Chapter 406 The Robust Imperial Consort 17 (2/2)

"Compromise will never satisfy a hungry wolf; it will only make it more greedy!"

Her phoenix eyes narrowed slightly, a cold glint flashing within them, as she swept her gaze over the pro-peace officials, her tone suddenly turning sharp.

His words struck like a thunderbolt, resonating in everyone's hearts.

Especially those generals who advocated war felt a surge of pent-up anger being released, and their gazes toward Zi Xi instantly filled with admiration.

"Your Highness, it's easy to talk about lofty ambitions, but difficult to win on the battlefield!"

"The enemy is so powerful, our army has already been defeated and morale is low, and the navy is not our strength. Why can't we endure for a while and turn swords into plowshares for the sake of the people of the world!"

"If we force a battle now and suffer further setbacks, shaking the very foundation of the nation, who will bear the eternal guilt?!"

The Vice Minister of War, his face grim, stepped forward to retort.

"This palace will bear it!"

Zi Xi answered without hesitation, her voice resolute.

"Your Majesty! Your son is willing to personally go to the East Sea to oversee the army in Jinzhou! I swear I will not return to the court until the Liuyan are defeated!"

She stepped forward, bowed deeply to the Empress, and spoke with a firm and resolute tone.

The entire hall erupted in uproar.

The eldest princess is going to personally oversee the army?!

This...this is simply unheard of.

She's a pampered, good-for-nothing princess. What does she know about military campaigns? Isn't she just sending herself to her death?

"Xi'er, don't be silly! Matters of national importance are not child's play!"

The Empress's expression also changed.

"Your subject is not being foolish!"

"Your subject is well aware that although the Ryukyu navy is powerful, it is a long and arduous expedition with long supply lines, which is advantageous for quick battles but not for protracted ones!"

"But defenses are static, people are dynamic!"

Zi Xi raised her head, her gaze intense.

For the first time, in front of the entire court of officials, she revealed her long-hidden brilliance and insight without reservation.

But she couldn't reveal her full plan.

"What Your Highness says makes sense, but while a military commander needs to be well-versed in military strategy, he ultimately... ultimately lacks experience in matters of the military!"

"Moreover, who should be the general? General Ling needs to be stationed at the central command to oversee the overall situation and cannot be moved lightly."

"The other generals are probably not up to the task!"

The Vice Minister of War was stunned by these remarks, but still insisted on arguing.

This is almost a blatant questioning of Zi Xi's abilities and the current predicament of having no one else available in the court.

Just then, Zi Xi turned slightly to the side and looked at Ling Siran, who stood silently at the end of the military officer's line, looking somewhat out of place due to his special status.

"The selection of generals..."

"Mother, gentlemen, have you perhaps forgotten?"

"Our Phoenix Dynasty currently has a person who has been well-versed in military strategy since childhood, is proficient in martial arts, and has also conducted in-depth research on the terrain of the East Sea and the Liuyan battle tactics!"

Zi Xi's lips curved into a very faint, yet trusting smile.

"Our dynasty has never said that men cannot go to the battlefield. The person I am talking about is my future imperial consort, the eldest son of General Ling, Ling Siran!"

She raised her hand and pointed at Ling Siran with an unquestionable certainty.

This caused an uproar throughout the entire imperial court.

At a time when people were in need, it was not so strict as to completely exclude men from serving as officials, but generally men's official positions were subordinate to women's.

But now the eldest princess is saying she wants a man to be a general?!

This is even more absurd than the First Princess personally overseeing the army!

"Absurd! This is outrageous!"

"A man serving as general is unheard of! This is like a hen crowing at dawn—what kind of decorum is this?!"

The Minister of Rites was the first to object.