Nine dragons fight for the throne, I don't want to sit on this throne

The news of Chu Ning's expedition spread like wildfire.

Three days later.

Chang'an City, Taiji Hall.

Inside the Golden Throne Hall, ambergris burned slowly in a bronze beast furnace, and green smoke curled up, adding a bit of haziness to the solemn and dignified hall.

It was chilly outside the hall, but warm as spring inside because of the blazing charcoal fire.

The Tang Emperor Li Shiming sat on the dragon throne, wearing a bright yellow dragon robe, his face majestic and solemn.

His slender fingers tapped lightly on the armrests of the dragon throne, and his eyes swept over the ministers in the hall with a sharp gaze.

In the hall, civil and military officials were arranged on both sides, with Prime Minister Changsun Wuji at the head on the left and Minister of War Hou Junji at the right.

Everyone was dressed in court robes, their expressions were solemn, and the air was filled with tension.

"Dear ladies!"

Li Shiming's voice was deep and powerful, echoing in the silent hall.

"After Chu Ning ascended the throne, he personally led an army to conquer the Kingdom of Wei in one fell swoop and secure his throne."

"This battle is of great importance. I wonder if you all have any good strategies?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the Minister of War Hou Junji strode out.

He was dressed in crimson official uniform, and the jade belt around his waist shone with a warm luster in the candlelight.

Hou Junji bowed and saluted, saying in a loud voice, "Your Majesty, urgent news from the border!"

He pulled a secret document from his sleeve and presented it with both hands: "According to spies, the Scorpion Tribe has recently shown signs of large-scale troop movements. Fifty thousand elite Scorpion soldiers are galloping towards our border!"

As soon as these words were spoken, there was an uproar in the hall.

The ministers whispered to each other, their faces showing shock.

Hou Junji continued, "What's even more worrying is that the amount of food the Chu State has been sending to the Scorpion Tribe has increased dramatically recently, three times more than usual!"

"This must be a secret agreement between the Chu State and the Scorpion Clan!"

The Minister of Revenue slammed his desk and stood up, his beard trembling slightly with excitement. "The Scorpion Tribe is short of food, and the State of Chu is using this as a threat to force the Scorpion Tribe to send troops to contain our army!"

"Master Ma is absolutely right!"

Minister of Rites Wang Gui echoed this, the wrinkles on his old face deepening a little.

"If the Scorpion Tribe turns to the Chu State, our dynasty will be attacked from all sides and the situation will be critical!"

Among the generals, Cheng Yaojin could no longer contain his anger and said in a gruff voice, "Your Majesty! I am willing to lead a hundred thousand elite soldiers to first destroy the Scorpion barbarians and then rush to the aid of the State of Wei!"

"Don't be reckless!"

Changsun Wuji immediately spoke out to stop them. He stroked his graying beard and said in a deep voice, "The situation is complicated now. If we start a war rashly, we may fall into the treacherous schemes of the Chu State."

Li Shiming turned his gaze to Zhangsun Wuji, a hint of anticipation flashing in his eyes: "What do you think, Prime Minister?"

Changsun Wuji walked out slowly, the gold embroidery on his purple official robe sparkling in the candlelight.

He pondered for a moment and said, "In my opinion, we can mobilize the troops first and keep them in place."

"At the same time, we sent secret envoys to contact the Scorpion Khan and told him that we are also willing to sell grain, but only if they withdraw their troops from the border."

He paused, his eyes sweeping over the ministers. "Once the Scorpion Tribe retreats, our army can immediately rush to Wei's aid. This way, we won't have to worry about being attacked from both sides, and we can still provide timely support to Wei against Chu."

Upon hearing this, Li Shiming's eyes lit up. He clapped his hands and laughed, "Great idea! Prime Minister, this is a brilliant plan!"

The laughter gradually died down, and Li Shiming stood up suddenly, the hem of his dragon robe moving without wind.

His eyes flashed like lightning, and his voice was resounding: "Convey my will!"

"Order Li Jing to immediately mobilize his troops and assemble them at Chentang Pass. If the Scorpion Tribe retreats, immediately lead a 100,000-man army to aid the State of Wei!"

