Return safely
“Feng Niang…” Jiang Jin paused for a moment, then looked at Zhai Wan, “Is she alright?”
“Serving His Highness can’t be too bad. There are three thousand men who are constantly training in Liangzhou, and another three thousand scattered in various prefectures and counties. If there is any disturbance in Sangzhou, they can rush there.” Zhai Wan counted the troops under Lou Xuan’s command. “Although they are all women, they are quite good at drawing bows and shooting arrows. Some of them can even lift a thousand-pound stone.”
"Liangzhou is impoverished. If it weren't for Your Highness's all-out efforts to rescue the women back then, they would have been used as food long ago." Jiang Jin understood that this was their last trump card; if His Highness were to lose, they could still remain in Liangzhou.
“Sangzhou is not far from Beizhou and Yuezhou, but the governor of Yuezhou is His Majesty’s man, upright and incorruptible, so it will be difficult to conquer. Therefore, their next target is probably Beizhou.” Zhai Wan took out a map from her waist. “Beizhou is in danger, so Bianzhou, Songzhou and Jiangnan will also become their next targets.”
"Therefore, the best way is to keep them outside Beizhou. If Beizhou is occupied and we launch a counterattack, the losses will be heavy," Jiang Jin said, pointing to Beizhou above.
"His Majesty will not sit idly by and wait for death. The Governor of Sangzhou has a considerable number of troops, but it will not be easy to quickly capture Beizhou. Chang Yi will lead the Grand Governor of Beizhou to oversee the battle, while Your Highness will stay in the rear to guard against the powerful clans." Jiang Jin offered a solution in just a few words.
"Why isn't Wei Shu the Grand Commander?" Zhai Wan hadn't seen Chang Yi in battle, but she had witnessed Wei Shu killing people.
“Chang Yi rose through the ranks and has the ability to command a military region. Wei Shu has a prestigious reputation in the capital, and his Imperial Guards can suppress the Dou and Liu families.” Jiang Jin felt he had overlooked something, but for now, it was only a preliminary plan.
“The Liu family has troops that can be stationed on the front lines, so at least they don’t have to use up all of His Majesty’s men. Although the Dou family are all civil officials, they can also write memorials. When everyone in the capital is in danger, they can take advantage of the chaos. The Dou family is famous for having students all over the world, so we will cut off their ability. The rebels burned down the library and wanted to shake the foundation of the Great Yan. It is normal for those troublemakers to die at the hands of the rebels.”
This was the first time Zhai Wan had heard such cold-blooded words from Jiang Jin: "You want to use this opportunity to wipe out the scions of aristocratic families?"
"Since they want to occupy positions based on bloodline, then they should wipe out all the pedantic fools. Of course, if they are exceptionally talented, I might show leniency. Only when the Dou and Liu families are severely weakened will it give those from humble backgrounds time to rise." Jiang Jin might have been more lenient in the past, but now she just felt her methods were too soft.
"Furthermore, I'll instigate Song Zhimin to send people to infiltrate the capital. Then, they'll trap all those old fogies in the palace and intimidate them, making His Highness intervene without any legitimate reason. Anyone who disobeys will be made an example of." Zhai Wan twitched her lips and retorted, "You seem like a born traitor. Anyone who didn't know better would think you were plotting a rebellion!"
"It's just eliminating a minor threat. Our people have all entered aristocratic families as wet nurses and maids, subtly instilling the idea of autonomy in those young ladies. Once someone sets a precedent, there's no fear of others following suit." They've been planning this scheme for years, and now that it's finally on the right track, they absolutely won't allow any unexpected events.
“His Majesty will reward those who have contributed, and those women will naturally be able to enter the court smoothly. Dou Liu is too busy to take care of himself, so we can reach an agreement with them to let the noble families enter first to fill the vacancies. Once women have tasted power, how can they really be willing to be trapped in a cage?” Zhai Wan put away the map of the territory. “As long as Your Highness ascends the throne, it will be much easier for those women to enter the court as officials.”
"As long as Your Highness remains in power, the women will be safe." Jiang Jin said, his mouth dry, and picked up the teacup on the table, drinking it all in one gulp.
“If it goes forward…” Zhai Wan didn’t finish her sentence, but Jiang Jin understood what she meant.
"Once Your Highness gives birth to a little princess, then the princess can only succeed to the throne, since they'll both bear the surname Lou anyway." Zhai Wan was taken aback for a moment upon hearing this, then laughed.
"You really have a way with things. If this works, it's a permanent solution. At least women won't be confined to the backyard anymore and will have the ability to control their own destiny." The carriage came to a smooth stop at the horse farm. Jiang Jin jumped off the carriage, feeling very relaxed as she smelled the scent of voluntariness in the air.
"Let's go for a run!" Jiang Jin arrived at the stables and immediately spotted Huo Yun.
"Fire Cloud, we meet again!" Zhai Wan jumped onto a gentle mare and galloped across the grassland with Jiang Jin.
"Fire Cloud, it's been a long time since you've played like this!" Jiang Jin gradually shook off Zhai Wan and ran around the horse track again and again until the sun overhead began to set before stopping.
"Ah Jin, I'm tired, I need to rest for a while!" Zhai Wan dismounted, and the servant at the horse stables observantly brought her tea.
"You can't do it either!" Jiang Jin ran three more laps before giving up and having someone lead the horse down to rest.
"You think everyone's like you, riding a horse and it's like they've unlocked their full potential, tireless!" Zhai Wan lay down on the grass without any manners. "I'm never riding a horse with you again! Other people ride to save time or escape, but you're just playing with your life!"
