"Moreover, considering His Majesty's current state, it's natural that he has forgotten many things. I've already decided to come out of retirement and resume my position as the prime minister."
"Oh, really? That's excellent, truly excellent." Si Junlin didn't know how to express his gratitude to this veteran official. He was really dedicated. However, it didn't mean there couldn't be another capable general in the army.
"However, once I take office, my first task will be to stabilize the chaotic situation in the court since His Majesty left the capital. I've heard that there are no concubines in His Majesty's harem. Isn't this cutting off the connection between the court and the harem? So my first task after taking office will be to hold a draft for His Majesty and select some virtuous daughters of court officials to stabilize the situation."
Just as the national master was speaking, upon hearing that there were no concubines in the harem, Si Junlin suddenly felt a headache. He seemed to have dismissed the concubines in the harem. He still had some impression of this. However, he had known the reasoning the national master mentioned since he was a child, not to mention now, just having ascended the throne cautiously. How could he have done such a thing? Why on earth did he dismiss the concubines in the harem?
"Your Majesty? Is Your Majesty feeling unwell?" Seeing this, the national master quickly stopped. He knew he had touched a sensitive nerve. It seemed his speculation was correct. If it was the problem of the spiritual potion, they might both regain their memories within two or three years. Moreover, these memories needed the two of them to stimulate each other to recover quickly. In this case, he had to find a way to let the two of them stay together as much as possible.
"In this case, as the Su family has been a military family for generations, several of their daughters must participate in the draft. I think the marshal is just the right age." Only through the draft could the two of them have some interaction. Otherwise, if they returned to the capital, once the war ended, a noble lady and an emperor would have nothing to do with each other, let alone stimulate each other to recover their memories.
Su Wan'er widened her eyes in disbelief. Was this national master out of his mind? Even if he wanted to stop her from being a general or joining the army, he didn't have to frame her like this. Why was she involved? "I'm afraid this is inappropriate. The national master may not know that although I seem young and childish, I'm actually twenty years old."
Most of the girls selected in the draft were around sixteen years old or just fifteen or fourteen, having reached the age of puberty. How could it be her turn? Moreover, if she really entered the palace, she would be trapped there for the rest of her life. This was simply a nightmare.
"Hey, Marshal, don't say that. You know that in our dynasty's draft, family background is more important. The Su family has many outstanding military officers in the army. If no daughter from the Su family participates, how can the court officials feel at ease? If the marshal doesn't want to go, may I ask if you have any sisters?"
Qingcao had been unable to hold back her laughter for a long time, and at this moment, she couldn't help answering for her young lady.
"Your Majesty, National Master, my young lady does have a younger sister, but she's only twelve years old. I'm afraid... she can't take her place."
They were really a pair of ill - fated lovers. Fortunately, the national master was here to play the matchmaker. In this way, they would be together again. Although Qingcao knew that her young lady was extremely reluctant to enter the palace, in the current situation, her young lady had already forgotten that she had fulfilled her dream of fighting on the battlefield and had fought a beautiful battle. Now she was also well - known. Moreover, His Majesty had chased all the way to the southern border. It had been a long and difficult journey.
"Oh? Then there's no other way. Marshal, you still have to support the first thing I'll do as the prime minister again." The national master stroked his beard as if he was very helpless.
"You!" Su Wan'er stared at the national master. What kind of logic was this? Could people be forced to participate in the draft? "What do you mean the Su family must send a daughter? The daughters of the Su family are either too old or too young. I'm afraid they can't participate!" Su Wan'er was a bit angry and blurted out such words without thinking.
"Miss," Qingcao quickly tugged at her sleeve. "Are you confused? You're not old at all. I think you're just the right age."
"Is the marshal really so reluctant to participate in the draft?" Si Junlin had been looking at Su Wan'er for a while. He found that he couldn't take his eyes off her. Such a girl could help him recover the southern border and had such a beautiful face. Even if he had forgotten everything in the past three years, he shouldn't have forgotten her.
Over the years, since he became the crown prince, he had been diligent and had to be on guard against the beautiful female assassins sent from all over the place. So naturally, he had dared not approach women for many years. Moreover, since he ascended the throne last year, he had been determined to be a wise emperor. He simply didn't have the time to think about love.
But it was understandable. There were three thousand beautiful concubines in the palace, and the maids were also carefully selected. Especially those who served him and appeared in front of him were all beauties. Maybe the reason he hadn't taken a fancy to anyone over the years was that he was missing this kind of feeling. And today, this feeling...
But unfortunately, the beauty in front of him who gave him this feeling was now frowning and seriously stating that she didn't want to participate in the draft and was worried that there was no one in her family to take her place.
Si Junlin couldn't help frowning. Had he offended her somewhere? Otherwise, what was wrong with him that she didn't like him? Why did she dislike the draft, which all the women in the world yearned for?
"Your Majesty, my lifelong ambition is to fight on the battlefield. Even in times of peace, there will still be a need for guards. I really have no intention of participating in the draft. Moreover, although the Su family has many military officers, they are all loyal. There's no need to worry about anything. I sincerely hope Your Majesty will exempt the Su family from this draft."
Su Wan'er's words were like telling someone who had a poor appetite for a long time and suddenly found something delicious: This food is poisonous. You'd better stay hungry.
"Marshal, you may have misunderstood," Si Junlin was high - spirited. He had never really shown his imperial authority before, but now he wanted to. "The draft is a reward for court officials, not a way to guard against the common families. It's inevitable." He just wouldn't exempt them. He wanted to see. He was also a man of both civil and military talents. Although he was not as decisive as his ancestors in battle, he was not a useless person. Why didn't she take a fancy to him?
He felt a strange itch in his heart. Such a woman was making him feel this way more and more. She could lead the entire Su family army to accept a dangerous mission as the marshal and win a victory to help him recover the southern border. She was truly an extraordinary woman. Now she flatly refused to participate in the draft. There might not be a second person like her in the whole world. How could he let her go?
Maybe it was the impulse of love at first sight in his heart, or maybe it was the possessiveness that came with being an emperor. Anyway, Si Junlin readily agreed to the national master's suggestion of holding a draft.