Chapter 106 Military Advisor
Sima Jun looked at Sun Wei, his eyes shining brightly in the candlelight.
She spoke in a very arrogant tone.
Sima Jun never liked to hear empty talk, whether it was good or bad; nor did he like to hear people preach, no matter how high or low the person's status was.
But inexplicably, he liked listening to her.
The way she looked at him revealed a confidence that came from nowhere, which even he felt was blind, but it made him feel happy.
"So," he nodded. "What do you think I should do, Madam?"
Seeing that he looked like he wanted to listen, Sun Wei felt quite excited.
"Is the prince willing to listen?"
"Even the Crown Prince said that Madam is qualified to be a military advisor. Why wouldn't I listen?"
Sima Jun saw that Sun Wei's eyes seemed to be shining.
He ordered Cao Song to remove the cold food and serve some hot dishes.
Sun Wei couldn't wait to speak, "Two recent events, one is the defeat and escape of Kong Qi from Kuaiji, and the other is the case of the former Crown Princess. Both still have follow-up issues. Your Highness should make preparations early."
"I'd like to hear more about it."
"Let's start with Kong Qi of Kuaiji," Sun Wei said. "Kong Qi's rebellion has caused unrest among the people of Kuaiji, and production has been abandoned. Wujun, Wuxing, and Kuaiji—the Three Wus—will surely suffer famine next year. The Crown Prince should persuade the Crown Prince to transfer grain early and replenish the granaries. Otherwise, if famine is followed by further unrest, Kong Qi will inevitably make a comeback, and the Three Wus will be overwhelmed. Then, the civil unrest will spread beyond the borders and even threaten Jiankang, with disastrous consequences."
"That makes sense," Sima Jun said. "The Grand Tutor also spoke to me about the dangers of Kuaiji. I've already informed the Crown Prince that I will secretly travel to Kuaiji in two days to investigate the situation."
"Oh." Sun Wei pretended she had never met Zhou Chang before and showed surprise. "I didn't expect that the concubine and the Grand Master have the same idea."
Sima Jun also pretended not to know that she had met Zhou Chang before, and smiled faintly: "Madam, you really make me look at you with new eyes."
Sun Wei looked at him and said, "If that's the case, the Grand Tutor must have told the Crown Prince about the plan to recruit refugees as soldiers?"
"I have said that. If I have the troops to control the Three Wus, not only can I guarantee the food supply, but I can also use the canal to defend Jiankang at any time."
"Does the prince have any countermeasures?"
"The current governor of Kuaiji is incompetent. Because of the riots, he hasn't even dared to leave the house, and has delegated all matters within the prefecture to the chief clerk. The chief clerk, in turn, is timid and cowardly. These two are easy to deal with. The Grand Tutor has already, through Princess Wanshou, appointed Ruan Zhongxuan the chief clerk of Kuaiji. He can then assist me in recruiting refugees."
It was indeed Ruan Hui.
Sun Wei had not mentioned Ruan Hui when she first proposed the matter to Zhou Chang, but she guessed that since Zhou Chang only had Ruan Hui available, and since Ruan Hui happened to be from Kuaiji, he was the only one who could help him.
"Food is particularly important for recruiting refugees," Sun Wei said. "So, since arriving in Kuaiji, the Crown Prince has to do his best to allocate and store food. It won't be easy."
"If it were easy, why would I need to do it? Madam, don't worry. Both the imperial court and Jiangzhou have food supplies. This problem is not unsolvable. I can plan everything after I get there."
Sun nodded slightly.
The famine that struck the Three Wu states in those days left countless people starving, a tragedy that shocked the nation. This problem was by no means something the imperial court and Jiangzhou could solve alone, but with early preparation, it was manageable.
"Besides this, there is another root of trouble, which is the death of the former Crown Princess." Sun Wei continued.
Sima Jun asked, "Madam, do you think Huan Yi would raise an army if the Crown Prince married Wang's daughter?"
