imperial prince. Huangji Tian is the thirteenth son of the current emperor of the Jin Kingdom, also an imperial prince. Their status is equal, so there's nothing wrong with them sitting down for a cha...Chapter 1533: Strike a Sword

After the first bowl of wine was finished, everyone's eyes were fixed on Li Chen, eagerly awaiting his speech.

Li Chen pondered for a moment, then said, "Everyone, actually on my way here, I prepared many long-winded speeches, but now sitting here, I find them all useless."

"As for matters of the heart, you all hold a deep affection for Yueya Pass."

"As for experience, all of you have the longest tenure at Yueya Pass."

“As for capability, the Yueyaguan has stood firm for many years, and that's thanks to all of you.”

“Therefore, Your Majesty’s current decree to have you all retreat from Yueya Pass is, in a sense, a decision made without regard for your thoughts and feelings. It is a dangerous action, one that appears to some as frivolous and even akin to playing with the fate of the nation.”

Li Chen's voice continued, and no one spoke to interrupt him.

But, matters of state are serious business. This palace has indeed never considered your feelings, but before the mountains and rivers, any individual's feelings are insignificant, including this palace's own.

Putting aside personal feelings, this palace asks you all, if this battle plan fails, and we actively lure the Liao army into our territory, only to lose, what will become of this palace

This question cast a somber pall over everyone.

"I will become a sinner through the ages."

Li Chen said with a stoic expression: "Without having to reach that point, this palace could already imagine the scene of being pointed at by thousands of people. No one would understand this palace, and no one would go and explain to everyone how this palace's original intention was."

>Facing the established facts, how one's original intention is, it's all just an excuse.

"This palace could continue to follow the previous strategy, hold onto Yuemen Pass, and wait for the Liao army to withdraw. It would simply mean fighting a few more days of difficult siege warfare. We've endured this long, what difference does a few more days make"

"The most important thing is that winter is coming, and the Liao army couldn't possibly stay outside Yueya Pass to overwinter. So they have to launch this decisive battle, in order to achieve a quick victory. If they fail, they will have to withdraw their troops."

"Perhaps, in the eyes of most normal people, this is the best and most stable solution."

Here, Li Chen slammed his fist heavily on the table, making all the food and drinks jump.

Li Chen's eyes burned with anger as he said, "But this palace doesn't want to!"

A resounding "No!" echoed through the air, powerful as a clap of thunder.

Everyone was stunned.

Victory always came when the Liao army retreated. It was a blessing worth burning incense for, but this prince didn't seem to want it.

"Why does our Great Qin always have to be the one who gets beaten Why can the Liao army come whenever they want, and leave whenever they want They come to invade us when they remember, and go back whenever they please"

"Even a woman who sells smiles in a brothel can choose not to accept customers. Our Qin soldiers are even worse than the male prostitutes in the brothels, they don't even have the ability to refuse and can only be forced to welcome and send off"

These words turned the faces of the assembled generals red with shame.

Even they themselves have become accustomed to the idea that maintaining the status quo is a good thing, and weathering another attack from the Liao army is a feat. Yet, no one has ever considered that Da Qin is not a piece of fish meat waiting to be slaughtered.

Today, Li Chen's words made this meaning clear.

"Therefore, this palace will strike a blow!"

"This strike must land on the necks of the Liao army. Even if we don't kill them, we must drain them of their blood and leave them with no more arrogant swagger!"g interrupted him, "Replying to Your Highness the Crown Princess, rebel troops are appearing everywhere. They have a large number of well-equipped and highly trained soldiers. Many places have already...