Pacify the Barbarian Tribes, Sweep Across the Northern Frontier

The ambitious looks on these people's faces left Ren Tianye quite satisfied.

He said, "Very well!"

"This opportunity did not come easily. We must make absolutely foolproof plans and cannot afford even the slightest negligence."

"At present, the Northern Frontier has not yet been conquered. Who is willing to lead the army and take the entire Northern Frontier for me?"

Thump!

Zhang Shi immediately dropped to one knee. "Great General, this subordinate is willing to lead the troops. I guarantee that within three months, the Northern Frontier will be united!"

Ren Tianye glanced at Zhang Shi, knowing exactly what he was thinking. He simply wanted to snatch a piece of the glory.

After all, among the generals who had joined Ren Tianye's uprising, he, Sun Xiang, and Wang Ming were the closest to Ren Tianye.

But right now, Sun Xiang had achieved great merit by defending Yunji City.

Wang Ming's contributions were even more absurdly massive!

He was the only pitiful one!

The only battle he could boast about was the Battle of the Left and Right Peaks.

The problem was that Ren Tianye had personally supervised that battle.

No matter how you looked at it, the credit couldn't be placed on his head.

He wished he could lay his life on the line right this instant to secure a monumental achievement.

However...

Ren Tianye had no intention of giving it to him.

Although he hadn't fully occupied the Northern Frontier, the truth was that most of the capable soldiers there had already defected to him. Furthermore, he had the vast amount of provisions left behind by Ye Fan. It could be said that the current Northern Frontier was nothing but an empty shell.

As long as he dispatched troops from Yunji City, they could quickly sweep across the area.

What kind of merit was that?

Ren Tianye still wanted to give Zhang Shi something bigger. He said, "Forget about the Northern Frontier. However, I have an even greater opportunity for merit here. It just requires risking your life. I wonder if you dare?"

What was there that Zhang Shi didn't dare to do now?

He immediately declared, "Please give the order, Great General. Even if it means crossing a mountain of blades or a sea of fire, this subordinate will absolutely not frown."

"Good!" Ren Tianye stood up and said, "The barbarians are suffering from internal strife. Tuoba Ashina and the First Prince are dead, and Tuoba Xiangtai has taken away the barbarians' remaining soldiers. Without a doubt, the grasslands are currently empty."

"I intend to send a force to sweep across the grasslands."

"Do you dare to go?"

"I dare!" Zhang Shi said instantly.

"I will only give you five thousand light cavalry. Each man will carry fifteen days' worth of dry rations. After that, there will be no more supplies and no more reinforcements. Do you dare to go?"

Zhang Shi's heart skipped a beat, instantly grasping Ren Tianye's meaning.

The main army's current priority was to march south and fight for the world, so the main force had to be preserved. But the situation with the barbarians was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for them. It would be a pity not to strike.

So, he was letting him go!

Five thousand men, fifteen days of rations!

And nothing after that!

That meant if he led men into the barbarian grasslands, he could act as he pleased, completely free from the military regulations set by Ren Tianye!

It would be a massacre!

Or perhaps they would be surrounded and killed!

Regardless, if he succeeded, it would be a massive achievement!

If he failed, he would lose everything!

Zhang Shi hesitated for a moment, but then gritted his teeth and said, "Great General, this subordinate is willing to go!"

"Good!" Ren Tianye helped him up and whispered, "Once you reach the grasslands, I allow you to act at your own discretion. There is only one requirement: slaughter your way through the barbarians!"

"Yes, Great General!"

"Good, go and prepare. Within these two days, I will arrange everything for you. Prepare to head north!"

After dismissing Zhang Shi, Ren Tianye issued two more military orders in succession, directed at Sun Xiang and Shi Hu.

He ordered them each to lead fifty thousand men from two different directions to sweep across the Northern Frontier, ensuring that the entire region was subjugated as quickly as possible.

When the time came, with the Northern Frontier as a massive rear base, if Zhang Shi's mission proved effective and he beat the barbarians into hiding, Ren Tianye would have an extremely stable foundation.

He could advance to vie for supremacy over the world.

He could retreat to dominate the Northern Frontier!

