LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 7 - A Crisis Looms
Luo Jinxuan witnessed firsthand the prosperity of the western frontier, feeling even more perplexed.
What she saw were robust warhorses and well-crafted weapons.
Not only had they constructed solid defensive fortifications, but the logistics were also comprehensive, with granaries densely packed and abundant.
It was practically on the scale of a flourishing major city.
And you’re telling me this is the frontier?
With such military strength, wouldn’t defeating the Quanrong be a walk in the park?
Why would Lu Ping abandon such an unprecedented opportunity for glory and insist on returning to the capital?
Could it really be as his profile suggests, that Lu Ping is purely selfless and devoted to the state without any personal agenda?
No, no, no.
Luo Jinxuan didn’t believe that there could be such a person in the world.
As the battle against the Quanrong commenced, court documents began to pour in.
[A month after Lu Ping’s return to the capital, he repeatedly submitted memorials criticizing corruption and impeaching over a dozen court officials, most of whom were students of Right Minister Li Wenfu.]
“What is he trying to do now?”
Luo Jinxuan furrowed her brows slightly and continued reading.
[Emperor Zheng adopted Lu Ping’s suggestions, purging the bureaucracy and improving the lives of the people with remarkable results. Lu Ping received several commendations and rewards, his prestige unmatched.]
[Many high-ranking officials and royal relatives sought to befriend Lu Ping, but he remained steadfast and declined them all.]
[Half of the court officials submitted a joint memorial, accusing Lu Ping of arrogance and disrespecting the emperor.]
“It seems I overestimated this Lu Ping. Though he has some insight, he doesn’t understand that court politics are fiercer than fire and water. How can he stand alone against those old foxes?”
Seeing how Lu Ping’s sharpness led to a collective attack against him, Luo Jinxuan shook her head slightly, feeling a sense of pity.
“If he had accepted my offer back then, he wouldn’t be in this situation now.”
Luo Jinxuan initially intended to mock Lu Ping, but her beautiful eyes suddenly widened.
[The emperor summoned Lu Ping at night, expressing his understanding of the dangers of factionalism but criticized Lu Ping’s actions as being too blunt and unwise.]
[To appease the officials’ anger, Emperor Zheng stripped Lu Ping of his title, temporarily retaining his official position to observe his future performance.]
[The emperor’s illness worsened, and Lu Ping suggested that for the stability of the Great Jing Dynasty, the eldest princess, Luo Jinxuan, should be named the heir apparent according to the ancestral laws.]
“The emperor is still alive, and he dares to discuss the choice of the heir?”
Luo Jinxuan was deeply impressed by Lu Ping’s boldness.
But she didn’t expect that the person Lu Ping considered the rightful heir would be herself.
Then why didn’t he join her faction?
Unable to resist, Luo Jinxuan sent a message to Lu Ping: “Why?”
“With a loyal heart, I serve my country; with clean hands, I uphold my family’s honor.”
This response instantly dampened Luo Jinxuan’s interest in further questioning.
Recalling how Lu Ping had died tragically because of her in the first simulation, Luo Jinxuan couldn’t shake the feeling of guilt.
Now that Lu Ping was in danger, she hesitated, wondering if she should do something.
Luo Jinxuan was confident.
In the last simulation, she had been trapped in Luoyang, feeling lost and unable to take any action.
But this time was different.
Currently, she was still the commander of the western frontier, holding command over the 200,000 elite soldiers trained by Lu Ping.
Eliminating a few treacherous ministers would be no problem.
The issue was that if she rashly led her troops back to the capital, someone might accuse her of rebellion to the emperor…
In the end, reason prevailed over impulse, and Luo Jinxuan calmed down, deciding to wait a little longer.
As long as she held military power, what did she have to fear from someone like Li Wenfu?
The advantage is still mine!
…
Lu Ping was frustrated.
This simulation talent seemed to be a bit of a trap.
He knew that court politics were about strategy and intelligence.
Yet, because of Yu Qian’s straightforward personality, he was forced to choose the most direct and blunt approach.
It was a complete waste of his top-tier political abilities.
All about having a clear conscience.
Even if it led to his death, he would have no regrets.
“Ugh.”
Lu Ping exhaled deeply, trying to calm himself down.
Although he was constrained by the passive effects of his talent, which caused some actions to go against his intentions, if you looked at everything he had done, it was all heavily leaning in Luo Jinxuan’s favor.
Couldn’t she see that at all?
