We have fought to the Arctic Circle, and you want me to inherit the throne?

Fengtian City, the side hall where the Fengwang Palace holds meetings.

Although it was a day of rest, His Highness urgently summoned all the ministers and they all rushed over quickly. The atmosphere in the palace was solemn.

Important officials from various departments received the urgent summons and rushed over.

Civil and military officials were placed on both sides of the hall, clearly separated.

On the side of civil officials, Zhuge Zhe and Huo Duanxiao were in the lead, followed by cabinet ministers such as Wen Zaiyin, Tao Qian, and Chen Gui. The team was so full that they almost stood outside the palace gate.

Today, Fengguo's culture is flourishing, and Fengguo University can steadily provide a large number of graduates every year to work at the grassroots level in various departments.

The imperial court also sent officials from various places many times. They were all scholars from poor families who were marginalized by the aristocratic families, and there were many capable people among them.

The current Feng State is no longer what it used to be, and there is no shortage of officials to govern the local area.

On the other hand, the generals' side seemed much sparser.

Several young generals on duty in Fengtian are rising stars who have been promoted from the grassroots level in recent years and have made their mark with their military achievements.

It’s not that Fengguo values ​​civil officials over military ones, and military generals are in decline.

After all, Li Che started his career as a military man, and his status among Fengguo soldiers was still high.

However, as the territory of Feng State expanded rapidly, a large number of veteran generals such as Yang Zhongsi and He Conglong were sent to important cities in all directions.

The generals who guard the center are mostly newcomers with little experience and are unable to act on their own.

However, Li Che was already thinking of a solution.

The military academy is under construction. Li Che named it the "Fengjun Military Academy". The framework has been almost built, but it has not yet officially enrolled students.

When most of the people had arrived, Qiu Bai pushed the door open and came in. The hall suddenly became so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.

Li Che, dressed in casual clothes, walked into the hall with steady steps and sat down in the main seat.

Led by Wang Yongnian, all the ministers bowed in salute:

"See Your Highness."

"The princes are at peace."

Li Che said calmly, smiling, "Today is a day off. You should all rest well and stay home with your wives and children."

"However, there is urgent military information in the northern border, and I have to urgently summon you to discuss matters. It is my fault for disturbing your rest."

Everyone was moved and quickly bowed their hands in response, "We dare not. Sharing the country's worries is our duty!"

Li Che nodded slightly, glanced at everyone, and said in a deep voice:

"General Yang encountered an unknown alien army on the frozen land of the northern border, and a fierce battle ensued."

"In this battle, our army won a great victory, completely annihilated their vanguard of 10,000 people, and intercepted their national intelligence."

After hearing Li Che's words, a slight gasp was heard in the hall.

He wiped out the entire 10,000-man army silently, and it seems that General Yang is still as skilled as ever!

However, although this record is outstanding, it can only be considered ordinary in the Feng State, which is full of martial virtues.

Everyone was more keenly aware of key information such as "unknown origin" and "alien race". There was another country in the north, which was a big deal.

Li Che took out a roll of military newspaper brought back by a carrier pigeon from his sleeve and read it aloud in public.

The content is detailed, including the origin of the Cossacks, the existence of the Russian Empire, its huge size, the motivation for its eastward expansion, etc.

After the military report was read, the hall fell into a brief silence, followed by a suppressed discussion.

Everyone present was a learned man. Although Yang Zhongsi and the others had never heard of the Russian Empire, there were sporadic records of it in historical books.

In history books, this country is called Rakshasa Kingdom, but most people regard it as a legend in the remote area and never imagined that such a huge empire really existed.

Tao Qian twirled his beard and pondered, "It's actually the Rakshasa Kingdom. History records that its people have 'skin as white as snow, deep eyes, high noses, and love fur clothing.' It's true!"

"A population of tens of millions, with a standing army of two hundred thousand... This force is no small matter and should not be underestimated!" Wen Zaiyin's face was solemn. "If they advance eastward, they will become another serious threat."

"General Yang fought well, blunting their advantage and enhancing our nation's prestige!"

Chen Gui excitedly waved his fist, attracting everyone's attention.

"Your Highness! Now that we've engaged, and our new artillery is showing its power, we should seize the opportunity to pursue our victorious opponent!"

"With General Yang's abilities, supplemented by hot air balloons providing overhead coverage, mortars clearing the way, and elite infantry and cavalry, we can surely wipe out their Lena River stronghold in one fell swoop and completely drive this Russian force out of the northern border!"

As a hawk among the civil officials, Chen Gui's request to fight was expected, but it also instantly sparked more discussion.

Wen Zaiyin immediately frowned and retorted, "Lord Chen is full of lofty ideals, but the art of war says: Only by knowing yourself and the enemy can you fight a hundred battles without danger."

"Our army's knowledge of the Rakshasa Kingdom is based solely on confessions from prisoners and scattered records in historical books. The rest is completely unknown."

"Its domestic strength, military deployment, equipment level, and supply capabilities... these important pieces of information still need to be ascertained."

"The Rakshasa Kingdom is far away, and its supply lines are long. If we rashly penetrate their stronghold, if the enemy's stronghold is strong and reinforcements arrive suddenly, we may be in danger of being overthrown!"

After saying this, Wen Zaiyin looked at Li Che and suggested, "I believe that the most urgent task is to send capable spies to penetrate their strongholds and further west to gather detailed intelligence and draw accurate maps. Once the intelligence is complete, it will not be too late to decide on our next move."

Immediately afterwards, several other ministers spoke, with similar views.

The main focus is on maintaining stability, strengthening border defenses first, deploying scouts widely, figuring out the route, and then making a decision.

Fengguo has just been developing steadily for three years, and most people don't want to make any more trouble.

The discussion lasted for nearly an hour, with the pro-war faction headed by Chen Gui and the stability maintenance faction represented by Wen Zaiyin expressing their opinions.

Li Che always sat in the main seat with a calm expression. He did not interrupt anyone's speech, but occasionally nodded or frowned slightly at key points.

When the ministers had almost finished speaking and the noise in the hall had died down, Li Che slowly spoke:

"What you have said is the advice of a seasoned and wise counselor, and I am fully aware of it. This matter is of grave importance, affecting the long-term peace of the North. We must proceed with the utmost caution."

"Let us conclude our discussion today. You may disperse and allow me to consider this further."

"I'm waiting to retire."

The ministers bowed and filed out of the hall.

Li Che said again: "Zhuge Zhe and Huo Duanxiao stay."

In the huge side hall, only Li Che and two core ministers were left.

The palace door was closed silently by Qiu Bai, and Li Che's sitting posture became more relaxed.

"Zhengze, Ziyuan, everyone was discussing this matter, but you two remained silent. Why?"

Huo Duanxiao stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Your Highness, I have remained silent because I know you have already made your decision."

"Oh?" Li Che looked at it with interest.

Huo Duanxiao continued:

"As the saying goes, 'I shouldn't allow others to snore beside my bed.' The Rakshasa Nation is eyeing the Eastern Lands, and its vanguard has already set foot on our northern border. This behavior is no longer a border provocation, but an invasion!"

"Your Highness is a man of great talent and vision, with ambitions for the whole world. How could you tolerate such a powerful neighbor? This war is unavoidable and must be fought!"

Li Che looked at Huo Duanxiao with approval: "The one who knows me is the righteous one."