This is indeed a question worth pondering.
After receiving the letter, Jiang Nuan was both amused and exasperated. She couldn't understand why these people thought she would advise the Emperor against "going astray."
Is there even a need to consider the question of war or peace?
Anyone with a modicum of courage and who has read history knows how to make the right choice.
As for those who want to temporarily compromise to preserve their lives and then make a comeback, she can only comment: the idea is good, but too naive.
The world is so big, and it's not like only the Great Zhou has smart people. Why wouldn't Gandan think of this problem?
That's underestimating people too much!
When Doctor Gu came to discuss something with Jiang Nuan, he saw a stack of letters on the table and was immediately puzzled. "Should I avoid this?"
“Are you deliberately trying to belittle me? There’s nothing I can’t let you know,” Jiang Nuan said without hiding anything, “Gandan wants to unite with a group of barbarians and use the selection of a crown prince as an excuse to launch an attack on the Great Zhou. The officials have two opinions on this: one side advocates war, and the other side seeks peace.”
"And then?" Doctor Gu did not offer any opinion.
Such things are nothing new; disputes always arise whenever war breaks out. The key is what the person on the dragon throne thinks.
“However,” Jiang Nuan said helplessly, “both sides wanted me to support them.”
Some were even bolder, directly suggesting that they rebuke the emperor to change his mind.
She felt flattered, as if a single word from her could bring everything to a close.
You don't mind meddling in such a big matter, and you're sure you won't take the opportunity to rebel?
Upon hearing this, Doctor Gu was taken aback. After a moment, he said knowingly, "It's only right. Whether it's the civil and military officials or the common people, everyone trusts the lady very much."
“How can I put this?” Jiang Nuan was very troubled. “Just like now, I can’t just express my thoughts.”
Having too much prestige can also be a problem; one can't just say or do anything carelessly.
Jiang Nuan actually wanted to stay out of it.
Anyway, given Ji Xuan's personality, she will definitely fight to the end, so it won't make a difference whether she's there or not.
However, it now seems that getting out of there won't be so easy.
You can be perfunctory or even ignore others, but you always have to take your own parents' opinions into consideration.
"What does Madam intend to do?"
Jiang Nuan didn't speak. She dipped her index finger in water, used the table as paper, and wrote the character "war" with bold, powerful strokes.
Doctor Gu was not surprised. "That's fine. If things really don't work out, we can negotiate peace later. That way, we won't lose our integrity."
“The ancient physician has no limits, and the Great Zhou has nowhere to retreat at this point,” Jiang Nuan revealed the inside story. “This is a calamity, an unavoidable calamity. Only by facing the difficulties head-on can we find a way out.”
"A calamity?" Doctor Gu's breath hitched. "Does such a thing really exist?"
Jiang Nuan didn't answer, but gave him an affirmative look.
“In that case, we have no choice but to fight,” the old doctor said, pausing before asking hesitantly, “What if we can’t overcome this?”
"Let's fight to the death."
Jiang Nuan was also unsure.
To this day, she still can't understand why the three tribulations of Heaven, Earth, and Man should all fall on the human race and in the Great Zhou Dynasty.
Based on observations over this period, the Great Zhou Dynasty did not possess such a powerful influence.
From her perspective spanning thousands of years, as long as there are people, the existence of the Heavenly Dao makes little difference; development will still proceed in a process of natural selection.
"Is this the reason why the lady descended to the mortal realm?"
well?
Jiang Nuan was almost caught off guard when the topic was suddenly brought up.
After a moment, he calmly nodded, "That's right."
She did indeed come to help with her tribulation; there's nothing wrong with that.
Upon hearing this, Doctor Gu's expression became complicated. He hesitated, unsure of where to begin.
Finally, he straightened his sleeves, bowed deeply, and solemnly promised, "From now on, I will be at your service, Madam."
"I won't stand on ceremony with you."
Jiang Nuan felt a moment of guilt. The reason she revealed this ambiguous information was simply to better exploit Doctor Gu and prepare medically for the upcoming war.
This approach is indeed somewhat despicable, but we can't worry about that now.
She knew Doctor Gu well; if she hadn't said that, this man simply couldn't bear to see too many people die.
However, without the determination to fight to the end, all the blood shed in the early stages will be wasted.
Peace is possible, but only if the defeated Gandanqiu agrees to certain conditions.
After Doctor Gu left, Jiang Nuan pondered for a long time, listing everything she could think of, making two copies, one to be sent to the capital and the other to the border.
After that, Jiang Nuan's life returned to normal. Apart from urging Doctor Gu to develop various special wound medicines, she lived a quiet and peaceful life behind closed doors.
However, it didn't take long before I got bored again.
"How about I go to the Northwest too?"
In the capital, Ji Xuan, upon receiving the letter, curled the corners of his lips into a smile. "I told you I would fight to the death, and sure enough, the Lady Protector of the Nation shares the same idea."
"His Majesty's great talent and strategic vision are beyond the comprehension of ordinary people."
Qi Yong looked down on those in the court who were clamoring for peace.
I wonder if those people even have brains. They think that compromise can save them. If they were in the Gandan people's shoes, seeing the Zhou Dynasty as a fat sheep that doesn't know how to fight back, they would only bully them even more.
“Ordinary people are the majority in the world,” Ji Xuan couldn’t help but sigh. “We can’t ask too much of them; as long as they’re obedient, that’s enough.”
Ji Xuan felt that her requirements were already pitifully low.
“If anyone dares to disobey,” Qi Yong said with a cold snort, “such a person who has no respect for his sovereign shall be killed.”
“The crime doesn’t warrant death,” Ji Xuan waved his hand. “However, the court cannot keep those who hold positions without doing their jobs. If they don’t obey, there will be people who do obey.”
“For example,” Qi Yong tentatively began, “the two Grand Secretaries?”
Qi Yong had long harbored resentment towards An and Zhong, and had wanted to remove them from their positions for some time.
However, the Grand Secretary's significance to the Great Zhou Dynasty was truly extraordinary. Even though he was a eunuch and held a special place in the Emperor's heart, he dared not go too far.
Upon hearing this, Ji Xuan remained silent and let out a long sigh.
Clearly, he had already considered this idea.
The letter had been sent to the government office several days ago, but no reply had been received. Zhong Ping immediately realized something was wrong.
"Brother An, things are in trouble!"
Where did you say that?
“We’ve been sending letters for so long, the Lady Protector should have received them long ago, but we haven’t received a single reply. It’s obvious that they don’t want to pay any attention to us.”
“What does this prove?” An Qingyun said dismissively. “Times have changed. The Immortal has completely established her prestige. In her eyes, we are no different from ordinary people, so naturally she won’t take us seriously.”
Therefore, An Qingyun was not surprised that no reply was given, but felt it was a pity that the immortal had stood up for him.
"What do we do now?" Zhong Ping frowned. "His Majesty is a man of principle. If the Lady Protector of the Nation doesn't intervene, won't we just have to let him do as he pleases?"
"Let him do his thing for now," An Qingyun said helplessly. "He won't give up until he hits a brick wall. If we don't let him try, His Majesty won't give up."
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