Right in front of the emperor, he had boldly advocated for Luo Jinxuan to be named the heir apparent—a move that was practically courting death. And yet, she still didn’t get it?
Does he really have to bare his heart and soul before she understands his true intentions?
At that moment, the message panel lit up.
It was a message from Luo Jinxuan.
“Why?”
Even though it was just one word, Lu Ping was almost moved to tears.
She finally noticed!
Now was the time to express his true feelings.
Lu Ping’s mind raced as he reviewed all the romantic lines he had ever heard.
He carefully composed his message and hit send.
Only to find that the content had completely changed.
“With a loyal heart, I serve my country; with clean hands, I uphold my family’s honor.”
The talent’s passive effect is terrifying!
Well, might as well continue with the simulation.
[That night, the emperor summoned Lu Ping to the palace again, asking why he would risk defying orders to recommend the Han Marquis as heir. Lu Ping replied, “Under the emperor’s care, who besides the Han Marquis is more qualified for this position?” The emperor furrowed his brows for a long time before bursting into laughter and ordered Lu Ping to draft the decree.]
As Lu Ping personally wrote the decree to pass the throne to the Han Marquis, he couldn’t help but rejoice!
Victory was within reach!
All he needed to do now was to be cautious of Li Wenfu and wait for Luo Jinxuan to return to the capital with her military achievements. Together, they would be invincible.
Repeating past mistakes?
Not a chance.
Although Lu Ping had been stripped of his title, he was still the Grand Commander in charge of military affairs, ranking just below the three regents!
…
Before the decree could be announced to the world, Luo Jinxuan had already received word.
“Was it he who persuaded Father to make me the heir?”
Luo Jinxuan began to feel that Lu Ping was someone she could trust.
He might be a bit stubborn, but…
“When I hold the reins of the Great Jing Dynasty, I will not fail you!”
Luo Jinxuan showed rare decisiveness, ordering a full-scale assault to eradicate the Quanrong.
She was already eager to return to the capital and meet Lu Ping in person.
However, the world is unpredictable, and fate is fickle.
[The emperor’s illness worsened, and he summoned the eldest princess back to the capital, bestowing the title of Grand Protector on Grand Commander Lu Ping, entrusting him with the task of assisting the new ruler.]
When Luo Jinxuan received the news, her heart sank.
Though she was often indecisive, her intelligence was not lacking.
She could sense the looming crisis hidden within this message.
The decree did not mention the new ruler by name, but anyone with a brain could discern Emperor Zheng’s intentions.
By appointing Lu Ping as Grand Protector, it was clear that the emperor had agreed with Lu Ping’s recommendation to pass the throne to Luo Jinxuan.
But this complicated things.
Who knew if someone like Li Wenfu might intercept Luo Jinxuan on her way back to the capital?
To be safe, Luo Jinxuan decided to leave 50,000 troops to garrison the western frontier while leading the remaining 150,000 soldiers back to the capital!
…
The Great Jing Dynasty’s territory spanned thousands of miles from east to west.
Even with 150,000 troops on the move, it would take at least a month to return to the capital.
Lu Ping had anticipated this outcome.
Unlike the first simulation, this time, Lu Ping had focused his efforts on the court, having already fallen out with Li Wenfu. There was no way Li Wenfu would allow Luo Jinxuan to return to the capital unscathed.
It wasn’t just Li Wenfu—everyone believed that if Luo Jinxuan ascended the throne, Lu Ping would undoubtedly become the most powerful figure in the empire.
Given Lu Ping’s reputation for ruthlessly punishing evil, he would undoubtedly seek retribution for their past actions.
Currently, Lu Ping holds the position of Grand Commander and controlled military power. The chances of winning a direct confrontation were slim.
Their only hope was to prevent Luo Jinxuan from returning to the capital.
If Luo Jinxuan and Lu Ping were to join forces, it would be the end for them.
[The Han Marquis, Luo Jinxuan, leading 150,000 frontier troops back to the capital, causing unease within the ranks.]
This didn’t surprise Lu Ping.
He had previously issued orders to stabilize the frontier troops and ensure they were content to stay in the western frontier, even allowing them to bring their families along.
During wartime, the soldiers fought, and during peacetime, they farmed the land. Although it was tough, at least they had warm homes to return to at night.
It was a happy arrangement.
But now, Luo Jinxuan had left the soldiers’ families behind in the distant western frontier, taking them on a thousand-mile march.
It was no wonder the troops were unhappy.