Chapter 439: Chapter 423 Ambition
Fengyu handed the sandalwood box to Zhang Da. Following closely behind them like a tail was Han Ziqi. Fengyu and Xie Xun exchanged a glance, both equally puzzled.
Fengyu struck up a casual conversation with him, "Princely Heir, you’re the heir to Sangnan. The King of Sangnan truly trusts you, letting you venture into Yanyang’s territory—negotiating trade with the court, discussing business deals here in West State. You certainly are a busy man."
"Although I have over a dozen brothers, none of them are capable, nor do they dare to enter Yanyang. Father can only rely on me to undertake this arduous journey—what other choice do I have? It’s difficult to go against one’s father’s orders, and besides, with so many beauties in Yanyang, naturally I don’t mind coming and going." Han Ziqi’s gaze fell on Fengyu’s unparalleled face, and he couldn’t help but marvel at the wonder of creation.
"Perfection!"
"Love is a double-edged sword—careful, or it might pierce your heart," Xie Xun said brusquely, displeased by Han Ziqi’s presumptuous stare. He domineeringly pulled Fengyu to his other side. "What are you doing tagging along with nothing better to do?"
"We’re business partners, aren’t we? Just taking a stroll together."
"Not welcome!"
"Don’t be like that, ally." Han Ziqi chuckled lightly. "We Sangnan people are hospitable and mild-tempered. Whatever small misunderstandings might have occurred with you in the past, let me apologize here and now."
He was flexible and pragmatic, entirely unconcerned with saving face.
"Speaking of which, the Su Family’s Trading House has considerable holdings in Sangnan. If you’re always this hostile toward me, what if I get greedy and appropriate their assets? That wouldn’t be a small fortune to your Ningzhou Iron Cavalry, would it?" Han Ziqi quipped lazily.
"Are you threatening me?" Xie Xun’s expression turned cold. Ruyi, nestled in his arms and playing with a small pinwheel, sensed his anger and looked up at him timidly. Xie Xun’s face softened; he smiled at Ruyi, who obediently returned to playing with the pinwheel.
"We’re just having a casual chat—how did it turn into a threat?" Han Ziqi clasped his hands behind his back, strolling with them through the snowy landscape. "The Su Family’s Trading House conducts substantial business in Sangnan, with significant profits. Princely Heir and Third Miss, when you have time to visit Sangnan, I’ll be sure to extend the utmost hospitality."
"No thanks, I value my life," Fengyu said. She barely managed the Sangnan business affairs and had never been to Sangnan herself—there was someone specifically in charge. It seemed the Sannan Royal Family knew the Su Family’s Trading House like the back of their hand.
"With me around, who would dare harm Third Miss?"
"Sangnan requires so much iron ore—are you really planning to march on Yanyang?" Xie Xun asked. "Though I’ve had no direct dealings with the Southern troops, I’ve heard that during training exercises, you repeatedly suffered defeats at the hands of the Grand Marshal’s Left Wing Army. If you can’t even beat the Left Wing Army, and really press forward with a campaign, wouldn’t your 200,000-strong force end up buried on Yanyang’s soil? Don’t march them here to their deaths—there’s not enough land to bury them all."
"Training is just training—who uses their full might during drills?"
Xie Xun suddenly sneered, an air of disdain dancing in his brows and eyes.
"What’s so funny, Prince? Did I say something wrong?" Han Ziqi asked humbly, seeking guidance.
"Royal scions with idle time on their hands should spend more of it experiencing military life. Otherwise, from logistics and supplies to battlefield maneuvers, you’ll remain entirely clueless. And further, if you don’t utilize your full strength during training, you won’t even know your own weaknesses. Year after year you’re defeated, and the Grand Marshal can scatter you with just one formation. You don’t even have the chance to encounter his second or third arrays. Once on the battlefield, your army would collapse in no time. Especially Sangnan’s troops, who haven’t seen real war in decades—they’re nothing but greenhorns in our Ningzhou Iron Cavalry’s eyes. One strike per soldier, and you’re done!" Xie Xun’s words were blunt but well-meaning advice.
"I’m enlightened!" Han Ziqi mused thoughtfully.
Xie Xun had borne grudges against him in the past, but over the years, those had faded. He no longer had the bandwidth for such petty affairs, and he had spoken plainly this far. Curious, Han Ziqi asked, "Prince, if Sangnan were to go to war with the Grand Marshal, would you hope for us to win or lose?"
"What kind of nonsensical question is that? Of course, I’d hope you’d pack up and head home soon." Xie Xun replied coolly. "Jiangnan is Yanyang’s territory, and you Sangnan folk were carved out of Jiangnan. Now your wings have grown strong..."
"Ruyi, would you like some sugar-coated hawthorn?" Fengyu interjected with a smile, neatly cutting off Xie Xun’s words. Xie Xun tactfully dropped the subject as well.
The atmosphere was too congenial, and Han Ziqi appeared too harmless. In such weather, with a beauty by his side and a child in his arms, it was only natural that Xie Xun’s guard would drop.
Which is why he almost forgot—Han Ziqi was Sangnan’s future king.
He, too, harbored ambitions to claim the world. His stance would determine Yanyang’s attitude toward Sangnan in the years to come—whether to wage war or seek peace. Xie Xun would, without a doubt, reclaim Jiangnan.
"Third Miss, there’s no need to be so cautious. Back in the day, Marquis Zhenbei had plans to attack Sangnan. If not for that catastrophic upheaval, Sangnan and Yanyang would have long been at war. It’s no surprise to me if children inherit their fathers’ ambitions." Han Ziqi’s tone was light, as though he didn’t care in the slightest.
"Princely Heir jests. Our Prince is a man of great compassion, unwilling to raise troops, unable to bear seeing civilians displaced from their homes." Fengyu’s words were equally graceful. "Wouldn’t it be better if everyone lived peacefully and prosperously?"