Resisting the Wind and Splendor

"Your subject had no such intention. I beg Your Majesty to see the truth," Lu Beimo said sincerely.

He said, "Your Majesty, I do not intend to ask you to let me succeed to the throne. One important reason is that I do not know who I can ask to guard the northern border and the southern Mongolia."

These words caused the Emperor and An Delu to exchange glances again.

Lu Beimo continued, "These two places may seem calm now, but only the soldiers on the ground know how much turmoil is brewing within them."

"The northern frontier is too vast, and many nomadic peoples lurk within it, so war could break out at any time."

"As for the Southern Mongols, although we have reached a consensus with Yuwen Shu, it is only a temporary peace. If I stay in the capital for too long, Yuwen Shu may send troops at any time to take back the territory lost by the Khitans."

"If my soldiers are here, Yuwen Shu might give me some face, and we can be at peace for eight or ten years."

However, if military power falls into the hands of others, then the person leading the troops will not be one of their own fierce generals.

Yuwen Shu had no scruples and could raise an army at any time.

The Emperor should understand this principle.

The Emperor couldn't help but glance at An Delu again.

An Delu said, "General Yuwen deserves credit for the pacification of Nanmeng this time, but he refused to submit to Dongling. In order to stop the fighting, Your Highness must have reached an agreement with him to temporarily cease hostilities."

“That’s right. Your son and Yuwen Shu do have an agreement. He is wary of you and afraid of you. As for your son, he also does not want to start another war.”

Lu Beimo sighed softly. This was the first time in his life that he had engaged in such a high-level discussion with the Emperor.

He said, “The hardship in the border town is beyond your imagination, Father Emperor. The people of Southern Mongolia have suffered for so many years, and now, being able to eat a hot meal and drink a hot soup is a luxury.”

"Although Nanmeng has been recovered by your son and Ali, there are still many places that your son's soldiers cannot govern. Even now, people in Nanmeng are still starving to death every day."

The emperor felt a chill run down his spine.

It is truly heartbreaking that in such a great nation as Dongling, some people are starving to death.

Is Southern Mongolia really that poor?

He looked at Lu Beimo.

Lu Beimo nodded: "Poor, really poor. The plight of the people is something you, Father, cannot imagine."

"Let's start with the northern frontier. Your son has spent five years not only quelling the rebels but also developing agriculture. Yet, even today, we still cannot guarantee that every person can have enough to eat and wear."

"In some corners that I cannot reach, there are still people suffering from hunger and cold. That is the northern frontier that I have been governing for five years."

"The situation in Southern Mongolia will only get worse. Southern Mongolia is now in ruins and cannot withstand any more ravages of war."

The emperor remained silent, his heart heavy.

Andro was the same.

After an unknown amount of time, the Emperor finally looked at Lu Beimo, his voice somewhat cold.

"So, you mean you still want to go back to the northern frontier, or the southern Mongolia?"

He has his military power, right?

"Your subject originally intended to leave without informing Father Emperor."

Lu Beimo was ultimately soft-hearted. Seeing the Emperor so seriously ill, if he were to simply leave, the Emperor... might become so angry that he would fall ill and never recover.

The Emperor's feelings were complicated: "So you really had such intentions! If that's the case, why did you dare to tell me? Aren't you afraid I'll immediately order your arrest and imprison you in the palace forever?"