Chapter 220: Chapter 155: Rank 6 Mysterious Skill

However, Lu Yuan spoke up in a clear voice, "Everyone, we Northern Barbarians can’t afford to wait. If we don’t deal with the Shengman and the Ancient Barbarians now, we won’t have the chance in a year or two.

Therefore, I believe we must march this year, and the sooner the better. I ask for Your Majesty’s permission."

At her side, Xiao Hua couldn’t help but tug pleadingly at her mother’s sleeve.

The Empress, seated on the Dragon Throne, gazed at the anxious ministers.

After a moment of contemplation, she said, "I approve Lu Yuan’s plan. Reclaiming the Shengman and Ancient Barbarian lands has always been a goal we Northern Barbarians have striven for. What our predecessors could not achieve, we, their descendants, must inherit their wishes and carry on.

If we are timid and hesitant, when will we ever restore the might of the Great Qin?

Starting today, the Prime Minister will be responsible for coordinating provisions and supplying the army for the expedition."

"As you command!" Although Li Qing felt helpless, he still bowed and replied.

Then, the Empress looked at the spirited Lu Yuan and said, "Prince Qin, tell us your plan."

"This subject is willing to select fifty thousand Beast Riders to launch a surprise attack on the Shengman Tribe. However, I will need Your Majesty to dispatch a general to lead the main army, station them at the border of the Ancient Barbarian Tribe, and feign an offensive posture to keep them from making any rash moves.

This subject will do my utmost to destroy the Shengman Tribe’s Royal Tent within a month!"

Lu Yuan’s words were firm and resounding, but the ministers below frowned.

The plan seemed simple, but in reality, a single misstep would lead to utter damnation. It was especially dangerous for Lu Yuan to lead a mere fifty thousand troops into Shengman territory.

If he were to be besieged inside, any rescue attempt would be futile.

Sure enough, in the next moment, Xiao Gu stepped forward and said, "I disagree. This is far too dangerous. If Prince Qin encounters trouble in the Shengman Tribe’s territory, there will be no time to rescue him."

Li Qing also added, "Logistics are paramount for a surprise attack. Supplying fifty thousand cavalry inside Shengman territory will be a major problem."

"The Storage Rings can hold food. Besides, once the army enters Shengman territory, supplies will be everywhere. We’ll live off the land.

As long as we have blades in our hands, what is there to fear about finding food?

There is danger, certainly, but if we succeed, the Shengman problem will be solved.

The strength of our Northern Barbarians will rise to a new level. It’s a risk worth taking.

Moreover, I have already investigated. The Shengman Tribe’s lands are rich in Body Refining Herbs, and the animal herds are plentiful. It’s a treasure trove for gathering herbs and hunting, and there are also vast mineral deposits to be mined.

The imperial courts of all sides conduct large-scale trade with them every year.

As long as we obtain it, the Northern Barbarians will have an inexhaustible supply of resources." Lu Yuan’s expression was grave.

His stubbornness left the ministers feeling somewhat helpless. This Prince Qin was dead set on attacking the Shengman.

After a moment, the Prime Minister finally said, "So be it. Since Prince Qin insists on trying, then let’s give it a shot. However, I must ask the Grand Minister of Rites to dispatch experts from the Prajna Temple to accompany him. If it truly comes to a desperate situation, you must bring Prince Qin back."

After he finished speaking, Xiao Gu nodded. "I will see to it."

A bitter smile appeared on the Empress’s lips on the Dragon Throne. ’It seems no one is optimistic about this battle.’

Xiao Hua was also nervous. She was deeply conflicted, not knowing whether she should support Lu Yuan.

She worried he would be in danger if he really went to the Shengman lands.

But seeing how insistent Lu Yuan was, she couldn’t bear to refuse him.

At this moment, Lu Yuan quickly said, "Since Your Majesty has consented, I will return at once to mobilize the troops. This matter should not be delayed. We will set out in three days."

"Approved!"

