Amid the fierce battle raging in Chang'an, Xu Zhen traveled the road, her heart heavy with news of the ongoing conflict. Anxiously, she made her way to Pingliang, searching everywhere for the princess but finding no trace of her.
The landscape of Pingliang was vast, its yellow earth swept by wind and sand. Xu Zhen visited the Pingliang Academy to seek directions and encountered one of her former students. With the student's guidance, she finally discovered the princess on the second floor of a nearly deserted teahouse.
Once the student led Xu Zhen to the location, they quickly departed, leaving her alone with the princess.
Without delay, Xu Zhen addressed the princess, "I've been looking for you for days."
She seated herself directly across from the princess, wrapped her sleeves, poured herself a cup of tea, and continued, "You need to deploy your troops to assist. If you don't, once this conflict concludes, the Central Plains may not include your lands."
The princess, arms crossed, sat opposite Xu Zhen, a smile playing on her lips. "Are you threatening me?" she asked.
Xu Zhen took a casual sip of tea and replied, "It's not a threat, just a request for an explanation."
The princess lifted her eyes to Xu Zhen, saying nothing.
Xu Zhen inquired, "Weren't you originally planning to attack Ye City? Why hasn't there been any movement?"
The princess responded, "It's not the right time."
Xu Zhen smirked, "In all my travels, I've never met anyone with more ambition than you. Every moment seems ripe for action in your eyes, yet you hold back. What are you worried about?"
The princess chuckled softly, "If you're asking, you must already have an idea."
Xu Zhen nodded, "Yes, I do."
The princess remained silent, sipping her tea.
Xu Zhen continued, "You're concerned that after this battle, the Northern King's fame will overshadow your own. So, you're conserving your strength; if Xiaochun wins, you'll oppose her. If she loses, you'll seize the opportunity to capture what's left of us. Isn't that correct?"
The princess's knowing smile confirmed Xu Zhen's suspicion.
Seeing her expression, Xu Zhen understood her intentions but didn't let it anger her. She had prepared for this before arriving.
Calmly, she assured, "I can promise you that if peace is restored, Xiaochun won't challenge your authority."
The princess paused her sipping, intrigued.
Xu Zhen added, "Nor will Ge Xier, Li Sanlang, or Xie Guang."
The princess traced her fingertip along the rim of her teacup and asked, "How can you be so sure?"
Xu Zhen replied confidently, "They are my students."
The princess questioned, "Do you believe that simply because they're your students, you can influence their decisions?"
Instead of a direct answer, Xu Zhen calmly explained, "After the Battle of Longmen, I had a discussion with the Duke..."
The princess nodded, remembering her conversation with the Duke. He had told her how Xu Zhen had proposed reforms to stockpile grain and raise troops in Pingliang, resulting in its current vitality. Xu Zhen had confidently predicted that within two years, her students would hold key positions in the court.
The thought struck the princess-Xu Zhen had been planning for a long time.
Suddenly, a surprising thought occurred to her: Was the current state of the world also part of Xu Zhen's strategy?
YOU ARE READING
The Resolute Cannon Fodder Teaching In Ancient Time
Fiction Historique(MTL)#4 Author(s): 凤啊凤 Link: https://www.jjwxc.net/onebook.php?novelid=2932408 Synopsis 1 Xu Zhen took in a little beggar and cared for her in every possible way. One day, she received a warning: this little beggar would become a great villain, an...
