RPAGF Chapter 430 The Little Doctor Girl Knows How to Pamper and Flirt (Part 25)
Chapter 430 The Little Doctor Girl Knows How to Pamper and Flirt (Part 25)
That night, the military camp hosted a banquet to entertain the imperial envoy.
After several rounds of drinks, the imperial envoy suddenly suggested, "General, could I possibly observe the army's drills tomorrow? His Majesty often remarkes that the Northern Army is the nation's elite force."
Emperor Si raised his cup: "I will obey. However..."
He looked troubled. "It's the busy farming season right now, and half of the soldiers are on duty helping the farmers with the harvest. I'm afraid we won't be able to display the full force of the army."
A glint of light flashed in the imperial envoy's eyes: "No problem, no problem, just a general look is enough."
After the banquet, the Emperor returned to his main tent, where his personal guards were already waiting.
"General, the clerk went to the granary, carefully checked the amount of grain stored, and even secretly took a few grains of wheat."
Si Di sneered, "As expected." He turned to Ji Xiaosong, "Prepare for tomorrow's training according to the second plan."
Ji Xiaosong nodded and took out a small bottle of spiritual spring water from his sleeve: "Adding this to the soldiers' drinking water can temporarily enhance their physical strength, making them appear more elite during their performances."
Si Di kissed her forehead without asking what it was.
"You should get some rest; you don't need to attend training tomorrow."
“No, I’m going.” Ji Xiaosong’s eyes were firm. “The more you avoid it, the more suspicious it becomes. Besides…”
She gently stroked her abdomen, "They wouldn't dare do anything in front of everyone."
Si Di wanted to dissuade him, but suddenly a rapid whistle sounded outside the tent, a signal of an emergency.
The lieutenant rushed into the tent: "General! We've caught someone, and he's sneaking around near the granary, burying something!"
Si Di's eyes sharpened: "Take me to see it."
In the shadows behind the granary, two guards were escorting a man in black.
A shallow pit was dug in the ground, and a strange iron box was placed inside.
"General, this thing will periodically emit smoke. If it is buried near the granary, the grain will mold overnight!" the guard whispered.
Si Di squatted down to examine the iron box and found a small character "Liu" engraved on the bottom.
A cold smile curled at the corner of his lips: "What a fine imperial envoy... openly investigating while secretly plotting..."
"General, what should we do with this man?"
Si Di pondered for a moment: "Let him go, but make him think he escaped on his own. Give him this..."
He took out a fake defense map that he had prepared beforehand and stuffed it into the man's arms, "accidentally" leaving it for him.
The personal guards took the order and left.
Emperor Si returned to the main tent and informed Ji Xiaosong of the situation.
"They want to create the illusion that the army's food supplies are moldy, so as to pave the way for them to falsely accuse you of mismanagement later." Ji Xiaosong immediately understood the key point.
Emperor Si nodded: "Not only that, I suspect that the Imperial Envoy will present another difficult challenge during tomorrow's drill."
The couple exchanged a glance and simultaneously considered a possibility.
“An assassin,” Si Di’s voice was icy. “He pretended to assassinate the imperial envoy and then framed me.”
Ji Xiaosong grasped his hand: "Then we..."
“Let’s turn the tables on him.” A sharp glint flashed in the Emperor’s eyes. “It’s time to show the Imperial Envoy what the true elite of the North are.”
As night deepened, the military camp gradually quieted down.
Inside the imperial envoy's tent, the candlelight was still burning.
Lord Chen was writing a secret letter, and there was no trace of alcohol on his face.
"The Emperor's excessive caution only makes him seem suspicious." He continued writing, "There is indeed something strange about the wheat field; the Ji woman may be practicing sorcery. Although the army's provisions are not abundant, they are not so poor that people are starving to death; there may be hoarding and plotting a rebellion..."
After writing it, he rolled up the secret letter and put it into a small bamboo tube.
Pushing open the back window, a carrier pigeon quietly landed.
The imperial envoy tied a bamboo tube to the pigeon's leg, and with a gentle flick of his wrist, the carrier pigeon disappeared into the night.
Unbeknownst to him, the carrier pigeon had just flown over the military camp wall when it was quietly captured by a nearly invisible fine net.
The guards removed the bamboo tube, replaced it with a pre-prepared false intelligence report, and released the carrier pigeon again.
The false intelligence report stated: "The Emperor's loyalty is beyond question, the military and civilians live in harmony, and the borders are secure. All of Chancellor Liu's suspicions are baseless..."
Meanwhile, Emperor Si stood atop the watchtower, gazing towards the capital, toying with the real bamboo tube containing the secret message in his hand.
"Husband," Ji Xiaosong's voice came from behind, "the night is getting chilly."
Emperor Si turned around and wrapped the cloak around his wife: "There is another tough battle to fight tomorrow."
*
When the imperial envoy's carrier pigeon flew into the capital, the emperor was leaning on a soft couch in his study, his fingertips gently tapping a memorial.
"Your Majesty, a secret report from the Northern Border." A black-clad guard knelt silently on the ground, presenting a bamboo tube with both hands.
