Rebirth: Phoenix Riding the Ninth Heaven

After careful consideration, Li Ruoyue and the others finally settled on a plan. Without hesitation, she waved goodbye to the Fourth Prince and set off on her own path. Meanwhile, the Fourth Prince, without hesitation, headed in the other direction, his resolute figure betraying a determination to achieve his goal. Thus, the two of them headed towards their respective goals, ready to put their carefully crafted plans into action.

At that moment, sunlight streamed down the earth, bathing the world in a golden glow. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves, creating a stirring melody for the impending mission. Li Ruoyue took light steps, her heart filled with anticipation and nervousness. She knew the importance of this mission, and the countless difficulties and challenges it held, but she showed no sign of retreat. Instead, she clenched her fists, silently promising herself to give it her all and never let everyone down.

Meanwhile, the Fourth Prince was equally filled with passion. His eyes shone brightly, his steps steady and powerful, each one a testament to his resolve. He saw this operation as a matter of not only personal honor and disgrace, but also the survival of the nation. Therefore, he must devote all his energy to completing this arduous mission, no matter how thorny and dangerous the road ahead.

As time passed, Li Ruoyue and the Fourth Prince drifted further and further apart, eventually disappearing from each other's sight. Yet, the tacit understanding between them remained unwavering. No matter where they were, they would always remember their common goal and work tirelessly towards it. I believe that when they reunite in the near future, they will surely achieve delightful results.

After parting with Li Ruoyue, the Fourth Prince rushed to the Imperial Palace like an arrow from a bow. Along the way, he was terribly anxious, eager to fly to his father's side immediately. Finally, led by Sui Gonggong, the highly respected and revered eunuch beside the Emperor Qian, the Fourth Prince entered the solemn and majestic Cheng'en Hall.

Upon entering the palace, the sight of the lofty Dragon Throne and the majestic old man seated atop it, clad in a mysterious black robe, was striking. His Majesty, the Emperor, was absorbed in reviewing the mountain of memorials piled on his desk, his red brush dancing as if he were meticulously analyzing and deciphering the profound meaning of each one. These memorials contained reports on public sentiment from across the country, as well as crucial information such as sudden disasters in various regions.

Emperor Qian knew that creating a prosperous, enduring, and peaceful era was no easy task. Governing such a vast realm, he couldn't simply act arbitrarily based on personal preferences. He must constantly maintain a clear mind and discern the potential impact of every decision. He needed to listen to the people, understand their needs and concerns, and maintain a comprehensive perspective, weighing the pros and cons to ensure national stability and development. To this end, Emperor Qian toiled tirelessly, day and night, striving to ensure the stability of his realm and a happy and prosperous life for his people.

The Fourth Prince walked with a steady yet slightly anxious gait into the magnificent, solemn and majestic hall. His expression was solemn, his eyes were determined, and every step he took was particularly dignified. When he reached the center of the hall, the Fourth Prince stopped, knelt on both knees, and placed his hands on the ground. With the utmost piety, he kowtowed to the late emperor who sat on the dragon throne before him, and shouted loudly, "Your son pays homage to your father! Long live your father!"

At this moment, the late emperor, who was attending to state affairs, heard the voice and slowly raised his head from a pile of memorials. His weathered face revealed a complex mixture of majesty and kindness. He gazed at the kneeling Fourth Prince below and asked calmly, "My son, why are you rushing to see me?"

The Fourth Prince raised his head slightly, his gaze settling on the late Emperor's aging face and slightly fatigued frame. An indescribable feeling welled up within him. His father, once so full of vigor and awe, was now gray-haired, the marks of time etched mercilessly on his face. The Fourth Prince knew all too well that time was passing by, and his father's health was deteriorating, a cause of deep worry for him.

Thinking of this, the Fourth Prince's eyes turned red and his throat choked slightly, but he suppressed his sadness, bowed to the late emperor again and said: "Father, I recently learned that the Northwestern Huns brazenly invaded our border, and the people are suffering. I can't sleep day and night because of this, and I really don't know how to help you solve your problems. So today I specially came to the palace to see you, and I beg you to give me a chance to share your worries and defend our country!" After speaking, the Fourth Prince's eyes flashed with determination, as if waiting for Emperor Qian's approval.

Upon hearing this, Emperor Qian's heart sank, as if struck by a heavy hammer. Could it be that she was actually attempting to lay her hands on the supreme power? Before I even became frail and infirm, someone was already eagerly coveting the position of Crown Prince? Thinking of this, Emperor Qian's expression instantly grew extremely grim. He furrowed his brows, stared at the person before him with a fierce gaze, and demanded sternly, "My son, what do you intend to do?"

