Lian Yi naturally understood what Duan Zongqing meant, so she said with a smile:
"Don't worry, father. With my daughter's skills, she can protect herself as long as we don't run into a large force."
"That's good."
Duan Zongqing nodded in agreement, and then he got to the point:
"I asked you to come here today because of the marriage with the Zhang family. Marshal Zhang has hinted at it several times, but I fooled him every time. But this time he brought it up directly, and I couldn't evade him anymore, so I said I had to ask for your opinion before making a decision, and temporarily delayed him.
Daughter, what do you think of Zhang Xuetao? I've seen him serve you very attentively over the past two years, and I've never seen you reject him outright."
Marshal Duan said.
"Father, I didn't reject him explicitly because of you. You have been busy unifying the south. If you don't give them any hope, and the Zhang family plays dirty tricks behind your back, our Duan family army will be caught in a pincer attack.
Although the Zhang family may not succeed with my father's ability, it is inevitable that they will suffer some damage. If they cannot suppress the small forces in the south and the rear is not stable, how can you expand your power?"
Lianyi said with a smile while spinning the mutton-fat jade bracelet on her wrist.
"My daughter is more sensible."
After Duan Zongqing expressed his feelings about his daughter being a caring little cotton-padded jacket, he said directly:
"Although the Zhang family is powerful, my Duan family is not a soft persimmon. You don't have to force yourself to marry a man you don't like because of these things. I will find a chance to reject the Zhang family's proposal for marriage."
"No, father, you have to agree to him, and hold a grand engagement ceremony for the two of us, letting all the forces know about it."
Ripple said with a smile.
"Ah? What do you mean?"
Duan Zongqing didn't understand what his daughter was doing.
"Father, don't be impatient. Let me tell you slowly."
Lian Yi immediately comforted her.
"You talk, I listen."
"In the past two years, Zhang Xuetao said he was studying in the south, but in fact he was just following me around and bringing people to infiltrate our southern forces. My father knows his purpose better than I do.
I see that you turned a blind eye because you did not want to confront Marshal Zhang in the South directly for the time being. Besides, the South is not a solid block. You need time to integrate it, whether it is fighting a war or winning people's hearts.
So this marriage must be arranged, and after the engagement, you can use the power of the Zhang family to take down the most difficult aristocratic families in the south, and then you will have money and food. Then you can also learn from Zhang Xuetao and send people to slowly infiltrate the northern forces.
In order to avoid the Zhang family asking for marriage immediately after the engagement, you can send me to study in Country Y. There is a bridal school established by the royal family of Country Y, which is a good opportunity for me to learn how to be a bride.
When I come back from my studies four years later, if Zhang Xuetao is still clean, then we can hold the wedding. If he cheats on me, you can just cancel the engagement as long as you find evidence of him, and you'll still be on the moral high ground.
Of course, after the falling out, we will have to confront the Zhang family head-on, so father must be prepared."
Lianyi expressed her thoughts lightly.
Duan Zongqing didn't know what expression to show after hearing this. The staff officers around him didn't dare to use their daughters' marriages as bargaining chips, but his own daughter set up such a big scheme.
"My dear daughter, tell me, how long have you been thinking about this?"
"It's been two years. Ever since Zhang Xuetao started hanging around me like a fly, I've wanted to slap him to death all the time. But for the sake of my father, I have to endure it."
Lian Yi spread his hands.
"Oh! I have wronged my precious daughter."
After Duan Zongqing finished his sigh, he straightened his face and asked seriously:
"Since you choose to do this, you are preparing to take over the power in my hands in the future."
"Yes! And I want to be the strongest one!"
Lian Yi answered with certainty.
"Good! Ambitious!
However, ambition alone is not enough. You need to know how to march and fight, and learn strategies and tactics. You have been away for four years. How can I teach you if I don't bring you with me? How can I hand over the power to you smoothly? Those people under me will not obey you just because you are my daughter!"
Duan Zongqing has already begun to consider the issue of power transfer.
“Father, you don’t really think that I went to Country Y just to attend a bridal school, do you?
Country Y also has a military academy, which will teach me how to fight. Country Y also has advanced weapons, and I also want to get some to equip our own troops."
Lianyi's eyes moved and she said with a smile.
"Girl, it seems like you have already planned it all. I have no reason to refuse at all."
Duan Zongqing felt very happy and spoke in a doting tone.
"But father, I have to pry your corner and prepare a personal guard for me. These people must be young and have potential, loyal to the Duan family, and preferably deputy personnel with a certain prestige in the Duan family army. They will go with me to learn the most advanced combat methods, and when they come back, they can immediately join the army and play a role.
In addition, I want to take my third and fourth aunts with me to Country Y, let them take care of my life, and then see if I can run some business in Country Y. My third aunt's family is in business, and she has also studied. My fourth aunt's appearance is very advantageous when she goes abroad, so they can also help my father. "
Lianyi revealed her plan in detail.
"You have considered it very carefully. If these people go abroad with you, they will be equivalent to your direct descendants. It will be convenient to use them in the future. You also have plenty of time to win them over. It is just a matter of spending more money, which is not difficult to do.
As for Qiu Chan and Dong Qing, as long as they are willing, I will definitely not object. When Qiu Chan entered the Marshal's Mansion, she brought all the Qiu family's property with her. During these years when I was fighting, she gave me half of it, but I have gradually returned it in the past two years. No matter how poor I am, Duan Zongqing will not covet my aunt's dowry."
"Okay, as long as Daddy doesn't mind me taking your beauty away, I'll go talk to the two aunts."
"Whatever! I will reply to Zhang Xuetao tomorrow. You still have one night to regret it."
"I don't regret it! Just go and reply, father."
After Lianyi finished speaking, she went to discuss things with her two aunts.
The next day, after Zhang Xuetao received Duan Zongqing's clear answer, he was overjoyed and immediately stood up and said:
"Thank you, Marshal Duan, for agreeing to my marriage with Lianyi. I will definitely cherish Lianyi and let her live a happy life."
"I also hope that my daughter can have a good ending, so that she can live up to her mother's expectations!
It's just that Lianyi is still young and doesn't seem to be very smart, but she still likes you, so she agreed to the marriage right away. However, I still want to keep her for a few more years and let you two get engaged first. What do you think?"
Duan Zongqing said kindly.
"Of course no problem! I'll always listen to my uncle."
Zhang Xuetao said immediately.
For a powerful force like theirs, engagement is like an announcement to the world, and they cannot regret it.
Not long after, Marshal Zhang received the news that the marriage was agreed to, and he quickly took his men and headed straight south.
See you tomorrow, my dears~
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