Qiao Jingjing wanted to advise Sun Ce that it was enough to just put on a show.
He inspected the six counties of Jiangdong and then returned.
Sun Ce simply smiled at Qiao Jingjing, then looked at the twin daughters held in the arms of the maid behind her.
"What's the big deal! Why are you in such a hurry? Take your time on the way back. Wait for me to come back..."
Sun Ce walked away right before Qiao Jingjing's eyes.
Qiao Jingjing watched Sun Ce's advancing entourage.
Lu Meng and Ling Tong stood behind her.
She thought about it for a long time.
She suddenly realized that she still didn't understand Sun Ce.
She poured her heart and soul into planning for him, hoping to keep him by her side longer.
He even listened to her every word and genuinely admired her, but she still didn't understand him.
Tears welled up in Qiao Jingjing's eyes again.
Sun Ce's trip could not possibly have been merely about capturing Cao Pi and bringing him back to Jiangdong as hostages along with his brother Cao Zhi.
Why would Sun Ce, without any imperial edict, lead his troops to Cao Cao's side without any reason? Was it just to stir up hatred and scare Cao Cao out of his wits?
Their consistent strategy has always been to quietly develop and strengthen Jiangdong.
But this is not Sun Ce's original personality.
He was a little tyrant.
Even though he has changed his impetuous and fierce personality with age and become more mature and steady, it doesn't mean that he has completely lost his passion and domineering spirit.
Those things are deeply ingrained in a person's bones.
That's just how Sun Ce was. He survived in the chaos of the world, so how could he possibly change his nature completely?
Sun Ce had done his utmost in governing Jiangdong. Regarding the issue of the imperial clan, such as his cousins and his third uncles, he had to both control their desires and selfishness and reward their contributions.
Human nature is complex; if you don't suppress or deter it, it will turn on you and devour you. However, simply suppressing, controlling, restricting, and imprisoning will hinder the development of talent.
Others will be afraid to follow you in conquering the world.
Those who have made contributions must be treated as such.
Sun Ce had already taken all these aspects into consideration, and with Qiao Jingjing by his side, he did them even better.
Qiao Jingjing guessed that it was Cao Cao in the north that prevented Sun Ce from truly and peacefully hiding in Jiangdong.
Sun Ce had gazed at that top-down map countless times. It was the map that Qiao Jingjing had drawn up, the map that Qiao Jingjing had explained to Sun Ce late at night. He had looked at it countless times.
How could Sun Ce admit that the six counties of Jiangdong that he had painstakingly conquered were actually the lowest and most difficult place to counterattack?
Sun Ce also refused to accept his fate.
He was not content with being just a minor tyrant in Jiangdong.
He does indeed have old injuries, especially around his chest.
Sun Ce was unwilling to sit idly by and wait for Cao Cao to come down from above.
Qiao Jingjing guessed that Sun Ce just wanted to make preparations in advance.
This was Sun Ce's ideal and ambition.
Now that Qiao Jingjing understands, what can she do?
She was not good at fighting, and at this time she could not continue to chase after a fast horse. Instead, she decided to go on a day trip with Sun Ce.
Once Sun Ce leaves Jiangdong, Qiao Jingjing must take the initiative to protect the rear for him.
Of course, those who publicly displayed their talents included Sun Quan, Zhang Zhao, and Zhu Zhi.
She doesn't need to get involved; she just needs to stabilize the inner quarters of the Sun family.
Qiao Jingjing returned to Wu County.
Everyone's talking about the same thing.
Even the old lady from the Qiao family, who was usually sick for three days and uncomfortable for five, mustered all her energy and went out to eat melons.
Everyone knows that Wu Hou's younger sister, Sun Shangxiang, has reached the age for trial marriage and is ready to get married, but no one knows who this noble young princess will marry.
Throughout Wu County, the noblewomen of every household, the sisters-in-law and relatives of the Sun family, both near and far, were all very interested in this matter.
There was much discussion.
Madam Wu hasn't been involved in any affairs for many years.
He entrusted all the big and small matters of the family to his two daughters-in-law. The eldest daughter-in-law, Qiao Jingjing, was very capable, while the second daughter-in-law, Xie Shi, although not as clever as the eldest, was still a good right-hand woman.
Over the years, everything in my family, big and small, has gone smoothly.
Suddenly, a very important matter arose that worried Madam Wu: Ah Xiang's marriage.
The eldest brother and sister-in-law, without saying a word, both ran off outside.
This made Madam Wu very anxious.
They had been eagerly awaiting the return of their eldest daughter-in-law.
Speaking of Ah Xiang, she was not very old, around thirteen or fourteen years old, a graceful young girl. She was pampered by her mother, her older brother and sister-in-law, and her family had mountains of gold and silver that they could not spend. They had the finest silks and satins, fine horses and swords, and a dozen or so maids with swords by their side. Her demeanor and style could be said to be more noble than the princesses of the Han Dynasty.
And just like that, everyone in Jiangdong was watching this living treasure.
Everyone knows that Sun Ce, Sun Quan, and Sun Yi, the older brothers, were fiercely protective of their younger sisters.
Many people are afraid to bring it up with them.
Instead, they took a roundabout approach, asking Madam Qiao's family, such as Zhang Zhao and Yu Fan, to help them. These were cultured people whom Madam Wu respected, so they asked them to probe the intentions of Madam Wu and the Sun family.
This time, Madam Wu didn't know what important matter her eldest son was up to.
I'm not as anxious as I was in my younger years.
I guess they've gotten used to it and become numb from staying at home.
Furthermore, Sun Mantang's peaceful life here has numbed Madam Wu's senses.
Madam Wu had long since witnessed her eldest son's abilities through the ups and downs of the years.
Her eldest son is a steel warrior, and her eldest daughter-in-law is the gentlest rose in his heart, as well as his strongest support.
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