My Chinese ancestors

Chapter 566 The Fire-Forged Sword
"Are you going to fight the Western barbarians this time?"

After nightfall, after dinner, Su Chen sent the old couple to the backyard to rest, and then returned to the study room in the atrium. His two brothers, plus Su Ting and Shi San, were also there.

Dian Wei and Xu Chu were guarding the place inside and outside as usual, like two door gods, which no one dared to look down upon.

In the study, the lights flickered, and two maids came in to add tea, snacks, and two more candles to make the room brighter.

Although Su Yong and Su Lie are elder brothers, they all regard Su Chen as the most respected person in the room. After all, he is the emperor. No matter how he is called at home, he cannot avoid being the emperor.

After a conversation, Su Yong realized that what happened next could not end so simply.

He is not a literate person, and he can keenly capture many details in many things. After waiting for Su Chen to finish speaking, he first asked about what he just said.

Last time the third brother came back and stayed at home for a few days, the expedition against the Japanese pirates in the East China Sea was put on the agenda, and soon troops were sent to fight against the Japanese pirates.

Although he was just passing by when he came back this time, he was also directly related to the Western barbarians. He knew the nature of his own brother. If he didn't say this, he would not be Su Chen.

"Brother, you do understand me."

He didn't know how many people there were in Xia, but he could imagine how many people there were in one generation, and how many wars would result in millions of casualties.

"After this battle, I was thinking about how to conquer the Japanese in the East China Sea once and for all and completely eliminate the future troubles. I was even prepared to sacrifice a generation of Xia people and bring the war to the borders of the western empire. That unfolds the carnage of the millstone of flesh and blood.”

Su Lie was startled and almost jumped up from his chair. He pointed out two fingers: "So many? I thought it was just a troop..."

Just thinking of that scene, Su Yong, Su Lie, Su Ting, and Shi San in the room shuddered.

"Your second brother and I are not familiar with the affairs of our country, so we can't say anything."

"what?"

After hearing this, Su Lie naturally knew about the war in the Western Region. It was no longer news in the Northland or the entire Xia Kingdom.

"More than two hundred thousand?"

"Second brother, don't be so surprised. There are more than 200,000 soldiers and horses, just for fighting...not counting the civilians and craftsmen recruited, and the horses for transportation..."

"Fighting really won't help you much." Su Lie nodded in agreement, clenching his only hand into a fist and shaking it, "But my eldest brother and I support you. You want to send troops to the west to fight the barbarians. I My eldest brother and I sold off our property and tried our best to support the army with food for half a year."

If you no longer love your own country, even your enemies will look down on you.

After all, Su Ting is a young man who travels all over the world to do business, so he has enough brains.

"Third brother, why must we recruit our people?" At this time, Su Ting raised his hand and intervened: "The Qiang people over there in Liangzhou, the Yue people in the south, they are also very good at fighting in the mountains, and the Wu In this state, many people are born knowing how to swim, so warships can be used even if they are fighting against the west. "

Su Chen was relatively serious and upright, but when he heard his second brother's horrified expression, he almost spit out his tea.

Moreover, the truly powerful Western troops may still be behind, and they will definitely come. Rather than letting them bring the flames of war to the Xia Kingdom, it would be better to burn them directly on their borders. "

Su Chen smiled and said: "It's just a hypothesis, but according to the plan, it is indeed like this. The Western barbarians are not just the group who come to the Western Regions to cast stones to ask for directions, but they are also very powerful. This group of barbarians who came to the Western Regions are tall and strong. He is strong, and his skin and flesh can withstand ordinary weapons. If the troops under my command were not all elites who have fought in many battles, and the weapons in their hands are all made of fine iron, I am afraid that even if I can win, it will be a partial victory.

Su Yong understands his brother's thoughts, and he also supports it. After all, he has read the book "My China" no less than five times, and he strongly agrees with the fanaticism about family and country in the book.

"Conservative estimates suggest that the total number may reach more than 500,000, and conscription may continue midway."

When it came to business, Su Chen didn't want to hide anything. It happened that his two brothers and a cousin were also there, so he chatted with them to see if they had any ideas that could inspire Su Chen to perfect his plan to retaliate against the Western barbarians.

Su Chen was stunned for a moment: "Our family is very rich? Can we support more than 200,000 people for half a year?"

"Second brother supports you, but only sacrifices a generation. Isn't it a bit exaggerated?"

What he said, Su Chen had already thought about on the way back. It is impossible for dozens of millions of people to just travel by land. He already has several fleets, as well as Western pirate generals like Elsa and Barry. , let them be used as guides to fight back to their hometown, maybe they can be used as a nail to drive hard into the back of the empire to the west.

