Chapter 340: Allocation, layout

Several children felt the burden on their shoulders grow heavier; they bore so many lives, and if anything went wrong, the consequences would be more than they could bear.

"Mother..." Ning Hanmo furrowed his brows, no matter what, he felt it impossible.

Jiang Yunchu looked at them with a half-smile, "Having it or not, does it make a big difference for you?"

"Without the courage to go all-in, what's the point of playing a challenge game?"

"If you have it, just act as if you don't."

"What's more, there really isn't any."

She slowly rose to her feet, looking at the children's solemn faces, "All along this journey, I've heard all your arrangements—do you understand?"

"From now on, the route, food, water, and even everyone's mobilization are all in your hands."

She did not comfort the children; instead, she added to their burden.

"..."

The twelve children exchanged glances; when they lifted their heads together, their eyes showed not retreat, but the courage not to admit defeat.

"No courage?"

"At their age, they have already defeated many—who is lacking courage?"

"We'll take it." The speaker was not the usual team leader Ning Hanmo, but the quiet Kang Wu.

That young boy, his eyes flashing with earnest determination not to yield.

If he cannot even arrange their food, clothing, and daily needs, how will he step by step ascend to the court in a few years, how can he gradually stabilize the political situation, and protect his companions?

No!

He cannot retreat, no matter who lies ahead; he cannot retreat, because behind him...

He looked at face after face, at those trusting eyes.

Behind him are the people he must protect—his companions!

"Fine, how people are assigned and settled is no longer my concern; you sort it out internally." Jiang Yunchu yawned elegantly, feeling somewhat fatigued; riding in a carriage was not as exhilarating as riding a horse.

"Yes."

The twelve children, taking their prepared brushes, ink, paper, and inkstone, went to another room.

"Master, for them, isn't this too hasty?" Zi Su worried; this burden was truly too heavy, the children were always well-behaved, and the master's words carried more weight than an imperial edict for them.

Jiang Yunchu gently shook her head. "Zi Su, you just don't know their depths."

If any one of them were sent out alone, they'd still be a child—perhaps a bit more outstanding, perhaps much more precocious than peers.

But when the twelve gather together, they are no longer a child; they are a ball of fire, a fire that grows more cohesive over time.

They have military, vanguard, strategists, merchants...

They have set their own goal, and they have always been striving toward it.

In this world, no one understands them better than themselves; especially the Jia family incident, it seems to have awakened a deep-seated yearning within them—a yearning for power.

"But..."

Zi Su hesitated a little, looking at the children's solemn faces; she merely closed her mouth in silence.

One room slept soundly through the night, another room stayed on constant alert, and yet another room held the twelve children, who could not sleep all night.

"I will handle protection." Ning Hanmo stepped forward first, choosing his duty—this was also the most important role in the unit.

"I will take care of food and daily life." Kang Wu's eyes deepened; he looked at his companions, seeking everyone's agreement.

Ning Hanmo lightly patted his shoulder. "It's yours—how many people do you need?"

Kang Wu glanced at his companions beside him. "I need Zi Wei elder sister."

Kang Ziwei said nothing, simply stepping to his side—this was her agreement with his choice.

Kang Ziwei's presence was usually low-key, but whenever needed, she was everyone's strongest support.

"I need someone to observe—Zhiqiu."

Kang Zhiqiu nodded, then also went to Kang Wu's side; the corner of his mouth cracked as he said, "Zhang San and Han Si."

Zhang Cunwen has a natural sensitivity to money; whenever anything is amiss with funds, he senses it instantly.

Han Si's aspirations are lofty; spoiled since childhood, he fears death greatly, only wishing to stay alive to leave an heir for the Han family; he has no interest in going to war or in court intrigue, being interested only in farming.

Especially in agricultural studies, he has surpassed others; the institute's small vegetable plot, once tended by all, is now tended solely by him, and he allows no one to interfere.

For crops in sandy soil, he is likewise most attentive, instructing the tenants there to keep daily records, and whenever he goes to the sandy fields, he deliberately checks them.

"Got it."

Zhang San and Han Si exchanged a glance, then stood together behind Kang Wu.

"The rest are left to you." This side needs few people, but each person's intuition must be sharp, skilled at observation.

But he left Ning Qiancheng and Kang Nai Xin to Ning Hanmo, knowing that compared to his side, Ning Hanmo's side bore greater pressure.

When the Jia family ran into trouble and the capital was in turmoil, the dean choosing to go abroad for study—how is that not another trial?

"Good."

Ning Hanmo did not decline; the two exchanged a glance, everything understood without words.

In that moment, the twelve split into two groups; the previous plans were all scrapped, now requiring a new allocation.

"Nai Xin will handle the rear, placing herself in a safe position to oversee the overall situation."

"Qiancheng will be at the front, quickly assessing new situations and issuing orders."

"Zhi Chun will take charge of consolidating their information, then directing the overall situation."

"And you?" Kang Nai Xin curiously looked at Ning Hanmo; in fact, overseeing the overall situation should perhaps be Ning Hanmo's role.

Whether it's his status as the young master of the Regent Prince's manor or his prestige in the unit, both are far stronger than mine.

Ning Hanmo shook his head, smiled at Kang Nai Xin, and said, "I can't; on the battlefield killing enemies, I won't stay very calm."

"Nai Xin, the one who can remain completely calm has never been me—it's you."

If it were before, he might not have known.

That time when he went to the manor to play, on the way back he discovered his flaw: whenever it involved his mother, all his rationality would come to naught.

Kang Nai Xin smiled helplessly, "Ning Hanmo, do you really think you're a deity, or do you think I am?"

Everyone has emotions; who can stay completely calm?

Ning Hanmo laughed heartily, confident and carefree, "No problem, I have my own affairs."

He looked toward Kang Wen on the side, "Brother, this time, shall we charge together?"

Kang Wen held his Silver Spear; before, he felt it heavy, and each time he lifted it his arms grew tired to the point of near dislocation, but as time slowly passed, that Silver Spear that left him breathless seemed to slowly adapt as well.

Although he couldn't wield it with ease, at least he could now fight the enemy.