Chapter 110: Da Ning needs generals, needs war gods

"Probably tomorrow." Wang Han rubbed the back of his head.

Since yesterday, we haven't shifted position, we've been guiding outward, and today we're even narrowing the range a bit; after calculating the time, we should be able to get out tomorrow.

Jiang Yunchu nodded. "Let's chat a bit later, about this manor and what comes after with those twelve children."

When mentioning the children, his expression grew much more solemn.

"Princess Consort, I never intended to trap them, but I also can't decide their future; they need to decide for themselves."

As soon as his words landed, Jiang Yunchu sized him up for the first time.

She hadn't expected him to say such a thing, let alone that he thought this way.

"Alright, let them come over together." Jiang Yunchu agreed.

"The account books and harvest situation have already been sent to the Princess Consort by the people of the manor; I'll go call the children first, and if anything else needs arranging, just have someone summon me, Princess Consort."

Jiang Yunchu merely nodded, then got up and walked toward the courtyard where she had stayed yesterday.

After strolling around the manor for a while, the tenant farmers and cultivators there, though busy, had no one cheating or slacking; they could even help each other—when someone brought water, they'd often give a little extra to those who hadn't had a chance to fetch water.

The atmosphere and customs of a manor alone can reveal a great deal.

Jiang Yunchu strolled back to the courtyard and saw a stack of account books on the stone table, recording nearly five years of harvests and each household's grain rations.

Moreover, among these account books were the false ledgers previously sent to the Wang Fu, the true ledgers showing the tenants' thirty percent grain allotment, and interestingly, also ledgers of the manor's expenditures—on house repairs, wells, and villagers' medical expenses.

In other manors, if a family fell ill and took medicine, it was their own affair; but here, whenever someone got sick, they went straight to the head farmer, who would take them to see a doctor, and these expenses also came from that twenty percent of grain.

One cannot help but say…

This manor is more like a secluded utopia.

Jiang Yunchu flipped through the account books quickly; in a short while she finished, and had a rough idea in mind.

"Greetings, Princess Consort."

……

The eldest boy and the second girl stood in front, the other children behind, and the youngest was held in a girl's arms.

The youngest's poison had been cleared, but his constitution was too weak; he was just recovering from a serious illness and his strength had not yet returned.

"I summoned you today to ask what you think."

"From now on, you have two paths to choose from. The first is to stay in this manor, withdraw from the world, and become an honest farmer."

The eldest and the second exchanged a glance; both felt a bit happy.

Although the people in the manor had always greeted them with smiles, whenever they saw everyone lacking food, their hearts were tormented, because their presence meant others went hungry.

Yet they were powerless to change it, leaving them unsure what to do.

If we were to become part of the manor's people, would we then have fields to farm?

With fields, they could labor, grow their own grain and receive rations, and thereafter they wouldn't need everyone's support.

"The second path."

As the children pondered, Jiang Yunchu's calm voice sounded again.

"I will take you back to Jingdu, enter school, and study knowledge, but…"

She said this, looking at the twelve children: "If you choose this path, you differ from others; you have no choice but one road—join the barracks!"

Whatever is said must be spoken up front.

They had no inheritance, nor the background of those young masters; they had no choice—entering the barracks and earning military merit to carve out a future was their only option.

And they, the Regent Prince's Manor, establish themselves by leading troops in battle.

Ning Hanmo had already made her choice; as a mother, she wanted to give him trustworthy companions who could pull him up on a desperate path.

She felt the bravery, sense of responsibility, and compassionate hearts of these children.

"Barracks?" Wang Han softly repeated those two words, his gaze on Jiang Yunchu gradually brightening.

Since yesterday, each of her words seemed to be shattering his own understanding.

"Why go to the barracks?" When the boy heard those two words, his eyes sparkled like stars in the sky, shining brightly.

Jiang Yunchu smiled. "Because my son wants to go to the barracks; as his mother, I wish to pave the way for him."

This is the main reason; before this reason, any other reasons can be postponed.

She did not want to lie, nor to deceive these children, despite their young age.

She spoke candidly, laying everything out in the open.

How to choose is up to them.

"There is another reason: our Regent Prince's Manor needs to control military authority; even if the Prince is gone, the manor's prestige is enough to make any nation tremble."

"Da Ning needs generals, needs war gods."

"The Prince's prestige has faded gradually, but a new general has risen—perhaps one, perhaps many—who knows?"

As she spoke those final words, the corner of Jiang Yunchu's mouth twitched slightly upward; her eyes seemed unfocused, spreading out—perhaps the sunlight was too bright, perhaps her radiance too intense.

Wang Han gazed at such a Princess Consort, and countless emotions welled up in his heart.

Da Ning, needs generals, needs war gods.

When one person falls, countless thousands will rise.

What vast surges must lie in her heart to be able to draw such a splendid blueprint?

"So, how will you choose?" Jiang Yunchu didn't feel Wang Han's gaze; he was somewhat far away, and the spot where he stood had some glare.

But…

A shadow stood in the darkness, seeing Wang Han's appearance and that eagle‑sharp gaze, and suddenly felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity.

But…

When he saw Wang Han's gaze coming his way, he gave a simple, slightly embarrassed look and nodded at the shadow.

Where is there any familiarity left?

The shadow silently nodded at him, then turned and looked outward.

Wang Han alerted himself; he had almost slipped up just now.

The eldest looked at his younger siblings behind him, then asked, "How do you choose?"

Actually, his heart held worry and fear.

But…

They could survive because they were subjects of Da Ning, because of the Regent Prince's Manor's leniency and kindness, and because of the good hearts of the people in the manor; even in those famine years, they did not drive out a few people.

In his heart, a decision had already been made.