Wei Yao narrowed her eyes, leaned forward slightly, and cautiously inquired, "Is it very expensive?"
It's not just expensive, it's extremely expensive.
Zheng Quchi stared back at him steadily: "It's an astronomical price."
If this cannon had been manufactured in Beiyuan Kingdom, they would have mass-produced it, showcasing their wealth and extravagance. But in Ye Kingdom, it was a frustrating situation, because Ye Kingdom was poor.
Fu Rong's initially cheerful expression turned dejected as Zheng Quchi relentlessly bombarded him with his repeated pronouncements of "truth."
"So what should we do next?"
Zheng Quchi saw that Fu Rong had become dejected again, his eyes dim, clearly feeling that "there was no future ahead of him," while Wei Yao also looked like he was forcing himself to cheer up, but in reality he was disheartened.
The soldiers in the fortress, however, were far away and unaware of the "profound" conversation taking place. They were still immersed in the great joy of defeating the Northern Abyss Army.
On one side was fervent joy and excitement, and on the other side was a heavy burden of sorrow. The two atmospheres formed a stark contrast, and Zheng Quchi silently took in everything.
She could have kept quiet about these things at this moment, allowing Wei Yao and Fu Rong to celebrate their hard-won victory like everyone else.
Some people may be happy in ignorance about certain things, but those who bear all the burdens must see through the cruel truth, because only by understanding their current situation can one make the most accurate judgment.
Just as they clearly understood that every step ahead might be arduous, they coordinated their minds and bodies to prepare themselves fully, ready to enter combat mode at any time. This was exactly what the intensive arrangements needed for the next phase.
However, being passive all the time is not good either; when it's time to encourage and boost morale, we shouldn't be stingy.
"You don't really think I have no other plans besides artillery, do you? I told you, it's just the opening salvo in this battle; I haven't even used my real trump card yet."
Zheng Quchi clapped his hands to get their attention.
Suddenly, something seemed to come back to life in their eyes.
"Really?"
Zheng Quchi smiled, his dimples slightly pursed, easing their tense nerves: "Of course, although the Beiyuan Army has withdrawn this time, it is not a defeat. They will make a comeback sooner or later. Moreover, once they return, they will likely realize the drawbacks of our artillery. Therefore, in a few days to a month, we may face a real test of a major battle."
Seeing her speak so casually about such serious and psychologically challenging things, Fu Rong and Wei Yao were clearly struggling to keep up with her pace, their expressions blank.
After a long silence, Wei Yao swept away his emotions and said, "Madam, if you have confidence, we are the sharp blades you wield, invincible for you. If you lack confidence, then we are your strongest shield. Unless you step over our dead bodies, no one can harm a hair on your head."
Fu Rong then said, "Madam, to be honest... I used to be quite blind, but now I trust you and am willing to accept all your arrangements."
Seeing how earnestly they were expressing their loyalty to her, Zheng Quchi remained silent for a moment, a slight smile appearing on her face before quickly fading away.
She scratched her forehead in frustration: "I've done everything I can, but as for the rest... I really can't do anything about it, so..."
She looked up and saw the two of them staring at her with blank and puzzled expressions: "On the battlefield, it's up to Yuwen Sheng himself to handle things."
Fu Rong was stunned. He couldn't understand why his wife would say such a thing. He could only state a fact meaninglessly: "But the general is now... completely unable to lead us."
“He must be on the battlefield, and he must lead you in this battle for us to have any chance of winning,” Zheng Quchi told them.
She can provide advanced technology and weapons, but in the eyes of the ruling class, it is merely a "tool." The entire technological framework is under the guise of politics. In other words, no matter how powerful the "tool" is, it is still "dead."
Like the Song Dynasty, even though this dynasty possessed powerful weapons, it lacked lofty ideals and effective strategies, was short-sighted, had an unambitious ruler, and was plagued by sycophants among its ministers. As a result, even with advanced technology, the country remained terminally ill and beyond cure.
Conversely, once a country experiences national awakening, has a pillar of leadership leading the way, and achieves an unprecedented and complete victory in the struggle against foreign aggression, even if it is backward and impoverished, it still has the potential to surpass others.
Therefore, the key to turning defeat into victory never lies in tools, but in people.
She can create deterrent devices, but she can't become that "person".
Hearing her repeated emphasis, Wei Yao understood her decision and guessed that she might have some solution, so she asked, "In that case, what should we do?"
Zheng Quchi said, "Shenmu Meng, do you still remember her?"
The two nodded: "We remember."
“I have already sent someone to inquire with someone who understands Gu poison. Although he cannot cure Phoenix Tears, he said that Divine Wood Dream can temporarily suppress the Gu poison in Yuwen Sheng’s body. I sent someone to Shengjing to retrieve it earlier, and it should arrive in the next day or two.”
The Divine Wood Dream was originally given to her by Yuwen Sheng to cure her younger sister's poison, but she didn't use it all. Gan Xin's arrival cured the poison, and now the remaining Divine Wood Dream will return to her. Perhaps it was all preordained.
Upon hearing this, Fu Rong immediately exclaimed with delight, "That's wonderful!"
But there are some things she still needs to make clear beforehand: "It's just... uncertain how long it can be suppressed, and even if it gets out of control, drinking blood won't be able to keep him calm anymore. If the Gu can't be completely removed, it will completely backfire on his body, and then there will be no cure."
Zheng Quchi spoke very slowly, as if each word was very heavy. After listening, the two of them trembled and their faces turned pale.
"This...this is risking your life!" Wei Yao was stunned.
Zheng Quchi lowered his eyes: "Yes, if we win, then we'll live well together. If we lose..."
The rest is self-evident; all three understood each other perfectly.
——
The garrison town had many caves dug into the mountainside and opened them up as living quarters. On the far left, a ladder led up to a dark room where a light was always burning day and night, because a man was locked in a cage with steel shackles inside.
Click—
The door to the dark room was pushed open from the outside.
The person in the cage had long, jet-black hair that cascaded to the ground. He slightly raised his head, the ends of his hair brushing against the mat, and looked up at Zheng Quchi. His face was as pale as snow, but the corners of his eyes and lips were as red as cinnabar, a ghostly, pale red that was almost too bright.
This is a charm and cruelty nurtured by blood.
Zheng Quchi and he locked eyes.
He's getting increasingly out of control lately, and I'm afraid even the cage won't be able to hold him any longer.
Zheng Quchi didn't get too close, because he not only couldn't recognize people now, but he would also attack her at any time.
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