Chapter 899 A Dream of Youth 431

Gray carrier pigeons flew through the clouds, traveling directly between Zhou and Jin.

Xie Ning threw the note with the writing on it into the small stove. The Great Zhou had always had the idea of ​​reclaiming Youji, or perhaps it was a long-cherished wish. After all, the founding emperor of the Great Zhou died on the way to reclaim Youji. The failure was a regret and a source of resentment.

Youji is a very important defensive line in the northern part of the Central Plains. Since ancient times, dynasties have used its extremely advantageous geographical location to ward off the invasion of northern ethnic minorities. Now that Youji has fallen into the hands of the Northern Jin, their cavalry can drive straight in, and the flat terrain of the northern plains will be their perfect arena.

A broken golden goblet is as precarious as a pile of eggs.

During Emperor Jing's reign, she would occasionally worry about the threat posed by the Northern Jin to the Great Zhou. This was because the Northern Jin was able to take advantage of the situation in Youzhou and Jizhou to completely seize the initiative on the battlefield. The area was an important strategic deployment area and military buffer zone for the Northern Jin. Originally, it was the defense line for the Central Plains to defend against the northern barbarians, but now it had become an important strategic area for the Northern Jin to resist the Great Zhou's northern expedition.

More importantly, Youji is a plain region with a humid climate, a developed agricultural civilization, and a prosperous population, making it a rich and fertile land. For the Northern Jin Dynasty, whose natural environment was relatively harsh, this was an irresistible temptation.

They already possessed vast grasslands and abundant cavalry resources. Furthermore, the agricultural economy of Youji perfectly complemented the deficiencies of Northern Jin. If this continued to develop, they would undoubtedly become a significant threat.

Even so, Xie Ning was not in a hurry. She was now a citizen of the Great Zhou, and like the officials and people of the Great Zhou, she had the desire to recover You and Ji.

But she knew even better that war drained the people's strength. The Great Zhou had already fought a battle with the Western Li, and even if they won, it didn't mean that the people's strength could be restored immediately.

Therefore, the people should be allowed to rest.

The Great Zhou Dynasty did not want to fight, but the Northern Jin Dynasty wanted to take advantage of the situation.

Xie Ning had no choice but to get ahead of schedule in improving military equipment, and since he had already raised the overall weaponry level of the Great Zhou, he couldn't wait any longer.

The Northern Jin invasion of the Great Zhou also resulted in heavy losses, and neither side would engage in war for a while. However, neither Xie Ning nor Yan Xi wanted to give the other side too much breathing room.

Xie Ning thought that at the very least, they should take back Youji. Yan Xi also had this wish. If they could recover Youji, Yan Xi's position would be completely secured, and he would be remembered for generations, becoming a monarch praised by all.

Now that the Mongol Empire is willing to form an alliance with the Great Zhou to jointly attack the Northern Jin, their chances of victory are even greater.

Furthermore, during the battle of Hedong, Xie Qi secretly planted a spy, and that person has probably already infiltrated the Xiao family. Otherwise, how could Xiao Chu have escaped?

This was a very bold plan, and it's unclear how Xie Qi managed to persuade General Xu.

After learning that Xie Qi had sent a spy to Xiao Chu's side, Xie Ning also intended to find someone by his own side and secretly cultivate a spy in order to cooperate with that hidden agent.

Wasn't the Northern Jin coveting the weapons of the Great Zhou? Xie Ning then offered the bait, confident that the other party wouldn't take the bait.

Of course, gaining the trust of the Northern Jin Emperor was not easy; it required spies to do it themselves, and Xie Ning could only provide some external assistance.

"Miss, it's still chilly in spring. You finally get a day off, why don't you sleep a little longer?" Qing Le brought in a bunch of pear blossoms to put in a vase. Seeing Xie Ning only wearing her undergarments and curled up on the couch reading documents, she couldn't help but grumble.

After only a few days of rest, Xie Ning will have to leave the capital to take up his new post.

The situation between the Great Zhou and the Northern Jin is becoming increasingly tense, and it is only a spark that can ignite it. Xie Ning needs to go to the north first to take on the responsibility of coordinating one of the regions.

Xie Ning glanced at the green bamboo extending into the window, glistening dewdrops hanging down along its veins, about to fall.

"Prepare the carriage, let's go to Jiangchao Pavilion."

Jiangchao Pavilion was a library purchased by Xie Ning, which housed many books. It was specifically for students who did not have the money to buy books. In the courtyard behind Jiangchao Pavilion, there were uniform side rooms, which were also provided free of charge for candidates who came to the capital to take the imperial examinations.

Xie Wangzhi advised Xie Ning to stop building the library and avoid getting too close to other students, as it might be seen as trying to win over scholars. Even if Xie Ning and Yan Xi trusted each other, this was still not a good idea.

Xie Ning should agree, but she still acted according to her own ideas.

She knew Xie Wangzhi's concerns were valid. After all, Yan Xi still needed her, which was why he placed such trust in her. If one day the emperor were to become heartless, that would be her crime.

But there's another term: "retiring gracefully at the height of one's career."

Xie Ning did not want to be trapped in the officialdom for her whole life. If the world reached the peace she imagined, and someone could take over her position, then she could take Snowball and ride Wuqi to see all the places, climb mountains, see the sea, watch the clouds, and listen to the wind.

The flute's clear melody brings carefree joy, while the horse gallops freely through the fragrant dust.