Chapter 41: A War Must Be Fought

The Empress Dowager was a clever woman. She understood the meaning behind Ning Chen's words perfectly and realized that if this strategy could truly be implemented, it would certainly succeed. Not only could it defeat the invasion of the Great Jin, but it might even provide an opportunity to launch a counter-offensive against them.

However, at this moment, she had no intention of considering how to implement this strategy, nor would she ever choose such a path. Suspicion and vigilance had already taken hold of her mind. Could such a far-sighted and invincible strategy really have been devised by the nine-year-old "useless" boy standing before her? No, it was impossible. Absolutely impossible.

Suddenly, the image of Master Kong inexplicably popped into her mind. Could it be that Master Kong taught him all this? Yes, that must be it. Otherwise, how could a nine-year-old child who had never been to the battlefield and had never even read books on military strategy come up with such a brilliant plan? She recalled scenes of Master Kong teaching both her and the late Emperor. Back then, Master Kong would often pose questions: "If the bitter enemy, the Great Jin, were to launch a massive southward invasion and conquer the Shanhai Pass, how should one respond?" The late Emperor’s answer was always, "Fight to the last man!" Her own answer had been, "Feign surrender first, then save the nation through indirect means." Master Kong had never provided a definitive answer back then; she never expected he would pass it on to this little "useless" boy, Ning Chen.

"Master Kong, oh Master Kong," she thought, "didn't you say yourself that this boy was not material for a wise ruler? You were even reluctant to take him as a disciple, and it was only because I begged you that you agreed to teach him occasionally. How could you teach him such genuine skills?"

Seeing the generals who understood and identified with Ning Chen’s strategy stepping forward one by one, and noticing the Empress Dowager looking distracted as if lost in thought, Zhao Siwen frowned. Although he could not immediately think of a way to refute the plan, he glanced at Chen Boli, the Minister of War.

Chen Boli understood instantly and stepped forward, speaking loudly: "It is not just a matter of natural defenses! Since the founding of our Great Ning, the Shanhai Pass has kept the Great Jin at bay in the north, and we have seen almost no war for years. Now, apart from old generals like Xiang Qing, the veterans who once galloped across the battlefield have long since passed away, and no young commanders have risen to take their place! With a gap between generations and a lack of successors, who can lead troops into battle? Even if someone were willing, without rich experience, how could they withstand the iron cavalry of the Great Jin? Furthermore, Your Majesty, how can you guarantee that everyone will be of one mind, and that the soldiers and the people will work together?"

Ning Chen sneered. "Chen Boli, you are a scholar—how did you ever become the Minister of War? I ask you, was any famous general born as one? You need not worry about a lack of successors; the fires of war will temper true talent! What we must do is recognize talent with a discerning eye and trust those we employ!"

As he spoke, Ning Chen thought of the great generals from history who had left their mark on the ages. Which of them had not been forged in the cruel fires of war? Gathering his thoughts, he continued: "As for your question on how to ensure unity among the people and the military... the hearts of the people are simple, and their eyes are sharp. If we lead by example, they will follow us to the death! After all, while war and death may be mere numbers to you, to them, it means the loss of their friends, families, and kin. They will hate the invaders far more than you, who sit high in the halls of power. Therefore, it requires everyone in the Great Ning court to earn the trust of our people! They must believe that we are fighting for Great Ning, that we are fighting for them! They must believe that no matter what, we will not abandon them, nor will we disregard the people for the sake of our own interests."

As these words were spoken, a clamor of discussion erupted in the court. The hearts of the people are like water, and the court is like a boat. Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it. These people sitting in their high positions knew this principle well, but they were unwilling to admit it or face it. They were accustomed to being high above, and their deeply rooted class consciousness had long since made them numb. But for Ning Chen to openly speak such words was, without a doubt, a strike at their callous hearts. They could not believe that a nine-year-old child could utter such soul-stirring words in such a setting.

The Empress Dowager’s mouth hung open in shock. If Ning Chen’s previously proposed strategy was brilliant but remained a theoretical exercise, these words were the true essence of governance! "He who wins the hearts of the people wins the world." She could not imagine that at such a young age, Ning Chen could grasp this truth. Was this also taught by Master Kong? If so, then Master Kong was truly teaching this "useless" boy without reservation. Even more frightening was the speed of Ning Chen’s learning and growth. An intense sense of unease surged into her heart.

