To the First Emperor of Qin: The state has decreed this!

Chapter 387 The Great Qin must never suffer the humiliation of barbarians!

Zong Yu looked at his colleagues in the hall, lowered his voice, and laid out his plan in its entirety:

"It's Zhang Fan's business to protect that woman. We can send someone privately to contact those Xiongnu envoys and sound them out."

Find out exactly why they insist on having Mi Yueyao!

Once we know the truth, Mi Yueyao will become our bargaining chip!

"Even if we can't get the details, we can still make a deal. We can tell the Xiongnu envoy that Zhang Fan is obstructing this matter, and we can secretly work in the court to find a way to send Mi Yueyao out of the city and hand her over to them."

But the condition is that the Xiongnu must give us enough benefits!

Upon hearing this, the officials present all breathed a little heavier.

These people, who served as officials in the court, were inherently driven by self-interest.

Now that the Northern Expedition cannot be stopped, if we can get something from the Xiongnu, it would be a great compensation.

"Lord Zong is wise."

An official cupped his hands in praise, saying, "The Xiongnu people have always regarded gold and silver as inanimate objects; what they lack more are iron tools and food. We can use Mi Yueyao as bait to exchange for a large amount of gold and silver from the envoy."

Even if they ultimately can't hand over the man, if they can use the Xiongnu to create some trouble and assassination attempts for Zhang Fan, it would still be a worthwhile deal.

Zong Yu nodded slightly; he had the same idea in mind.

Zhang Fan is currently too popular, so we need to use external forces to suppress him. The Xiongnu are the best tool for this.

"Now that the plan has been decided, we must not make a fuss about it tonight."

Zong Yu glanced at the sky, then turned and ordered everyone to leave: "You may all go back now. Remember, at tomorrow's morning court, no one is allowed to mention anything against the Northern Expedition."

Since the Imperial Household Department wants to build bearing carriages, we will not only not object, but also strongly support it!

His Majesty has recognized Zhang Fan's usefulness, and the Northern Expedition is now a foregone conclusion. If we dare to object further, we will surely face certain death!

The officials' expressions tightened, and they replied in unison, "We understand."

"As for the Xiongnu envoy..."

Zong Yu narrowed his eyes slightly. "Tonight, I will arrange for a trusted confidant to take advantage of the darkness to visit the Sifang Pavilion. We'll investigate those barbarians and see just how much benefit this remnant of Chu named Mi Yueyao can bring us."

Seeing that Zong Yu had already made up his mind and had taken on the task of contacting the Xiongnu envoy, the officials did not linger any longer and bowed to take their leave.

Before long, the once noisy hall was empty.

Zong Yu stood alone in the center of the hall, watching the sky outside gradually darken.

A night breeze swept by, stirring up a few fallen leaves in the courtyard.

The wondrous things he had seen at the Institute of Natural History flashed through his mind again.

"Zhang Fan, since you have such a brilliant plan, don't blame me for taking drastic measures!"

Zong Yu silently thought to himself, "The Qin court is not for a mere brat like you to wield power."

Since Mi Yueyao is your weakness, I will start with her and completely ruin your game!

……

The next day.

Twilight.

In front of Xianyang Palace, the bronze bell was struck, its deep, resonant sound echoing.

Civil and military officials, dressed in court robes, ascended the steps.

The court officials, divided into civil and military ranks, stood on both sides with their heads bowed.

A cold wind blew across the square, causing the sleeves of the officials to flutter in the breeze.

Inside the main hall, the light was dim, and charcoal fire burned inside the bronze cauldron, dispelling the chill of early autumn.

Ying Zheng, wearing a twelve-tassel crown and a black dragon robe, walked out of the rear hall with steady steps.

His gaze swept across the assembled officials below through the dangling jade beads, lingering for a moment on Zong Yu.

Yesterday at the Gewu Academy, Zhang Fan's steam locomotive and bearing carriage completely solved the problem of transporting grain and fodder.

