After Rebirth, My Wife Turned Out to Be Myself - Chapter 50

The country bordering the northern lands of Da Yue was initially called the Mingjin Kingdom. Mingjin was vast but sparsely populated, primarily inhabited by nomadic tribes. Later, Mingjin split internally, and through the evolution of war, it became the present-day East Ming and West Jin.

Mingjin’s national strength was originally no match for Da Yue, and after the split, it had even less power to contend with Da Yue. In fact, during Da Yue’s strongest period, Mingjin even showed a subtle trend towards becoming a vassal state of Da Yue.

But Da Yue declined year by year, and each successive emperor was less capable than the last. Now, Mingjin could stand as an equal to Da Yue.

Of course, unless East Ming and West Jin reunified, Da Yue would not necessarily lose.

But reunification was impossible.

One mountain cannot hold two tigers; one country can only have one emperor. Neither side was willing to be subordinate to the other.

Currently, undercurrents surged among the various states. On the surface, both East Ming and West Jin aimed their spears at Da Yue’s northern lands, but secretly, they were wary of each other.

The good news brought by Silver Snake was related to this.

“The Emperor of West Jin was severely injured. We heard it was an assassination attempt during a banquet for tribal leaders. And the assassin seems to be a dark guard from the East Ming imperial family.”

Hearing this news, Anyu and her second older cousin exchanged glances, both seeing the joy in the other’s eyes.

This news couldn’t be better.

The injury of the West Jin Emperor was no small matter. If the injury was severe, it would likely directly affect the West Jin court.

The West Jin Emperor had three imperial daughters and five imperial sons. If they started fighting… there would be no need for other countries to intervene; they could tear West Jin apart themselves, leaving them no time to worry about anything else.

Moreover, East Ming was also involved.

They had originally thought the two Mingjin countries would fight Da Yue to the bitter end this winter, but a turning point truly arrived just like that.

Her Majesty was right; there were indeed undercurrents between the countries, and no one could remain unaffected.

“The news is good, but we still can’t let down our guard,” Anyu said solemnly. “The defenses of the northern cities must not be relaxed.”

Hearing her say this, Xie Yunliang frowned suspiciously, “Does Younger Sister think this might be false information released by the enemy?”

If West Jin and East Ming had secretly joined forces and deliberately released false information to lure them in, it wasn’t impossible.

If Da Yue were to attack Mingjin at this time, they would indeed need to consider it carefully.

Anyu shook her head, “It doesn’t seem like false information.”

Nie Mingzhuo, the second younger brother of the Silver Snake Escort Agency’s head, also nodded at this moment, “I agree with the Deputy General’s statement.”

He possessed a very useful mind. Thanks to Her Majesty and General Xie’s regard, he was able to become a strategist for the Northern Army. Nie Mingzhuo also spared no effort, helping with all his might.

He lightly traced the map with his finger, “Actually, on the surface, Da Yue and the two Mingjin countries are currently only in a stage of mutual probing. Just as we cannot be certain that the West Jin Emperor is truly in trouble, similarly, the two Mingjin countries cannot be certain of Da Yue’s strength. This is why this tug-of-war has lasted for nearly three months without a full-blown war erupting.”

“If the news brought back by Silver Snake is true, then the two Mingjin countries will definitely cease hostilities first. If the news is false, Da Yue can choose to attack or not. Da Yue suffered a great disaster this year. Even if it has ambitions towards Mingjin, for the sake of the people’s livelihood, it is absolutely impossible to attack Mingjin at this critical juncture. So even if they release false information, they cannot lure Da Yue into starting a war first. The Mingjin people are also aware of this, so there’s no need to release such false information at this time,” Nie Mingzhuo sighed. “Therefore, I think Deputy General Xie is right; it doesn’t seem like false information, but we still cannot let down our guard.”

Xie Yunliang nodded, “That’s right. Her Majesty’s order to the Northern Army is to hold the northern border to the death and absolutely not allow the Mingjin army to step foot into the northern lands! As for when to attack the two Mingjin countries, that’s not something we should be thinking about now.”

“We just need to defend the northern border well,” Xie Yunliang smiled. “But this news is indeed good news. If nothing unexpected happens, perhaps we can return to the capital by spring. Right, Younger Sister?”

Anyu’s eyes sparkled, but she didn’t show much more, “Mm.”

Nie Mingzhuo looked at the two of them, feeling a sense of emotion.

The Deputy General of the Northern Army was Lady Consort Wan, who had once saved their siblings. Just as his eldest sister had said, Lady Consort Wan was courageous and resourceful. Although still young, she was not to be underestimated.

Having been in the Northern Army for two months, Deputy General Xie had repelled countless enemy forces and cut off countless greedy hands that sought to encroach upon Da Yue’s northern border.

And the commander of the Northern Army was Deputy General Xie’s second older cousin, Xie Yunliang, a figure familiar to all northern people. This was the general who had come to the north for disaster relief back then. He had visited every city and every small town in the north.

The people of the north also remembered this face.

As people born and raised in the north, the Nie siblings also held gratitude and respect for Xie Yunliang.

This time, Xie Yunliang was no longer a disaster relief imperial envoy but a military general.

He was brave and skilled in battle, resolute and fierce.

Before leaving the escort agency, his eldest sister told him that she hoped he could realize his ambitions in the Northern Army. But sometimes Nie Mingzhuo felt that having him in the Northern Army didn’t add much, and lacking him didn’t subtract much either…

The Northern Army was already very good.