The emperor lazily raised his eyelids, took the bamboo tube, and slowly unfolded the secret letter.
His gaze slowly swept across the paper, and a cold smile gradually crept onto his lips.
"The Emperor... is indeed cautious."
With a flick of his fingertips, the secret letter instantly turned to ashes.
"Since Lord Chen can't find out anything, I'll personally put pressure on him."
The emperor slowly rose, walked to the window, and gazed towards the northern border, a sinister glint in his eyes.
"deliver an imperial order--"
*
A few days later, at the northern military camp.
Emperor Si stood on the high platform of the training ground, watching the soldiers' neat and uniform drills with a solemn expression.
Imperial Envoy Chen sat to one side, a smile on his face.
"General, your military leadership is truly excellent; your reputation is well-deserved," the imperial envoy exclaimed.
Emperor Si smiled faintly: "You flatter me, sir."
Just then, a fast horse galloped up, and the messenger on horseback dismounted and knelt on one knee: "General! Urgent report from the capital!"
Emperor Si frowned, took the letter, unfolded it, and his expression changed drastically.
"What's wrong?" Ji Xiaosong noticed his unusual behavior and asked in a low voice.
Si Di did not answer, but simply handed her the letter.
Ji Xiaosong looked down and her pupils suddenly contracted.
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Si Di, the General guarding the northern border, has amassed power and amassed military provisions, harboring rebellious intentions. He is hereby ordered to immediately lay down his armor, return to the capital, hand over his military seal, and undergo investigation. Disobeying this decree will be considered treason, and his entire family will be executed!"
Imperial Envoy Chen feigned surprise: "Oh dear, this... why would His Majesty suddenly issue such an edict?"
Si Di gave him a cold glance, his eyes filled with icy chill.
The imperial envoy's heart skipped a beat under his gaze, and he quickly forced a laugh, saying, "General, please don't be alarmed. Perhaps there's some misunderstanding? Why don't you accept the imperial decree first, and I'll explain it to you upon my return to the capital..."
"An explanation?" Emperor Si sneered. "Lord Chen, this decree comes at a very opportune time. You just finished inspecting my military rations a few days ago, and today His Majesty issues a decree saying that I am hoarding military rations?"
The imperial envoy's expression changed slightly, but he quickly regained his composure: "General, you are mistaken. I am merely performing my duties and have absolutely no intention of framing you."
The Emperor ignored him and turned to his deputy, saying, "Pass down the order: the entire army is on high alert."
The lieutenant solemnly accepted the order: "Yes, sir!"
Upon seeing this, the imperial envoy finally panicked: "General! Are you defying the imperial decree?!"
Emperor Si slowly drew his sword, its blade gleaming coldly: "Disobeying the imperial decree? No, I merely wish to ask His Majesty a question..."
"My family has been loyal and brave for generations. My father died on the battlefield, and my elder brother guarded the border for ten years without returning. When I received news of his death, it was already out of the question. My family has guarded the northern border for five years and has never allowed the enemy to set foot on it!"
"Now, His Majesty wants to strip me of my military power and accuse me of treason?"
"I do not recognize this imperial decree!"
The imperial envoy's face turned deathly pale, and he staggered backward: "Emperor Si! You dare to defy the imperial decree, which is treason! Do you really intend to exterminate the entire Si family?!"
The Emperor's eyes flashed with murderous intent, his sword pointing directly at the Imperial Envoy's throat: "If Your Majesty insists on my death, then I will show him..."
"What constitutes true treason!"
*
That night, inside the military tent.
Ji Xiaosong held Si Di's hand tightly, her eyes filled with worry: "Husband, do you really want to..."
Emperor Si closed his eyes briefly, and when he opened them again, his eyes were filled with determination: "Xiao Song, Your Majesty is forcing me to rebel."
"He deliberately issued this decree to see if I would really hand over military power. If I obediently return to the capital, only death awaits me."
“If I disobey the imperial decree, he can then legitimately send troops to besiege and completely eradicate the Si family.”
Ji Xiaosong was silent for a moment, then said in a low voice, "Then... do we have any other options?"
Si Di slowly shook his head: "No."
He reached out and touched her abdomen, his voice low: "But I will never put you and the baby in danger."
Ji Xiaosong took a deep breath, suddenly looked up, her gaze firm: "Husband, if we really want to rebel, then let's rebel thoroughly."
Si Di was taken aback: "What do you mean?"
Ji Xiaosong took out a jade token from her sleeve and handed it to him: "This is a joint token from the thirteen villages of the Northern Territory. They have long made a secret agreement that if you are in trouble, they are willing to help you with their entire village."
Emperor Si took the jade token, a flicker of shock in his eyes: "They..."
Ji Xiaosong smiled slightly: "The people have discerning eyes. They know in their hearts who treats them well."
Emperor Si gripped the jade token tightly, remained silent for a long time, and finally slowly said, "Alright."
He stood up, walked outside the tent, looked at the dark night sky, and spoke in a low but firm voice:
"Since His Majesty wants me to rebel, then I will rebel and show him!"