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

The April morning light fell like broken gold on the wilderness outside the capital of Chu, illuminating the silver armor of the white horse cavalrymen waiting in formation.

A solemn and murderous atmosphere spread with the morning breeze. Even the crows perched on the city walls tactfully fell silent and flapped their wings to fly away.

Chu Ning, wearing a black battle robe with dragon pattern and a sword at his waist, walked slowly out of the city gate accompanied by Queen Shen Wanying and Vice Queen Wu Zhao.

His steps were steady and powerful, and every step seemed to step on the hearts of his ministers.

Civil and military officials stood on both sides, with their heads bowed and no one dared to look directly at the young emperor who unified the south with iron-blooded means.

"Your Majesty, the White Horse Cavalry is ready to go." Zhao Yu, dressed in silver armor, bowed and reported.

This personal guard commander who had followed Chu Ning in battle for many years had fanatical loyalty flashing in his eyes.

Chu Ning nodded slightly, his eyes sweeping across the ministers like a knife.

His gaze lingered for a moment on the Minister of Revenue Liu Shouren.

"During the time I was away from home."

Chu Ning's voice was not loud, but every word was as firm as iron: "All matters, big or small, will be decided by the Vice Queen!"

He paused, a chilling sneer curled up at the corner of his mouth: "If anyone disobeys, or has objections and wants to take action, then the fate of the Qin Palace will be repeated!"

When the ministers heard this, they all felt a chill down their spines.

A few days ago, the Qin Palace was suspected of treason, and more than 300 people, from the eighty-year-old man to the baby in swaddling clothes, were all implicated.

The sight of the corpse being exposed to the sun for three days and being pecked at by crows remains a nightmare for the people of the capital.

"Your Majesty, rest assured. We will obey the orders of the Vice Queen."

Liu Shouren was the first to kneel down and shout, and the other ministers followed suit. For a while, everyone knelt outside the city gate.

Chu Ning then turned around with satisfaction and looked at the two queens beside him.

Shen Wanying was dressed in a plain white phoenix robe, her eyebrows and eyes were picturesque, and her temperament was as gentle as water.

She gently held Chu Ning's hand and said softly, "Your Majesty must be careful."

"Queen, don't worry." Chu Ning rarely smiled and reached out to stroke Shen Wanying's cheek.

"I have always been invincible and victorious!"

Wu Zhao, standing aside, was wearing a red robe and looked very heroic.

Her dress was different from that of a traditional concubine, and she looked more like an important official in the court.

"Your Majesty didn't let Xiuning see me off today, and she's still angry in the palace." Wu Zhao smiled, with wisdom glittering in her eyes.

Chu Ning laughed heartily: "When I come back, I will definitely compensate her."

Xiuning is his most beloved eldest daughter. She has a lively and straightforward personality and is deeply loved by him.

Before the laughter died down, Chu Ning had already restrained his expression and turned to face the 10,000 white horse cavalrymen lined up outside the city.

In the sunlight, the silver-armored white horses gleamed brightly, the spears were like a forest, and the flags fluttered.

This elite army, built by him personally, had helped him conquer the five southern kingdoms without a single defeat.

"Commanders!"

Chu Ning's voice exploded like thunder: "Now the Han and Tang have joined forces and want to seize the Wei territory. Do you agree?"

"No!" Thousands of people roared in unison, their voices shaking the sky and startling the birds living in the distant mountains and forests.

Chu Ning drew his sword, pointing it towards the sky: "They are determined to destroy our Chu State. Soldiers, are you willing to follow me and crush them?"

"Yes! Yes! Yes!"

The three shouts were louder and louder each time. The soldiers struck the ground with their guns, making a neat roar, and the earth seemed to be shaking.

"Okay!" Chu Ning jumped on his horse, his black hair flying in the wind: "All soldiers, follow me to the battle!"

The white horse cavalry opened a path like a silver torrent, with Chu Ning leading the way, and Zhao Yu leading the personal guards following closely behind.

The sound of horse hooves was like thunder, dust was flying, and in the blink of an eye they had arrived in front of the army.

"Your Majesty, we respectfully bid you farewell!" The ministers knelt down and shouted again.

Shen Wanying and Wu Zhao stood side by side, watching the army go away.

Only after the last rider disappeared at the end of the official road did Wu Zhao turn to Shen Wanying and said respectfully but with dignity:

"Queen, let's go back to the palace."

Shen Wanying nodded slightly, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes.

