Realistic governance games for both male and female audiences

Chapter 5 You're in charge of taking the blame for this!

Gu Xiaoxiao sat on the dragon throne, coldly observing everything before her.

At this moment, in the imperial court, the two sides advocating war and peace are still arguing!

"We must not fight! We absolutely must not fight!" Grand Tutor Zhao Wuji said tremblingly. "The Northern Xiongnu are a fierce and ruthless army. Although Yanmen Pass has been lost, they are only after our wealth. As long as our Great Liang opens its granaries and provides annual tribute, they will retreat on their own. If we force a war, it will exhaust the people and waste resources, and may even cause rebellions among the regional princes. At that time, our country will cease to exist!"

"Grand Tutor Zhao, you are boosting the enemy's morale while diminishing our own!" General Huo Zhong, the Defender of the Nation, glared angrily, stepping out of the ranks, his armor clanging. "The Northern Xiongnu have gone too far! If we don't strike them down, how can our Great Liang maintain its dignity? This humble general is willing to lead the troops into battle; I swear I will not return to the capital until the Xiongnu are defeated!"

Listening to these pointless arguments, Gu Xiaoxiao felt annoyed.

As a time traveler, she had only been in charge of the "Great Liang Dynasty" for three days, yet she was confident that she had thoroughly understood the dynasty's true nature—which could be summed up in eight words: "outwardly strong but inwardly weak, with deep-seated problems that are difficult to reverse!"

The pro-peace civil service group, led by Zhao Wuji, was only interested in maintaining their own interests and official positions.

And what about the military generals?

Apart from a handful of people like Huo Zhong who still had passion, most of the others were just good-for-nothings.

These people have brute strength, but they know nothing about logistics, the quality of soldiers, or the balance of the national treasury.

Sending them to war is like asking a butcher who only knows how to wield a cleaver to embroider—not only will he not embroider well, but he'll also easily prick his own fingers!

"To be honest, in my heart, this battle... I really wanted to fight!"

Gu Xiaoxiao thought coldly to herself.

Having witnessed too much history in her past life, she knew that "ceding territory and paying reparations" would only lead to more aggressive aggression. If she agreed to Zhao Wuji's offer to "buy peace with money" today, the vassal kings would think she was weak and easily bullied tomorrow, the people on the border would despise her, and even the eunuchs in the palace would speak ill of her behind her back.

At that time, she will completely lose her prestige and become a laughing stock among those vassal kings.

But... should we fight?

Gu Xiaoxiao's gaze passed over the arguing crowd and landed on the urgent border report on the imperial desk, which was soaked with sweat and even had some dried bloodstains.

In her mind, a map of the Great Liang territory from the original owner's memories quickly unfolded.

Yanmen Pass has been lost; it was a natural barrier in the north, and now the gates are wide open!

The Northern Xiongnu cavalry is known for its mobility. With the Yanmen Pass now lost, the Northern Xiongnu cavalry will be able to move freely once they enter the pass. If they split up and plunder in different directions, the Liang infantry will not be able to catch up and will be forced to take the beating.

As for a head-on confrontation...

The national treasury has enough reserves to support a large-scale, protracted war, but... once the war becomes deadlocked, those powerful vassal kings who hold heavy troops will probably not "come to the aid of the emperor," but will instead take advantage of the chaos and wait to see the capital fall!

"If we fight, the future is uncertain; if we don't fight, we'll lose all our prestige!"

Gu Xiaoxiao couldn't help but frown slightly—in her view, this was an unsolvable problem!

However, it was at this moment that a flash of inspiration suddenly appeared in her mind.

"Since fighting or not fighting won't yield any good results, let's just not fight—once I've trained that 'female general,' I'll have her lead the armies and regain all the face I lost today!"

Gu Xiaoxiao made a decision in an instant.

However, as her thoughts shifted slightly, Gu Xiaoxiao realized that a new problem had arisen!

If she just directly announces "we're not fighting anymore," where will that leave her as the emperor's face?

Those feudal lords would absolutely laugh their heads off!

Therefore, she, the emperor, should absolutely not take the blame for this!

Therefore, she has to shift the blame!