Ying Zheng was convinced that during the morning court session, officials like Zong Yu would continue to use the excuse of "empty treasury and insufficient food supplies" to force him to agree to the Xiongnu's conditions and exchange peace for a marriage alliance.

I am ready.

As long as they dared to speak out against the Northern Expedition, an imperial edict would be issued to publicly announce the existence of the bearing carriage, thus silencing these civil officials.

"My lords!"

Ying Zheng's deep voice rang out in the hall, "Yesterday, the Xiongnu envoy made outrageous remarks in the hall, demanding wealth from our Great Qin and also wanting to marry a princess of Great Qin!"

"I intend to launch a military campaign to the north and pacify the Xiongnu. What proposals do you gentlemen have to submit?"

After he finished speaking, the hall fell silent for a moment.

Wang Ben, the Marquis of Tongwu, who stood at the head of the military officers, immediately stepped forward. He clenched his fists and loudly proclaimed, "Your Majesty! The Xiongnu barbarians are ignorant of the immensity of heaven and earth. This humble general requests to fight!"

"Our 300,000-strong army is ready to march at any time, and we will surely ensure that Touman Chanyu never returns!"

After speaking, Wang Ben turned his head and stared straight at Zong Yu on the other side.

Wang Ben was prepared for an argument.

In the past, whenever a military general proposed to wage war, Zong Yu would invariably jump out and lament that the national treasury was empty, transporting grain was too difficult, and too many laborers had died or been injured.

Today, Wang Ben wanted to see what other excuses Zong Yu could come up with.

Zong Yu sensed Wang Ben's gaze.

He straightened his sleeves, held his official tablet, and slowly walked out from the ranks of civil officials.

Upon arriving at the center of the main hall, Zong Yu knelt down on both knees and performed a grand salute.

"His Majesty!"

Zong Yu's voice was loud and clear, echoing throughout the main hall.

Wang Ben snorted coldly, thinking to himself that this old scoundrel was about to start complaining about being poor again.

However, Zong Yu's next words stunned everyone present.

"The Great Qin Dynasty, building upon the legacy of six generations, unified the world and its might shook the four seas! How dare these mere barbarian Xiongnu utter such arrogant words in the court of the Great Qin! It is a disgrace and a great humiliation!"

Zong Yu raised his head, his face full of righteousness, and his voice was impassioned: "Great Qin must never suffer the humiliation of barbarians! His Majesty's decision to launch a northern expedition is a demonstration of the power of our Great Qin."

Your Majesty, I, the Minister of the Imperial Household Department, wholeheartedly support Your Majesty's Northern Expedition! I am willing to dedicate all the resources of the Imperial Household Department to procure all necessary supplies for the army!

The hall fell into a deathly silence.

Wang Ben stared wide-eyed, his mouth slightly agape, at Zong Yu kneeling on the ground.

He suspected there was something wrong with his ears.

The other military officers exchanged bewildered glances. Was this still the same Zong Yu who could argue with his officers all day over a few thousand bushels of grain?

Why did he suddenly change his personality?

Not only the military officers, but even some low-ranking civil officials who were unaware of the situation were also taken aback.

But after Zong Yu made his statement, the core civil officials who had visited Zong Yu's residence yesterday stepped out of the queue without the slightest hesitation.

"We second that proposal!"

"The might of the Qin state is inviolable; we, your subjects, wholeheartedly support the Northern Expedition!"

"The Xiongnu envoy is arrogant; we must suppress him with a large army!"

A group of civil officials who usually advocated peace through marriage and appeasement were now more radical than the military generals, shouting loudly for war.

Wang Ben was dumbfounded.

He had prepared a string of insults all night, but now they were all stuck in his throat, and he couldn't utter a single word.

With their hands raised, they were caught in a dilemma, unable to move forward or backward, creating a very strange scene.