She and Wu Zhao boarded the phoenix chariot one after the other, followed closely by the civil and military officials as they returned to the city. The city gate slowly closed with a heavy, muffled thud.

At the same time, thousands of miles away in the Weiyang Palace of the Han Dynasty, an emergency court meeting was taking place.

"Report! Emperor Chu Ning of Chu has personally led 10,000 white horse cavalrymen and is heading towards Wei!"

The messenger knelt on one knee, and his voice echoed in the empty hall.

Liu Che, who was sitting on the dragon throne, stood up suddenly, his dragon robe fluttering.

This great Han emperor was nearly forty years old, with a resolute face and majesty in his brows.

"The emperor leads the army in person? The emperor leads the army in person again!"

He sneered, his voice full of sarcasm: "He Chu Ning doesn't really think he can be invincible, right?"

There was silence in the hall. All the civil and military officials stood with their heads bowed, and no one dared to speak.

Liu Che walked down the stairs, and the sound of his boots hitting the ground was particularly clear in the silence.

"Humph, although he did conquer the five dynasties a few times before, he has absolutely no chance of winning against the combined forces of the Han and Tang dynasties!"

He turned abruptly, his eyes sweeping across the courtiers like lightning: "Everyone thinks Chu Ning is a young genius, an undefeated god of war, and that as long as Chu Ning leads the army in person, victory is certain! Little do they know that this time, our two dynasties have joined forces to force him to lead the army in person!"

Liu Che's voice became increasingly louder and louder: "As long as Chu Ning is killed on the battlefield, the Chu State will be in chaos! When that happens, not only will the Wei territory belong to the Han Dynasty, but even the three states of Qin will be incorporated into our territory!"

These passionate words did not receive a warm response from the ministers in the hall.

Prime Minister Chen Pin frowned, Minister of War Li Gan seemed to be hesitant to speak, and the other officials looked at each other in bewilderment. For a moment, the hall was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.

This scene made Liu Che raise his eyebrows and snorted coldly: "Why don't you say anything? Do you think what I said is wrong?"

Chen Pin coughed lightly, stepped out of the group, and bowed, "Your Majesty is wise. Chu Ning is young and full of vigor, so he is indeed nothing to be feared. However..."

"Just what?" Liu Che narrowed his eyes.

"It's just that Chu Ning is a master at using troops, and the White Horse Cavalry is the elite among the elite. Although our army has joined forces with the Tang Dynasty, the battlefield situation is changing rapidly, so we need to be careful." Chen Pin chose his words carefully.

"enough!"

Liu Che interrupted sharply, "I know what you're thinking. Aren't you worried that Chu Ning's personal expedition would boost the morale of the Chu army?"

He strode back to the throne and turned abruptly: "This time, I will also lead the army in person!"

"Your Majesty, think twice!" The ministers were shocked and knelt down to dissuade him.

Chen Pin said urgently, "The front line has Duke Protector Huo Quji commanding, who is more than capable of dealing with the Chu army. Your Majesty is the ruler of a nation, how can you so easily venture into such a dangerous place?"

Li Gan also advised: "Yes, Your Majesty, Duke Huo is a master of military strategy and will surely repel the Chu army. Your Majesty only needs to stay in the rear and dispatch food, fodder and troops."

Liu Che sneered repeatedly: "Huo Quji? He was defeated by Chu Ning in Changping and lost all his armor and soldiers. Now, I am afraid that his legs will go weak when he hears Chu Ning's name! If I don't go, who can defeat Chu Ning?"

He slammed the table and said, "My decision is made! Prime Minister Chen Pin will be in charge of political affairs. Ensure the supply of food and fodder to the front lines. The Ministry of War will immediately mobilize 30,000 Yulin troops to accompany me to the battle in three days!"

Seeing that the emperor had made up his mind, the ministers dared not persuade him any further and could only respond in unison: "We obey your order!"

Liu Che nodded with satisfaction, his eyes gleaming with ambition. "Send a message to Huo Quji, order him to firmly defend the border of Wei and not to act rashly."

"Wait until I arrive with my army, and then we'll fight Chu Ning to the death!"

"Dismiss the court!" With the eunuch's shrill voice, Liu Che strode out of the hall, leaving the ministers looking at each other in bewilderment.

Chen Pin sighed deeply and whispered to Li Gan beside him, "Your Majesty, this journey is extremely dangerous. Chu Ning is not someone you can easily deal with."

Li Gan smiled bitterly: "I just hope that the Protector of the Country can stabilize the situation and make plans after His Majesty arrives."

The two looked at each other and saw deep worry in each other's eyes.