A family of loyal martyrs, starting with nine wives to continue the family line.

When Wei Zhao finished reading Xiao Guanyin's petition, his fingers lingered on the table for a long time.

No one spoke inside the tent.

The secret letter that Hua Jieyu sent was still spread out next to the military map, and it was written very clearly on it.

Xiao Guanyin planned to lead a thousand elite troops back to Xianyuan, and with the help of Tuoba Yue's decree from the Western Qiang King, summon the Xianyuan and Western Qiang tribes to court first, and then force the Northern Rong, Eastern Hu, and Southern Man tribes to submit to her.

Those who are willing to submit will be registered in the Xinwu Domain.

Those who do not submit will have their ringleaders executed and their pastures seized.

When Wei Zhao saw the last few words, he almost burst out laughing.

it is good.

This is the real Xiao Guanyin.

It was indeed a disservice to make her shake the rattle drum in the palace.

When Xiao Guanyin married into the Wei family, Xianyuan and Zhongyuan were wary of each other, and not everyone in the Wei family necessarily treated her as one of their own.

She gritted her teeth and persevered.

Later, he didn't shirk any of the tasks, including defending the city, training cavalry, and translating tribal documents.

This kind of woman would suffocate if she had to hold and play with the child every day.

Wei Zhao knew all too well.

All nine of Wei's sisters-in-law are now his wives.

In the eyes of others, they were widows, concubines, and people who should have stayed peacefully in the harem.

But Wei Zhao didn't see it that way.

Liu Jingshuang is capable of commanding troops.

Huo Qingluan could devour 30,000 Red Blade Army soldiers.

Su Qingyun was able to establish the court's credibility with just a piece of wood.

Xie Daoning was able to establish the military medical department from scratch.

Shang Wanqing can disassemble the weapons of a million-strong new army into the cheapest and most lethal forms.

Hua Jieyu and Nie Yinniang intend to spread the secrets of the Brocade Robe Pavilion throughout the world.

Tuoba Yue had just given birth when she dared to use the Western Qiang King's decree to suppress five clans.

If Xiao Guanyin's only purpose is to coax Wei Xuan to sleep, then that would be a waste of her talents.

If the five major alien races could truly come to court and submit to the emperor, the northern, western, grassland, and mountainous regions of the Xinwu Dynasty would all be much less troublesome.

People won't die at the border every year; trade markets can be opened; ranches can be registered; and warriors from other tribes can advance and achieve merit.

If this succeeds, it will be of great significance.

Even Wei Zhaoguang, upon reflection, felt that this step was somewhat outrageous.

Ultimately, he didn't really expect Xiao Guanyin to subdue all five clans in one trip.

The Northern Rong have just suffered a defeat and may not be willing to accept it.

Donghu, a fence-sitter, will definitely have to wait and see.

The southern barbarians, separated by malarial lands, would not obediently bow their heads just because of an imperial edict.

Those old foxes from Xianyuan are no pushovers either.

If Xiao Guanyin returns, not everyone will necessarily call her princess; there will be even more people cursing her behind her back for betraying her clan.

Therefore, what Wei Zhao truly wanted to give her was not a mission that was guaranteed to be won.

It is a stage.

He let her do what she wanted to do.

She wanted to prove that she wasn't just a figurehead confined to the palace, so he gave her soldiers, imperial edicts, and the title of the new Emperor Wu.

As for how far she can go, that depends on herself.

Liu Jingshuang asked, "Does Your Majesty think it can succeed?"

'

Wei Zhao said, "We'll see how much we can accomplish. I didn't expect her to subdue five clans with just one letter."

Liu Jingshuang looked at him.

Wei Zhao smiled.

"But since she wants to try, why shouldn't I let her?"

Liu Jingshuang's eyes flickered.

Wei Zhao continued, "I have no shortage of obedient palace servants. What I lack are capable people. If Xiao Guanyin can help me move Xianyuan, that will be worthwhile. If she can also lead the Western Qiang to put pressure on the Northern Rong and Eastern Hu, then that will be a bonus."

"Issue the decree." Wei Zhao raised his hand.

The guards immediately entered the tent and knelt down.

"Xiao Guanyin is to travel north to Xianyuan. Emperor Xinwu is to be granted a ceremonial token, a thousand elite imperial cavalry, and secret agents in brocade robes to accompany her. The prefectures and counties along the way are to be supplied with provisions without delay."