He would forever stand in an invincible position!

...

The Capital, the Imperial Palace!

Empress Xiao Mingzhao sat upon the dragon throne. Her breathtakingly beautiful face looked even more radiant against the bright yellow dragon robes. As she accepted a letter hurriedly delivered by a eunuch, her eyes rippled with emotion.

In front of all the ministers, she couldn't wait to tear open the letter. After skimming it at a glance, she read it over carefully, her face growing even more flushed.

Only then did she raise her head.

Below, the ministers couldn't help but begin to whisper among themselves.

Judging from the situation over the past few days, Empress Xiao Mingzhao's behavior clearly indicated that she had received another letter from the barbarian Third Prince, Tuoba Xiangtai.

This marriage alliance, which many ministers found absurd and bizarre, was step by step becoming a reality.

"Where is Lu Qing?"

Xiao Mingzhao's voice rang out.

"This subject is here!"

Lu Qing stepped forward.

This general of the Auxiliary Duke's Estate, who held the rank of General of the Guards and concurrently commanded the Vanguard General's troops, bowed slightly. His expression was stern, and his entire body exuded a faint aura of dominance.

Xiao Mingzhao nodded at him in satisfaction.

She then directly appointed him, "Lu Qing, your loyalty and bravery are commendable. You have long held military power and have been a great help to me. Today, I appoint Lu Qing as the General of Agile Cavalry, responsible for all guards inside and outside the capital."

Hearing that he was being promoted, Lu Qing was about to accept when the Minister of the Imperial Household immediately jumped out from the crowd. "Your Majesty, you must not!"

"Although this person Lu Qing has some ability in the military, he is far too arrogant and rebellious. He dared to attack Yunji City without an imperial decree, and he even lost troops and generals outside Yunji City..."

Before the Minister's impeachment could finish, Lu Qing angrily retorted, "Nonsense! How did this general lose troops and generals outside Yunji City?"

"How did you not? Wasn't the equipment of the seventy thousand imperial guards lost outside Yunji City?"

Lu Qing snorted coldly. "It wasn't lost. It was given to Ren Tianye after this general made a promise to him."

"How could I go back on my word in the way I conduct myself throughout my life?!"

The Minister was furious. "You might as well have lost troops and generals!"

"You led the unarmored and horseless imperial guards south to quell the rebellion, but you were beaten to a pulp by the rebel army, retreating in defeat again and again. My Great Yu's seventy thousand elites were reduced to less than twenty thousand under your command."

"How is a person like you qualified to be the General of Agile Cavalry?!"

These words were like a knife stabbing into Lu Qing's heart.

He immediately shouted angrily, "That was because my soldiers had no armor or warhorses! If we had armor and warhorses, what would a mere rebel army amount to?"

"If this general wanted them dead at the third watch, they absolutely wouldn't live to see the fifth watch!"

The Minister immediately countered, "Then where are your armor and warhorses?"

Lu Qing was speechless.

Just as the Minister was about to increase his firepower, Xiao Mingzhao spoke up. "Enough. I have already made my decision on this matter. My beloved subjects need not say more."

Pausing, she looked at Lu Qing and said, "Beloved Subject Lu, I know that your elder brother passed away after catching a chill, leaving your sister-in-law all alone. I cannot bear to see it."

"I now order you to take extra care of her."

"Are you willing?"

Lu Qing's body trembled, his face full of disbelief. Then, with a thump, he knelt on the ground and said loudly, "Thank you for your profound grace, Your Majesty!"

"This subject will definitely take good care of Ruyue."

"Please rest assured, Your Majesty!"

Xiao Mingzhao nodded.

As the Madam of the Auxiliary Duke's Estate, Ruyue was able to enter the palace frequently. Over time, Xiao Mingzhao had learned of the romantic affair between Ruyue and Lu Qing.

It made her feel quite regretful.

Why couldn't lovers in this world be united?

This time, it was a rare opportunity.

Naturally, she wanted to fulfill this beautiful union.

It would also give Lu Qing an opportunity to be even more loyal!

This would help sweep away the obstacles in the imperial court and better welcome her Young Master Tuoba!

...