Chapter 762 A Dream of Youth 294

The next day, Xie Ning handed over all the data to Physician Du and went directly to Yan Xi's palace to tell her her plans.

Yan Xi was somewhat surprised. She had been carefully cultivating her own people, but if there was one area she couldn't get involved in, it was the military.

Originally, she planned to send out the young eunuch who had grown up with her since childhood, since his loyalty was beyond doubt. However, if she could send out Xu Hongying, the meaning would be a little different.

Regardless of her control and the other party's loyalty, Yan Xi also hopes that more and more positions will no longer be exclusively for men.

"But... how exactly do we do this? And will your sister-in-law be willing to stand with us?" Even though she had grown a lot, Yan Xi was still not confident enough.

Xie Ning picked up a fallen leaf, looked at its mottled patterns, and sighed inwardly, "Nowadays, cotton textile workshops are basically only set up in some important inland prefectures, not in border areas."

Firstly, the northern region has suitable terrain for planting, and secondly, the benefits brought by the promotion of cotton textiles are substantial, both in terms of the money earned and the benefits to the local people, which are enough to tempt them.

Moreover, the area is located on the border between the two countries and has border trade. If cotton cloth is produced and sold there, transportation costs can be greatly reduced.

Since they're interested, they'll naturally find a way to get the official roadblocks there. Aren't you and I on the same path?

Xu Hongying is her elder sister-in-law, and she has always had a good relationship with Yan Xi. Now Yan Xi is mainly in charge of the female officials, and still has a lot of say in some matters of the official weaving workshop.

"Moreover, my eldest sister-in-law has a close relationship with General Xu's family. She can act as a bridge between us and them. In this way, the Xu family of Taiyuan will owe my eldest sister-in-law a favor. If the relationship between the two families is better, it will be easier to get things done, whether it is for them or for us."

However, their purpose was obvious, and it was drawn out step by step by our side, while our side's target was in the dark. Who could have imagined that their target was the army?

"As for my eldest sister-in-law... Yan Xi, everyone has ambition. My eldest sister-in-law originally wanted to fight on the battlefield like her father. The weaving workshop was just a stepping stone for her. And with so many wars on the border, there are more opportunities."

As long as she isn't too dull-witted, she can seize opportunities to climb the ladder step by step. As she rises higher, she will know which side she should stand on to best serve her interests.

Of course, Yan Xi also needs to work harder to grow stronger; the strong always follow the even stronger.

This was a hint to her, and Yan Xi felt no discomfort at all. On the contrary, she was very touched by Xie Ning's sincerity towards her.

"I will. I have studied all the books that Aning told me to read very carefully." Yan Xi's smile faded after Xie Ning left.

Actually, her mood improved a lot after talking with Xie Ning today, but she was still a little irritable because her mother had been mentioning her marriage lately, and she felt that her father probably wanted to choose a husband for her as well.

She had relative freedom, namely, the ability to choose a husband she liked from among those selected by the emperor and empress.

If she were merely a favored princess, she would likely choose a military officer for the sake of her father, mother, and the young crown prince. If she were simply Yan Xi, she would also choose a military officer, because she needs one, not because others need one.

Her gaze fell upon Xie Ning's red-clad figure. Yan Xi rested her chin on her hand and asked, "Ning, what will you choose this time?"

Red maple leaves drifted down through the walls. Xie Ning strolled along the palace path, her turbulent heart gradually calming down. Occasionally, she would wonder what it would be like if she were to arrange her way to that position, but she quickly dismissed the idea.

This is not a chaotic world. The environment within the Great Zhou Dynasty is relatively peaceful. If anyone dares to lead an uprising or rebellion, they will surely be attacked by the entire world.

This path is even more difficult and will increase unnecessary bloodshed and sacrifice, which is not what she wants.

After learning that Xie Ning was going to Bingzhou, Chen Wanniang arranged for someone to pack Xie Ning's luggage. Thinking that it might be a bit cold in Bingzhou at this time, she also prepared more shoes, socks and coats for Xie Ning, and added some cotton ones as requested by Xie Ning.

The various shoes and socks alone filled half a box, making Xie Ning feel ashamed. She quickly ran to help pack, only managing to collect a few packages.

Seeing Chen Wanniang's worry, she comforted her, "Mother, we are on a forced march, so we can't bring too much luggage."

She rode a horse the whole way; how did she manage to put all those boxes up there?

In the end, Chen Wanniang stuffed a down cloak into her hand before she felt at ease; the rest of the gifts were put into the carriages sent by the Marquis's mansion to transport them.

After she finished packing, she saw the deputy general who had come for medical treatment. This time, she was not alone; she brought Aqi Lan, Du Mingzhao, and a military doctor who had returned from Taiyuan for training.

He had been on the battlefield and was skilled in healing, so he was assigned to assist him. He brought Aqi Lan along mainly because the girl was a good rider and could keep up with the group.