It was impossible for the court not to know about the troop movement, so as soon as the court arrived, a heated discussion broke out among the ministers.
"Your Highness, I think that in this situation, we should not rush to mobilize the army. Let's see the situation of the two armies."
"If they fight each other, we can just sit back and reap the benefits!"
"Of course, if they have any intentions towards our Great Zhou, it won't be a problem for a hundred thousand troops to guard a pass for a few days. It will be enough to hold out until reinforcements arrive."
"After all, food and fodder are needed as soon as the army sets out!"
Hu Zhenghe did not strongly oppose this time. He knew that as long as he strongly opposed it, Xiao Yan would firmly carry it out.
"Your Highness, I think what Lord Hu said is inappropriate. If we wait until the enemy reaches our doorstep before taking action, wouldn't many soldiers die in vain?"
"Our Great Zhou has made sufficient preparations. Whether they fight each other or do something bad to our Great Zhou, we have the advantage of defense!"
"If we plan it right, we can even catch them off guard!"
Upon hearing this, all the ministers looked at Guo Youzhi. Everyone knew that Guo Youzhi was Hu Zhenghe's man, so why was he going against him now?
Yang Zhi also stood up and said, "Your Highness, I think there is no need to discuss this at this time. My Ministry of War is only reporting this matter to the various ministries in the court, rather than listening to their opinions."
"The army has already begun to mobilize. Military orders are as heavy as a mountain. How can we change them overnight?"
Hu Zhenghe stood up and said, "Your Highness, this is not a change of defense. How can we mobilize the army at will without the Tiger Talisman?"
Yang Zhi, however, was not accommodating to Hu Zhenghe: "The Great Zhou Law states that if the Tiger Tally is brought with the army to an expedition, if the border encounters other crises, the Tiger Tally can be discarded and the emperor will do the job!"
This time it was Hu Zhenghe's turn to be speechless, because there was indeed such a provision in the laws of the Great Zhou Dynasty.
"My Lords, my Ministry of War has made the most reasonable arrangements. I believe that no one can match my Ministry of War in terms of military affairs!"
"So please don't discuss this matter. The troops in Bozhou have already been mobilized, and the scouts of General Li Guang's team have already gone to convey the order."
" I think we will receive news in the next few days and be stationed in Xinzhou!"
Hu Zhenghe frowned when he heard this. Before, Xiaoqing would discuss any major or minor event in the court, but now she just skipped the discussion and asked the Ministry of War to issue an order.
This sign is not a good thing for Hu Zhenghe.
"Your Highness, I think this is inappropriate. Lord Yang is too arrogant. Where does this put the officials of our Great Zhou?"
"All my colleagues are thinking about our Great Zhou. As Lord Yang said, doesn't that mean we are all Straw Hats?"
"Your Highness, please punish Lord Yang, or I will go on strike!"
"I second the motion!"
As soon as these words were spoken, all those who followed Hu Zhenghe stood up.
"I think what Lord Yang said is correct, why should he be punished?"
"Is the plan Lord Yang mentioned a decision made after consultation with me, or do I, as the regent, not have the power to do so?"
Xiao Yan knew that Hu Zhenghe was unhappy and was causing trouble again. There were no officials to be appointed at the moment, and if they went on strike, the court would really be paralyzed.
There are already more people wearing multiple hats now, so there really is no one left to use in a strike.
"Besides, are you threatening me?"
Xiao Yan's tone was very cold when he said the last sentence, and all the officials who followed Hu Zhenghe shuddered.
"Your Highness, I am not threatening you, but Lord Yang's actions are indeed excessive. We have worked diligently, but in Lord Yang's eyes, we are inferior to him."
"Then how can we, the ministers, devote ourselves wholeheartedly to our Great Zhou!"
Hu Zhenghe's words were righteous, but in Xiao Yan's view, this was a threat.
"Since you all want to strike, then just retire and return home. The worst that can happen is that the imperial examination will start earlier!"
"This court will be quieter without you."
At this moment, all the officials were panicked. They just followed Hu Zhenghe's side, but they definitely did not mean that they did not want to be officials.
Suddenly everyone's eyes turned to Hu Zhenghe, hoping that Hu Zhenghe would give in quickly, otherwise they would all have to go home!
"Your Highness, we are not threatening you. We just want justice."
"Can the dignity of our Great Zhou officials be trampled upon at will?"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan's eyes became three points colder.
"It seems that Lord Hu didn't listen to what I said just now!"
"This plan was decided after consultation with Lord Yang, and I also think that you are not capable of military affairs!"
"I'm not targeting anyone, you who stand out in this regard are all scum!"
Kill people and destroy their hearts!
"If you want to resign, you can just stand there, Sande!"
"I am here. In half an incense stick of time, anyone who does not stand back will be recorded and sent to the Ministry of Personnel. They will be expelled from the official register and will never be employed again!"
Now these officials became even more anxious, and they all looked at Hu Zhenghe anxiously. If Hu Zhenghe did not stand back, they really dared not move!
"Sir, why don't we listen to the Ministry of War this time? Sir Yang is right. I am really not good enough in this aspect!"
"Yes, sir, Lord Yang was not wrong."
Once someone started talking, these officials immediately began to follow suit. After all, they didn't want to be driven back by Xiao Yan in such disgrace.
In the officialdom, one can still gain a lot, but without this identity, one will probably get nothing.
"you……"
Hu Zhenghe was angry. These people followed him and usually obeyed his orders. But now they would go against him for a small official position!
"Your Highness, I was wrong!"
An official saw that the time was up and Hu Zhenghe had not made any move, so he bowed and stood back!
When one person moved, everyone moved. Everyone followed and stood back, leaving Hu Zhenghe alone.
"You guys...well, you guys have guts!"
"Your Highness, this is ill-considered. I take back what I said before."
"But I think we should think twice before mobilizing troops!"
"My Great Zhou has just started to improve, and we cannot afford to suffer such turmoil now. The army cannot mobilize tens of thousands of stones of grain each time."
"The military pay has doubled. Has Your Highness ever thought about whether our Great Zhou can afford this expenditure?"
Hu Zhenghe's words were somewhat true. After all, even if he came to power, he did not want to take over a country with an empty treasury.
It would take too much time to develop yourself like that. If you save these now, you can save a lot later.
"I don't like wars, and I won't start them, but if anyone wants to attack my Great Zhou, that won't do. I can't put the safety at risk over these gains and losses."
"Although food and fodder are precious, compared to the safety of the people, they are nothing!"