Hearing Jin Jiande's tone become noticeably harsher, Jin Fengluan's delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly.
She parted her cherry lips slightly and said slowly:
"You command the Thousand Machine Battalion, and I need you to do a lot of things. If I were to go, I wouldn't need you."
“Speaking of which, Jianren has a great general under his command, Jin Mang. Sending him should be no problem. He has followed Jianren for many years and is highly valued. He is a good choice.”
Jin Jiande's brows furrowed, and he said in a deep voice:
"Although Jin Mang has some reputation, in my humble opinion, he is more brave than cunning."
"Your Majesty, although I command the Thousand Machine Battalion, I am in no way inferior to my elder brother when it comes to matters of battle! Please allow me to go this time." Jin Jiande became more and more earnest.
But Jin Fengluan shook her head and said calmly:
"That's not right. Jianren can lead a million troops. Although you have been on the battlefield before, the troops you led were far inferior to his."
"Jin Mang is a general who has led hundreds of thousands of troops. We have enough with him."
"You should stay in the capital. Here, you can fulfill more of your duties."
Jin Jiande's brows furrowed even more, and he even felt a bit angry.
My elder brother commands a million troops, which is impressive, but in what way am I inferior to him?
Although he didn't have many troops, every single one of the members of the Thousand Machine Battalion was a master, making them a formidable fighting force!
While troop strength cannot be compared, it's simply a matter of different focuses!
Thinking of this, Jin Jiande became inexplicably annoyed, and he immediately said:
“Your Majesty, there is nothing of great importance in the capital. My men here are sufficient. It is understandable that Your Majesty sends Jin Mang, but I would also like to ask Your Majesty to allow me to go with you!”
"Your Majesty, I will select some experts from the Thousand Machine Camp. When the barbarian army is fighting Qin Ze, I will order them to take advantage of the chaos and rush in to behead the traitor!"
Jin Fengluan rested her chin on her hand, lost in thought.
Fearing she wouldn't agree, Jin Jiande immediately knelt down and earnestly said:
"Your Majesty! Please give me a chance to serve you!"
“Your Majesty, I am no useless person! Qin Ze seized Your Majesty's Anyang Prefecture, and I have seen it all. How can I swallow this insult!”
"This traitor is so arrogant and domineering, your humble servant will surely crush his arrogance!"
"Once I return victorious, I will go to Anyang County to bring back the tax money, which will surely allow Your Majesty to move into a brand-new palace next spring!"
Upon hearing this, Jin Fengluan raised an eyebrow, sensing something unusual.
She squinted at the audience and looked down, only to catch Jin Jiande's burning gaze.
Jin Jiande sensed the change in Jin Fengluan's expression, his heart tightened, his gaze sharpened, and he hurriedly followed up:
"As Your Majesty's subject, having received Your Majesty's favor, how can I not be willing to give my life for Your Majesty!"
"Your humble servant's heart is as clear as day!"
Jin Fengluan dispelled the slight doubt in her heart and nodded:
"Very well, since you are willing to go, then I will grant your request."
"Here's what we'll do. Tomorrow I'll have Jin Mang lead 200,000 troops, and you'll go with him. As for the Thousand Machine Battalion, you can handle them yourself."
Seeing that he finally had a chance to prove himself, Jin Jiande was overjoyed and kowtowed several times.
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
"Your Majesty, I am going on this journey and will surely eliminate any future troubles!"
"I'm determined to take that traitor's head!"
Jin Fengluan smiled slightly and nodded.
Seeing Jin Fengluan's usually furrowed face finally break into a smile, Jin Jiande's heart pounded. He couldn't help but clench his hands in his sleeves into fists.
"Hmph, traitor! Just you wait!"
——
That night, at Prince Qing's residence.
Inside the dining hall, at the dining table.
“Jiande, isn’t it good to stay in the capital? Why go to Anyang County at this time?” Jin Jianren frowned and looked at Jin Jiande, who was drinking tea.
Jin Jiande was sipping his tea when he glanced at Jin Jianren and said indifferently:
"With internal strife raging and Qin Ze plotting a rebellion, isn't it perfectly normal for me, as a subject, to go and investigate?"
Jin Jiande crossed his arms and shook his head, saying, "Your Majesty, why don't you just send Jin Mang? As for the barbarian army, your presence... wouldn't be of much use."
As soon as he finished speaking, Jin Jiande slammed the teacup down on the table.
"What are you saying? What do you mean it's useless for me to go?"
"Hehe, it's not impossible for Jiande to go if he wants to, let him be." Prince Qing, who was standing to the side, picked up his teacup and said with a faint smile.
Jin Jianren's expression changed. He frowned as he looked at the still-swirling cup of tea in front of his younger brother and said:
"I was just asking casually, why are you acting like this?" He raised his head and looked at Jin Jiande's face.
Hearing this, Jin Jiande leaned back in his chair, his face flushed slightly from the few drinks, and he chuckled softly.
"Jin Mang is brave but reckless; I'm not at ease with him."
"I'm absolutely certain I'll succeed, it's that simple."
Upon hearing this, Prince Qing narrowed his eyes and looked at the teacup in his hand.
Kim Geon-in frowned, and his voice lowered as well:
“Jin Mang is my confidant. He has fought alongside me on the battlefield for many years. I personally trained him. He is not as bad as you say.”
Jin Jiande rolled his eyes, leaning back even more, and said lightly:
"It remains to be seen."
Seeing Jin Jiande's frivolous actions, Jin Jianren raised his chin slightly, and his gaze became sharp.
"Jiande, don't be so absolute in your statements."
"Do you think the people I, your older brother, have trained are no good?" Jin Jianren shifted his chair, leaned forward slightly, and stared directly into his younger brother's face with his fierce eyes.
Jin Jianren was nine feet tall, strong and powerful, and his body was robust. Although he was not wearing armor at the moment, his fierce aura as someone who had been through many battles was still evident.
Like a fierce tiger with piercing eyes, his gaze carried an oppressive pressure.
Stared at by that scorching gaze, Jin Jiande was taken aback, and then his expression changed.
His eyes darted away, and he straightened his posture, sitting obediently in the chair, head bowed, and whispered:
"Of course not, brother. I just thought this traitor was too arrogant, so I wanted to go and teach him a lesson myself."
"Jin Mang is quite formidable."
Jin Jianren stared intently at Jin Jiande with a stern face, saying each word clearly:
"That's not what you just said."
The air seemed to freeze for a moment.
Jin Jiande avoided his gaze, scratched his head helplessly, and chuckled, "Then I take back what I just said."
Upon hearing this, Kim Geon-in leaned back in his chair, squinted his eyes, crossed his arms, and smiled indifferently.
"Hahaha! Alright, alright, Jiande is like this after a few drinks. I just told you that you're going to war tomorrow, so you shouldn't drink. You didn't listen. You can drink, but don't overindulge."
Prince Qing stood up, patted his son on the shoulder, and said with a smile.
Jin Jiande lowered his head and repeatedly agreed.
Prince Qing then looked at his eldest son and smiled:
"Speaking of which, when Jin Mang leads his army tomorrow, did you equip him with the weapons of the Shenji Battalion?"
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