Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress novel Chapter 1397

Chapter 1397: Chapter 1392: Utter Disappointment

"After ascending the throne, I often ponder, upon what virtue and ability do I have to occupy the imperial position so comfortably? I desire to be a wise and virtuous ruler, but what defines such a ruler?" Bai Qingyan raised her hand, extending one finger, "Firstly, ensuring the people have enough food and warm clothing!"

She extended another finger, "Secondly... that the people are not wronged or oppressed. Thirdly... that the people are spared from the suffering of war and displacement, and that peace is restored to the people of the land. Only then is one a wise and virtuous ruler!"

"Is unifying the world really achievable only through the might of arms?" Bai Qingyan’s gaze swept over the commanders who were looking up, "The gamble of national strategy was set by me! It is a strategy of sacrificing minor interest for a greater cause!"

"What is minor interest? It is the world of the Zhou... in your eyes, it is the world of the Bai family, that is minor interest." Bai Qingyan’s voice rang powerful, "What is a greater cause? It is the unification of mountains and rivers, peace throughout the land, and the tranquility of the people! Why must such a vast country be branded with another’s surname to become a family’s private property? If it is possible to gamble between two national strategies, with the one that betters the common people’s lives reigning supreme, why not? To seek the unification of the world... isn’t the goal the prosperity of the people?"

Cheng Yuanzhi straightened his spine, about to speak, but Bai Qingyan’s gaze turned to him, "I know what you’re going to say! You fear the loss of the Zhou, and if it loses, it would prove the Yan Kingdom’s strategy superior, making our Zhou concede wholeheartedly! You are also afraid that even if our Zhou wins, the Yan Kingdom may not be willing to submit, and by then, both the court officials and soldiers will harbor grievances against me, saying my national strategy gamble was gravely erroneous, misguiding the country and people, isn’t it so?"

Cheng Yuanzhi, seen through by Bai Qingyan, nodded repeatedly.

"Do you know why I have the confidence to gamble with the Yan Kingdom?" Bai Qingyan looked at Cheng Yuanzhi, Shen Liangyu, and others, "Because I have you, these loyal and fearless generals by my side, even if I were wrong... I do not fear! Cheng Yuanzhi, Shen Liangyu, during the south border battle in the Xuanjia period, few of the Bai family remained, you two followed me in the Battle of Wengshan, deserving of top merit! Liu Pinggao of the Anping Camp, Wang Jin of the Flying Bear Camp, during the Battle of Daliang, General Liu forbade me from leaving the city to save Gaoyi King, but you two led the way... and led the camp out with me to rescue!"

"Du Sanbao, during the siege of Jiangzi City by Cui Shanzhong of Xiliang, although you erred... but your loyalty is known to me! You all are the loyal and fearless generals of my Zhou!"

Upon hearing Bai Qingyan’s words, Liu Pinggao, Wang Jin, and Du Sanbao, whose names were called, were instantly moved to tears.

"And you... Lu Yuanpeng, Sima Ping! You two... are the future talents of Zhou that I have high hopes for!" Bai Qingyan looked at them, "With you here, with the elite soldiers of Zhou here, even if my gamble for world peace without war is wrong, what’s the harm? As long as you’re here, there’s still a path left to fight; you are the reason I dare to take risks! The soldiers of Zhou and the Bai family army have shed too much blood, that rushing Jinghe River had been dyed red countless times by soldiers’ blood! So, even if gambling with national strategies is risky... as long as it benefits the people and can quell the swords, I am willing to try!"

Cheng Yuanzhi and others’ straight spines gradually collapsed.

"I know there is resentment in your hearts regarding delegating the naval forces to the Prince of Hancheng, because Daliang... was once defeated under your command, and the Prince of Hancheng is a prince without spirit, who surrendered to Gaoyi King after leaving the city for his father, so you look down on the Prince of Hancheng, think he’s unfit... and incapable of leading in battle!" Bai Qingyan’s gaze landed on Liu Pinggao, "Isn’t that right?"

Liu Pinggao was the most dissatisfied about giving naval control to the Prince of Hancheng; he clenched his fists and hung his head.

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