"It is also a good idea to go hand in hand with water and land. The Yue people and the Qiang people are also good candidates for soldiers. Warfare is a matter for the entire Xia Kingdom, and it is not the sole responsibility of the Central Plains and the North. I already had a case on my way back. You Thinking of this, you have gained a lot of experience in the past few years. If you are serious about it, come back with me when I return to Yanjing."

In just a few words, Su Chen made no secret that he wanted Su Ting to put down his family business in Ding'an City and drag his family with him to Yanjing. This was a signal that he wanted to be promoted and re-employed.

After all, if there is really going to be a war with the West, Su Chen will definitely go there in person, so who will guard Yanjing? The eldest brother and the second brother are mostly disabled or have facial damage, which basically eliminates the possibility of going to court.

And Su Ting not only has a handsome face, but also has a good brain. He is the mainstay of the Su family in the future.

Su Yong and Su Lie calmed down and looked at Su Ting quietly.

"This...let me go back and think about it."

Su Ting said hesitantly, and Su Lie was so anxious that he almost slapped him. What a great opportunity, he had only dreamed of it, but this boy still hesitated!

When Su Yong also wanted to persuade, Su Chen lowered his voice slightly: "Then think carefully. If you leave Ding'an, which has been in business for a long time, and become an official in Yanjing, it will be a different situation. There are many talented and intelligent people who are quick-witted in everything. But when it comes to officialdom, it’s common for them to do nothing. It’s right to think about it. I’m not in a hurry. You can reply to me after the New Year.”

Su Chen glanced at him, then picked up the tea cup and bowed to his two brothers, Su Ting, and Shi San: "You have been taking care of the family these years, and you have taken care of my parents, so I don't have to worry about anything. I’ll serve you tea instead of wine!”

"What did third brother say? This is what we should do!"

"Yes, yes!" Thirteen couldn't make any sense and quickly echoed Su Lie.

After chatting about business, they chatted and laughed in the study again before leaving. Su Yong and others saw that the sky was almost dark, and there was a maid named Chun Ping outside the door who secretly peeked a few times, then they left and left. Time is left for Su Chen to follow Chun Ping to find Jiang Wan and her daughter.

The night is deep,

It was cold late at night in winter. When I came out of the study, snowflakes were falling outside.

Su Chen wrapped herself in a fur coat and went to the courtyard where Jiang Wan was. Soon, Chun Ping opened a door to the northwest of the atrium.

Amidst the creaking sound of the door opening, Jiang Wan held Su Ying's hand and stood in front of the main room looking at the falling snowflakes.

Seeing Su Chen coming over, Jiang Wan pulled Su Ying and was about to salute. Su Chen took her hands and took her mother and daughter into the house.

The heater has been lit in the room, and the furnishings are simple without too many luxurious embellishments. Although I am used to seeing the complicated furnishings in the palace, this place is full of warmth.

After getting acquainted with Su Ying for a while, the little girl let Su Chen hold her in her arms, and took Jiang Wan to sit on the couch and chatted about the recent past, and also talked about what happened after the mother and daughter came to the Su Mansion.

During the chat, Bei Gongshu was naturally mentioned. He was not from the Su family, so it was naturally impossible for him to enter this house. I heard that he still lived in the original residence, but in recent years he had become more naughty. He often brought some friends and friends to play at home. It's a bit smoky over there.

When it came to expenses, Jiang Wan was unambiguous, and not a single copper was missing from what was due.

"You want to make me feel completely at ease." Su Chen carried Su Ying, who had fallen asleep in his arms, to the bed over there. Jiang Wan, who was tidying up the bedding, pursed her lips and put the child into the bed without even answering.

On the other hand, she acquiesced to Su Chen's words.

"That's fine. Some ministers in the court have mentioned Beigong Shu. After all, he is the prince of the previous dynasty. They are worried."

Su Chen tucked his daughter under the quilt, held Jiang Wan's hand, and sat down by the bed. But this time the woman spoke first: "In the past, your majesty didn't want to eradicate the roots because it was for my sake and his." I’m still a kid and don’t understand anything.”

Jiang Wan lowered her eyes, "But he will always grow up, and I will also grow old. If we continue to teach him the same way in the palace, it will only harm him.

After thinking about it, this concubine can only make him a playboy, without much knowledge, idle every day, and associate with a bunch of libertines. Only such a useless person can let Shu Er live a good life. If Your Majesty feels that I am wrong for doing this on purpose, please punish me. "

"You made a mistake and deserve to be punished!"

Su Chen picked up the woman who was sitting dazedly. Amid her blushing exclamations, Su Chen carried her to another room.

As for Bei Gongshu, Su Chen didn't care. It didn't matter if he grew up. It didn't matter if he knew that his biological father died in Su Chen's hands. A young man with no knowledge and skills could not do anything in this Xia country. What a wave.

By a bunch of libertines?

