Chapter 449: Letter from the West

"Reporting to His Majesty, Yun chu wrote a family letter, asking me to find a way to buy time." Kang Lian had no concealment; indeed he kept the letter on his person. After he finished speaking, he held the letter with both hands.

Eunuch Xi glanced at Your Majesty's complexion, then stepped down, picked up the letter, examined it, and presented it before Emperor Ning.

Emperor Ning looked and frowned.

What does this lass intend to do?

"Old General Han, did he also receive that lass's family letter?" Emperor Ning looked toward the person who could not possibly appear in court; Old General Han is advanced in years, has been living in retirement at home for three years, and aside from practicing martial arts, spends all his time farming.

For so many years he has not attended court, yet today he came—this timing makes him ponder deeply.

Upon hearing Your Majesty's way of addressing Jiang Yunchu, not only Old General Han but even Kang Lian was startled.

The Regent's Consort is a favorite in Your Majesty's presence; this saying spreads throughout the capital of Ning, but those unaware of the circumstances assume it is because of the Regent Prince.

Even he believes there is some truth to the Regent Prince's involvement.

Lass?

Moreover, without thinking, he shouted it out instinctively, which shows the relationship between the two.

It is deeper than they imagined.

"Dean Yun chu's family letter? It could hardly be sent to the Han residence, but I did receive a letter— it's from my unfilial grandson." Old General Han snorted coldly inside, not knowing whether anyone at home missed him; once sent out, it's like a bird freed from its cage— not a single word.

"Han Wen Jun!"

Emperor Ning then recalled that there is also a Han Wen Jun at Chun Hua Xue Yuan.

He wondered then why Old General Han would be such a coincidence; no need to speculate—it must be connected to that lass.

What is her reason for doing this?

The letter she wrote to herself said she was buying time, and the letters she had Kang Lian and Old General Han send were also meant to buy time.

Well…

"Xijiang is likely to make a big move."

At this moment, Kang Lian also understood everything, suddenly lifted his head, and looked toward Emperor Ning.

Old General Han sighed, "In court, the old minister speaks his true heart; with no generals, how can we protect the people's peace?"

"Your Majesty, the reason the great generals have withered, leaving only a few old veterans, is also because the late emperor favored literature over martial prowess."

The pen can set the heavens and earth.

The sword can guard peace.

They have never been opposed; mutual watchfulness protects a nation's peace.

"Old General, rest assured, I understand." Emperor Ning looked at Old General Han; when there are no generals to dispatch, this cold-hearted old veteran still volunteers to serve the nation.

His leaving the court—how could it not be a chilling of the heart?

Da Ning's present state is due to the former emphasis on literature over martial prowess, which has caused the number of commanding generals to dwindle; now those able to lead troops onto the battlefield are few and far between.

"Then this old minister will return home; if war breaks out, the elderly, weak, women, and children will all be Da Ning's soldiers."

"Your Majesty, the old minister awaits your orders."

Old General Han departed; though he wore armor, his back view looked exceedingly desolate.

"It is my royal family that owes the Han family."

Emperor Ning simply watched the old general depart; even though his hair is white as snow, he remains ramrod straight, never bending in the slightest.

This is the bearing of an old general.

"Your family letter, I have kept it."

A single remark from Emperor Ning left the usually refined Kang Lian with a twisted feeling.

But…

What can he do?

"Yes!"

How could he be so lacking? What family letter to bring? What to show off? What to present it for?

One question after another cycled in his mind, leaving him somewhat dazed; will he not be beaten by his father when he returns home?

Considering his age, will his father not chase him with a stick?

Emperor Ning glanced at him and felt a secret amusement.

After Kang Lian left, Emperor Ning's face finally sank completely.

Those people's wolfish ambitions, formerly hidden in the dark, have now been brought into the open.

"How dare they?" Emperor Ning's eyes narrowed, yet his movements were gentle as he placed that letter together with the previously sent ones.

Eunuch Xi tested the water temperature, then poured tea for Your Majesty, saying, "Your Majesty, this is a good thing; hiding in the dark is ultimately uncomfortable."

Emperor Ning glanced at him and asked, "That lass, surely she didn't also write you a family letter, did she?"

Eunuch Xi's face fell instantly, "Your Majesty, how could a servant possibly receive the Princess Consort's family letter?"

Emperor Ning looked at him and then nodded.

"Your way of speaking is becoming more and more like that lass."

Previously he dared not speak a word; when he did speak, he was like a quail hiding in a corner.

Now he dares to utter a few sentences!

"I merely wish to please Your Majesty," Eunuch Xi chuckled, standing to one side.

At this moment in Xijiang, the townspeople have, in accordance with orders, withdrawn at night, and the houses in the city have been requisitioned by the military.

The border folk, accustomed to constant warfare, show no change in expression even when the troops organize their withdrawal.

"Can we still come back?" a little boy ran up to Jiang Yunchu, lifted his head, his innocent eyes bright and unsullied.

Jiang Yunchu squatted down, firmly nodded, and said, "Yes."

"Look." She pointed to the distance, where soldiers guard this city and safeguard Da Ning's border.

They used their lives to guard our home.

Each of them was guarding their own home.

So, the invaders will surely be driven out of our Da Ning.

Right?

She smiled so beautifully, calm and composed, yet her words were resonant and powerful; the soldiers who heard them straightened their backs and gripped their spears tightly.

They not only guarded these civilians, but also guarded their own homes.

"Sister, when I grow up, I will take over guarding the home." The little boy, with a childish innocent voice, now had a determined look.

Not waiting for Jiang Yunchu to answer, someone over there already shouted, "Shuanzi? Xiao Shuanzi? Where did you go?"

My mother called me, I have to go.

Sister, you must stay alive.

The little boy turned and ran, but when he reached the center, he paused for a moment, his gaze toward the guarding soldiers, and then, urged by his mother's voice, he left again.

If the youth are wise, the nation is wise.

If the youth are strong, the nation is strong.

That little fellow, along with the children behind him, were telling her that Da Ning's future was bright and splendid, because of them.

Dean, the civilians have finished retreating.

The City Lord has ordered that all civilians' houses may be used freely.

"The City Lord only took half of the grain." Zhang Cunwen walked over, his eyes visibly red, "The City Lord said, half is enough for the civilians; the army needs grain and fodder for war; all they can do is this half warehouse of grain."

The border civilians know well that surrender would make them slaves of another country; only victory would make them upstanding people.