military preparations have been for this day. Now that he has arrived, are you all afraid?"
Mu Ying looked at everyone.
At this moment, Lan Yu slammed his hand on the table and said, "Damn it, what's there to be afraid of? It's just Chen Jiu Si, isn't it? Six years ago in Jinling, if we hadn't run away, we would have been dead. Now we're on this island, living the high life, having our fun with women, and enjoying all the good things in life. This time, this guy surnamed Chen is coming to take our lives. How about it, brothers? You've had so much good food and drink that you can't even lift a knife anymore?"
Lan Yu's voice was full of disdain and mockery. Upon hearing this, all the generals in the room turned to look at Lan Yu and then said, "Your Majesty is joking. Isn't he just a man surnamed Chen?"
"As long as His Majesty gives the order, we'll cut off that Chen guy's head and use it as a chamber pot for you."
"Yes, Your Majesty, as long as you give the order, we brothers will cut off that Chen fellow's head without hesitation and use it as a chamber pot for you."
The courtiers were shouting wildly, and a general sitting to Cao Zhen's left was also loudly echoing them, but his eyes were fixed on Lan Yu, then on the menacing generals, and he sneered inwardly.
A bunch of incompetent fools, all they can do is bark here. If they actually encountered their lord, they'd be so scared they'd wet their pants.
That's right, this person is called Song Yan. I don't know if anyone still remembers him. He was a spy sent by Huangzhou Prefecture to Lanyu. Back then, it was his idea that Lanyu robbed the four major families in Jiangnan.
For years he had served under Lan Yu, acting as his lackey. Lan Yu had treated him fairly well, bestowing upon him the title of Marquis of Dingjiang, with approximately ten thousand soldiers under his command.
Lan Yu has not wasted his time these past years; he has accomplished a great deal, one of which is his frantic expansion of the army. He used to have only 20,000 troops, but 3,000 died when he attacked Fusang.
Through his efforts over the years, his army has expanded to 200,000.
At this moment, Lan Yu looked at everyone in the room, his eyes sweeping over each person, and said, "I know you are all very scared right now. That guy surnamed Chen is indeed powerful. Even those in high positions are no match for him."
"But this time he's here to attack us. There's a story about Fusang. Back then, Emperor Qianlong attacked twice, and both times his attacks were swallowed up by storms at sea."
"And now that Chen Jiu Si wants to attack us, let's throw him into the sea to feed the turtles."
Upon hearing this, Cao Zhen spoke up, "Your Majesty, I would like to ask, is Chen Jiu Si personally leading the expedition this time?"
Lan Yu said, "No!"
Upon hearing this, everyone present visibly breathed a sigh of relief. It was good that it wasn't Chen Jiu Si. The Battle of Poyang Lake had left them with a psychological scar. They had witnessed that terrifying and inhuman side of him on the ship during that earth-shattering battle with the superior on Poyang Lake.
So when we heard that Chen Jie was going to attack Fusang Island, many people thought, "If things don't work out, let's run away."
But now that Lan Yu said that Chen Jie was not leading the troops this time, everyone immediately perked up.
Cao Zhen said, "Haha, Your Majesty, as long as it's not Chen Jiu Si, that's good. Whoever it is, I will drive them out and will absolutely not let them interfere with our life on this island."
Cao Zhen then clasped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, please allow me to serve as the vanguard general to meet the invading enemy."
Upon hearing this, Mu Ying looked at Cao Zhen and said, "Your courage is commendable. Let me explain: the one leading the expedition this time is Fu Youde."
"Who? Fu Youde, Marshal Fu?"
Upon hearing this name, Cao Zhen was startled. He knew that Fu Youde was his former superior. When Fu Youde was the commander-in-chief, Cao Zhen was just a garrison officer in charge of five thousand men.
Now that this old general is coming to attack him, Cao Zhen is still apprehensive. After all, he learned how to fight from this very general.
Lan Yu glanced at Cao Zhen and asked, "What's wrong?"
Cao Zhen said, "No, even if it's Marshal Fu, I, I can defeat him."
Lan Yu said, "You're even stuttering when you speak, yet you still claim to have defeated Commander Fu. Alright, this time you don't need to lead the army. I will personally lead the expedition and meet Commander Fu with my own eyes."
Cao Zhen breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.
Seeing this, Mu Ying said, "Your Majesty, why don't I go? After all, you are the ruler of the country."
Lan Yu said, "You are good at defense but not at offense. I will leave you with 50,000 troops and take 150,000 troops to ambush Commander Fu at sea."
Mu Ying frowned upon hearing this and said, "Commander Fu is skilled in naval warfare. Do you want to face him head-on?"
Lan Yu said, "They have come from afar and must be exhausted. Moreover, my naval warfare skills have become quite good over the years. In addition, they must use Jeju Island as their base, and I cannot allow them to gain a foothold."
"We must fight them before they have a firm foothold."
Upon hearing this, Mu Ying said, "Alright, you are His Majesty, I will listen to you, but be careful."
Upon hearing this, Lan Yu stood up and laughed heartily, "When a person dies, the bird flies to the sky; if they don't die, they live for ten thousand years. Marshal Fu is getting old after all. The new era still depends on us."
After speaking, Lan Yu said, "Issue my order: prepare for war nationwide. Begin requisitioning grain from across the country now for war preparations."
Upon hearing this, Mu Ying said, "Your Majesty, this may incite a popular uprising."
Lan Yu laughed and said, "A popular uprising? The Japanese are bullies who prey on the weak and fear the strong. They are submissive and will not dare to resist as long as you are stronger than them. It's just a matter of requisitioning grain."
Upon hearing this, Mu Ying had no words of rebuttal for a moment, because Lan Yu was right; the people of Fusang were indeed despicable!
"Okay, it's settled then."
Lan Yu slammed his hand on the table and said, "The army will prepare for half a month, and then they will march with me!"
"promise"
Upon hearing this, the civil and military officials immediately agreed. (End of Chapter)