Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 534: Return (Part 2)

For several years, Nanyang County maintained a low profile and patience. However, in the past two years, Jiang Shaohua’s brilliance has been too dazzling, and this northern pearl of Nanyang County’s splendor can’t be concealed, inevitably attracting the envy of greedy individuals.

Jiang Shaohua slightly smirked, recounting the matter of the Li Family women entering the palace to speak to Empress Dowager Li.

Chief Historian Feng listened in shock and anger: "The Li Family is truly greedy and shameless! To come up with such a disgraceful plan! Fortunately, the Emperor is wise and did not heed Empress Dowager Li’s nonsense."

Otherwise, it would indeed be a moderate trouble.

Chief Historian Chen frowned and said, "Though the Li Family’s hands have been thwarted, I’m afraid the Zheng Family and Wang Family might follow."

"Not only them, but we must also be wary of the Lu Family and Cui Family," Jiang Shaohua said calmly, "Lu Cong is capable, and Cui Wang has merits; I will employ them both. However, I will not allow the Lu Family and Cui Family to cultivate forces in Nanyang County."

Chief Historian Chen and Chief Historian Feng exchanged glances and agreed together.

Lu Xuan, from the Lu Family, is Jiang Shaohua’s biological father, and Elder Changning Cui Du is a descendant of the Boling Cui Family. The Commandery Princess is even wary of the Lu Family and Cui Family, revealing she doesn’t intend to share her power with anyone.

This is undoubtedly good news for the officials of the Nanyang Prince Mansion.

Jiang Shaohua explained everything she did in the Capital to the two historians. These matters had been written in letters, and now the three of them sat together, speaking directly and freely, without any need for concealment.

"In other words, the court is currently stable." Chief Historian Chen appeared gratified: "The Commandery Princess achieved great merit in her journey to the Capital!"

Chief Historian Feng sighed: "I’m only afraid the Commandery Princess’ sincere loyalty might be seen by others as overly ambitious and strong-handed. Courtiers may be resentful yet silent, and might secretly obstruct the Commandery Princess and Nanyang County in the future."

Jiang Shaohua smiled faintly: "It’s inevitable. But certain matters must be done by someone, and I believe they are worth pursuing."

The same is true: to accomplish great things, one must not fret about oneself. Fearful and cautious, one cannot achieve greatness.

Chief Historian Chen nodded: "The Commandery Princess is right to think this way. Having done it, consider its advantages. At least the Grand Empress Dowager and the Emperor trust and value the Commandery Princess even more. Whoever dares to present slander before the Grand Empress Dowager and the Emperor must weigh their own significance."

"Perhaps the Commandery Princess showcasing her strong abilities and tactics may attract some criticisms and dissatisfaction from certain senior officials. Yet it will also establish genuine authority. The tendency to bully the weak and fear the strong is human nature, and court officials are no exception. The old minister believes that in the future, no one will dare easily ensnare the Commandery Princess anymore."

Chief Historian Feng frowned and retorted: "You speak lightly. Even assassins have appeared! There’s no thousand-day thief, and no thousand-day defense against thieves. The Commandery Princess must be extremely cautious while traveling."

Regarding the identity and origin of the assassins, Jiang Shaohua had long speculated inwardly. However, she didn’t mention such matters to Chief Historian Chen or Chief Historian Feng, simply stating, "I will be careful."

The two historians knew the Commandery Princess’ temperament and quickly changed the topic.

"Commandery Princess, General Yu will be commanding the troops to escort the military provisions." Chief Historian Feng said, "At the current pace of grain delivery, it will take approximately half a month to reach Si State. The grain totaling two hundred thousand shi will sustain the border army for six months."

Jiang Shaohua let out a soft "Mhmm," her voice warm: "Offering grain was hard on Chief Historian Feng."

Chief Historian Feng indeed felt quite distressed. However, offering grain to the court benefits Nanyang County greatly, and discussing it further was unnecessary.

Chief Historian Chen pondered briefly, then whispered: "Did the Commandery Princess specifically send the Nanyang army to Si State with other intentions?"

