Great, it's just a lackey, we're saved!

Chapter 148 Old Friends in the Army!

Qian Tao, a military man by birth, acted freely and readily admitted it without the slightest hesitation.

"I did say that."

"However, it is not that I am dissatisfied with the Crown Prince, but that the Crown Prince has never entered the army for training, and I believe that the Crown Prince does not know anything about military affairs."

"As the heir apparent, the Crown Prince wields military power, which is beyond the objection of the ministers. But as a general, how can someone who knows nothing about military affairs be a general?"

Mei Xingyue couldn't help but look at the Crown Prince, clearly not expecting that the Crown Prince had such little prestige among the military generals!

Qian Tao actually dared to say in court that he knew nothing about military affairs?

Mei Xingyue observed the reactions of the other generals, and most of them nodded in agreement with Qian Tao's statement.

This is truly going against the natural order!

The Crown Prince felt a sense of helplessness as he sensed Mei Xingyue's gaze.

He has never had the opportunity to gain experience in the military.

Back then, Jian Xiyan felt sorry for him and didn't want him to suffer in the army.

Later, as the crown prince, his status became even more important, and he could not afford to make any mistakes.

These military generals in the court were either veterans who had fought alongside the Great Zhou Emperor to conquer the country, or their descendants.

They were all brave and had bad tempers, so it's normal for them to look down on him.

The crown prince's plan was to gradually replace these generals once he ascended the throne.

He promoted a group of new recruits from the military to serve him.

Qian Tao was his first target to eliminate!

Qian Tao was puzzled as to why the princess was bringing this up, and asked, "I am a military officer and a rough man. Even if I offended the crown prince with my words, as the heir apparent, he is magnanimous and will not hold it against me."

"I wonder what the Princess intends to do by bringing these things up in particular?"

Jiang Yueli did not answer, but looked at Bai Xiaoxiao instead.

"Imperial Noble Consort, the Crown Prince's military power was indeed taken from me."

“Back then, my birth mother, Consort Li, took the tiger tally from me and handed it over to the Empress.”

"The transfer of military power was not discussed in court, which I believe is against the rules."

The military officers were somewhat bewildered; it was the first time they had ever realized that the transfer of command of 500,000 troops had been handled in such an absurd manner!

Qian Tao cupped his hands towards Bai Xiaoxiao: "Imperial Noble Consort, I believe that even if what the Eldest Princess said is true, since the power of these 500,000 troops has already been handed over to the Crown Prince, there is no reason to return them."

"Because this matter could not have been accomplished without His Majesty's tacit approval."

Qian Tao's words drew nods of agreement from most of the military officers.

To reiterate, even if the transfer of military power back then was a mess, there were still some good things that happened despite the mistakes.

She has nothing to do with Jiang Yueli, who is a princess!

Jiang Yueli looked at Qian Tao: "Lord Qian, I want to ask you, is it because I am a woman that you are so distorting the truth?"

Before Qian Tao could answer, Zhou Wei smiled and said, "Your Highness has misunderstood him. He looks down on everyone who doesn't know anything about military affairs."

Qian Tao looked at Zhou Wei in surprise, scratched his head, and felt as if he had met a kindred spirit.

Zhou Wei continued, "Lord Qian believes that the Crown Prince is ignorant of military affairs, and neither are you, Princess. Since the Crown Prince is the heir apparent, he is naturally more suitable to hold military power."

Qian Tao wished he could rush up and grab Zhou Wei's hand, shouting that she was his soulmate!

That's what he thinks!

Jiang Yueli lowered her head and chuckled softly, sighing that Qian Tao was still as stubborn as ever.

Qian Tao echoed Zhou Wei's words, saying, "If the princess is knowledgeable in military affairs, like the colleague who saved me three years ago, I will naturally support the princess in regaining military power."

"Even if that person is a woman, Lord Qian, you still support her?" Jiang Yueli looked intently at Qian Tao.