The guards bowed their heads.

"As you command!"

Wei Zhao then said, "Tell Xiao Guanyin that I will only give her one sentence."

The guard looked up.

Wei Zhao stared at the border of the five tribes on the military map, his voice steady.

"Bring back those who are willing to submit."

"Those who refuse to submit, bring back your names."

The guard felt a tightness in his back.

"As you command!"

……

That night, after Wei Zhao finished processing the last batch of military reports, his eyes were a little sore.

Wei Zhao put down his pen and rubbed his temples.

"Your Majesty, it's time to rest."

The guards outside the tent whispered a reminder.

"understood."

Wei Zhao stood up, his shoulders and back aching.

He returned to his inner tent, and just as he untied his outer robe, the curtain was suddenly lifted gently.

Liu Jingshuang walked in.

She wasn't wearing armor, just a plain undergarment, her long hair cascading down her shoulders, and she was holding a small porcelain bottle in her hand.

Wei Zhao stopped moving.

"What are you doing...?"

Liu Jingshuang placed the porcelain bottle on the table, her expression as calm as if she had come to discuss military matters.

"The tranquilizer Xie Daoning gave me."

Wei Zhao looked at the medicine, then at her.

"wrong."

Liu Jingshuang looked up.

"What's wrong?"

Wei Zhao took two steps closer and looked down at her.

"Just have the guards deliver the medicine. If I still can't tell that General Liu personally delivered it into the inner tent, dressed like this, then I might as well not be the emperor."

Liu Jingshuang's ears turned slightly red.

It's very light.

But Wei Zhao saw it.

The weariness in his heart suddenly dissipated by most.

This woman was frighteningly cold in normal times, but on the battlefield, she would wield her sword to command the enemy, and even a glance from her would send chills down their spines.

But at times like this, she becomes as awkward as a newlywed bride entering her husband's room for the first time.

They've clearly moved on from that relationship.

But she still gets nervous.

Liu Jingshuang avoided his gaze and lowered her voice.

"Tuoba Yue has Wei Xuan."

Wei Zhao was taken aback.

Liu Jingshuang gripped her sleeve tightly and continued, "I want one too."

This sentence was spoken very softly.

But this made Wei Zhao's heart suddenly soften.

Liu Jingshuang rarely asked anything of anyone.

They would never use that tone to say they want something.

But now, she stands in front of him and says she wants a child too.

It wasn't for the sake of vying for favor.

Wei Zhao could tell.

She wanted to preserve the Wei family bloodline and also wanted to leave herself something to remember the family by.

Wei Zhan is dead. All nine sons of the Wei family are dead.

She has guarded the Wei family army, guarded the plain clothes and long swords, for far too long.

On the day Tuoba Yue gave birth to Wei Xuan, everyone laughed and everyone cried. Liu Jingshuang stood by the door, her fingers pressing on the scabbard, her eyes red but she didn't shed a tear.

Wei Zhao saw it at the time.

It's not that she doesn't envy them.

She's just used to enduring it.

Wei Zhao reached out and took her hand.

Liu Jingshuang's fingertips were very cold.

"Shuang Jing".

She looked up.

Wei Zhao said in a low voice, "You don't need to use the child to prove anything."

Liu Jingshuang's eyelashes fluttered.

"I know."

"There's no need to use the child to keep me here."

Liu Jingshuang frowned, finally getting a little annoyed.

"I don't."

Wei Zhao smiled.

"I know."

He pulled her closer and wrapped his arms around her waist.

Liu Jingshuang stiffened for a moment, then quickly relaxed.

She leaned against him, no longer standing as straight as usual.

Wei Zhao lowered his head and pressed his forehead against hers.

"If you want it, then you have it."

Liu Jingshuang looked up at him.

Wei Zhao's voice was low, but very earnest.

"But it's not because the Wei family lacks children, nor because Xinwu lacks princes."

He paused for a moment.

"Because you want it."

Liu Jingshuang's eyes suddenly reddened.

She gripped his shirt with her fingers, initially stiff, but then slowly closed her eyes.

After a long time, she pressed her lips to his, her voice so low it was almost inaudible.

"Wei Zhao".

"Um?"

Liu Jingshuang opened her eyes, her ears turning even redder.

"lamp."

Wei Zhao chuckled and waved out the lamp in the tent.