In the quiet autumn night of Ze Tian Palace, a cool breeze was blowing. The maple leaves in the courtyard were scattered all over the ground, making rustling sounds as they rolled along with the wind. The lights in the Phoenix Perching Palace were also swaying along with the gentle breeze. Eight maids stood respectfully at the side. Shangguan Jingyue was holding the scroll presented by the Parliament and said, "Your Highness, have you decided?"
Qin Yin knelt on the rusted golden carpet. Her palm was enshrouded in light. It seemed that the divine power of light had increased a little. She took a deep breath and opened her Flaming Eyes a little. She said, "Brother Yu, what do you think?"
Lin Muyu sat by the warm stove with a plate full of grapes in her hand. She said, "It's up to you."
"You're the marshal. You're the one who decides the new legion."
"No, it's not an ordinary legion. It's the Imperial Army." Lin Muyu spat the grape seeds into the plate and said, "Once the Imperial Army is established, the supreme commander will not be me. It will be directly commanded by the president of the Congress. So, it's better to ask President Qin Lian about this. It doesn't have much to do with me."
"Is the Imperial Army really established to defend the dignity of the Constitution?" Qin Yin said faintly.
"At least that's what they say." Lin Muyu smiled faintly. "But who knows? Xiao Yin, you decide for yourself. Whether you agree or disagree, I'll support you. In fact, we don't have to worry too much. Even if the Imperial Army is established, it won't make much of a difference. The warhorses, weapons, magic crystal cannons, and magic crystal crossbows of the Ministry of War have to be signed by me. Even if the Imperial Army is established, I won't approve the magic crystal cannons. I think the elites of the Longdan Army Camp will be enough to destroy the 400,000 soldiers of the Imperial Army."
"Then … I'll approve it." Qin Yin said, "It's not a good idea to keep the 400,000 soldiers outside the city. They'll threaten the safety of Lanyan City at any time."
"Yes, that's what I think too."
Lin Muyu cupped her fists and said, "Xiao Yin, I have another request."
Qin Yin narrowed her beautiful eyes and looked at him. She put her hand on Lin Muyu's clenched fist and said with a gentle smile, "Don't be so polite to me. There are only you and me here!"
Shangguan Jingyue turned around and pretended that she didn't exist.
Lin Muyu loosened her grip and wrapped her arms around Qin Yin's slender waist. "I want to appoint a new Minister of War. I want Wei Chou to be in charge of the Ministry of War and Qin Ziling to be in charge of the Weapons Department. I want the entire Imperial military under my control. Otherwise, I'm afraid they'll target me as soon as the Imperial Army is established."
"Yes, I approve." Qin Yin chuckled.
…
The next morning, during the morning court session.
The Empress's court session didn't conflict with the Imperial Army. Those who attended the court session were all important officials from the six ministries and three departments. Outside Zetian Palace Hall, Wei Chou, Zhang Wei, and the other generals unsheathed their swords and hung them on the sword rack outside the hall. They removed their boots and were inspected by the imperial guards before they could enter the hall. This was a rule that had been in place for thousands of years.
However, Lin Muyu and Feng Jixing were allowed to bring weapons into the hall. This was a special pardon from the Empress.
Lin Muyu placed her hand on the hilt of the Xuanyuan Sword and waited for Wei Chou, Situ Sen, and the others to complete the inspection before they entered the hall together. Not long after, a group of people from the Imperial Army arrived with Chief Qin Lian. Situ Sen, Wei Chou, Zhang Wei, Luo Yu, and the others exchanged glances with Solemn, Su Changying, and Zhou Heng. The entire Great Qin court session had been divided into two factions. The Empress was on one side while Chief Qin Lian was on the other.
"The court session shall begin!"
The attendant's voice was drawn-out.
Under the protection of Tang Xiaoxi and Tarilyn, Qin Yin sat on the throne and waved her hand. Shangguan Jingyue stepped forward and announced, "Chief, Her Highness has approved the proposal to establish the Imperial Army."
Qin Lian nodded.
Zhuang Yan, Su Changying, and the others knelt down excitedly, "Thank you, Your Highness, for your approval!"
Shangguan Jingyue smiled and said, "However, Her Highness has decided to promote the former Duke of Wei, Wei Chou, to be the Minister of War and Qin Ziling to be the Chief of the Department of Weapons."
"Ah?"
Zhuang Yan was taken aback and said, "The Minister of War is such an important position. The appointment of the candidate should be approved by the Imperial Army before it can take effect. This is one of the provisions of the Constitution. Your Highness, please consider it."
Qin Yin said faintly, "I approved the establishment of the Imperial Army and the Imperial Army approved my decision. Isn't this fair? I'm the Empress. Do I have to seek your approval for the appointment of the Minister of War? "
Zhuang Yan was stunned and said, "But Your Highness, this matter is very important. If it isn't approved by the Imperial Army …"
Before he finished his sentence, Qin Yin suddenly disappeared from the throne and appeared in front of Zhuang Yan in the next moment. A sharp sword was pressed against Zhuang Yan's neck. Blood flowed down along the edge of the Stars Sword. Qin Yin slowly opened her Flaming Eyes and said in an unusually cold voice, "I'm the Empress. I have the final say in this world. Zhuang Yan, go and play your Imperial Army's game. Don't be so shameless. If you force me again, I guarantee that everyone in the Imperial Army will evaporate from this world!"
"Your Highness, I …" Zhuang Yan's voice trembled.
"Pay attention to the way you address yourself." Qin Yin said faintly, "Say it again."
Zhuang Yan knelt down with a thud and said, "Your Highness, I … I know my mistake."