And so, the northern expedition was approved.

After discussing the battle in the Imperial Court for the better part of the day, Lu Yuan finally returned to the Prince’s Mansion, a Military Token in hand.

This time, he would lead Xiao Lie on the expedition with fifty thousand of the most elite Beast Riders and ten Storage Rings, all piled high with provisions and Elixirs.

However, it was only enough to supply the army for half a month.

For the rest, the army would have to rely on plunder.

It wasn’t that the Imperial Court didn’t want to provide more; Storage Rings were strategic assets, and the court didn’t have many to spare.

Ten was already more than half of the royal family’s entire stock.

Besides, most of the space inside was used for Elixirs; food was secondary.

After all, in a major military campaign, the consumption of Elixirs was the greatest.

This was especially true for Elixirs that restored stamina, healed wounds, and stopped bleeding.

For the next few days, Lu Yuan spent nearly all his time selecting Warriors and preparing provisions.

His own storage space and the Storage Clasp on his jade belt were also stuffed full of Elixirs, all of which he had purchased with his own silver.

He hadn’t asked the Imperial Court for any of it.

For the past two days, Xiao Hua had been following Lu Yuan around like a shadow.

「Three days later」

Early in the morning, Lu Yuan led five hundred of his Beast Rider Personal Guard out of his mansion, only to see the Empress and Xiao Hua waiting for him outside the palace gates.

Besides the two of them, Li Qing and the others were also there.

Seeing this assembly, Lu Yuan did not dare to be neglectful. He immediately went forward and said, "Greetings, Your Majesty."

"Yuan, in this battle, you must take care of yourself. Your own safety is the most important thing. Everything else can be redone. If the situation becomes untenable, retreat immediately," the Empress said softly.

Li Qing also sighed. "Prince Qin, this old official knows that you do everything for the sake of the Northern Barbarians. Please do not hold our past disputes against me. Now that the war has begun, I will certainly give you my full support from the rear.

Regardless of victory or defeat, I hope you return safely."

The Grand Minister of Rites at his side nodded, then gestured for the eight experts behind him to join Lu Yuan’s ranks.

These eight were none other than the experts who had accompanied Lu Yuan and the others to the East Sea.

Seeing these eight people, Lu Yuan understood.

’These are the men the Grand Minister of Rites has left me to ensure my survival.’

A warmth spread through his heart. He then bowed and said, "Rest assured, everyone. On this expedition, I will shatter the Shengman in one fell swoop. If I do not achieve victory, I shall not return to court!"

The moment he finished speaking, the expressions on the ministers’ faces grew even more bitter. They had originally intended to let Lu Yuan give it a try, hoping he would hit a wall, return safely, and then never mention the northern expedition again.

But now, he was vowing not to return without victory, which made their hearts tighten.

They were about to try and persuade him otherwise.

But Lu Yuan had already leaped onto his warhorse. Cupping his fist to the crowd, he galloped straight for the city gates to join his army.

At this same time, Xiao Xiong, a general from the Northern Barbarians’ royal clan, was already leading one hundred thousand Beast Riders and an additional three hundred thousand Elite Cavalry toward the border of the Ancient Barbarians.

They had set out a day earlier, with the Elite Cavalry joining them along the way.

However, the ministers in the Imperial Court were not optimistic about this battle.

Meanwhile, within the Dayong Imperial Dynasty, the Yong Emperor sat in his grand hall, holding a message delivered by a Eunuch. He chuckled and said, "Is this the latest war report from the Northern Barbarians? They’re actually going to attack the Shengman? How interesting.

They usually avoid them like the plague, but this time they’re taking the initiative. That fellow Lu Yuan is just a show-off. It looks to me like he’s going to drag the Northern Barbarians into the chaos of war.

But this is good news.

It saves me the trouble of letting them recover for two years, which would make it harder to move against them later."

After speaking, he tossed the war report aside and said to the Eunuch, "Continue to observe."

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