CHAPTER 1091: CHAPTER 599: BREAKING CAMP

Inside the room.

"So that’s roughly how things went." Zhao Douan sat in the main seat, surveyed everyone, and recounted what happened in the Golden Throne Hall from a "first-person perspective:" "Therefore, under the current circumstances, if we want to rally public support, issuing a military order is the best plan. As for the dangers you are worried about, they don’t exist. Even in the most dangerous times before, I was able to resolve Xu Jingtang in a few months. Now that the situation by the Huai River is much better, dealing with Prince Jing will be easier."

His words provided a certain level of reassurance.

But judging from the expressions of You Jinhua and her daughter, Haitang, and others, the reassurance was limited.

After all, those present were not ill-informed common folk, making it harder to overlook the difficulty of eliminating Prince Jing.

Fortunately, a few of his colleagues understood and quickly supported Zhao Douan in comforting the women of the household, putting their minds at ease.

After learning that the Empress also stands with them, You Jinhua and her daughter’s tense expressions slightly relaxed—even if the military order cannot be achieved, with the Empress’s assurance, they wouldn’t truly let Dalang commit suicide.

Seeing this, Zhao Douan, noticing it was almost noon, hurriedly asked Qian Kerou to take You Jinhua and her daughter out to the government office for a meal.

You Jinhua and her daughter understood the situation and followed suit as it was time to discuss matters.

After they left.

Haitang, sitting by the table at Lihua Hall, exhaled and looked at Zhao Douan, relaxing her brows: "You could have explained to your family that the so-called military order is just a ’delaying tactic,’ a pretext to reassure the people. I’m sure it wouldn’t leak."

Zhao Douan looked at her somewhat helplessly: "Do you think I’m lying?"

A few colleagues were momentarily stunned, speaking in unison: "Isn’t it so?"

"..."

Zhao Douan fell silent.

Zhang Han, the Bureau Lord, frowned and said, "Could the Commander really intend to defeat the enemy by March? Even counting from the beginning of spring, only a few months are left. Sowing discord among Zhao Shixiong and defeating Xu Jingtang, such things can be done once but not repeatedly."

Unlike Haitang, who had the larger background of "Hai Chunlin."

The rest of the Masters faced Zhao Douan today with a respectful tone, no longer treating him as a mere colleague.

Zhao Douan understood clearly now.

It turns out that quite a few civil and military officials believe that he is merely "putting on a show" with the Empress, and the so-called military order is a "blank check," never intended to be fulfilled.

He found it somewhat amusing; he was not joking, everything he said was true. Yet he couldn’t explain further, not without revealing secrets like the Princess Consort and others, so he could only swallow the words after opening his mouth.

Haitang said: "No need to explain, we understand. Outwardly, of course, we must treat it seriously, but because of your grand words, you might again attract some who doubt your boasting, and once the military order becomes void, you’ll add another blot to your history, risking the reputation you’ve built over several battles."

Zhang Han looked on with admiration: "Commander would rather bear the blame for the sake of the world, we admire you."

"Indeed, indeed, the Commander’s sense of justice surpasses us. Thankfully, the Empress is a wise ruler, willing to bear the burden as king, leaving room for tearing up the military order later."

Others chimed in with praise.

"..." Zhao Douan tiredly waved his hand, fine, let the world think what they want.

He had long grown accustomed to some misunderstandings.

"Alright, let’s drop this topic. How’s the capture of the envoy delegation?" Zhao Douan changed the subject.

Haitang said: "They’ve all been thrown into the Imperial Prison for interrogation. About the next steps, how are you planning?"

She was referring to the changes after the peace negotiations broke down.

Zhao Douan calmly said: "What else is there to think? Xiping and Iron Pass must fight to the death, but if it truly comes to blows, the court will surely win. Long Dong can also buy some time. The Western Regions people wanting to cross the pass will have to wait for warmer weather, so this is a ’time window.’ In the coming days, you need to pay more attention to examining public opinion. If you find anyone spreading defeatist sentiments, don’t hesitate."

A few Masters nodded: "Alright. We understand this."

In any war, boosting morale and unifying thought are the most important aspects.

Fortunately, due to a series of victories, Zhao Douan’s prestige had reached a new height, thoroughly suppressing his past notorious reputation.

In the short term, public opinion should remain stable.

After sending a few people away, Zhao Douan instructed Qian Kerou to guard the door and not allow anyone in.

Then, he lay down in the room at the back courtyard.

Soon, a Divine Soul flew out from the Imperial Court, directly towards the Imperial Palace.

...

...

Huai River, Jingchuan City.

Inside the Huai’an Prince Mansion.

Zhao Douan opened his eyes as he got up from the bed, feeling a tide of hunger swell within him. He poured a Fasting Pill from the bottle beside him and swallowed it, feeling slightly better.

"This time I stayed in the Capital too long, almost missed returning for a meal..."

He lifted the thick quilt, dropped his legs to the ground, put on his boots, draped himself in an outer robe, and pushed open the door to see a courtyard silent and solemn with touches of green.

Unlike the snowy landscape of the Capital, even at year-end, Jingchuan City still had some hardy plants growing.

There was no one in the courtyard. He followed the sound while walking through the Royal Mansion, encountering some servants along the way, who anxiously greeted him: "Commander Zhao..."

"Shh." Zhao Douan pressed a finger to his lips, signaling them to be silent, and continued walking.

He rounded another courtyard wall and entered the side garden of the Royal Mansion.

Amidst the encircling rockery, a group of familiar faces wearing brightly colored cotton robes and long skirts gathered around a stove in the pavilion, playing and having fun.

Xu Junling, Xu Qian, Ji Yue, Yu Xiu... and even Jin Jian, who surprisingly looked quite spirited for the daytime.