“That’s for sure,” Qian Tao said, his words filled with reverence as he mentioned the Blue-Faced War God. “Talented generals are hard to find, so what difference is there between men and women?”

"If you don't believe me, Princess, you can ask those present who have had dealings with that person if they all share the same thoughts as me."

Among the military officers, a large majority joined Qian Tao in making a fuss.

"General Qian is right!"

A group of people shouted, and the court suddenly became like a marketplace. The civil officials couldn't help but frown and mutter curses under their breath for the military generals' crudeness.

Upon seeing this, the crown prince couldn't help but reveal a mocking smile.

So what if the military power was handed over from Jiang Yueli?

He is the crown prince, while Jiang Yueli is just a princess. Of course, the military generals will support him as the crown prince!

Moreover, in his mind, most of these military generals were not very bright and were easy to manipulate.

Bai Xiaoxiao coughed lightly at this moment, and the noise in the court immediately stopped.

"Your Highness, you heard it too. Now that the command of these 500,000 troops has been handed over to the Crown Prince, there is no reason to take it back."

"The military generals also support the Crown Prince taking command of the army. As I oversee the country, I naturally have to weigh the opinions of the court officials."

When the Crown Prince heard that Bai Xiaoxiao actually supported him, he was both puzzled and somewhat relieved.

Bai Xiaoxiao acted very assertively at today's court assembly. If she really forces him to hand over the Tiger Tally, the Crown Prince will have no choice but to comply.

After all, the Imperial Noble Consort holds the Imperial Seal of the State!

Bai Xiaoxiao then added casually, "However, I must also remind the Crown Prince that you should go to the army to gain some experience when you have time! Don't really think that holding the Tiger Tally means you are in charge of troops."

"In the end, the tiger tally is just an object; the important thing is the person."

Upon hearing the last sentence, Jiang Yueli's hand trembled almost imperceptibly.

She suddenly looked up, trying to see Bai Xiaoxiao's expression, only to find that the other person had already gotten up and left.

With the Imperial Noble Consort gone, the court session naturally adjourned.

Taking this opportunity, Qian Tao walked up to Jiang Yueli and said somewhat embarrassedly, "Your Highness, please forgive me. My words were not meant to target you."

"Lord Qian, there's no need for such formalities. I've heard you've acquired a fine bow. Would you be so kind as to see it?"

When Qian Tao heard Jiang Yueli discussing bows and arrows with him, he became as excited as a baboon.

"The princess is actually interested in these things? If the princess would do me the honor, I would like to hold a deer hunting banquet in a few days and hunt some wild animals in the mountains to give to the people."

"Although I can't be of much help, a little extra profit would be good. Would the princess like to join in the fun?"

While Qian Tao was speaking, a group of burly military officers lingered and didn't leave, but instead strained their ears to eavesdrop.

"I am naturally willing to go, and also to see Lord Qian's fine bow."

When the military officers heard that the princess was willing to come, they became excited and chuckled, as if she were worthless.

After the military officers left, the princess took Zhou Wei's hand.

Zhou Wei immediately sensed that Jiang Yueli was trembling.

"Princess, what's wrong with you?"

"I believe that Bai Xiaoxiao's identity is questionable."

Zhou Wei was startled and glanced at the officials who were still chatting with each other.

He said in a low voice, "We'll talk about it on the way."

On the carriage back to the princess's residence, Jiang Yueli looked solemn.

Why does the princess think there's something wrong with Bai Xiaoxiao?

"Weiwei, do you know that besides teaching me cultivation, my master also taught me military strategy?"

Zhou Wei knew very little about Jiang Yueli's master and could not offer any opinions, so she could only listen silently.

“My master said that the way of a general lies in the morale of the army. Some people think that getting the tiger tally means they are in charge of the troops, but they don’t know that the tiger tally is just an inanimate object. What’s important is… people.”

Zhou Wei was shocked to hear this. Wasn't this exactly what Bai Xiaoxiao had just said?