Carrying such feelings, Nie Mingzhuo walked out of the tent and sighed.

“Mr. Nie!”

Nie Mingzhuo turned back. It was Anyu who had called out to him. He was immediately surprised, “Deputy General, calling me ‘Mister’… you humble me.”

“You seem a bit distracted,” Anyu showed a smile.

Nie Mingzhuo smiled back, “The Deputy General worries too much.”

“When we return to the capital, I will request commendations from Her Majesty. Silver Snake has helped a great deal.”

Nie Mingzhuo couldn’t hide his joy upon hearing this, “Mm…”

Both he and his third younger brother had come to the Northern Army. Silver Snake was now solely managed by his eldest sister.

Anyu exhaled and smiled, “My second older cousin is very skilled at leading troops, but there are many intricate matters he doesn’t understand. In the future, I hope Mr. Nie will advise him more.”

Nie Mingzhuo didn’t expect her to say this and was momentarily stunned. Then he quickly waved his hand, “Deputy General, what you said is too… The General has the Deputy General, I… cannot play much of a role, and certainly don’t deserve the word ‘advise’.”

Anyu lightly patted the scholarly young man in front of her. Seeing him stumble from her pat, she immediately laughed, “I won’t stay in the Northern Army forever. Haven’t you realized why Her Majesty sent you to the Northern Army?”

Nie Mingzhuo was taken aback, “Her Majesty sent me…”

“Yes, Her Majesty specifically sent you. You and your third younger brother joining the Northern Army isn’t just because I requested commendations from Her Majesty. Her Majesty never does anything meaningless. You are here, I am here, and even my second older cousin is here, all by Her Majesty’s decree.”

As Anyu said this, Nie Mingzhuo suddenly had a realization.

Why wasn’t a more capable general from the court sent to defend the northern city? Why was it Xie Yunliang, who had previously come to the north for disaster relief? One reason was to cultivate Xie Yunliang, and the second was because this was the north, and the northern people had absolute gratitude and trust in Xie Yunliang.

But…

Nie Mingzhuo subconsciously thought of something, but standing before him was Xie Anyu, and he didn’t dare to say it.

“The Xie family will not rebel,” Anyu seemed to know what he was thinking and smiled, “If there ever comes a day when Xie Yunliang raises troops in rebellion, I will personally lead troops to take his head.”

“Her Majesty trusts the Xie family. But I am just…” Nie Mingzhuo sighed.

“Don’t underestimate yourself,” Anyu gave him a thumbs-up. “I think you are very capable. My second older cousin truly needs a talent like you by his side.”

Nie Mingzhuo froze.

After saying this, Anyu happily walked away.

The thoughts in Nie Mingzhuo’s mind couldn’t be changed by her few words, but she had planted the seed. Rooting and sprouting was just a matter of time.

After she left, Xie Yunliang walked out of the tent. Clearly, he had also heard the conversation between him and Anyu just now.

However, his expression was somewhat complex. Exchanging glances with Nie Mingzhuo, Xie Yunliang asked, “Mr. Nie, do you not want to be my strategist?”

He was, of course, pleased with Nie Mingzhuo as a strategist.

It should be said that it wasn’t up to him whether he was pleased or not. When Mr. Nie first arrived at the Northern Army, Her Majesty had sent him a letter.

“This is the strategist I have found for Minister Xie. Treat him well.”

But he had not revealed this matter to anyone.

He hadn’t expected Nie Mingzhuo to have such thoughts. It was he, the general, who had failed to consider this.

Nie Mingzhuo immediately lowered his head, “This humble subject dares not.”

Unwilling? Absolutely not!

Xie Yunliang heavily patted his shoulder, “Anyu is right, don’t underestimate yourself.”

Nie Mingzhuo:!

“Yes.” Although… his shoulder hurt a little.

Clearly, Xie Yunliang didn’t realize he had hurt the frail scholar in front of him. He chuckled to himself, “My eldest older cousin is also a strategist. Sometimes I don’t quite understand what you smart people are thinking.”

Nie Mingzhuo immediately realized who he was talking about.

Xie Yunyu… that was Her Majesty’s strategist.

That was Xie Yunyu, who had been in office for less than a year but was appointed Minister of Revenue by Her Majesty against all dissenting opinions!

“How can this humble subject be compared to Minister Xie?” Nie Mingzhuo said in fear.

Xie Yunliang shook his head, “What I mean is… no, you are more suitable for me than my eldest older cousin, understand?”

Nie Mingzhuo:?

“You are quite good. You will discuss your opinions with me and raise them,” Xie Yunliang sighed. “I think you are a good strategist.”

He couldn’t understand his eldest older cousin’s thoughts. In his eldest older cousin’s eyes, he was just a stupid younger brother.

Nie Mingzhuo’s heart tightened. He looked up and saw Xie Yunliang’s bright eyes were sincere.

“I… Yes!”

Xie Yunliang was happy to see this, but then he rubbed his nose, “Don’t think I’m stupid either. There are only a few people in this world as smart as my eldest older cousin and my younger sister.”

He had originally thought that if his younger sister was the deputy general, he would have to keep a close eye on her and prevent her from acting impulsively.

But now…

How was it that his younger sister was helping him instead?

He felt that Anyu had been influenced by Her Majesty and was becoming increasingly calm and intelligent.

So, the grown-up Xiao Anyu was like his eldest older cousin? The kind of person who could see ten steps ahead?

“How do I feel like I’m the one dragging the Xie family down?” Xie Yunliang murmured, looking up at the sky.