With this thought in mind, Gu Xiaoxiao couldn't help but turn her gaze to Huo Zhong.

Among the current pro-war faction, the most suitable and capable person to take on this responsibility is none other than this person!

"That's enough!"

Having made up her mind, Gu Xiaoxiao slammed her hand on the armrest of the dragon throne.

As soon as Gu Xiaoxiao spoke, the entire court fell silent.

Then, everyone's attention was focused on the young emperor.

Gu Xiaoxiao slowly stood up, her gaze sharp as she scanned the entire room.

Then, under everyone's gaze, Gu Xiaoxiao turned her attention to Huo Zhong: "Since the General wants to fight, then... I only have one question!"

Under Huo Zhong's expectant gaze, Gu Xiaoxiao slowly spoke: "If I were to grant you military power and provisions, could you guarantee that you could repel the Northern Xiongnu, recapture Yanmen Pass, or even... annihilate their main force, ensuring they dare not invade our borders again for ten years?"

These words shocked everyone present.

To cut off their main force? To ensure they dare not invade our borders for ten years?

This is simply a fantasy!

Huo Zhong was stunned for a moment, then pondered for a while. To Gu Xiaoxiao's surprise, a fanatical light suddenly shone in Huo Zhong's eyes: "If Your Majesty could grant me 200,000 elite troops and 500,000 auxiliary troops, and provide ample provisions and pay, and also allow me to mobilize the border troops of the Prince of Su in the Western Frontier as support, I am willing to sign a military pledge: within a year, I will surely behead the Northern Xiongnu Chanyu!"

"I'm only giving you three months. Furthermore, you only have 100,000 Imperial Guards. As for the provisions and pay for those 100,000 troops, I can certainly provide them!" Gu Xiaoxiao, after a moment's thought, continued, "Furthermore, regarding the mobilization of the vassal kings' troops… if you can persuade them, I will certainly grant your request!"

Upon hearing Gu Xiaoxiao's words, Huo Zhong fell silent—you're not sending me to fight, you're sending me to my death!

After a considerable amount of time had passed, Huo Zhong, whose face had turned a deep purplish-red, finally spoke, his lips trembling: "Your Majesty, this... this 100,000 Imperial Guards, not to mention the exhaustion from the long march, just the transportation of supplies alone... annihilating the main force within three months is simply impossible!"

"Oh?" Gu Xiaoxiao raised an eyebrow, her gaze shifting to the silent assembled officials below. "Even the Grand General of the Nation says it's impossible?"

Huo Zhong's forehead began to bead with cold sweat.

He knew he was being roasted on the fire!

To accept the challenge is to face certain death; not to accept it is to be cowardly and to admit one's incompetence!

Looking at Huo Zhong, who remained silent and bowed his head, Gu Xiaoxiao sneered inwardly—as expected, I knew you couldn't do it!

Since you can't do it, then you'll have to take the blame!

"Since the general cannot guarantee it, let's postpone the battle."

Gu Xiaoxiao casually uttered these words, as if the pressure she had just exerted was merely a figment of everyone's imagination.

However, before the ministers could speak, Gu Xiaoxiao's gaze swept over Zhao Wuji and the pro-peace officials, and her tone suddenly turned cold: "However, although this war will not be fought for the time being, I promise you that within three years at most, I will wipe the Northern Xiongnu off the map!"

"boom--"

Gu Xiaoxiao's words were like a bombshell, directly detonating the entire imperial court.

three years?

Are you kidding me?

Huo Zhong suddenly raised his head, his face full of disbelief, while Zhao Wuji beside him also narrowed his eyes. As for the civil and military officials in the court, they looked at each other in bewilderment.

Gu Xiaoxiao did not offer any further explanation.

She knew that at this moment, any explanation would be futile.

When the time comes, once she has cultivated a "female general" or even a "female army" who are loyal to her, these court officials will naturally know her methods!

At this moment, what she needs to do is to use this three-year "probation" to set up Huo Zhong as a "shield" and let those Northern Xiongnu people be arrogant for a while longer!

"Court adjourned!"

The chief eunuch's high-pitched voice rang out.

Gu Xiaoxiao walked out of the Golden Palace without looking back, leaving behind a group of bewildered ministers...