“This is called freedom!” Jiang Jin lay down next to Lou Xuan and looked at the Fire Cloud that was walking back in the distance. “The first time I rode the Fire Cloud was to prove to Wei Shu that I was good at riding and archery and would not be a burden to him.”
"Now, who in the Great Yan doesn't know that Jiang Jin, the Registrar, is skilled in riding and archery? Even men proficient in the Six Arts are inferior to you." Zhai Wan kicked Jiang Jin's leg.
"Are you feeling better?" Even without Jiang Jin saying anything, Zhai Wan could sense that Jiang Jin was suppressing her emotions, as if Zi Yuan's incident had never happened.
"It's alright, I've been in a good mood. The city gates are about to lock, let's go back!" Jiang Jin stood up, brushed the grass off her clothes, and then reached out to pull Zhai Wan up.
"Whatever you say." Zhai Wan patted her skirt, and the three of them returned to the capital before the city gates closed.
"Alright, I'm going back now." The supply wagon stopped in front of an alley. Zhai Wan, wearing a veil to completely cover herself, got out of the wagon.
Lanterns had already been hung at the entrance of the Wei residence for illumination. When Zhou Liao saw Jiang Jin standing at the door, a hint of anxiety flashed in his eyes.
"Madam, the General requests your presence in the study." Abei took the veil from Jiang Jin's hand, and Jiang Jin quickly walked to the study. As soon as she pushed open the door, she saw the map in Wei Shu's hand.
"You're back?" Wei Shu was hanging the map on the wall when he saw Jiang Jin return, but he wasn't surprised.
"Well, my suggestion is to keep the battle contained in Beizhou. It wouldn't be good if it spread to Bianzhou and Jiangnan." Jiang Jin picked up a calligraphy brush from the table and tapped Beizhou with the handle.
“I have someone keeping an eye on your elder sister, so there shouldn’t be any problems for now.” Jiang Jin nodded. “His Majesty will definitely make specific arrangements. After Your Highness’s wedding, I will go to Sangzhou with Song Zhimin.”
Wei Shu paused, turned to look at Jiang Jin, and a flash of anger crossed his eyes. "Do I still have the right to stop this?"
"His Majesty will send his personal guards to protect me, so you don't need to worry," Jiang Jin said to herself, not daring to look at Wei Shu.
“Alright…” Wei Shu chuckled self-deprecatingly, “His Majesty knows, Princess Zhaoyang knows, everyone knows, but I, who am with you every day, am the last to know.”
"Wei Shu, don't worry, I'll be back safely. Come with me to the Jiang family tomorrow." Jiang Jin felt a pang of guilt, but it was quickly suppressed by her burning desire for revenge.
"Why didn't you tell me first? Does A-Jin still not trust me?" Wei Shu's thoughts had already drifted far away, and he didn't hear Jiang Jin's words at all.
“This plan is too risky, so His Highness should know. If His Highness doesn’t agree, then let’s pretend it never happened. But if I let you know beforehand, wouldn’t that just increase your worries?” Jiang Jin reached out and hugged Wei Shu, gently patting his back.
"It's not that I don't trust you, I just don't want you to worry anymore," Jiang Jin reassured Wei Shu.
"I understand, but I feel guilty leaving you to face all this alone." Wei Shu sometimes wondered if Jiang Jin wouldn't have to suffer so much if he were more capable.
"This is my own path, and no one can take my place. Don't worry, I value my life and won't let myself be put in a passive position." Jiang Jin felt Wei Shu's arms slowly tighten, as if he wanted to meld her into his bones and blood.
The next morning, Jiang Jin returned to the Jiang residence with Wei Shu. Although she had a big argument with her father when she last returned, no one in the residence dared to stop her, and let her take Wei Shu to the ancestral hall.
"Mother, this is my husband, Wei Shu." Wei Shu, dressed in a moon-white round-necked robe, knelt beside Jiang Jin.
"Mother, I am Wei Shu, A Jin's husband. I should have come to pay my respects to you on our wedding day, but unfortunately, some things happened. I hope you will forgive me." Jiang Jin lit incense and placed it in the incense burner.
"I have an important matter to attend to soon, and I hope Mother will forgive my lack of filial piety. I will come to offer incense to you again after it is over." Jiang Jin knelt beside Wei Shu, gazing longingly at the memorial tablet above.
"I, Wei Shu, hereby swear that if Jiang Jin is unharmed after this matter is over, we will stay together for life without anyone else; if anything happens to us and we are no longer together, then we will die together, and I will never regret it!" Wei Shu raised his hand and swore a solemn oath before the ancestors of the Jiang family.
"What are you going to do?" Jiang Luo's weathered voice came from outside the door, raising some dust from the floor of the ancestral hall.
"If Father has any questions, he may ask His Majesty." Jiang Jin stood up and looked at Jiang Luo without fear.
"You and your elder sister are the only two bloodlines in your family. Next year, your brother-in-law will be transferred to Jiangnan, so wouldn't it be better for you to stay in the capital, Ah Jin?" Jiang Luo looked at Jiang Jin with a hopeful expression, his face showing signs of aging.
“Father, your choice to stand in the imperial court is yours. I have my own path; this is my own life. Even if I am shattered to pieces, I am not afraid. I will do anything for the Great Yan.” Jiang Luo sighed deeply.
"Enough, enough. You're still young and hot-tempered. Since His Majesty has granted your request, then go. I only hope you can save your life so I won't have the face to face your mother." Jiang Luo's gaze fell on Jiang Jin's mother's memorial tablet.
"My youthful spirit is long gone. I'm just an ordinary man who only hopes for the safety of my children and grandchildren. Ah Jin, please don't blame your father." Jiang Luo reached out to pat Jiang Jin's shoulder but then stopped.
"Your father is waiting for you to come back."
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