Chapter 141: Proposal
Of course, Sun Wei hopes that Sima Jun can be more like a hero.
Whether in the previous life or this life, there have always been people in the court and the public saying that Sima Jun holds military power, has evil intentions, and will become a hero in the future.
Everything in his past life proved that he was a loyal and honest person, not a tyrant. In front of a true tyrant, he died a heroic death, but it was completely useless.
In Sun Wei's opinion, Sima Jun can only fight against the tigers and wolves around him if he learns the mentality of a true hero and fights evil with evil and evil with evil.
Sun Wei knew that Sima Jun had no ambition to become emperor. He only wanted to end the disputes and bring peace to the world.
But his previous life proved that if he was not strong enough in his position, he would not be able to save his life whether he wanted to be emperor or not.
Only when he grows up can he fulfill his long-cherished wish.
And when that day comes, Sun Wei himself will have accomplished his mission and retired.
Is this day near?
Sun Wei thought about it and suddenly felt a little disappointed.
Just after dinner, the servant outside reported that Sima Jun had arrived.
"Tomorrow, Madam, you will go to Xunyang, and I will rush back to Jiankang," he said.
Sun Wei was surprised.
"What happened?"
"The Three Immortals sect rebels have plundered Ninghai," Sima Jun said. "Ruan Hui lacks military experience. After I return to the capital to discuss matters with the Crown Prince, I must proceed to Kuaiji."
Sun Wei pondered.
I had originally thought that since it was just the beginning of the new year and the weather was cold, the Three Immortals Church would be quiet for a while. Unexpectedly, they would start trouble again so soon.
"What is the prince's plan?"
"Since last autumn, I've had people building fortifications along the coast. However, the rebels are counterattacking even faster. This time, we must have the Crown Prince order troops to be dispatched from the Northern Palace, and then urgently have the court allocate funds and food. All fortifications must be completed before March."
Sima Jun's actions were no different from what he did in his previous life.
Building cities and forts is indeed very useful in preventing the Three Immortals Sect from coming ashore, but it cannot last long.
"No matter how strong the fortifications are, they still need people to guard and maintain them. But the coastline of the Three Wus is vast. How many troops can the Crown Prince mobilize to defend it?"
"Twenty thousand have already been sent from Jiangzhou," Sima Jun said. "I'm afraid we'll need to transfer another ninety thousand from the Northern Prefecture."
"What if Kong Qi makes a feint to the east and attacks in the west, and then raids Jingkou?" Sun Wei suddenly said.
Sima Jun was stunned.
Sun Wei did not scare Sima Jun.
In the previous life, the imperial court mobilized a large number of troops to eliminate Kong Qi. Unexpectedly, Kong Qi used a tactic of feinting to the east and attacking in the west, suddenly raided Jingkou, and headed straight for Jiankang.
At that time, Sima Jun did not go to the Three Wus, but led a small number of defenders in Jingkou to fight a bloody battle with Kong Qi.
The battle was brutal, and Sima Jun was also injured. After their marriage, Sun Wei was shocked when she saw the hideous scars on his body for the first time.
"What does Madam mean?"
"Fortifications are certainly important, but they are also inert materials," Sun Wei said. "Looking back at the court's several campaigns to eliminate Kong Qi, it's clear that Kong Qi is adept at using active troops. If you want to deal with him, you must not set a trap for yourself. You must start thinking from today: if you were to have a decisive battle with Kong Qi, where would you choose to fight? I've heard that the essence of military strategy is nothing more than Tian Ji's horse racing: using strength to defeat weakness, using strength to defeat weakness. High walls and deep moats are not the only way to win."
Sima Jun thought about it and understood what she meant.
"Madam, do you want me to lure the enemy deeper?"
"That's right," Sun Wei said. "Your Highness, be sure not to follow the Three Immortals' lead. The imperial court is in the open, but they're in the dark. They harass the coast, relying on a few ships and manpower to attack here and there, waiting for the defenders to tire out and then defeating them in one fell swoop. This strategy is old-fashioned and simple, but it always works. Your Highness, you're dealing with them personally now, and you must not repeat the same mistake."
"I understand. I'll think about it."
Sun nodded slightly.
Sima Jun looked at her and said, "Madam, this is something you came up with yourself, not something you asked about through divination, right?"
Sun Wei: “…”
She knew that her trickery was no longer effective in front of Sima Jun. If she dared to speak, Sima Jun would come up with a set of reasons to stop her.
"That's right." She admitted it simply.
Sima Jun's lips curved up.
That look had a certain teachable quality to it, as if he had become the teacher and she was the naughty child who had finally agreed to study hard.
Sun Wei changed the subject and asked, "Is the prince leaving early tomorrow morning?"
"That's right." Sima Jun said.
Sun Wei looked at him and knew in her heart that she didn't know when she would see him again.
"So," she said softly, "Take care, Prince."
Sima Jun looked at her and said "hmm".
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
The room was very quiet, with only the crackling sound of sparks jumping up from the charcoal brazier.
When Sima Jun looked directly at someone, it was impossible to ignore him. His eyes, reflecting the candlelight and charcoal fire, sparkled brightly.
Sun Wei suddenly felt that the charcoal fire was probably burning too strongly, and the heat was coming out in waves.
She turned her eyes away, thinking about what to say, when she heard Sima Jun say, "After I leave, Lu Qiuyan might come to see Madam."
Sun Wei said: "Oh?"
"He said he needs to consider it, but it won't take long," Sima Jun said. "When we met today, I gave him ten days. But borrowing 20,000 soldiers isn't easy, so he'll definitely bargain. Madam, can you give him a month?"
Sun Wei understood.
"Anything else?" she asked.
"Madam is in Xunyang. Don't forget what I said. If you encounter trouble, it's best to leave first."
Sun Wei: “…”
I said this without expecting anything good.
She responded helplessly, "It's the same with the prince."
Sima Jun showed the disdainful look of being looked down upon again and stood up.
"I'm leaving." Sima Jun said.
After that, he opened the door and strode out.
——
A few days after Sun Wei returned to Xunyang, Deng Lian came to report that Lu Qiuyan wanted to see him.
Sima Jun was right.
Sun Wei asked, "Does he know that the Crown Prince is not in Jiangzhou?"
"I know. I've already informed him," Deng Lian said. "But the Chief Secretary said that whether I meet the princess or the prince, it's the same."
Sun Wei pondered for a moment and said, "He is the Chief Secretary of Jingzhou. I met him in the palace and he was too ostentatious. Is Yao Rong's house still sealed?"
Deng Lian replied, "It's still sealed, but now it's been emptied."
"Then please ask the Chief Secretary to come to that house to meet me."
When Sun Wei arrived, Lu Qiuyan was already waiting for him.
He still looked gentle and refined, harmless, like a scholar out for a stroll.
However, Sun Wei knew that the quieter a dog barks, the more ferociously it bites.
After the greetings, Sun Wei said, "It seems that the government of Jingzhou is in good order and the people are harmonious, so that the Chief Secretary has so much free time that he can actually come to Jiangzhou in person."
Lu Qiuyan smiled.
"Jingzhou is currently hosting the Fourth Young Master's funeral. I am delivering the obituary to Jiankang Palace and am passing by Xunyang to report on the matter of borrowing troops that I discussed earlier with the Crown Prince."
"Oh?" Sun Wei asked, "I wonder if it went well?"
"It went very smoothly." Lu Qiuyan said, "The Duke of Nanjun has already agreed."
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