Or rely on a mother who has no authority and only a little money?

In the previous dynasty, all the civil and military officials who deserved to be dismissed have also been dismissed. Now in the court and in the localities, they are all people selected from the Xia Kingdom's imperial examinations. They have read the Chinese literature and the Chinese books.

If this can still work, then God really can't stand the Xia Kingdom that Su Chen built with his own hands.

After finishing dealing with the Western barbarians, we will see if we can deal with this thief.

With this idea in mind, Su Chen spent a lively New Year's Eve in Ding'an City, walking with his parents, leading Su Ying, and letting the little girl ride on his shoulders, strolling on the streets, and chatting with familiar merchants. The greeting attracted a crowd of people to kneel down and worship, and the whole street was blocked with water.

In the little girl's laughter, the new year passed in a blink of an eye.

On the fifth day of the first lunar month, Su Chen got on the ancestral hearse and said goodbye to her family one by one. Su Ying was held in her arms by her mother, waving to the carriage as it went away.

"Dad, when will you come back next time!?"

The little girl who was being held broke away from her mother's arms, stood on the ground and ran after the chariot for more than ten steps, looking at the distant ancestral hearse and the long procession.

Su Ying's eyes were red, she shouted and cried sadly.

"When will dad come back? Ying'er will miss you."

The childish voice echoed through the city gates and official roads, lingering for a long time.

Jiang Wan secretly wiped her tears. Su Congfang and Xiao Wei were old, and their emotions were easily stirred up. She then wiped the wet marks from the corners of her eyes.

Hearing the cry of children in the distance, Su Chen opened the curtain and looked back at the city gate, which was gradually becoming smaller, and the family in front of the city gate.

He calmed down the turmoil in his heart, and the moment he lowered the curtain, the majesty of the former emperor surged up between his brows again.

"Go back to Yanjing!"

Su Chen's eyes were slightly red, and his voice was calm and majestic.

"This time I will once and for all eliminate Xia Kingdom's troubles."

"Whoever dares to stop him will die!"

The Xia Kingdom's banner with white dragon patterns on a black background flutters in the wind, and the long military banners are like a black python winding and sliding from south to north.

On the eleventh day of the first lunar month, the winter snow melted away.

Everyone in Yanjing had received the news that the emperor had returned to the court. However, before it was time to enter the city, Su Chen had already rushed back to the palace one day early and issued the decree for the court meeting.

The civil and military officials in the capital who received the news probably understood the seriousness and urgency of the situation from the emperor's urgent decree.

At the fourth watch of the next day, hundreds of civil and military officials, large and small, swarmed to the imperial city gate. When the fifth watch came, they poured into the palace one after another.

The emperor Su Chen, who had not been seen for three months, was now sitting behind the dragon table in Chengyun Palace, grading memorials, while the prince Su Chen was yawning and sitting on a small chair on the side of the imperial steps, with a dedicated eunuch beside him. .

"No need to make those complicated gifts, just get straight to the point and talk about the business!"

Su Chen put down the marking pen, threw the corrected memorial in his hand into the basket under the dragon table, then stood up and walked to the imperial steps, overlooking the hundreds of civil and military officials in the hall.

"This time... I really want to go all out with military force. Last year, we fought against the Japanese pirates and pacified the Western Region, and started a war on two fronts. I originally wanted to take a good rest this year, but unfortunately the barbarians in the west didn't give us a chance to breathe. There are some things you don't know how to do. Understand, I..."

Su Chen paused and emphasized his tone: "...I don't need you to fully understand. I just want you to follow the direction of the blade in my hand!"

"How many soldiers will your Majesty need for this expedition?" Long Qiao, the minister of household affairs, came out.

"I don't know! Maybe five hundred thousand, maybe one million! It depends on the war in the west!"

"How long will the fight last?"

"I don't know, maybe two years, maybe ten years!"

Below, Long Qiao was about to ask, but was pushed away by Xiang Yu who came over. In the morning sun shining in from outside the palace, the most famous overlord of Western Chu stepped forward and bowed to the Emperor of Xia who was on the imperial steps. He raised his hand and looked high-spirited.

"Your Majesty only needs to tell us where the enemy is and what the appearance of the enemy is!"

"Hahaha——" On the imperial steps, Su Chen pressed the cold guardrail animal head and laughed wildly. The laughter echoed in the hall, spread outside the hall, and resounded in the morning sun.

"The enemy is in the far west, and they will turn it into a white field!"

The emperor's robe moved, Su Chen opened his sleeves, and there was a 'wow' sound, "Generals, do you dare?!"

"Why don't you dare!"

All the Chinese generals in the palace shouted in unison, and the doors, windows and tiles were shaking slightly.

The fire-forged blade that has gone through countless battles is out of its sheath!
(End of this chapter)