"Order General Qin Qiong to deploy his troops at the border of Jin to test the Chu army's reaction!"

"Send an envoy to the Han Dynasty immediately to inform Emperor Liu Che and Emperor Sima Yi of Wei that Chu Ning's personal expedition is of great importance and ask them to proceed with caution."

"If they discover any unusual movement by the Chu army, contact our dynasty immediately!"

Li Shiming looked around at his ministers and said in a deep voice, "Send another secret envoy to the Scorpion Tribe to tell their Khan that if they know when to withdraw their troops, the Tang Dynasty will sell them grain at a preferential price. If they persist in their wrongdoing..."

A cold light flashed in his eyes: "When I unite with the Han and Wei to destroy the Chu Kingdom, the Scorpion Tribe will be next!"

All the ministers in the hall bowed in unison: "Your Majesty is wise!"

After the court meeting ended, the ministers left the hall one after another.

Li Shiming stood alone in the hall, looking at the darkening sky outside with a frown on his face.

He knew that this game had just begun, and Chu Ning was indeed an opponent that should not be underestimated.

At this time, Chu Ning was leading his troops to Yanzhou.

On the official road in early spring, three thousand white horse cavalrymen were like a silver torrent, crushing the morning mist and galloping towards Youzhou.

The sound of horse hooves was like rolling thunder, shaking the snow on the dead branches beside the road to fall.

Chu Ning took the lead, his black cloak fluttering in the wind. His stern face showed no emotion, only his sharp eyes pierced the hazy morning light ahead like a knife.

Suddenly, a horse galloped up from behind. The man on the horse was wearing the uniform of the Jinyiwei and had a serious expression.

He quickly approached Chu Ning and whispered, "Your Majesty, the matter of the poisonous insects you asked me to investigate has finally been resolved."

Chu Ning raised his hand slightly, and the cavalry behind him immediately slowed down, but still maintained the marching formation.

The Jinyiwei continued, "According to the Scorpion Clan's Great General Gongsun Yi, the only one who can control the Gu worm is the Scorpion Clan's Great Shaman."

"But no great witch of this generation has ever refined this type of poisonous insect. I'm afraid there's something else going on. I've ordered a further investigation."

Upon hearing this, Chu Ning's eyes flashed with coldness, and he said in a cold voice: "Hurry up and investigate! Now that the relationship between our dynasty and the Scorpion Clan has eased, it is the perfect time for the Jinyiwei to infiltrate."

"If we miss this opportunity, it will be extremely difficult to investigate again in the future!"

The Jinyiwei clasped their fists solemnly: "I understand!"

He then turned his horse around and quickly disappeared into the dense forest beside the official road.

After the Jinyiwei left, Zhao Yu rode forward and whispered, "After so many years, Your Majesty still hasn't forgotten Princess Changping's revenge."

Chu Ning's grip on the reins tightened slightly, his knuckles turning white, and his voice was low and cold: "How could I forget? She died to save me."

"But if Ying Zheng hadn't used the Gu insect to control her, how could she have gotten to that point?"

A trace of pain flashed in his eyes, and then it was replaced by a fierce murderous intent: "I will avenge this grudge!"

Zhao Yu was silent for a moment, then said, "The Scorpion Tribe used to be heavily guarded, making it difficult for the Jinyiwei to infiltrate. Now that they rely on our dynasty for food, this is a good opportunity to investigate."

Chu Ning snorted coldly: "That's right, if the Jinyiwei can't even do this, there's no need for them to exist."

He looked up into the distance, his eyes as bright as torches. "But the most important thing right now is to get to Yanzhou as soon as possible. Sima Yi's army is probably approaching the front line. I don't have time to delay!"

Before he finished speaking, he kicked the horse's belly, and the warhorse neighed loudly and rushed out like an arrow.

Seeing this, Zhao Yu immediately waved his hand and the three thousand white horse cavalry accelerated again. Like a silver lightning, they tore through the chill of early spring and galloped towards the battlefield.