After being rejected, he emptied the mansion and went into exile

Chapter 452 I Want to Go to the Battlefield

The main hall of the Shen residence.

The room was filled with members of the Shen family.

The last time the Shen family gathered together like this was at the wedding of Shen Jinyao and Shen Tingyao.

Seated at the head of the table were Prince Anning and Princess Anning, while General Xiang and his wife sat to the left.

The Marquis and his wife were seated to the lower right.

The other masters and mistresses of the Shen family sat in the back in order.

The remaining young master and the third young lady also sat properly.

Apart from the four who were attending the morning court session, the rest of the people looked at each other, somewhat puzzled.

After the morning court session, the Marquis summoned everyone here.

Has something significant happened now that the new emperor has ascended the throne?

Shen Maoshan pondered for a moment and said, "When the Emperor Emeritus was in power, he had already signed agreements with the Northern Xiongnu and the Western Regions because he coveted the so-called 'elixir of immortality'."

"It was clearly stated that the border areas bordering the Western Regions and the Northern Xiongnu were assigned to the Western Regions and the Northern Xiongnu."

"The Western Regions and the Northern Xiongnu were to pay tribute to the Emperor Emeritus with elixirs and tonics as agreed."

As soon as these words came out, the whole room was shocked.

How could the retired emperor do something so self-serving and treasonous?

Isn't this tantamount to driving the Nine Provinces to their doom?

How can we face the soldiers who guard the frontier?

How can we face the wronged souls who died?

Shen Jinyao glanced at the man beside her.

He had a tense face and looked extremely unpleasant.

Perhaps he also felt sorry for Shen Jiajun?

After all, the most influential frontier soldiers are the Xiang family army, which has been stationed on the frontier for many years.

Xiang Hongxuan looked back at Shen Jinyao, his expression softening slightly.

With Prince Anning in the room, although everyone was very angry, they only showed it on their faces and no one said anything treasonous.

At this moment, Prince Anning spoke up, saying, "My imperial brother has already issued an edict to remove the title of Emperor Emeritus and to send him to the Imperial Clan Court."

"My brother, considering that the Emperor Emeritus is currently unwell, has granted him the privilege of being confined to his quarters to reflect on his mistakes."

The Shen family naturally knew about the Emperor's health.

The Emperor has already given the royal family enough face; otherwise, the retired Emperor would have had to atone for his actions with his death.

After saying this, Prince Anning clenched his fist.

Although he had no great ambitions, as a member of the royal family, he had to protect what his ancestors had left behind.

Father deserves to die for what he did!

Originally, he only hated his father's exploitation of his mother, but who knew his father would go to such lengths!

If it weren't for my elder brother's ascension to the throne, the entire Nine Provinces Kingdom would have been sold off by my father!

Since Prince Anning didn't shy away from the topic, the Shen family didn't care either.

Shen Zhiyong slammed his fist on the table: "How could there be such a monarch!"

In the past, someone would have tried to dissuade the impetuous second young master of the Shen family, but now everyone is silent, as if what he says is right.

The Marquis coughed lightly and continued, "The situation is urgent. His Majesty has decided in court that he will lead the soldiers to battle in three days."

"The Emperor has decreed that the Prince of Anning and this Marquis shall assist in governing the country."

"The future may be turbulent. Shangzhou is closest to the Northern Xiongnu, so it may be affected. From today onwards, the Shen family should stay home as much as possible. Business can continue, but we must also be wary of spies from other countries."

"Zhizheng and Zhixue, you should be more careful in the court from now on. When I and Prince Anning assist in governing the country, we will always be the subject of gossip."

Yes, with a new emperor ascending the throne, there will always be some ministers who did not support him in the past. It's inevitable that they might take the opportunity to disrupt the court.

"Uncle."

Shen Zhizheng stood up, and everyone looked at him with suspicion.

Song Yingxue looked at Shen Zhixue with some worry, as if she had thought of something.

"I volunteer to follow the soldiers into battle."

The Western Regions and the Northern Xiongnu might send troops at the same time, and the number of people needed on the battlefield would be far greater than the number needed in the court.

