After our homes were confiscated and we were exiled, the women in my clan and I raised a million sol

After the civil and military officials arrived at the Hall of Supreme Harmony, they waited quietly there for Li Tiancheng's arrival.

On their way here, they had already learned about the invasion of barbarians from the north, so everyone's heart was filled with worry and anxiety.

The atmosphere in the Hall of Supreme Harmony was tense and depressing. The ministers exchanged worried glances with each other and whispered about the upcoming war.

They knew that the enemy they were facing this time was the powerful northern barbarians, and their fighting ability should not be underestimated.

Every time Daqian fought with them, it always ended up defeated, which made the ministers feel even more heavy-hearted.

A minister in civil service uniform turned around and whispered to his colleagues, "What do you think those northern barbarians were thinking by suddenly heading south?"

There was a hint of confusion and unease in his voice.

Hearing this, the colleague glanced at him and said, "What else could it be? It must be about money!"

A minister standing behind them heard their conversation and couldn't help but interrupt, "Do you think we can stop the attack of those northern barbarians this time?"

After this was said, the ministers couldn't help but laugh. One of them said, "Do you still think you can stop them? If you could, those northern barbarians wouldn't be so arrogant."

After saying this, the minister smiled bitterly.

He knew that this war was of great significance to Daqian, but he also knew that their strength was far behind that of the barbarians in the north.

Elsewhere, the generals' expressions were equally grim. One of them quietly prayed, "Please don't pick me this time. Let me go! I don't want to get involved in this mess."

There was a sense of fear and avoidance in his voice.

After all, if he was sent to resist these northern barbarians, he might lose his life.

And even if their lives were in danger, the emperor would definitely not let them go if they were defeated.

So it’s better not to approach him about this kind of thing.

The entire Hall of Supreme Harmony was filled with an atmosphere of depression and unrest, and everyone was worried and anxious about the impending war.

After waiting for a while, Wei Zhong finally appeared in front of the ministers.

He took small, quick steps towards the center of the hall, then shouted in his shrill voice, "Your Majesty has arrived!"

Hearing this, the ministers quickly tidied their appearance, then lowered their heads and waited quietly for Li Tiancheng's arrival.

After dozens of seconds, Li Tiancheng's figure appeared in front of everyone.

He walked hurriedly to the dragon throne and sat down, scanning the ministers below with sharp eyes.

"I believe you are aware that the Northern Barbarians are invading now."

Li Tiancheng's voice was low and powerful.

"Tell me what you have planned?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the entire Hall of Supreme Harmony fell into silence.

The ministers looked at each other, but no one dared to stand up and speak.

Seeing this scene, endless anger surged in Li Tiancheng's heart.

He felt that these ministers always liked to argue and express their opinions endlessly on weekdays, but at critical moments they all acted like turtles and said nothing.

So, Li Tiancheng slapped the dragon throne below hard, making a loud noise.

Then he stood up, pointed at the ministers below and shouted angrily, "Why are you all so quiet?"

"Aren't you usually very talkative? Why do you all become like turtles when faced with something like this? You don't say a word!"

His voice echoed throughout the Hall of Supreme Harmony, making every minister feel terrified.

They knew that the Emperor was already furious, and anyone who dared to say any more nonsense at this time might offend him.

Therefore, they all chose to remain silent and let Li Tiancheng vent his anger there.

When Li Tiancheng had almost vented his anger, a minister slowly stood up.

The minister was dressed in official robes and had a serious expression, but his eyes revealed a hint of hesitation and worry.

He took a deep breath and said carefully, "Your Majesty, since those northern barbarians came here for money, we might as well just give them some money to send them away, just like giving alms to beggars."

After he finished speaking, he immediately aroused responses from others.

Some ministers began to discuss in low voices, and seemed to think that this suggestion had some feasibility.

After hearing his words, Li Tiancheng frowned.

His face turned gloomy because he felt that this matter was very embarrassing for him.

As the emperor of Daqian, he could not tolerate his country being threatened and blackmailed by a group of barbarians.

But at this moment, a scout rushed in hurriedly.

He was sweating profusely and panting as he said to the people in the hall, "Report... Report to His Majesty!"

"The Northern Barbarians captured two cities to our north yesterday. Now they're demanding 20 taels of silver and the cession of the five cities to the north."

"Otherwise, they will continue south and capture His Majesty... capture His Majesty."

After hearing the outrageous demands of these northern barbarians, Li Tiancheng's face trembled slightly with anger.

His heart was filled with anger and fear.

He knew that if these northern barbarians were allowed to invade, not only would he face great danger, but the entire Daqian Kingdom would also fall into an unprecedented crisis.

The ministers also gasped and didn't know what to say.

They knew that this war was of great significance to Daqian, but they also knew that every confrontation with the northern barbarians always ended in failure.

Faced with such a severe situation, they were filled with a sense of powerlessness and frustration.

After taking a deep breath and calming down, Li Tiancheng continued, "What should I do? Tell me what to do now?"

There was a sense of anxiety and helplessness in the voice.

Li Tiancheng knew that someone had to step forward and offer a feasible suggestion at this time.

In fact, what is more important is to have someone to take the blame.

After hearing his words, the minister who had just stood up said, "Your Majesty, why don't you agree to their request? After all, our current strength is indeed not enough to withstand their attack."

At this time, the minister was also extremely frightened.

After all, he still had a lot of wealth left to spend, and he didn't want to lose it just like that.

Moreover, the methods used by those northern barbarians are extremely cruel. If they are really allowed to invade, they will be dead.

After the minister finished speaking, a minister who looked older stood up.

He is tall, with a serious face and his eyes reveal firmness and determination.

He said in a steady voice, "Your Majesty, these northern barbarians are ambitious. We must not listen to them. It's better to nurture the enemy and protect our own safety!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the minister who was about to sue for peace glanced at him and said, "Master Zheng, do you mean that we should resist to the end?"

There was a hint of sarcasm and disdain in his tone.

The old minister snorted coldly, then replied firmly, "Of course! I am willing to lead the army to resist those northern barbarians."

After hearing his words, the minister's eyes flashed with sarcasm, and then he said: "The ferocity and brutality of the Northern Barbarian Army is completely beyond our ability to resist."

"Instead of wasting our soldiers' lives, we should just listen to them, pay them some money, and cede those five cities to them!"

His words revealed a helpless and compromising attitude.

After hearing his words, the old minister widened his eyes and started arguing with him.

The argument between the two men grew louder and louder, attracting the attention of other ministers. They joined in the discussion, and for a moment the hall became noisy.

Listening to their quarrel, Li Tiancheng frowned and said, "Alright, stop arguing. Those who agree with Mr. Zheng should stand on the left, and those who agree with Mr. Zeng should stand on the right."

After he finished speaking, two-thirds of the officials stood on Mr. Zeng's side, obviously in favor of ceding territory and paying compensation. The remaining few agreed to fight the Northern Barbarians to the end.

After seeing this scene, Li Tiancheng rubbed his nose and said, "If that's the case, then let's listen to Master Zeng."

In fact, Li Tiancheng was inclined to give Beimen some money to settle the matter. After all, he had heard about the brutality of the Northern Barbarians' army, and he had no intention of resisting at all. It would be better to pay some money and settle the matter.