t a year, even a month was a distant hope."Stop talking, I'll use my inner energy to keep you alive for now. When your condition stabilizes, I will personally take you to Yaogu Valley and ask Yaogui t...Ripple naturally understood Duan Zongqing's meaning, so she smiled and said:

"Father, please rest assured. With my skills, I can protect myself unless I encounter a large force."

"That's good."

After nodding in response, Duan Zongqing finally got to the point:

“I came to you today because of the marriage proposal from the Zhang family. Zhang Dashao has been hinting at it several times, and I managed to brush him off each time. But this time he brought it up directly, and I can't avoid it anymore. So I told him that I need to ask for your opinion before making a decision, which temporarily stalled him.”

Daughter, what do you think of Zhang Xuetao I've seen him being very attentive to you these past two years, and I haven't seen you directly reject him.

Duandashuai said.

"Father, I didn't clearly refuse him because it wasn't for you. You've been busy unifying the south. If we don't give the other side some hope, if the Zhang family plays tricks behind your back, our Duan family army will be caught between a rock and a hard place."

Although Zhang family might not succeed with their father's abilities, they will inevitably suffer grievous injuries. At that time, the Southern factions will be difficult to control and the rear base will become unstable. How can you expand your influence then

The ripples turned her wrist adorned with a jade bracelet, and said with a smile.

"Or perhaps my daughter is the wiser one."

After Duan Zongqing finished expressing his sentiment about his daughter being a caring little padded jacket, he went straight to the point:

Although the Zhang family is influential, my Duan family is not a pushover. You don't have to force yourself to marry a man you dislike for these matters. I will find a way to reject the Zhang family's proposal of marriage.

"No, Father, you must agree to him, and you must also hold a grand engagement ceremony for us both, so that all factions know."

Ripple smiled and said.

"Huh What do you mean"

Du Zongqing didn't understand what his daughter was doing.

"Father, please don't worry, let me tell you slowly."

The ripples calmed immediately.

You speak, I listen.

"Zhang Xuetao said he was studying in the south these two years, but actually he was circling around me, taking people to infiltrate our southern forces. What's his purpose My father knows better than I do."

I see you're turning a blind eye to this, probably because you don't want to directly confront General Zhang from the south just yet. Besides, the south isn't a unified front. You need time to consolidate your power, whether it be through warfare or winning people over.

Therefore, this marriage is definitely a must, and after the engagement, you can leverage the Zhang family's power to take down those most difficult families in the South. Then you'll have money and grain, and you can also learn from Zhang Xuetao and start sending people to slowly infiltrate Northern powers.

To avoid getting engaged, the Zhang family immediately requested marriage. You could send me to study in Country Y, where there is a new bridal school established by the royal family of Country Y. This would allow me to learn how to be a proper bride.

Four years later, when I return after completing my studies, if Zhang Xuetao is still clean as a whistle, then we'll hold a wedding ceremony. If he cheats on me, you only need to catch him red-handed, and you can directly break off the engagement while standing on the moral high ground.

Of course, after ripping apart the face, we have to confront the Zhang family head-on. Father had better be prepared.

Ripples lightly outlined her thoughts.

Duanzongqing didn't know what expression to make. The advisors around him didn't dare use their daughters' marriages as bargaining chips, but his own daughter had set such a huge trap.

"My dear daughter, tell me, how long have you been thinking about this"

"It's been two years now, ever since Zhang Xuetao started buzzing around me like a fly. I want to smack him dead every second, but for my father, I can only endure it."

The ripples spread their hands.

"Oh dear! My poor little girl must be feeling so wronged."

After Duan Zongqing finished his emotional outburst, he composed himself, straightened his face, and asked sternly:

"Since you've chosen this path, it means you're preparing to take over the power I hold."

"Yes! And I'm going to be the strongest one!"

Ripple answered very firmly.

"Good! Very well!

But mere ambition is not enough, you must learn to wage war, to study strategy and tactics. You are leaving for four years, how can I teach you if I don't have you by my side How can I ensure a smooth transfer of power when the time comes The people under my command won't just follow you because you're my daughter!

Duan Zongqing has already begun to consider the issue of transferring power.

"Father, you don't really think I went to country Y just to attend a bride school, do you"

"Our country Y still has a military academy, which will teach me how to fight wars. And our country Y also has advanced weapons, and I want to get some of them to arm our own troops."

With rippling eyes that shimmered and a smile gracing her lips, she spoke.

"You, little girl, it seems you've got everything planned out. I have no reason to refuse."

Duan Zongqing was in a good mood, and his tone was doting.

“But Father, I intend to pry into your corner and ask for a personal guard. These people must be young, capable, loyal to the Duan family, and preferably have some influence as deputy officers in the Duan army. They will go with me to learn the most advanced combat methods. Upon our return, they can immediately join the army and make an impact.”

Besides, I want to take my third and fourth concubines to country Y. I'd have them look after me there and see if we can start some businesses. My third concubine comes from a family of merchants and is well-educated herself. My fourth concubine is very beautiful, so she could also be an asset. This way, they can help my father too."

The ripples laid out their plans.

"You've thought this through carefully. These people studying abroad with you will be like your own kin. It will be convenient to have them around later, and you'll have plenty of time to win them over. It's just a matter of spending some extra silver, which shouldn't be difficult."

As for the autumn cicada and winter sunshine, as long as they are willing, I certainly wouldn't object. The autumn cicada entered the general's mansion with all of her family's property. Over these years while I was at war, she used half of it to help me, but these past two years, I have gradually repaid her. Even though I, Duan Zongqing, may not be great, I wouldn't stoop to taking advantage of my aunt's dowry.

"Alright, as long as Father doesn't mind me taking your beauties, I'll go tell the two aunts."

"Suit yourself! I'll go reply to Zhang Xuetao tomorrow. You still have one night to reconsider."

"I have no regrets! Let my father answer."

After Ripple finished speaking, she went to consult with the two aunts.

The next day, after receiving a clear affirmative response from Duan Zongqing, Zhang Xuetao was overjoyed and immediately stood up and said:

"Thank you, Lord Duan, for agreeing to my marriage with Liàn Yī. I will cherish her and make sure she lives a happy life."

"I too hope my daughter finds a good home, so as to live up to her late mother's expectations!"

"She's just a child after all, probably doesn't understand much yet. But she does like you, that's why she readily agreed to this marriage. I still want to keep her for a few more years though. How about we let you two get engaged first What do you think"

Duan Zongqing said with a light smile.

"Of course, no problem! I'll listen to Uncle."

Zhang Xuetao immediately said.

For such powerful entities, an engagement was tantamount to a public declaration, something that could never be revoked.

Soon after, Zhang Dashuai received the news of the agreement for marriage. He quickly set off with his men straight to the South.n't be caught off guard.The entire winter saw only two small snowfalls, barely covering the ground. But they melted quickly. The winter wheat didn't grow well either. Even after a spring rain, it rema...