On the road, inside the carriage.

When Xiao Ji was alone, the carriage in the General's Mansion was solemn, simple, and monotonous.

It was different with Shang Changge; his carriage contained many small items.

For example, soft pillows, blankets, hand warmers, incense, fruits, dried fruits, tea, and snacks...

Shang Changge sipped her perfectly warm tea, then looked at Xiao Ji, who had remained silent since boarding the carriage, and asked, knowing the answer already:

"Is our General Xiao unhappy?"

Before Xiao Ji could answer, he leaned in and kissed Xiao Ji's left cheek gently, coaxing him:

"Don't be angry anymore, okay, my husband?"

Knowing when to stop, Xiao Ji leaned against Shang Changge's shoulder like a little bird and confessed his feelings:

"I feel terrible."

Shang Changge patted the man's big head tenderly, offered a few words of comfort, and then asked, "What bet did you make with Jing Xiuming?"

Xiao Ji closed his eyes, his mature and magnetic voice muffled: "I bet you'd take the initiative to see him. I lost."

Shang Changge: "I'm sorry." Her red lips sealed the man's beautiful lips, promising: "No matter what happens in the future, I will never let you lose again."

The next day at noon, Mi Chan left the Princess's residence.

Before leaving, he wanted to see Shang Changge one last time, but Shang Changge refused.

She's quite busy and really doesn't have time; Changsun Yanheng has sent a letter.

Their plan was successful. Nanliang and Jinlou originally intended to unite, but now the two countries have turned against each other and are on the verge of war.

The main purpose of Changsun Yanheng's letter was to request support, or rather, to urge support.

It would take time for the letter to travel from Nanliang to Qingyan; the two countries might already be at war by now.

Their plan was very simple, and could be summarized in two sentences—

Changsun Yanheng wanted to reap the benefits without lifting a finger, and Qingyan also wanted to do the same.

Both sides have the same goal, but they are the snipe and the clam fighting.

In the eyes of Changsun Yanheng, the fisherman, the two contenders are the eldest prince of Southern Liang and Jin Lou.

For Qingyan, the fisherman, the two contenders are the entire Southern Liang and Jinlou.

If the Jinlou of Southern Liang were to clash, barring any unforeseen circumstances, the commander-in-chief would be the eldest prince of Southern Liang, who is currently Changsun Yanheng's formidable rival.

If the eldest prince of Southern Liang dies on the battlefield, Changsun Yanheng's ascension to the throne will be secure.

This is the benefit that Changsun Yanheng is plotting.

Qingyan's plan was to take advantage of the fact that both sides were severely weakened after the battle between Nanliang and Jinlou, and send a large army to destroy Jinlou.

As for Southern Liang, its internal strife in recent years has been no better than that of Qingyan, and may even have been more intense.

If their plan goes smoothly, after the battle between Nanliang and Jinlou, Changsun Yanheng will ascend to the throne.

The war had just begun, and the military and financial resources had been depleted. With the new emperor's ascension to the throne, many more people in Southern Liang would die.

Therefore, Southern Liang is not a concern for the time being; the priority is to deal with Jin Lou, who harbors wolfish ambitions.

Of course, in the future, Nanliang will not be given much room for development, and will be suppressed from time to time to avoid raising a tiger that will become a threat.

"Send troops..."

Shang Changge sat in the study in a golden nanmu chair, her two long, straight, slender legs crossed and resting on the table.

Jinlou has developed very well over the past ten years or so, even though the Southern Liang has been leading the charge to deplete Jinlou's forces.

However, it is not so simple for Qingyan to send troops to destroy the country in one fell swoop. They cannot underestimate the enemy and must send a reliable person.

...

A name that was all too familiar came to mind. Shang Changge rubbed her forehead and pressed her temples; she had a headache.

She made her decision from the perspective of someone in power, so it's easy to imagine...

She would think of Xiao Ji, and the beautiful younger brother, who is now the true ruler of Qingyan, would also think of Xiao Ji.

"War..."

War is no small matter; injuries are inevitable on the battlefield.

General Xiao doesn't have the self-healing ability like her; what will happen if he gets injured?