Chapter 190: Blazing Ambition

That remark is indeed familiar.

Du Shanü hadn't forgotten; after seeing the General's Crossbow, Chinu had also asked this question.

But Chinu, who once handled state affairs, had concerns—nothing more natural.

And why would a scout from a remote border town have such worries?

Du Shanü narrowed her eyes, sizing up the man before her for a few breaths, then smiled and said:

"If we had enough iron, after improvements we might one day cross the Qin Ridge and return to the old capital."

"You ask this—could it be that you want to try it for me?"

Du Shanü, ordinarily called 'neat and proper' if spoken kindly, is actually just a 'human facade, dog nature' if spoken harshly.

She bears the carefree air of a jianghu wanderer from humble origins, yet a closer look at her brows reveals a resolute, ruthless ambition like a hawk's.

She smiles when treating people kindly, but when using threats to compel them......

She also likes to smile.

Now, those eyes that see through flaws stare unblinkingly at the man opposite, exactly like a wild leopard hot on the scent of blood.

Locking eyes with such a leopard is frightening because the prey doesn't know whether she is already full and feeling merciful today......

Or perhaps she will pounce the next instant, piercing the prey's throat with her sharp teeth.

Throughout history, wise rulers have been few, foolish rulers many.

Good and bad have always been clearly distinct.

Yet no one could have predicted it, nor know what she would do......

This is truly the most terrifying thing.

Liu Liu was caught by that gaze full of menace yet intrigue, a chill running down his back, only then realizing what sort of telltale sign he had revealed.

He silently thought, 'Not good,' but he was also a meticulous sort beneath his roughness; after a few moments of thought, he found a suitable excuse for himself:

"I was once a common soldier in the Fish Drum Camp of the West Ning Prefecture garrison; after Emperor Taizong's demise, the world fell into chaos, foreign tribes invaded and seized half of the Dayin realm... Everyone mourned."

When speaking of the past, Liu Liu's solemn expression grew a hint of sorrow:

""Indeed, I have merely asked a few extra questions, but it is truly because my heart cannot find peace.""

""The soldiers in the camp struggle to return from war; my father and several brothers also died for the country, even before death they lamented the land and rivers...... Not just me, I fear countless subjects dream of returning to the old capital.""

If this device could help the Southern Dynasty cross the Qin Ridge again......

That world, that world—perhaps it truly can be saved.

The usually cold‑faced, reticent man's eyes could not hold back their surging emotion; moisture rolled down and fell into Du Shanü's eyes, slightly softening their chill.

Du Shanü pondered a few breaths, then put on a friendlier smile and said casually:

""Ah! Exactly so! That's why I asked if you'd like to try it for me.""

""Because of this fuss, I merely asked an extra question, yet you explain so much that it makes me seem like some sort of flood‑raging beast......""

Du Shanü's nonsense is something everyone around her knows.

Chinu and Leitie thought nothing of it, but hearing this, Liu Liu felt a considerable surge of disdain——

What flood‑raging beast!

That gaze just now is clearly a flood‑raging beast!

Truly strange!

Before, I thought this person somewhat resembled my aunt, but now I see she is shameless, speaks nonsense, and plays the weak to eat the strong......

She is completely different from that aunt known for her cool composure and dignity!!!

She clearly has ability, so why pretend?

Liu Liu couldn't figure it out, and Du Shanü, seeing that, didn't give him a chance to understand.

She merely reached out to summon Leitie again, then casually pulled out the ever‑present paper and brush, and began to write and draw once more:

""Come, I'll draw you another sheet; once you finish these General's Crossbows at hand, we'll start on this......""

Again, again?

Could it be another weapon like the General's Crossbow?!

If we had more of these, what worry would there be about failing to recover the land and rivers, or about not returning to the old capital?!

This, this situation—truly a bitter endurance hoping to rise——

Heaven has opened its eyes!

Leitie was overjoyed and rushed forward to look; Liu Liu's eyes also showed clear alarm, wanting to sneak a glance, but as soon as he stepped forward, Chinu stuck out a leg and blocked his path.

Chinu smiled; his bearing and temperament were top‑notch:

""The Wife Master has pressing business; I fear she won't be free for a while.""

""Since Scout Liu has some free time, why not come with me to the village old residence to check on the abilities of the militia kept there? \""

The Wife Master always kept to the principle【Never speak of what one sincerely intends to do, not even to Heaven】; thus, the matter of secretly raising troops had never been disclosed to outsiders before.

Now that the secret has been leaked......

Then it's just the right time to test it; if we can make it our own, that's easy to say.

If we cannot......

Chinu narrowed his eyes slightly and then broke into an exceedingly kind smile.

Having just broken out in a sweat from escaping Du Shanü's oppressive gaze, Liu Liu turned his head and encountered this sinister, cold smile, almost making him sneeze.

He raised his eyes to watch Du Shanü, who was scribbling beside the table while asking Leitie about materials and difficulty; though somewhat reluctant, he still followed her out.

Du Shanü's large drawing was extremely detailed.

Fearing Leitie might misunderstand, she broke the large drawing into one main part and nearly ten component diagrams; before she knew it, more than an hour had passed.

After noting the final point to watch for, Du Shanü rose, supporting her sore waist, and solemnly handed the drawing to Leitie:

This matter is entrusted to you; everything remains as before.

Although now everything is lacking, the present suffering is ultimately just the present. When you someday ascend the old city, I will record your foremost merit.

If there is no tomorrow and I die...... then so be it; for the world, nothing is worth regretting.

Anciently, being first to scale, breaking formations, slaying generals, and capturing flags are known as the four great military merits.

According to Du Shanü's thinking, there is clearly another merit, named 【Contribution and Creation】.

If there were no artisans mass-producing weapons and armor later, the 'military' of an army would ultimately be nothing but civilians.

The Tianheng nobles look down on artisans, but Du Shanü herself is also of artisan origin, so she naturally bears no bias.

Her blazing gaze fell upon Leitie's eyes; the usually tall and sturdy man instantly became flustered.

He wanted to say that being taken in was something he ought to do.

He wanted to say that although he is merely a commoner, he also understands the great righteousness of the world, and a commoner is willing to sacrifice himself.

He wanted to say that as long as next year the leader can seize the world, bring them back to the old capital, and drive out those deserving barbarians from Dayin, everything would be worth it.

He wanted to say......

What he wanted to say is too much, too much.

But in the end, Leitie merely solemnly took the drawings and spoke in a muffled voice:

"...... for the world, nothing is worth regretting."

The leader is talented and ambitious, far better than the Southern Dynasty's false emperor; this wretched life of his, if not saved by the leader, would likely have long since ended in some unknown place.

If so, what is there not to follow?

I'll follow!

This time, whether we succeed or fail, he will follow!

The two stood beside the roaring furnace, one tall and one short, one stout and one slim; the flames licked heaven and earth, yet could not swallow the two shadows of ruler and minister about to form.

After great effort, Liu Liu had finally returned, and coincidentally saw Du Shanü's blazing figure in the furnace flames; once again, his heart surged with disdain for the tumultuous waves——

This woman, in fact, has even more talent and ambition than he had previously thought!!

Not to mention Leitie; just seeing that bearing, even he wanted to kneel and pledge loyalty left and right!

But......

Is this a good moment for him to leak his identity?

He still carries the Southern Dynasty emperor's wanted notice on his person!

?? Shasha, isn't she quite regal in bearing! (proudly raising head. jpg)