Nine dragons fight for the throne, I don't want to sit on this throne

Chapter 179 The Emperor in a Dilemma

The prince looked at the military token in front of him and did not dare to take it.

Although he really wanted to obtain the military token, control the military power, and expand his own influence, once he took over the military token, he would have to deal with the war on the front line.

The victory of this battle was entirely due to Chu Ning's desperate efforts, and he even donated food and silver on his own initiative.

If it were me, that would be impossible.

How could I possibly take out my own food and silver for a battle that I had no chance of winning?

It’s better not to have this military token!

The prince rolled his eyes and laughed awkwardly, "Eighteenth brother, what do you mean by that? You handed over the military token to me right after returning to the court. People who know will think that you are showing your loyalty, while those who don't will think that I am forcing you."

Chu Ning laughed and took the initiative to step forward and put the military token in the hands of the prince: "How dare I have such an idea in front of all the adults? This military token is really a hot potato. Please take it as soon as possible, prince brother."

The prince was startled and quickly pushed the military token back into Chu Ning's hand, even taking two steps back unconsciously.

Whoever takes this military token will be in trouble. I am not stupid!

Now that he has accepted the military command, he not only has to supply food and military pay to the front line, but also has to be cursed by everyone.

I can't do thankless tasks!

What's more, Chu Ning is now the governor of Bingzhou. That place is Chu Ning's territory. Whoever takes over the front-line troops cannot avoid Chu Ning.

This military token cannot be accepted.

Chu Ning looked at the military token in his hand that he had not been able to give away and sighed: "Since the Crown Prince doesn't want it, why not give it to my second brother."

Turning his head to look at the Second Prince outside the pavilion, Chu Ning took two steps forward and said with a smile: "Second brother, this military token..."

“Don’t…don’t!”

The Second Prince quickly waved his hand to interrupt, "Even my brother the Crown Prince doesn't dare to accept it, so how can I dare to accept it?"

What a joke! That's food and drink for tens of thousands of people. How can I afford it?

That kid Chu Ning emptied out his family's wealth, added some money he swindled, and with the help of the Shen family, he was barely able to provide food and supplies for the troops on the front line.

No one else can do this!

Seeing that the Second Prince did not dare to accept the military token, Chu Ning could not help but shook his head and turned to look at the Third Prince: "Third brother..."

The Third Prince's face changed, and before Chu Ning could finish, he shouted, "Eighteenth brother, the Crown Prince and Second Brother don't want it, and Third Brother doesn't dare to want it either."

This scene left all the ministers dumbfounded.

Normally, the princes would fight for power and even fight for an official position.

But now the military power on the front line is right in front of them and within their grasp, and they dare not take over?

The emperor sitting on the main seat had a gloomy face at the moment, looking extremely ugly.

These rebellious sons usually act so brave, why are they so useless when the critical moment comes?

Are you still my sons?

Can you show some manliness?

While deep in thought, Chu Ning had already asked the Fourth Prince and the Fifth Prince successively, but the two of them still did not dare to accept the military order.

Chu Ning held the military token in his hand and looked at the remaining princes helplessly: "Who among you brothers is willing to take over this military token?"

The remaining princes hurriedly shook their heads and waved their hands: "Eighteenth brother, you worked so hard to lead the troops on the front line, why do you love me so much?"

"Yes, that was raised by you, Eighteenth Brother, with your own food and money. I don't want to take advantage of him."

"It's best for you to lead the troops on the front line, Eighteenth Brother. How can others afford so much food and silver to give them?"

"I never thought of taking this military token from the beginning to the end. Eighteenth brother, please return it to father."

The princes were very panicked.

Although he wanted military power very much, he didn't want to pay for the food and military pay himself.

Seeing that everyone refused, Chu Ning couldn't help but show anxiety on his face: "Brothers, don't forget that I also seized some food and grass in this battle, enough to sustain our army for two months!"

Last two months?

But what about two months later?

Won't you still have to pay out of your own pocket then?

Humph, this guy Chu Ning is really cunning. He actually wants to hand over the military power in this way.

The princes sneered in their hearts, feeling that they had seen through Chu Ning's plan.

In their eyes, Chu Ning's action of voluntarily handing over the military token was like that of a clown.

No one was moved. Chu Ning became anxious and turned to look at the ministers.

"My Lords, is there anyone willing to take over the frontline troops?"

The ministers all lowered their heads, not daring to look Chu Ning in the eye, for fear that Chu Ning would fall in love with them.

Chu Ning frowned, looked at the Taifu in the front and asked, "I wonder if Master Taifu is willing to accept this military token?"

The corner of the Taifu's mouth twitched: "Your Highness, King Chu, I am too old, how can I go to the battlefield?"

"That's true!"

Chu Ning nodded, then turned to look at the Prime Minister beside the Grand Tutor and asked, "Mr. Prime Minister..."

The Prime Minister's face changed slightly, and before Chu Ning finished speaking, he interrupted and said, "Your Highness, I need to assist His Majesty in handling court affairs, and I cannot leave Kyoto."

Chu Ning was very disappointed and turned to look at the emperor: "Father, no one has taken over the military order. It seems that you have to choose the candidate yourself."

The emperor snorted coldly and was very disappointed with the princes and officials.

"In that case, let Lord Feng take over this matter!"

Now that the matter has come to this, it must be resolved. I have just asked Feng Anguo to take over, so there is only one way to go.

Feng Anguo stepped forward and was about to bow and accept the order, but Feng Mulan in the pavilion snorted coldly:

"Father, you have to think carefully. Once you take over this matter, my Feng family will have to sell everything they have to buy food to support the soldiers on the front line. Our family is not as wealthy as the Chu Palace. Even if we empty our family coffers, we can't supply 60,000 soldiers with food for half a month."

These words made Feng Anguo, who originally wanted to agree to this matter, change his expression slightly.

You know best how capable you are. Leading the troops to fight is no problem, but you have no problem solving the problem of food and military pay.

Without food and pay, who among the soldiers would obey orders?

What's more, these words were spoken by his own daughter. Given her understanding of the situation on the front line, she would definitely not lie to him.

Thinking of this, Feng Anguo sighed and bowed to the emperor, "Your Majesty, please forgive me for being unable to help you with this matter. If the court has food, I will not refuse.

But now the court has no intention of providing food and pay to the troops on the front line, so it will be useless even if I take on this matter.

Rather than delaying the frontline soldiers, it is better to let His Royal Highness the Prince of Chu continue to lead the frontline troops. At least from this period of time, His Royal Highness the Prince of Chu has done a good job!"

Although it was the truth, it made the emperor look very unhappy.

The person I chose myself actually refused and even spoke well of Chu Ning. This is a slap in my face.

But what Feng Anguo said did make some sense. If the imperial court did not allocate food, no one would want to take over the troops on the front line.

Does this matter have to continue to be handled by Chu Ning?

But how can I take back what I just said?

For a moment, the emperor was in a dilemma.