By this time, the Fourth Prince, upon hearing Emperor Qian's words, had already grasped his father's suspicions and precautions. Without hesitation, he knelt on both knees, touching his head to the ground. With a firm and sincere tone, he declared, "Your Majesty, I have absolutely no ulterior motives! However, the war in the northwest is raging. The Xiongnu are utterly brutal and devour our people like lambs to the slaughter. This deep-seated feud is truly irreconcilable! Furthermore, these evil thieves are taking advantage of the weakness of our northwestern army to invade the prosperous state of Dashun. I simply cannot tolerate such arrogance and bullying on our border. Therefore, I, with all my heart, beg to personally lead an army as the vanguard, bravely fighting the enemy and ensuring that those thieves never dare to cross the line again!" With these words, the Fourth Prince raised his head, his eyes filled with determination and resolve.

Upon hearing this, Emperor Qian's tense expression relaxed slightly. He thought to himself, "Perhaps this is just the enthusiasm of a young man. I simply cannot tolerate others wantonly trampling on the country I love." Then, he spoke slowly and softly, "My son, I know you have great ambitions and a boiling passion, but the battlefield is full of dangers and unpredictable changes. If you are not careful, you will fall into an irretrievable situation.

Therefore, you must not take risks lightly! " However, after listening to his father, the Fourth Prince had already shown a look of sorrow. He clasped his hands together and saluted Emperor Qian, and responded sincerely: "Father, please forgive me for speaking frankly. I think we all rely on the hard work of the people to fill our stomachs and drink the precious treasures they pay as tribute to nourish our bodies and minds. Now, thanks to the hard work of the people of Dashun and your careful cultivation, when the country is facing a crisis, if I still only care about my personal safety and honor and disgrace, how can I have the face to enjoy the peaceful and prosperous age created by you, father?" After speaking, the Fourth Prince's eyes flashed with a firm and fiery light, as if he had put life and death aside, and was only concerned with protecting the peace of his family and country.

Upon hearing this, Emperor Qian couldn't help but sigh, "After all, the Fourth Prince truly understands my hardships and the suffering of the people!" He thought to himself that the other princes often simply sat back and enjoyed the fruits of their labor, taking it for granted, never considering the dedication and effort that went into it. But at this moment, the Fourth Prince's performance caught Emperor Qian's attention, and he couldn't help but look upon his son with new eyes.

After a moment's thought, Emperor Qian asked, "My son, do you have any other solutions for the Xiongnu's repeated incursions into the Han territory to the northwest?" His words were thick with anticipation. He knew that facing such a thorny situation required the counsel of wise men to maintain peace on the frontier and throughout the country. And this Fourth Prince, who brought him so much joy, might be the one who could solve this pressing problem.

The four princes all lowered their heads, lost in thought, as if the only sound in the world was the murmur of their intense inner thoughts. After a long moment, one of them finally knelt on his knees, as if resolved. In a firm yet slightly trembling voice, he addressed the emperor, seated on the throne, "Father, I have a rather bold idea in mind, but I wonder if it will meet your approval..."

Upon hearing this, the former emperor gazed at his kneeling son with a burning gaze. After a moment, he spoke slowly, "My son, rise and speak! I pardon you. Tell me everything you are thinking. There is no need to be shy."

With his father's permission, the prince stood up, took a deep breath and continued, "Your Majesty, the northwest border is now under attack by the Huns, and the situation is serious. If the Huns successfully capture the northwest, they can march straight in and advance all the way south. In this way, the capital of our dynasty will become the only way for them to pass through on their way south. Moreover, there are no natural barriers here. Once the enemy breaks through the defense line, they can easily sweep across the counties. By then, with our existing military strength and fortifications, it will be difficult to withstand the fierce offensive of the Huns' cavalry. If even our political core, Kyoto, is captured by the enemy, then I ask, do our people, my brothers and sisters, and all the princes and ministers have enough strength to resist foreign enemies?" At this point, the fourth prince couldn't help but look worried, and his tone became heavier.

Father! Let me explain. Think about it: if the northwest truly lost Marquis Weiyuan's entire 300,000-man army, how many troops would we have left to resist the Xiongnu's cavalry? Even the most battle-hardened and experienced soldiers have fought the Xiongnu before, and the outcome was unpredictable. How could we, stationed in the rear, untouched by the flames of battle, possibly stand up to them?

The ferocity and brutality of the Xiongnu are well known. Raised on the grasslands, horseback riding and archery are commonplace, and each one of them is a brave and skilled warrior. Meanwhile, while we possess a number of elite warriors, most lack actual combat experience. If we engage them in battle, we will likely struggle to withstand them. Furthermore, the situation in the northwest is critical. If we fail to send timely reinforcements, the consequences will be disastrous!

Therefore, Father, please think carefully before you act. Do not let a momentary impatience lead you to neglect the safety of the nation and the well-being of the people. Only by maintaining the northwest defense line can we ensure the long-term stability of our country. I implore you to be discerning and make a decisive decision!