The Cannon Fodder in Quick Transmigration Refuses the Usual Path

Chapter 585: Three Kingdoms Small Cannon Fodder 27

Oh, alright then!

They were both masters at reading people's hearts. If she still didn't understand what was going on by now, she would truly be foolish.

Where was the real fear of that person?

Someone here was clearly... having ulterior motives!

A gentle breeze blew, causing the beaded curtain to sway slightly. The inner hall still seemed to carry the lingering aroma of wine that had slowly drifted through the night before.

The moment their eyes met, An Ning forcefully suppressed the laughter that nearly surfaced, merely propping her chin up lightly and sighing with a semblance of seriousness:

"Today is not yesterday. Minister Guo's thoughts have become increasingly difficult for this Emperor to guess."

Across from her, Guo, whose little scheme had been exposed, obviously wasn't offended either, maintaining his usual demeanor, holding a long scroll, his tone distant. Yet, upon closer inspection, a faint, barely concealable trace of a smile still lingered between his brows.

Beneath the dark, wide sleeves, something seemed to be playfully entwined.

It also resembled the pot of clear wine from last night—sometimes intense, sometimes carrying threads of delicate, lingering intimacy."Troubling Your Majesty is truly a great fault of Jia."

He clasped the jade-like hand before him in his palm, one grasp after another. Only after a moment did he lift his gaze, his still-bright eyes smiling as he said:

"However, if Jia were to truly keep everything written on his face, allowing you to see through everything at a glance, I'm afraid Your Majesty would find it dull before long!"

To tell the truth, that was indeed the case! An Ning couldn't help but shoot an amused glance at the person opposite her.

It had to be said, some people probably truly had a person growing out of a pile of scheming holes.

But there was no helping it. As the other party said, she indeed loved this kind of flavor.

Just like playing chess. If you knew exactly where your opponent would place their piece the next second, what would be the point of the game!

"Since Minister Guo understands this in his heart, why trouble yourself with such concerns?"

In this world, there might be many who are young and clever, but those who could truly be considered interesting were, in An Ning's view, not that numerous.

Especially in her current position.

No matter how good-looking or intelligent a person was, once tainted by excessive ambition and delusion, they became truly dull.

However... meeting the other's eyes, An Ning thought seriously for a moment, then couldn't help but chuckle a bit:

"Rather than dwelling on these matters, Fengxiao, why not spend a bit more time every morning practicing a few moves with Yue'er."

Ah, practicing martial arts again!

For those with inherently soft tendons and bones, who were not inclined to physical exertion, even with their beloved accompanying them, this was truly a bitter chore.

Sure enough, as soon as the words fell, the other person immediately and skillfully collapsed onto the couch, his entire being radiating an air of utter despair.

Yet... after a pause to glance at the face of the person beside him, the very next morning, Guo, with rare speed, scrambled out of bed. By the time An Ning went to fetch her sword, he was already dressed and ready, wearing a dark, narrow-sleeved robe and holding a proper-looking green longsword in his hand.

The Crown Prince, who had arrived half a step late due to busy matters: "..."

This person... was he actually being diligent today?

Curiously glancing at her mother, she was met with the same composed gaze from her mother.

Crown Prince: "???"

Time passed slowly. Facts proved that An Ning's earlier talk of recuperation and building strength was not false.

In short, in the following years, with talents gathering and the implementation of various policies, along with the construction of water conservancy projects, the entire Great Jing entered a period of rapid development under the anxious gazes of the various southern warlords.

Within just a few short years, the previously desolate north showed no trace of the chaos of war and the masses of refugees. While not quite reaching the point of every household having surplus grain and people not picking up lost items on the road, it wasn't far off.

The army, due to its superior benefits and future prospects, was no longer a place the common people desperately avoided. On the contrary, every three years during recruitment, applicants came in an endless stream.

If An Ning hadn't always emphasized quality over quantity, with strict physical requirements for soldiers, the legendary million-strong army might not have been just a joke.

Even so, it was enough to make those secretly investigating tremble with fear.

Especially in this era, no matter how isolated commoners' information was. Where people lived well could never be hidden.

Not to mention the countless people who desperately fled here during every natural disaster. Even in ordinary times, many southern commoners yearned for the north, and those who seized the chance to escape were not few.

In just a few years, many spies from various sides had been caught. Of course, there were also those who were originally spies but ended up being "corrupted" by the various "sugar-coated bullets" of the north.

Regarding this, An Ning's attitude had always been that as long as state secrets weren't involved, she didn't care much. For insignificant matters, let them spread!

Anyway, when the time came, it wouldn't be her tossing and turning in anxiety!

Several years later, in Zichen Palace, looking at the sharp, spirited Yue'er before her, holding strategic maps. After roughly half an hour, a smile quickly appeared on An Ning's face.

In short, the Crown Prince left in a very good mood that day.

Most of the day later, in the study of the Zhuge residence, the Attendant Minister, who vaguely guessed something, found the speed of his feather fan doubling.

***

Imperial Palace, Zichen Palace.

Since ascending the throne, today was a rare occasion of liveliness.

Especially now, listening to the impassioned speeches of the ministers below, each more excited than the last.

Yes, how could now not be the perfect time?

Observing the faces of the assembled ministers below, An Ning, seated above in a dark ordinary robe embroidered with golden dragons, couldn't help but feel her heart stirred with excitement.

Now, wasn't this the best opportunity?

In the twelfth year of Xining, A Yue was already twenty-six years old, right at the peak of her youth and strength. She already had two children, both healthy and robust, ensuring a secure succession.

In martial arts, she had been personally taught by An Ning. Since her youth, she had already overpowered all her peers, using her strength to silence all dissenting voices in the army. As early as last year, no one could last fifty rounds against her.

"Mother, rest assured. Your son will certainly live up to your high expectations this time. While returning safely, I will also clear away all obstacles for Mother's unification of the realm."

The Crown Prince in her twenties was at the height of her high-spirited confidence.

Of course, accompanying her were the civil and military officials of Great Jing who were in the know. Not to mention civil officials like Zhuge, since the time of the First Emperor, prolonged division inevitably led to unity, and prolonged unity inevitably led to division. Unifying the realm was the general trend.

Involving historical records and the integrity of scholars, no one was indifferent.

The military officials had long been sharpening their blades, eager for action!

Nonsense, that was military merit! The foundation for future family glory!

Not to mention the large number of outstanding talents that had emerged in the army over the years. Their own sons and nephews needed to be taken to the battlefield for a real test.

Even they themselves, to be honest, many ministers subconsciously touched their own sturdy waists. Indeed, their treasured blades were still sharp.

Even Great General Yuan, nearing seventy but still feeling he had strength to spare, unconsciously drank an extra bowl when he returned home:

Laughing heartily at his sons, who were already old themselves, serving at his side, he declared with a thunderous voice:

"Speaking of which, Aman must be over sixty now. I wonder how many moves he could last under this general's hand nowadays!"

The sons, already nearing fifty but somehow looking even older than the man before them, silently exchanged glances.

All sighed inwardly!

Ah, what were they even fighting over back then!