Jiang Shaohua’s eyes flashed: "Yes. I instructed Yu Chong to stay in Si State for a few months once he arrives, without rushing back. If my prediction is correct, border army hostilities will erupt soon. Nanyang army, with four thousand elite soldiers, will take this opportunity to engage the Rouran Cavalry. Only by refining through warfare can truly elite soldiers be trained."

Chief Historian Chen and Chief Historian Feng had suspected this. Now, hearing the Commandery Princess’ confirmation firsthand, they were not particularly shocked, merely somewhat concerned: "Afraid the border army might lose, causing heavy losses to the Nanyang army."

"Too bad the strength of the Personal Guard Camp cannot be publicly known, otherwise, the Personal Guard Camp is much stronger than Nanyang army."

Jiang Shaohua’s eyes flashed again: "The Personal Guard Camp cannot leave Nanyang County lightly; sending the Nanyang army for grain delivery is most suitable. If further assistance is needed later, sending additional reinforcements from the Nanyang army is also fine. Don’t forget, Nanyang army’s roster claims five thousand soldiers."

In reality, Da Liang’s dozens of armies have rosters that are messy accounts. Embezzling and stealing soldiers’ blood is common; a claimed force of eight thousand might only have three to four thousand soldiers. The Nanyang army can do the opposite: the roster lists five thousand soldiers, and if actual strength doubles, it’s fine.

Chief Historian Chen and Chief Historian Feng instantly understood.

It turns out the Commandery Princess uses the Nanyang army’s banner for grain delivery, later perhaps deploying the Personal Guard Camp.

This intends to fully assist the border army in guarding Si State.

Chief Historian Feng couldn’t help but softly remind: "I know the Commandery Princess is wholeheartedly loyal to the court. But our Nanyang County has accumulated these resources over many years; let’s not over-invest them all."

Jiang Shaohua smiled slightly: "Rest assured, I have it in mind."

...

Cui Du and two others waited outside the study for over an hour until midnight when the study door finally opened.

Jiang Shaohua personally escorted Chief Historian Chen and Chief Historian Feng out of the study, then instructed: "Chen Sheren and Ma Dianshan, you are to escort the two historians back on my behalf."

Chen Jinyu and Ma Yaosong responded and accepted the order.

Soon, only Elder Changning Cui Du remained outside the study.

Jiang Shaohua looked at Cui Du, her voice gentle: "You’re still recovering, you should rest more. Let me escort you back."

Cui Du seemed quite taken aback: "It’s beyond reason for the Commandery Princess to escort me; I should escort you back to the inner quarters."

Jiang Shaohua thought for a moment: "Then you escort me first, and I’ll escort you afterward."

Cui Du felt a wave of delight, the corners of his mouth spread with a smile, nodding vigorously. Then suddenly, his right hand was held, a tingling sensation from the fingertips that continued to the depths of his heart.

Cui Du stood frozen in place for a moment, then reversed his grip on Jiang Shaohua’s hand.

Jiang Shaohua possesses surprising Divine Power, yet her figure is quite slender, her fingers long and delicate. Grasping in his palm, he could feel the calluses in her palm.

Only those truly close to her knew the extent of her daily persistence in martial arts training and the immense efforts involved.

The gentle thoughts in Cui Du’s heart vanished, replaced by tenderness and sympathy: "Commandery Princess..."

"Call me Shao Hua," Jiang Shaohua laughed softly: "No outsiders are present, just you and I as an engaged couple; no need to call me Commandery Princess. It’s fine to call me by my maiden name."

Cui Du responded with a smile, tentatively calling: "Shao Hua! Wait, don’t you feel it’s a bit strange?"

Jiang Shaohua laughed: "What’s strange about it? Will you call me Commandery Princess even after we marry?"

Jiang Shaohua mentioned marriage with an ease, yet Cui Du’s handsome face turned red instantly.

"Cui Du, I’ve changed my mind." Jiang Shaohua turned to look at Cui Du: "No need to wait for three years, we will marry next year."