bestfiction Chapter 148 Frontier
Chapter 148 Frontier
"Although Lingnan is always prone to floods, its fertile land and pleasant climate make it a good place. In previous years, even with disasters of all sizes, they were able to submit their taxes on time, and at three times the rate of other places. Now, with those two transforming some kind of life factory, it's likely to become the richest place!"
"Impossible! The richest place would only be the capital, and they mainly do agriculture and some handicrafts, so they can't get too rich unless minerals or fine goods factories are discovered there..."
As they were talking, Zhang Junting suddenly said, "Send them wherever you think they are needed."
!!!
The emperor immediately realized that this would elevate the entire country to a new level!
"By the way, elder sister, you still haven't explained why you insist on giving her the title of princess?"
Zhang Junting said irritably, "It's all because of your good nephew. He's taken a fancy to her and is pestering her relentlessly! He's really useless! He hasn't married her yet after all this time."
"Hehehe..."
“Hey! I was thinking that the Marquis’s family background was too low, and I was afraid that my daughter-in-law would be criticized. So I thought I would get her a proper status first, so that people wouldn’t say she was marrying above her station after she got together with my son.”
"You're such a good mother-in-law."
"Alright! The fact that she saved the current prince is enough for her to get this position, not to mention she also gained such a great merit in Lingnan! As for me, I'm just here to go through the motions."
At this point, the emperor laughed: "I was just thinking of giving her a chance, and if she succeeded, I would bestow upon her the title of a commoner princess. I never expected this girl to be so promising."
"Of course! She's the daughter-in-law I love, she's wonderful!" Zhang Junting said proudly.
……
Meanwhile, in another palace within the imperial palace, just when everyone thought the dust had settled, the sixth prince quietly awoke from his coma.
Upon learning that the situation outside was not developing as he had meticulously planned, he angrily smashed the teacup in his hand.
"Why! Why wasn't Third Brother punished but allowed to enter the palace? Ninth Brother is truly useless, he can't even handle this simple matter!" the Sixth Prince roared.
“Your Highness, please calm down. The Ninth Prince is helpless and it’s possible that he fears the Empress’s power. Since he’s so incompetent, we need to devise a new plan,” the strategist beside him said cautiously.
The Sixth Prince said with a gloomy face, "Hmph, if the Ninth Prince is no good, then we'll find another one. I don't believe he can be so lucky every time."
……
Meanwhile, Zhao Jihua had already heard about the wine shop's trip to southern Xinjiang.
"I also need to go!"
The Ninth Prince felt a warmth in his heart. She really cared about him; upon hearing that he was going to war, she didn't hesitate to go as well.
However, he still advised against it, saying, "It is extremely dangerous for me to go to the southern border to fight this time."
Zhao Jihua's eyes were resolute: "I'm going. Those 150,000 troops in the Southern Frontier were originally the old troops of the Prince of Jin, and I want to get them into my hands; I also want to subdue this fierce general, Zhou Qingyu!"
After saying that, she went home to discuss it with the Prince of Jin.
The Prince of Jin was furious: "What are you, a girl, doing on the battlefield? Wait for your father to make plans for you!"
Zhao Jihua said, "Father, I know you love me, but I don't want to always hide behind you. I have my own ideas and the ability to do great things..."
"What important matter?" Prince Jin interrupted her. "Your most important matter right now is to take advantage of your current favor and quickly find a good family to marry into!"
“Father!” Zhao Jihua took a deep breath and tried to speak calmly, “Marrying someone means relying on their husband’s family and entrusting your honor and disgrace to others. Who can predict what the future holds? It’s better to be your own master than to be at the mercy of others. I will fight for the power and status I want. If I can subdue the troops in the Southern Frontier, they will definitely become our help in the future.”
"Of course I know that having power and influence is the most important thing, but it's not something that can lead to utter ruin if I'm not careful!"
"But if we are powerless and helpless, wouldn't our husbands' family kick us when we're down and we'd be doomed?"
"..." That's true.
He paced back and forth, saying, "Do you know that swords and spears have no eyes on the battlefield? What if something happens to you, a young lady? What will your father do then?"
Zhao Jihua stepped forward and took the Prince of Jin's arm, saying coquettishly, "Father, you taught me how to ride horses and shoot arrows, so my skills are not bad. Moreover, I won't act rashly. I'll take Uncle Jiu with me. He's your capable assistant and will definitely be able to help me."
The Prince of Jin frowned, and he hesitated.
Seeing that his father was softening, Zhao Jihua pressed his advantage: "Dad, please let me go. If I succeed, not only will it strengthen our family's power, but it might also bring more benefits to the people."
The Prince of Jin sighed and said helplessly, "Alright, alright. You've always been a person of your own mind. You're ambitious, and that's in my nature. But you must promise your father that you will always prioritize your own safety."
After saying that, he handed a token to his daughter, "This is my command token from when I was in the Southern Frontier. Take it to the current commander, Commander Pang, and he will cooperate with you."
Zhao Jihua was overjoyed and nodded quickly, "Thank you, Father. I will be careful."
After saying that, she walked out.
Halfway there, I turned around and suddenly realized that my father seemed to have aged many years in an instant.
Zhao Jihua's eyes stung with tears. She remembered Xia Li's words, "Our father is just a bit chauvinistic, but he loves you very much. Don't take it to heart."
Father, rest assured, I will definitely protect our family!
After calming herself down, she immediately set off with the Ninth Prince to the Southern Frontier.
……
Military camp in southern Xinjiang.
A soldier entered through the main tent flap. "Commander Pang, news has come from the capital: General Zhou and the Ninth Prince are coming to lead us into battle?"
Pang Shuai said with a serious expression, "Yes, war is about to break out! Tell your men to intensify their training and keep a close eye on the movements of the Southern Barbarians. Once General Zhou's 300,000-strong army arrives, we will prepare to go to war."
"That Ninth Prince..."
"The Ninth Prince isn't the First Prince. Do you really think he's here to fight? He's not very skilled in martial arts. He's just another prince here to gain experience, like everyone else. Just make sure he's well taken care of."
"Yes!"
Meanwhile, the Ninth Prince, whom they were discussing, was already outside Miao territory, where the Southern Barbarians resided.
"They wouldn't know, nor could they possibly guess, that the two of us dared to venture so deep into enemy territory, would they?"
Zhao Jihua, who was beside him, nodded and said:
"Li'er once told me that if an airborne commander wants to quickly win people's hearts, he either needs to have extraordinary strength or exceptional combat experience."
The Ninth Prince smiled gently and said, "What a coincidence, that's what I think too. Instead of going with the main force to deal with them, why don't we two do something big and make a name for ourselves!"
"If we're going to do it, let's do something big!"
"Ok!"
Zhao Jihua stopped him and said, "This time, infiltrating alone is fraught with danger. One wrong move and you could lose your life. Have you prepared anything to save your life? Li'er has prepared something for me."
"……No."