"Back then, General Chu requested to call off his sister's engagement as a reward for his military service. He certainly had the merit, and he had been severely wounded, so I was soft-hearted for a moment and agreed."
The Emperor had regretted it afterward. After all, having Ali marry into the imperial family would have brought the royal house nothing but benefits. The hundred thousand Chu Family Army soldiers scattered outside were the real hidden danger. To reclaim their military strength by force would be nothing short of outright seizure. The Duke's Estate had been loyal for generations; those hundred thousand soldiers were bought with the blood and battlefield achievements of the Old Duke and his three sons who had died in their prime. If he were to seize that command by force, it would be both unbenevolent and unjust. If Chu Xiaohe were well, the Duke's Estate could continue to serve the imperial court, and there would be no major issue with leaving the military power in their hands for the time being.
But the crux of the matter was that General Chu was failing!
Chapter 41