Chapter 19: The Emperor's Command
Li Feng had just donned his black inner robes, preparing for the urgent Night Court session, when the door to his bedchamber burst open.
Empress Wan Qing stood there, her eyes wide with shock and residual possessive fury from the earlier confrontation.
Empress Wan Qing:
"Where are you going? You just fell asleep! What is happening now?"
Li Feng (internal): I hate leaving her like this, but I have no time.
Li Feng:
"Night Court Session. An emergency of national security."
Divine Emperor Xuan Tian (floating between them, rubbing his hands):
> "Oh, beautiful! My couple just united, and now bickering again! I love the rhythm!"
>
Li Feng (mental): Shut up. I hate you.
Li Feng walked past the Empress, his voice low but insistent.
Li Feng:
"You should understand, my Empress. Tang's action threatens national security and even my throne, sooner than it should. This is not palace drama."
Empress Wan Qing caught his arm, her expression turning to panic.
Empress Wan Qing:
"No! You heard the reports! You should not go to the front lines at any point! You are the Emperor! I will ask my father's help to secure the borders! Please, just listen to me!"
Li Feng's hand covered hers, but his gaze was firm.
Li Feng:
"I am the Emperor. I am the symbol of imperial dignity. I can't be a man afraid of his own life. If I show fear, the ministers will use this against me, turning the court against the weak Emperor."
Empress Wan Qing:
"No, Li Feng! You must stay!"
Li Feng sighed, his patience exhausted. He signaled the loyal guards standing outside the chamber door.
Li Feng:
"Don't let the Empress leave the chambers. Lock the doors."
Empress Wan Qing shouted, tears welling up. "Listen to me!"
Li Feng stood firm at the threshold, the full weight of the imperial authority settling on him.
Li Feng:
"I am the Emperor here. And I command your safety."
He walked out.
Empress Wan Qing (screaming, heartbroken):
"I hate you!"
Li Feng (without looking back):
"Then hate me."
Preparing the Elite
Li Feng immediately summoned his trusted general, Commander Yu Shan, to the inner courtyard.
Li Feng:
"Commander, the border requires immediate attention. It's time for war. I need the 1,500 Imperial Guard troops currently serving under your direct command."
Commander Yu Shan (saluting):
"Majesty, you are taking them directly to the front lines?"
Li Feng:
"I want an elite force, Commander, not a force pretending to be elite. I need to know they can survive a real campaign. Prepare them for immediate deployment. I leave their command to you."
Commander Yu Shan:
"Yes, Your Majesty. They will be prepared."
Li Feng then met with Lady Hua Rong, the Treasury Minister, and his small, loyal faction. Their backing was crucial.
Lady Hua Rong:
"Your Majesty, we are prepared to back any financial mobilization. We stand with the throne."
Li Feng (mental): Thank God for small mercies and competent allies.
He then remembered one last courtesy.
Li Feng:
"Minister Hua Rong, the Jin Consort requested an audience. Send word that I regret I must decline. This evening is reserved for national security only."
He needed to maintain the appearance of ruthless focus, even if it meant risking another relationship crisis.
The Decision
Li Feng walked to the Grand Court Hall. The court was packed, the sight of the Night Court Session intimidating everyone. As he walked, he noticed the Elder Ministers—the old ones who remembered the Grand Emperor—bowing deeply, their respect profound.
Li Feng (mental): The old goose's suggestion is working. They see the Holder of Heaven's Mandate in these robes.
Li Feng sat upon the Dragon Throne. The court began with clambering voices and fear.
Ministers argued: famine, troop threats, the Dowager's failures.
Li Feng slammed his fist softly on the armrest.
Li Feng:
"Enough! Mobilization is the only topic. We can debate famine and finances after the border is secure. We cannot play around with matters of national security. Listen to me for this once: the court stays united until this war has concluded."
The court fell silent, unified by the external threat.
Li Feng:
"Elder ministers and ministers experienced with war, step forward. We are not playing a strategical game with a minor kingdom. We are dealing with a two-front action. What is your counsel?"
The experienced ministers consulted briefly, then presented their unanimous advice.
Minister 1:
"Your Imperial Majesty, you must go to the border. The general may get powerful if not checked by the Emperor. The Emperor cannot stay in the palace; it looks cowardly."
Minister 2:
"Imperial legitimacy is needed at the front."
Li Feng nodded.
Li Feng:
"There is no objection in me going to the border."
Minister 3:
"Then, for the other front, the Second Prince must go."
Li Feng paused, realizing the trap. The court was leveraging him to send his rival to the danger zone.
Divine Emperor Xuan Tian (whispering loudly):
> "Tell him to go to the Western Front! Less glory, more danger!"
>
Li Feng (mental): Why the Western Front, old ghost?
Divine Emperor Xuan Tian:
> "Because reasons! I said I wanted more glory for you, not that it would be easy!"
>
Li Feng glared internally at the Divine Emperor. He had been misled again.
Li Feng (calmly):
"The Second Prince, Li Ren, will command the forces assigned to the Western Front."
Minister 4:
"Your Majesty, you will go to the Northern Front then?"
Li Feng:
"Yes. I am going to the Northern Front."
Minister 5 (horrified):
"Your Majesty, the North is the hardest place to invade. The Western Dukes are less disciplined!"
Li Feng looked at the Divine Emperor, who was now flying near him with his arms crossed.
Li Feng (mental): I thought the West would be hard and North would be easy!
Divine Emperor Xuan Tian:
> "I never said it would be easy! I said you will get more glory! I thought you were sharp enough to read the subtext!"
>
Li Feng (mental): I hate you. I just hate you to death.
Divine Emperor Xuan Tian:
> "I know. I love you too. To death."
>
The Emotional Toll
Li Feng dismissed the court, the immediate threat of war having stabilized his position. But the political gain felt hollow.
He walked back to his empty, locked chamber. He sat on the bed and ran his hands through his hair.
Li Feng (mental, despairing): I locked my Empress away, and now I denied the Jin Consort's request for audience too. What am I supposed to do now?
The Divine Emperor floated down and patted Li Feng's shoulder gently.
Divine Emperor Xuan Tian:
> "Stay with me, buddy. I promise the future drama will be worth the current loneliness."
>
Li Feng stared at the translucent figure.
Li Feng:
"You just destroyed my whole marital life, you know. First jealousy, then separation, now war."
Divine Emperor Xuan Tian:
> "I know. But you're alive, you're powerful, and you're going to be a legend. And I will have excellent viewing material."
>
Li Feng simply lay back, exhausted by command, loneliness, and the realization that his life was now being dictated by an ancient polit
ical strategy and a narcissistic god.
The decision was made. War was coming, and the Emperor was going to the front lines.