The Great Yan bordered the Great An to the east. Both countries were located in the Central Plains and shared the same culture and language.
Previously, the incident of Dongyu Hou colluding with local officials to forcibly buy and sell land caused unrest on the border, and Da'an saw an opportunity to take advantage of it.
"Da'an has repeatedly provoked our Great Yan. What are your opinions, and who should be the best commander for this campaign?"
The Emperor of Great Yan sat on the dragon throne, looking at the silent crowd below, and then turned his gaze to the military generals.
Why are the civil officials silent?
They don't understand, so they don't dare to speak recklessly at this time.
If they start spouting nonsense now, it's entirely possible that Fan Tiezui'er will jump out and accuse them of raiding their homes.
The princes have little power in the court; they are all supported by their maternal clans. If they were to step forward now, their intentions would be too obvious.
What Yuwen Xuanhong disliked most was that the princes were too outstanding and too popular.
In fact, the emperor already had someone in mind, and at present, there were only three people who were good at fighting.
Huo Xiaolong, Xiao Lanyi, and a Southwest King.
The King of the Southwest is getting old; he should just enjoy his retirement. We can't expect Da'an to watch a seventy-year-old man guard the country's borders, can we?
"Your Majesty, I volunteer to lead the army! I will surely reclaim the cities occupied by Da'an. Please issue an imperial decree."
The speaker was Huo Xiaolong. She really didn't want to approve any more official documents. She was good at fighting, but the women in the building were even better at it.
That's where things go wrong.
Huo Xiaolong had no leverage over anyone in the capital. Her father was a general under her command, her mother was her supply officer, and even her sisters held important positions in the military. There was no way to hold any of them accountable.
The emperor was very afraid that she would either go and never return, or be sent back by force.
The emperor remained silent, but Xiao Lanyi understood his meaning: he was easier to control than his sister-in-law.
"I also volunteer to take command. The Prince of Zhenbei has just arrived in the capital and should recuperate. I will guard the border well and not let Da'an run rampant any further."
“Very well, just as General Xiao said. Prince Zhenbei, you are young and have just arrived in the capital. When the opportunity arises in the future, I will definitely let you shine on the battlefield.”
The person on the dragon throne smiled, his words clearly words of concern, but to Huo Xiaolong they sounded grating.
Xiao Lanyi now has even more leverage over him in the capital. With Ruyi and his son both present, the Emperor trusts him completely.
The girl in the python robe knelt, head bowed, eyes fixed on the person on the dragon throne, and then spoke respectfully.
"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty."
"If someone has to die, I'd rather it be me."
Xiao Lanyi and Huo Xiaolong returned to the Zhenbei Prince's Mansion. The brother-in-law, seeing his sister-in-law's low spirits, suddenly spoke up.
The girl turned around abruptly, feeling somewhat uncomfortable looking at the smiling man. She didn't say anything, but her eyes were a little red.
"In war, people always die. Even without me, you can take good care of your sister, but without you, the entire brothel will be unhappy."
"Can you stop saying such discouraging things? I'll go find Grandpa Gu to make some pills. If you're about to die, just take one. Even if you have to hold on until you get to the capital, you'll survive no matter what."
Huo Xiao ran off without looking back, leaving Xiao Lanyi to face Ruyi alone.
He felt it was best to tell his wife about this in person.
But as soon as he entered the house, Huo Xiaolong had already climbed over the wall without him noticing.
The girl is now hugging Ruyi's waist, pouting, and complaining.
"Sister, your Xiao Lanyi is saying discouraging things. When he comes back later, you can scold him."
"Okay, your sister is talking to him. Don't be upset. Your brother-in-law has been fighting for so many years, don't worry."
"Besides, aren't you here? If anything happens, you'll take us there, right?"
Huo Xiaolong nodded, and as he walked out of the room, he snorted at Xiao Lanyi.
Although my brothers-in-law came later, they are all very good, and each of them treats me with sincerity.
No one can die, and no one can be missing.
Ruyi was still wearing a light-colored dress today. She removed the man's armor, sighed softly, and then said...
"Go ahead without worry, I'll take care of things at home."
"You're not angry with me?"
The man's voice was somewhat muffled. He was also reluctant to leave his wife, children, and warm bed, but there was nothing he could do. Even if the emperor didn't send him, he would still worry about the border of Great Yan.
His father told him this on his first day in the army.
There's only one purpose in being a soldier: to protect your country.
This is the Xiao family's family motto.
"From the day I fell in love with you, I knew it would be like this. Parting doesn't mean goodbye forever. Xiao Lanyi, you have to come back alive."
The woman wrapped her arms around his waist, her bright eyes gazing intently at his face with a serious and determined look.
Xiao Lanyi smiled, turned around and hugged her, saying
"Yes, ma'am."
"It takes a month to travel from the capital to the east. Whether you are trapped or short of food, you need to prepare two months' worth in advance. If anything goes wrong, just retreat back into the city and hold it."
"Xiao Xiaogou is faster than you guys. He only needs half a month to come back, so we must have two months' worth of food. If there is any danger, we need to give him some time."
"I will still be in charge of your rear supplies this time. There are enough cattle and sheep for you from Da Ni'er's mother's side."
Ruyi unfolded the map and pointed to each point, speaking to Xiao Lanyi.
He'd never seen his wife do anything like that before; she's quite attractive, really eye-catching.
“It’s not cold now, so the beef jerky and the oil from the milk will spoil,” Xiao Lanyi said.
"It won't break. We have our saltpeter ice-making workshops in every town now, and they're quite large, enough for you."
The woman was calm and composed; she had even arranged for Xiao Xiaogou's provisions.
"Just feeding it won't work. I'll pack all of Xiao Xiaogou's elixir for you at once; it's the key to your survival."
"Can I have some fresh bok choy and fruit this time?"
He was really envious of his sister-in-law's logistics last time. Why did the soldiers go over without saying a word when Huo Xiaolong asked her father and brother to follow her? Wasn't it because of the food?
The woman glanced at him, smiled, and whispered in his ear.
"We'll see how you perform tonight."
The man swallowed hard. He was about ten years older than Ruyi and was almost forty.
You absolutely cannot say no to something like this.
"Then please be kind to me, Madam."
Ruyi felt like a female tyrant on the mountain, holding Xiao Lanyi's life in her hands and bullying him in private matters.
In the dead of night, the lights in the room went out, and the creaking and groaning were quite delightful.
But Doctor Gu was not so happy.
"Why did I travel all the way to the capital? Just to continue making pills for her?"
"What did she say back then? 'With my little apprentice by my side, I can enjoy the happiness of family life.'"
"I'm over eighty years old this year, and I'm still working all night for her!"
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