Zhao Siwen stepped forward again. He looked at Ning Chen coldly and said, "Your Majesty’s words are indeed refreshing and eye-opening! If they could truly be executed and implemented, I too believe we might be able to withstand the Great Jin's invasion."

Everyone was stunned. Had even Zhao Siwen come to agree with the young Emperor? However, Zhao Siwen continued, "But Your Majesty, allow this old minister to ask one more thing. What is war fought with? Is it just human lives?"

Ning Chen frowned. He knew exactly what Zhao Siwen meant and gave a cold huff. "Minister Zhao, you want to talk about money, don't you?"

Zhao Siwen was taken aback for a moment, then sneered with disdain. "It seems Your Majesty understands. Indeed, war is, in the final analysis, about money and grain! Everything in heaven and earth boils down to an account book. Have you calculated how much silver and grain your so-called war of attrition will require? Once the war begins, it will be a bottomless pit that burns through all our resources! When the people are displaced, who will till the fields? Without farmers, where will the grain come from? And the merchants will be unable to operate, so where will the tax revenue come from? Currently, with my systems of 'sin-redemption silver' and 'purchased titles,' the national treasury's income has indeed increased compared to the past! But how could that ever be enough to sustain a long-term depletion against the Great Jin? Yes, bowing down, ceding territory, paying indemnities, and offering tribute does damage the dignity of our Great Ning, but compared to your so-called protracted war, it is merely a drop in the bucket! It would allow us to keep the foundation of our nation intact! Even a fool can calculate this, right?"

Ning Chen frowned, his gaze fixed on Zhao Siwen with chilling murderous intent. He knew well that Zhao Siwen was the Empress Dowager’s absolute confidant, with a position even more secure than Pan Yu’s. More importantly, Zhao Siwen held the purse strings of the Great Ning. His words would directly influence the Empress Dowager’s decision.

Ning Chen stepped forward again, his voice deep. "Indeed, even a fool can calculate this! But those who only know how to calculate such things are worse than fools. You are a short-sighted donkey, harming the nation, the people, and yourself!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Siwen froze in place, his old face flushing red with anger until he resembled a puffed-up toad. But Ning Chen gave him no chance to speak. "If you take one punch to clear the way, you avoid a hundred punches to come! To ensure the future peace and prosperity of our Great Ning, this battle must be fought! Even if we have to tighten our belts until we starve, we must fight!"

As he spoke, Ning Chen thought of the heroic war of resistance and aid in his previous life. 197,653. That was a cold set of numbers, but it represented countless vibrant lives sacrificed in a foreign land—great martyrs.

Ning Chen shook off his brief trance. "But compared to us tightening our belts and living a hard life, do you know that the consequences of bowing down are far more severe? Greed is insatiable! Once our Great Ning bows its head, our national dignity will vanish into thin air. The people will suffer even more, lose faith in the court, and perhaps even grow to hate us! When the hearts of the people are gone, no one will support the throne! If the Great Jin demands five million, they will soon demand ten million. What will you do then? If ten million doesn't satisfy them and they invade again, who will fight for you?"

Ning Chen’s gaze swept over everyone in the hall. "Who will fight for you?"

Silence fell upon the court. Even Zhao Siwen stood there like a statue. The entire Golden Throne Hall was plunged into an eerie stillness. As time slowly ticked away, a voice suddenly rang out: "True, we must fight. No matter how you analyze it, we must fight..."

Though it was unclear who had spoken, the sentiment rippled outward. Eventually, the vast majority began to murmur: "Fight, we must fight!" "His Majesty has proposed a strategy and analyzed the pros and cons; this battle is inevitable..."

However, seeing the court officials changing their initial consensus of bowing to the enemy simply because of a nine-year-old child's words, the Empress Dowager’s face darkened to the extreme. She suddenly barked, "Enough!"

"I am weary! Whether we fight or not, I shall decide! This court is dismissed..."