Who put the yellow robe on me?

In the Wanhe Hall, civil and military officials were hastily summoned together by Emperor Liang, and the air seemed to freeze.

Emperor Liang sat upright on the dragon throne, his brows furrowed, his face full of worry.

"I have received intelligence that there have been unusual movements among the Northern Qiang today." He took a deep breath, glanced at his ministers, and said, "Where is the Ministry of War? Tell us about the current situation."

Upon hearing this, the Minister of War, Guo Wulie, stepped forward, saluted, and said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, there have been unusual movements in the city defenses along the Northern Qiang border today. The enemy has amassed 300,000 Black Wolf cavalry at the Shanhaiguan Pass.

The Northern Qiang envoy said that due to years of war and the locust plague, the army has no food or wages, so they came to Daliang to borrow food.

Before Guo Wulie finished speaking, he heard the Liang Emperor's angry roar, the sound echoing in the hall like thunder: "Listen! Listen! After years of fighting and no food, you come to Daliang to borrow food?

Does borrowing grain require 300,000 cavalrymen to invade the border? If we don't lend it, will the Northern Qiang march south and take our capital directly? Ah!"

Emperor Liang's anger suddenly made the atmosphere in the hall tense. All the ministers lowered their heads and no one dared to speak, for fear of angering the emperor.

Emperor Liang rubbed his temples, pondered for a moment, and then calmed down. He glanced at the civil and military officials in the hall and said, "Tell me, what should we do next?"

After a moment's silence, General Zhong Wenbin stepped forward and spoke in a resounding voice, "Your Majesty, this war seems inevitable. With three hundred thousand troops approaching, the Northern Qiang's attitude is clear. How could they have the slightest intention of seeking peace?"

"I believe that only war can resolve the current crisis! If we do not fight, the Northern Qiang will surely become more aggressive, invading our Daliang territory and harming the lives of our people."

Zhong Wenbin's words were powerful, and the ministers secretly admired his courage and decisiveness.

However, before anyone could react, the Minister of Revenue, Cao Shouku, followed closely behind him, took a step forward, and said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, the General's words are wrong!"

"Well! Go on!" Emperor Liang said to Cao Shouku.

Cao Shouku continued, "Yes, Your Majesty! If we go to war, the cost will be enormous! As the saying goes, the sound of the drum costs a fortune. The national treasury is already stretched to the limit. If we start another war, I'm afraid it will bring down the entire Daliang."

Cao Shouku's words made the atmosphere in the hall even more solemn. He turned and saluted the Emperor of Liang, continuing, "Your Majesty, I beg you to reconsider. While negotiating peace is humiliating, it will ensure the peace of the people of Daliang. War, if it breaks out, will bring devastation to the people and empty the treasury, potentially leaving us destitute."

Cao Shouku's voice was filled with helplessness and worry, and the atmosphere in the hall grew even more complicated. Civil and military officials, each with their own thoughts, looked at each other in bewilderment, many whispering, some even shaking their heads and sighing.

After hearing this, Emperor Liang looked deep in his eyes and asked calmly, "Do you have any other opinions?"

At this time, the twelfth prince Jiang Zhan stood up, his face showing a bit of indignation and disdain, and his voice was sonorous and powerful: "Master Cao, this is wrong.

The Northern Qiang cavalry is already approaching the city. If we continue to negotiate, can we get peace?

The lessons of the Former Yan are still fresh in our minds. The Former Yan made peace again and again, and its territory was reduced again and again, but was eventually destroyed by the Western Regions.

This is the end of blindly compromising! Father, I believe that war should be the primary strategy. Only by fighting can we protect the safety of Daliang!"

The Twelfth Prince's words were so powerful that the hall was once again filled with a tense atmosphere. After hearing this, the Minister of Personnel, Wu Jinyan, sneered, stepped forward, and said with a bow, "Twelfth Prince, your words are a bit alarmist.

