“But,” Yuan Gonggong complained, conflicted, “I really can’t bear to see such a gem go to waste!”
"I feel bad about it, but there's nothing I can do for now."
"Is there really absolutely no way?" Yuan Gonggong persisted.
"You have?"
“I am just an ordinary person and cannot compare to your abilities, madam.”
“It’s not impossible,” Jiang Nuan said, intentionally guiding the conversation. “However, we should wait. Right now, neither the timing nor the location is suitable.”
"How so?"
"First of all, the army can't even gather enough food for three months of campaigning, let alone fight on the enemy's doorstep."
"Secondly, the people's constitution is too weak, otherwise they would not have been unable to deal with Gandan."
“Gandan,” Yuan Gonggong said solemnly upon hearing these two words, “those barbarians eat meat every day and are especially fierce; they are indeed not easy to deal with.”
"You can't even handle Gandan, yet you want to conquer the world? Go wash up and go to sleep!"
"Can't you think of another way, Madam?"
"I'm just a farmer, what can I do? I only know a little about other things, at most I'm just talking theory, I can fool outsiders, but when it comes to the battlefield, who knows what will happen!"
She couldn't allow countless soldiers to lose their lives because of her shallow and half-baked theories.
I'm just a charlatan, how come it feels like everyone has forgotten about this?
"Really not?"
Grandpa Yuan really didn't want to give up.
Based on his understanding of his master, he wouldn't give up such a large piece of meat.
“I really can’t,” Jiang Nuan said helplessly, explaining again, “I’m just a charlatan, please don’t treat me like a god.”
“Madam is too kind,” said Eunuch Yuan somewhat awkwardly. “Your fame is known throughout the land.”
“Flattery won’t work,” Jiang Nuan frowned. “The Great Zhou can’t even defeat Gandan, how can it possibly wage war against other countries?”
"It's not that we can't defeat Gandan, but we're waiting for the right opportunity," Yuan Gonggong said awkwardly, touching his nose. "It's summer now, Gandan is lush with vegetation, and its cattle and horses are fat, so it's not a good time for battle."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Nuan's expression became subtle. "The same logic applies. Let's continue to wait. It's not appropriate to bring up this topic within the next three years."
Indeed, no one around Ji Xuan should be underestimated.
"What about three years from now?"
“I don’t know,” Jiang Nuan narrowed her eyes. “Who can predict the future?”
"Madam, can't you give me a straight answer?"
"Heavenly secrets must not be revealed."
Grandpa Yuan: ...
Who just said they were just a charlatan?
“Madam,” after a moment’s thought, Eunuch Yuan revealed what he hadn’t originally planned to say, “I have come here today not only to witness the remarkable feat of rice-fish farming and to deliver corn seeds, but also for another small matter.”
"A small matter?" Jiang Nuan turned her head, a half-smile on her face, and asked, "Are you sure?"
"It's really not a big deal."
"Is it related to Grand Secretary An?"
"There is indeed some connection."
"Using someone else to do the dirty work?"
“It’s not that serious,” Eunuch Yuan chuckled twice before explaining, “These days, those powerful families are making a lot of noise, and the public opinion is being subtly controlled. His Majesty wants to have Assistant Minister An write a proclamation to rebuke them.”
Upon hearing this, Jiang Nuan couldn't help but gasp, feeling a chill run down her spine for Elder An.
There are endless doubts about whether he will live a peaceful life until his death.
"Isn't this going a bit too far?"
Taking someone else's property, kicking them aside, and forcing them to turn against their former allies—this has destroyed An Ge Lao's last escape route!
After eating the meat and drinking the blood, they even smashed the bone marrow and sucked it out; how cruel!
“Well,” Yuan Gonggong explained guiltily, “it’s not mandatory; it’s entirely up to the individual.”
Wow!
Jiang Nuan felt as if an alpaca was running past in her heart.
This knife kills without drawing blood; she strongly suspects that Grand Secretary An must have offended Ji Xuan deeply to be retaliated against in this way.
"As expected of His Majesty, he indeed wiped out one wolf."
"What's the meaning?"
"There are even more of them than ruthless people, understand?"
"Understand!"
After saying that, Eunuch Yuan hurriedly lowered his head to hide his embarrassment.
That's really not a very kind thing to do.
Even if Grand Secretary An becomes an enemy of powerful families in the future, he cannot blame the Emperor. He seems to have a choice, but in reality, he has no way out.
"To be frank," Jiang Nuan said, her eyes full of inquiry, "did Elder An offend your master?"
“No,” Eunuch Yuan coughed lightly, then explained with a sour tone, “He just offended the Grand Steward.”
"Qi Yong?"
"Um."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Nuan quickly tried to recall if she had offended this guy.
“The Grand Steward wouldn’t dare to lay a hand on you,” Xiao Yuanzi quickly explained, guessing Jiang Nuan’s thoughts. “You are protected by the Emperor. The Grand Steward will not harm anyone the Emperor values.”
Upon hearing this, Jiang Nuan glanced at Xiao Yuanzi with a hint of resentment and earnestly asked her question, "Isn't Grand Secretary An important?"
“Grand Secretary An is different. He really brought this upon himself. The Grand Eunuch has never left His Majesty, except for this time.”
"How is Grand Secretary Zhong?"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yuanzi smiled before forcing a reply, "He was appointed by the Emperor to preside over this year's imperial examinations."
Oh ho, all in one go!
They're all ruthless!
Jiang Nuan quietly took a few steps back to get away from Xiao Yuanzi.
The person who could say these things without batting an eye must have had a heart already filled with malice.
Noticing Jiang Nuan's actions, Eunuch Yuan's eyelids suddenly tightened. "Madam, I am just a nobody. When you gods fight, I don't even have the right to stand up."
"Don't count me in, I'm just an ordinary person and I can't accept such praise."
Upon hearing this, Eunuch Yuan's lips twitched. "You're joking."
Does this person even realize their own destructive power?
Even the Grand Steward is wary of him, yet he dares to call himself ordinary?
"Absolutely not, I'm very serious."
Upon hearing this, Eunuch Yuan immediately changed the subject, "His Majesty is working to create a prosperous era. The imperial examination is just the beginning, and things will only get better in the future."
At that time, the country will be prosperous and the people will be at peace. Farmers will produce, scholars will serve their country, warriors will protect their homes, and even unscrupulous merchants will contribute their share. What do you think, Madam?
"Very good, you have ambition, ideals, and aspirations!"
"Anything else?" Xiao Yuanzi was dumbfounded. "Don't you have anything else to say?"
"What did you say? Stealing?"
"That is incorrect. It should be corrected to 'educate and civilize the barbarians'."
hehe!
"Then what?"
"You'll have to ask Madam."
“Let’s achieve the prosperous era you’re talking about first before we talk about anything else,” Jiang Nuan couldn’t help but shake her head. “Even the best treasures need to be matched with the right capabilities, otherwise they will only become a disaster.”
"That makes sense. However, for things like ginseng and saffron, the longer it's delayed, the greater the loss."
"It's not yours, and the owner isn't worried about it, so why are you so concerned?" Jiang Nuan was speechless. "I can't be bothered with you. I'm going back to my room."
"No, please!" Eunuch Yuan quickly followed after her. "Madam, let's chat a little longer."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Nuan quickened her pace and disappeared in an instant.
Seeing this, Eunuch Yuan felt very resentful.
Are polymaths really that scary? Why should we avoid them like the plague?
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