When he led his troops to hunt down the bandits last time, he didn't think there was anything wrong with him being a scholar.

When the country is in trouble, every citizen has a responsibility.

The court will not suffer any loss if it loses a fifth-rank official like him.

Before the Marquis could speak, another voice rang out.

"Father."

Shen Zhixue bowed and said, "Father, my eldest brother and I share the same idea: the sons of the Shen family should be at the forefront."

Shen Jinyao pursed her lips upon hearing this.

She knew what Zhixue was thinking.

He has the nation in his heart and will not be content with being just a third-place scholar.

Now that the country is in peril, she thought of Shen Zhixue's suggestion to go to the battlefield.

However, her older brother's actions surprised her somewhat.

The crowd, who had just been furious about the Emperor Emeritus's actions, immediately began to dissuade the two.

Master Shen: "Zhizheng, you are the eldest son of the Shen family. Have you thought about the consequences of going to the battlefield, you scholar?"

Madam Shen wiped away her tears and said, "Your brother has already chosen this path, and your father and I have no choice. Now even you... you must..."

She couldn't say the rest of the words and burst into tears.

Shen Zhiyong turned his head away, wanting to speak up to dissuade him, but then he thought of what his older brother had done for him when he was about to enlist.

They could only remain silent.

Shen Zhizheng replied, "I have already reported this matter to the Emperor. The Emperor, considering my insistence, agreed to grant me the status of an envoy."

In addition to military strategists, envoys were also involved in the war between the two countries.

Everyone knows that foreign envoys should not be killed on the battlefield.

But weapons have no eyes, what if something happens?

Sitting at the back, Song Yingxue was fidgeting with her handkerchief.

Madam Yun wiped away her tears and said, "I thought that if I could just follow your example and become the third-ranked scholar in the imperial examination, I would achieve my goal. Who knew you would have such thoughts?"

"If anything happens to you, how about I marry your Princess Anning?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Zhixue looked at Shen Tingyao.

Shen Tingyao has stopped experiencing morning sickness and is now three months pregnant.

I wonder if he'll be able to see his sister's baby born when he comes back.

Shen Tingyao's eyes also reddened. She opened her mouth and glanced at Prince Anning, who nodded gently.

Shen Tingyao said, "If Zhixue has made up his mind, I will take good care of my mother."

The originally chaotic lobby quieted down after Shen Tingyao spoke.

They were surprised and astonished, then lowered their heads and remained silent.

Is this still the same spoiled second young lady of the Shen family?

However, considering Shen Zhixue's personality, everyone could understand.

As a son born out of wedlock, he had no choice but to carve out his own path.

For the country, and for the family.

Even though I can understand it, I still try to dissuade them.

When the Marquis spoke, the room fell silent.

"Have you two thought this through?"

Shen Zhizheng and Shen Zhixue nodded solemnly.

The Marquis's eyes welled up with tears. "Good, worthy of being a son of the Shen family!"

Madam Shen asked sadly, "My lord, do you really agree to let the two of them go with us?"

The Marquis advised, "If I weren't old, I would go too."

To strive for fame and recognition for the sake of the country and the family.

With the great Xia dynasty on the verge of collapse, how can we sleep peacefully?

Not only the Shen family, but also the other families have been preparing provisions and conscripting soldiers for the past three days.

Both battlefields need manpower, and any family with able-bodied men will definitely go to the battlefield.

Hopefully, this made the Shen family members, though worried and saddened, stop saying anything to stop them.

The ladies were still shedding tears.

According to official edicts, all men aged 14 and above must go to war with the army, and each family may send only one man.

Officials and wealthy families are exempt from this edict.

Some commoners were dissatisfied, but upon hearing that the sons of officials and wealthy families would be required to enter the training ground to protect the safety of Shangzhou in the future, and that wealthy families would have to pay ten thousand taels of silver, they gave up the idea.

Ultimately, everyone has to put in the effort.

The military strength of Shangzhou is weak, and they will suffer almost as much as they would on the battlefield.

Wealthy families would exchange thousands of taels of silver for grain and supplies to be transported to the battlefield.

In Shen Jinyao's room at the Shen residence.

The two quietly packed their things.

"General, I can go."