Qin Yin nodded and turned around to fly up the throne. She looked disdainfully and said faintly, "From today onwards, the members of the Imperial Army don't have to participate in the court meetings of Ze Tian Palace."
Everyone was trembling with fear.
Only Qin Lian held the jade tablet in her hand and said respectfully, "Your Highness, there are many things waiting to be done in the empire. The Imperial Army is also thinking of the empire's long-term stability. I hope that Your Highness will not misunderstand. As the Chief of the Imperial Army, I'm also Your Highness's subordinate. Of course, I know what I'm doing. Your Highness, please think clearly. The Imperial Army definitely has no intention of disobeying."
"I know. Don't worry too much, Imperial Uncle."
Qin Yin nodded and said, "Then, regarding the matter of the Minister of War and the Chief of Weapons, it's decided. In addition, after the establishment of the Imperial Army, it must obey Marshal Lin Muyu's orders."
Su Changying hurriedly cupped his fists and said, "Please be careful, Your Highness. The establishment of the Imperial Army is to defend the dignity of the Constitution. It's not a private army. I suggest that the Tiger Tally for the mobilization of the Imperial Army be split into two. The Chief will have one, and Your Highness will have one. Only when both Tiger Tally are present can the Imperial Army be mobilized. This way, the Imperial Army can also be ensured."
Qin Lian cupped her fists and said, "I agree."
Qin Yin seemed a little tired and said, "Yes, it's approved."
Qin Lian continued, "The initial establishment of the Imperial Army is four hundred thousand people. It can be said to be the most powerful army in the Empire. So … the demand for weapons, equipment, and war horses is very high. Your Highness, I have drawn up some choices and hope that the Minister of War can approve them."
The corner of Qin Yin's mouth rose. "Master Wei Chou, I'll leave this matter to you. Chief, you can read out the details of your list in public."
"Yes!"
Qin Lian said, "Two hundred thousand pieces of armor, fifty thousand war horses, three hundred thousand swords, one hundred thousand spears, ten thousand arrow boxes, five thousand magic crystal cannons, twenty thousand magic crystal crossbows, and one hundred thousand magic crystal cannons. I hope Master Wei can prepare these equipment in time."
Wei Chou couldn't help but laugh.
"Master Wei Chou, what are you laughing at?" Zhuang Yan asked.
"I'm laughing that the Chief doesn't know what year it is."
"Wei Chou, how dare you!" Zhuang Yan scolded.
Wei Chou said coldly, "I think this list wasn't chosen by the Chief, but by Zhuang Yan himself. You want so many weapons, do you really think the supplies in the Imperial Army are endless? One hundred thousand magic crystal cannons, do you think magic crystals grow out of the ground? Let me tell you, magic crystals were originally obtained from recasting magic crystal coins taken from the demons. But these years, we almost blew up all the magic crystal coins. If you want more magic crystals, you have to go deep into the mountains like the Dragon Seeking Forest to dig. Only the corpses of ancient monsters can condense magic crystals. I don't need to say how precious magic crystals are. The Imperial Army wants one hundred thousand cannons, but we don't have one, not even one! "
Qin Lian frowned and said, "Master Wei Chou, don't be angry. Maybe this list is really inappropriate. I think … why don't we change it to one thousand magic crystal cannons and ten thousand cannons?"
"Also no."
Wei Chou said proudly, "Magic crystal cannons are used to deal with foreign races. They will only be distributed to the major armies during times of war, so there definitely won't be any now."
"But …" Zhuang Yan laughed coldly. "But the Longdan Army Camp and the Imperial Army are clearly equipped with magic crystal cannons and magic crystal crossbows. Why? Is the Imperial Army not the Imperial Army?"
"Who is the highest commander of the Imperial Army?" Wei Chou asked.
"Naturally, the Chief!" Zhuang Yan cupped his hands at Qin Lian, his respect evident in his words.
Wei Chou laughed. "That's enough. The highest commander of the Imperial Army is actually not the Imperial Marshal, but a Chief. Can this kind of army still be considered the Imperial Army? Since Her Highness has appointed me, Wei Chou, as the Minister of War, I naturally have to carefully consider this matter. Unless the Imperial Army is directly under Lin General's command, don't even think about getting any magic crystal cannons from me. "
As he said this, Wei Chou looked at the assistant ministers of the Ministry of War and said, "Remember, strictly inspect all the weapons in the Empire. Any magic crystal cannons that are not registered will be deemed illegal and will be severely punished. All magic crystal cannons must be numbered and strictly inspected. Do you all understand?"
"Yes, Master!"
Zhuang Yan, Su Changying, and the others were so angry that they trembled. Who was Wei Chou? He was a famous general who had experienced hundreds of battles. He didn't give Chief Qin any face at all.
Feng Jixing was grinning from ear to ear at the side. No wonder Lin Muyu didn't seem to care. Everything had already been arranged. It would be strange if Wei Chou hadn't personally taught him these words!
…
At this moment, Qin Lian said in a low voice, "Minister of War, Master Wei Chou, then … after the Imperial Army is established, how many weapons and equipment will the Ministry of War distribute to us?"
Wei Chou muttered, "500 warhorses, 5,000 sets of armor, 10,000 swords, and 8,000 spears. Will Chief take a look at these? After all, the Empire has just gone through a war and lacks resources. You see, even the warhorses for Her Highness Yin's carriage can't be of the same color. How can the Imperial Army be too extravagant? "
Qin Lian took a deep breath and said, "If that's the case, then so be it … I will think of a way to deal with the weapons of the Imperial Army. Thank you, Minister of War. When will the equipment and warhorses be delivered?"
Wei Chou also took a deep breath and said, "In six months."
"…"
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