The fundamental reason why the Former Yan was destroyed was its internal corruption and alienation among its ministers, not whether it sought peace.

Although the Northern Qiang are strong, if we prioritize peace and seek diplomatic strategies, we may be able to quell this conflict. I still believe that negotiating peace is the current strategy."

The Ninth Prince Jiang Yu also stood up at this time and echoed, "What the Minister of Personnel said is absolutely right. Father, I also believe that peace should be the priority.

"Daliang is now plagued by internal and external troubles, and it is really not appropriate to start another war. Instead of fighting, it is better to consolidate the foundation of the country and use gold, silver, and money to seek peace."

Emperor Liang's gaze swept back and forth between the few people, and a hint of imperceptible hesitation flashed in his eyes.

He knew that what the general and the twelfth prince said was true. With 300,000 cavalry approaching, it was obvious that the Northern Qiang were not here to seek peace.

But he could not ignore the words of the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of Personnel, and the Ninth Prince. The national treasury was empty and the cost of war was too heavy.

Faced with this debate, he was also weighing the pros and cons in his mind, wanting to both maintain the stability of Daliang and avoid the suffering of the people.

However, the reality of the Northern Qiang cavalry approaching was like a sharp sword hanging over Daliang's head, ready to fall at any time.

The military commanders advocated war, but the civil officials advocated peace! War or peace? This is indeed a difficult decision!

At this moment, Emperor Liang's gaze fell on the sixteenth prince, Jiang Chen. Jiang Chen remained silent from beginning to end, his eyes calm.

Emperor Liang thought of the recent series of major events - the refugee incident, the traitor incident in the Western Regions, and the Autumn Examination incident, in which Jiang Chen showed unexpected wisdom and decisiveness.

He suddenly realized that this seemingly insignificant son might be able to help him solve his problems at this critical moment.

"Quiet!" Emperor Liang spoke softly, his voice was not loud, but full of majesty.

The entire court fell silent, and all eyes were focused on the dragon throne, waiting for the emperor's next words.

"Chen'er," Emperor Liang's voice echoed in the hall, "What do you think? War or peace?"

For a moment, everyone looked at the Sixteenth Prince. Emperor Liang's question undoubtedly pushed him to the forefront.

Inside the hall, the civil officials couldn't help showing some contempt, wondering what brilliant ideas this frail and incompetent prince could possibly have.

Jiang Chen remained calm in the face of everyone's gaze.

He slowly stood up, bowed, and said, "Father, I believe that anyone who advocates for peace is a threat to the well-being of our nation and should be executed immediately!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the whole court was in an uproar!

All the civil officials were shocked, and the military generals also looked surprised.

The sixteenth prince, who had always been believed to be obsessed with sensual pleasures and not concerned with state affairs, was so radical at this time, even more decisive than these battle-hardened generals!

Emperor Liang was also slightly taken aback, obviously not expecting Jiang Chen to say such decisive words. He then asked, "Oh? Why do you say that? Are we sure of victory?"

Jiang Chen's expression was firm, and he said without hesitation, "Father, I believe that Daliang should fight rather than make peace for three reasons."

He glanced around the court, his tone calm and powerful: "First, as the General and Twelfth Brother said, the 300,000 Black Wolf Iron Cavalry of the Northern Qiang are already approaching, and negotiating peace will be of no benefit to us.

If we fail to meet the Northern Qiang's demands, the Shanhai Pass area will become a bloodbath. Rather than sit and wait for death, it is better to take the initiative and stop the war with war."

The military commanders nodded, believing Jiang Chen's analysis to be reasonable. The civil officials began to whisper among themselves, inevitably feeling a little shaken.

"Secondly," Jiang Chen continued, "Daliang borders the Western Regions, Eastern Qi, Southern Chu, and other countries. If an army of 300,000 can defeat us without a fight, other countries will surely follow suit. By then, Daliang will be on the verge of destruction!"