novelraw Chapter 574: Three Kingdoms Cannon Fodder 16
Chapter 574: Three Kingdoms Cannon Fodder 16
How to put it? Facts have proven that when a person is speechless, they truly can't muster even the slightest bit of a smile.
Casually scooping up the scattered clothes beside her, while getting up to tidy up, An Ning couldn't help but think of the original history where this Great General Yuan should have died of illness not two years after his defeat at the Battle of Guandu, three years from now, which would be the seventh year of the Jian'an era.
It's said he died after coughing blood, with no cure.
However, considering the neighbor next door, his blood brother Yuan Shu, whose deathbed records also mention similar symptoms, she had always felt the possibility of a family genetic condition was slightly higher.
But looking at it now, being prone to bouts of frustration or overexertion might also be part of the cause?
Inside the room, during An Ning's brief contemplation, rustling sounds of dressing soon came from the bed behind her, mixed with a somewhat hoarse male voice:
"Abandoning the eldest to establish the younger, the Yuan brothers have long been at odds within. It just so happens that due to their previous separate governance of provinces, each has many followers behind them. While General Yuan is still alive, he can stabilize the situation. Once he passes away, the Cao clan of Xudu will surely take advantage of the weakness to invade."
"Even if their calculations are successful, directly swallowing this vast territory and pointing straight north is not impossible."
"My Lord, you must make preparations early!"
As he spoke, from behind the plain white gauze curtain, Guo Fengxiao, clad in purple robes with his lapels slightly open and his collar also somewhat disheveled, slowly sauntered out from the inner room. Only, the expression on this great strategist's face wasn't very good at the moment.Upon closer inspection, his jade-like face even seemed faintly tinged with green, and his demeanor was not as casual as before.
Perhaps being new to the place and unfamiliar, plus overly distracted, he had nearly tripped over a nearby screen just moments ago.
Suppressing the laughter about to spill out, casually taking the clear tea handed by the temple maid, An Ning gave an almost imperceptible nod:
"So, to avoid future trouble, it's better for this Great General Yuan to live a while longer!"
Wait... no!
Guo Jia: "!!!"
Seeing his Lord's tone didn't seem feigned, Guo Fengxiao, who realized it belatedly, had already slumped back onto the couch. His peach blossom eyes stared unblinkingly at the person before him. After a long while, he collapsed before the couch and sighed deeply:
"My Lord, your medical skills are nothing short of a divine miracle!"
No wonder, even without any deliberate instigation, many people outside still spread rumors that the so-called hermitage of the person before them was actually a land of immortals, or a place of Daoist inheritance.
Nimbly putting on the last outer garment, An Ning gave him an almost imperceptible sidelong glance, the meaning clear without words:
How are your Lord's medical skills? Others might not know, but Fengxiao, surely you understand?
Although she was quite speechless about this episode with the good neighbor. However, with An Ning personally taking action, the effect was naturally present. In short, just as Xudu had already held countless meetings and formulated a whole package of divisive combat strategies...
Ye City, the Yuan faction, soon received news of Great General Yuan's recovery.
Of course, along with it spread tales of how the current master of Northern Ji was so broad-minded. Merely due to the so-called "favor of old lands," she was magnanimous, not only not holding a grudge against the other party's repeated targeted actions but instead generously gifting medicine.
"It is said that messenger mentioned, the pill sent was something that Young Lady spent years gathering countless fine medicines and natural treasures to create!"
"And also, I heard the moment that medicine bottle was opened, just a little of its fragrance made many people in the entire room feel much lighter!"
"Whoa, such a treasure, and she was willing to give it away!"
And to an opponent she had fought against.
What breadth of mind this is!
Anyway, at this moment, the plain-clothed man leading the talk was speaking with such impassioned fervor, incredibly rousing. Especially seeing the people below were particularly interested, he became even more energetic.
At the next table, someone couldn't help but whisper in suspicion.
"What's there to fear! Since he was critically ill at that time, he must have been beyond medical help! At such a time, another feudal lord openly sends it; it's unthinkable it would be fake!"
If they really wanted to harm someone, they could just wait and do nothing. Besides, that medicine was clearly no ordinary item.
True! The surrounding people couldn't help but nod.
As for why that Young Lady from Ji Prefecture dared to send it, not fearing trouble, that's even simpler.
Just ask, who doesn't want to live? Especially since that lord's sons below have nearly been fighting like dogs recently. Although General Yuan has had a rough time lately, he is after all a proper feudal lord. With intent, he shouldn't be unable to protect such a thing.
It's said he didn't even wait for anyone to check, hesitated not a bit at the time, and swiftly put that precious medicine in his mouth.
"Truly worthy is the Divine Physician who could solve a regional plague with just a random prescription back then! So formidable!"
"After hearing about this, Ye City, the Yuan side, also sent quite a lot of things over! Many are guessing, are these two sides about to reconcile?"
These days, those who can afford to go to taverns mostly have some family assets and usually aren't completely ignorant of current affairs.
Unfortunately, their vision is ultimately limited. Among the various details, most are still mismatched and inaccurate.
Not to mention other things, reconcile? An Ning couldn't help but shake her head.
With this Great General Yuan's pride, it's impossible to think so!
However, being arrogant also has its benefits. Looking at the cart after cart of thank-you gifts before her, a full over a dozen large carts, among which even including a top-quality breed of Ferghana horse.
Even An Ning couldn't help but feel extremely envious:
Young Master Yuan, what an absolutely great rich household!
While sighing with emotion, An Ning wasn't polite either, immediately and happily ordering her servants to accept all the items. A pill casually concocted, for so many good things, that's way too worth it.
Of course, more importantly, people of this era all emphasize the concepts of grace and righteousness, especially the grace of saving a life.
With this episode, at least for the next few years, without a proper justification, unless she takes the initiative to strike. Otherwise, to some extent, the possibility of the other side attacking is not high!
And these few years are enough for her to completely consolidate control over the north, plus raising a small account.
Hmm... Overall, still not bad!
At night, within the gradually warming gauze bed-curtain, An Ning couldn't help but feel quite pleased.
Of course, this current 'not bad' obviously only applies to An Ning's side, hmm, at most plus the narrowly-survived Great Master Yuan.
This... counts as half!
As for the intentions of his old rival An Ning, does Great General Yuan of Ye City understand in his own heart?
An Ning has no doubt; naturally, he does.
After all, he is a feudal lord who dominates a region. Even if he has some character weaknesses, it's only in comparison to the many outstanding heroes of his era. But unfortunately, whether from cherishing life or other considerations, at this point, besides accepting, there is no other path.
It was the New Year festival period, and taverns were bustling. Coincidentally, this involved a major event between two feudal lords. Besides, earlier, whether it was the messenger delivering medicine or other movements, the commotion was not small.
As for the rest...
Having continuously gathered advisors for several days of meetings, finally formulating subsequent plans, even deciding where to attack first, how to sow discord to the greatest extent to make the Yuan faction tear itself apart first, Cao Aman: "???"
"But speaking of which, earlier these two were at each other's throats, utterly hostile. That messenger came to deliver it, and this Great General Yuan actually dared to accept it."
"What? Such a treasure thing, just to save a mortal enemy?"