Yes, in my previous life, this happened in July of next year.
But before that, Sun Wei didn't want Sima Jun to be distracted from the heavy burden of Kuaiji.
"I've consulted the divination, and next spring will be safe and sound. As for what's going to happen later, I can't predict it with my ability." She added, "Your Highness will be going to Kuaiji soon, where he'll be busy with affairs. I hope you won't get involved in the Crown Prince's marriage. I know you and the Crown Prince have a deep relationship, but there are too many things involved that are beyond your control."
Sima Jun remained silent.
"Madam, what you mean is that if it doesn't concern you, you don't have to pay attention to it, right?" Sima Jun said lightly.
Sun Wei said: "The Crown Prince is the heir to the throne, and marriage is a matter of state. The Crown Prince has his responsibilities as a Crown Prince, and the Crown Prince also has his responsibilities as a Crown Prince."
Sima Jun suddenly looked at her and said, "So, when I get married, will Madam also analyze the pros and cons with me and find me a princess who will be the best for me?"
Sun Wei was stunned.
Although she had already made up her mind not to marry Sima Jun anymore.
But when she really brought it up, she still felt an inexplicable tug in her heart, as if she were suspended in mid-air by a thread, precarious.
This day will eventually come.
In the face of life and death, love is nothing but clouds.
She will choose whoever can teach Sima Jun to live a good life.
She was about to say "yes" when Sima Jun said, "That's getting off topic. This matter will take at least two years to resolve. Madam just mentioned that by next spring, will there still be peace?"
"That's right," Sun Wei said. "It would be best if the Crown Prince could recruit some troops in the spring. With a solid foundation, he could let Ruan Zhongxuan manage Kuaiji, and then he could turn around and guard against Huan Yi in time."
Sima Jun keenly grasped the key.
"Madam, you're suggesting that Huan Yi might raise an army after the spring, correct?" Sima Jun asked sternly. "How close is Jiangzhou to Jingzhou? If Huan Yi raises an army in Jingzhou, he can sail downstream and reach Xunyang City in just four days. This matter is absolutely not to be taken lightly. We must not risk our lives. If you know anything, please tell me the truth."
Sun Wei knew that Sima Jun was not good at political warfare, but he was an expert at war.
"I know the importance of this matter," she could only say. "If I say that everything is fine in the spring, then it is fine. Your Highness can rest assured and work with Ruan Zhongxuan to manage Kuaiji."
Sima Jun looked at her for a moment, then said, "Madam, you trust Ruan Zhongxuan quite a bit. Is that right?"
Sun Wei was speechless for a moment.
Ruan Hui was a person who had not gotten along with her in her previous life.
In his opinion, Sima Jun's marriage to Sun Wei was a mistake, and he repeatedly urged Sima Jun to divorce her. However, Sun Wei also knew that Ruan Hui was a clear-headed person and a capable advisor. With him assisting Sima Jun, Sun Wei could rest assured.
"I just trust the Grand Tutor and think his disciples will be good too. I have no other intentions." Sun Wei said.
Sima Jun took a sip of tea from his cup and said casually, "Madam, remember to send me letters often after you go to Xunyang Palace."
Sun Wei recalled that in their previous life, they were newlyweds.
Sima Jun was in Jiangzhou and she was in Beijing, and they often wrote to each other.
"Why?" she asked.
"The Grand Tutor once said that Madam could be a military advisor," Sima Jun said confidently. "I've often asked Madam for advice since then. Besides, I'm more familiar with the affairs of Xunyang Palace than Madam."
Sun Wei thought to himself, that may not be the case.
She knew in her previous life that although Sima Jun lived in Xunyang Palace, he never took care of the palace affairs. Even Sun Wei, who came later, took care of more than him.
"Madam, did you remember it?" Sima Jun asked.
"I remember." Sun Wei replied helplessly.
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