Chapter 445: Opportunity

"Whose letter are you talking about?" Jiang Wen Fu was in the tent, looking at the sand table.

He knew General Chiang had encountered trouble; the situation here was also complicated, and he was stretched thin, fearing that Chiang Fengsheng lacked experience, so he analyzed the frontier battle situation and then had someone send it to the Chiang army.

The three sides guard them; they are a united whole—if one side falls, they cannot reinforce in time, and the enemy will march straight into Ning Jing.

"The acting general said, it's your daughter, the Princess Consort of the Regent Prince's Manor." The messenger didn't quite understand—how could the grand general be so surprised?

The Regent's Consort wouldn't have gone alone to the frontier battlefield, would she?

"Give it to me." Jiang Wen Fu said nothing else, merely furrowed his brow, then asked for the letter here.

The letter was thick; after everyone had left, he opened it, first seeing some Medicinal Powder, and only then the letter itself.

The letter was written in the zanhuashu style, yet it lacked a woman's softness, instead carrying an odd sort of rigidity.

Jiang Yunchu wrote this letter merely to introduce the situation in Xijiang, as well as some interesting things she had heard along the way.

Some of the information she deemed useful she wrote into the letter; for Jiang Wen Fu, it might prove useful.

After reading it, Jiang Wen Fu carefully folded the letter, then closed his eyes, pondering its contents, after which his eyes snapped open.

"Jiang Yunchu!"

That refined, scholar‑like man could not help but grit his teeth at this moment.

That reckless lass actually dared to go to Xijiang—does she have a death wish?

The contents of the letter are certainly not just a scout's report; they must be the result of her having gone to Xijiang, gathering all these bits of information—seemingly insignificant in peacetime, yet in war they produce unexpected effects.

Thinking of that strong‑willed lass, Jiang Wen Fu rubbed his forehead; she was in the Chiang army, making the situation even more complicated.

The great army pressed the border, yet unexpectedly a new batch of Grain and Fodder was transported to the frontier at this time.

The arrival of the Grain and Fodder also signified Ning Jing's stance, and it gave the troops boundless confidence.

"Battle!"

It is unclear whether the enemy's advance or some other cause led to the minor skirmishes ceasing, and the medical tent fell into a brief silence.

"Escort this Grain and Fodder convoy back to Jingdu," General Chiang said, looking at Jiang Yunchu.

Jiang Yunchu lifted her head. "Why?"

"Your presence represents the people's hearts; if something happens to you, the populace will fall into chaos and the court will hear many voices."

"Yun chu, you don't need me to say it—you should know how many people stand behind you, representing how much strength."

These days, only a few individuals know that the general has regained consciousness; everyone else remains unaware of the situation.

Even so, with Xijiang not launching an attack, the Northern Rong and Southern Man observe together, and they are certainly not waiting for an opportunity.

What is the opportunity?

This is the opportunity.

This!

This is the opportunity.

These past days, Jiang Yunchu has been thinking: Xijiang's interior is so chaotic, yet they still take the field—there must have been some talk among the three states; in all these years of peace, how could they be certain of victory now?

"I know, so I must be here." Jiang Yunchu smiled, her smile tinged with a hint of helplessness.

"The children won't leave either; they need to witness a real battlefield, they need to face death head‑on."

"General, you're getting old; we need someone to step up."

She did not shy away from this topic; indeed, when the news of General Chiang's poisoning reached Jingdu, the emperor's maternal uncle had already discussed it with her.

The defense of Da Ning relies on these generals, with General Chiang at the forefront; time spares no one, and he truly is old and unable to exert his strength.

"They're too young." General Chiang shook his head—how could he not know?

He had intentionally cultivated some individuals, yet they all died on the battlefield, including his son.

These people's identities and stations clearly allowed them to guard Ning Jing, yet they came here instead.

These days, he has heard of many happenings.

He also felt a growing affection for talent toward these children.

"Heroes ask no origin."

"Youth naturally has its youthful fervor—General Chiang, why not ask them what they themselves want?" Jiang Yunchu set down her teacup and sat upright.

General Chiang looked at her, shook his head helplessly, and said, "It seems Shengsheng understands you quite well."

"Then let's go see the children."

Chiang Fengsheng smiled, said nothing, and had the guards fetch a few children.

At this moment some children were reading, some were sparring on the training ground; they didn't cry when they lost, nor did they shout when hurt.

But everyone suddenly realized that their rate of progress was too fast—from initially being like adults versus children, to being able to fight to a draw, and now…

They might actually be the losing side.

What a terrifying pace of growth!

"Kang Wen, Kang Zhi Xia, Jia Chuan, Han Wen Jun—the acting general calls you over." At that moment a guard ran over, looking at the several grimy little rascals; stern as they were, they couldn't help but break into smiles.

"Here we come."

Jia Chuan, who was sparring, clasped his fists and said, "Next time, let's fight again!"

He then jumped straight down from the platform, exchanged a smile with his companions, and left together.

"My goodness, my arm kills me—look, it's all bruised."

"And you're talking? Your arm is bruised—look at my leg, it's all purple."

"Yesterday I almost got strangled; in Kang Wen's eyes I definitely saw killing intent."

"What kind of little monsters are they—how old are they?"

"Ah, never mind their age—I feel our days of bullying the weak are coming to an end."

A man in armor stepped out from the side, looking at the few people, and said, "The days of bullying the weak will never end—whoever is weak gets bullied."

Since even a few kids can't beat them, it looks like you need to step up your training.

The few who had just sparred were wailing—are those kids? Are those? Those are monsters!

We're all normal folks—how can we compete with a pack of little monsters?

The few little monsters summoned are now covered head to toe in dirt, their faces streaked with it.

"Dean, General, Acting General." Don't mention their appearance—just a few of us together salute.

"Don't focus on your Dean; I, General Jiang, called you here for two reasons: first, to get to know you, and second, to hear your thoughts." General Jiang gazed at the group of kids, having heard plenty of their stories lately.

After entering the barracks, each child was busy—having managed to capture so many, they'd earned top merit.

"General, please speak." Ning Hanmo nodded and looked straight at General Jiang.

General Jiang chuckled, "My opinion is that you should return to Ning Jing."

He didn't hide anything, just spoke his mind; seeing the children's faces, they all furrowed their brows—like little adults.