Shaoyao sent Hua Hua to the study and then went back to continue tinkering with her medicines.
Hua Zhi looked at the bookshelf—one section full, the other mostly empty—and remarked, "We'll need another one. Twelve carts of books won't fit on just this shelf."
"I had someone start making one as soon as you mentioned it."
"The study is a bit small. Adding another bookshelf will make it cramped."
Hua Yizheng also surveyed the study, which, though hastily arranged, was far more meticulously prepared than their living quarters. "I plan to have the younger ones squeeze together a bit more so we can clear out the adjacent room and connect it."
"Can they really fit any tighter?" During her idle days at home, she had asked Shaoyao to push her around to see the arrangements. The younger ones were already sharing rooms in threes, and the rooms weren't large to begin with. Adding another person would likely leave no space to even stand.
"They haven't endured this past year for nothing. This won't be a problem for them."
Hua Zhi said no more. In front of her grandfather, it was best to act the part of a junior. There was no need to flaunt her limited capabilities. Instead, she brought up another matter. "Grandfather, please speak to everyone and ask them not to gossip about Zeng Han behind his back. Though he's a child, he understands more than people think."
Hua Yizheng frowned slightly. "Has someone said something?"
"I didn't inquire, but I can imagine." If no one had said anything, Zeng Han wouldn't have spoken the way he did. "I understand why everyone is wary of Zeng Han, but they shouldn't assume he'll become a second Zeng Xian just because his father was driven mad. He's only four years old now, still learning and adapting to the world's rules. What he absorbs during this time will shape what he becomes. If he grows up to be wicked, the responsibility lies with me and the Hua family. A child raised in happiness and stability will have a gentle heart and won't turn out that way."
"You're right. I'll remind them." Hua Yizheng looked at his granddaughter. "Are you planning to raise him yourself?"
"Most likely. This child... is too clever. I hope his intelligence is directed toward the right path." A highly intelligent villain could cause immense damage. Hua Zhi shook her head slightly. Hearing movement outside, she said, "That must be Wu Yong. You speak with him. I'll listen in."
"I'd rather watch you handle the discussion."
Hua Zhi smiled. "I wouldn't dare show off my petty cleverness in front of you."
Hua Yizheng tapped her affectionately and stood up, walking to the door to greet Wu Yong with a bow. "Greetings, General Wu."
Wu Yong quickly steadied him. "Old Master, I am unworthy of such courtesy."
"Courtesy must be observed."
Hua Zhi inclined her upper body slightly from her wheelchair, but Wu Yong practically leaped aside. This was The Heir's beloved! He felt like bowing to her instead!
Having waited for him only to be unable to play, Shaoyao was a little sulky. She humphed twice and headed for the door. Hearing the noise, Wu Yong turned and saw her already stepping over the threshold. He hurried after her. "After we finish talking here, shall we continue playing?"
Shaoyao brightened up a little. "Fine, I'll wait for you."
After taking two steps, she remembered something and rushed back, scrutinizing Wu Yong up and down several times before shaking her fist at him. "Stay away from Hua Hua."
Wu Yong's eyes widened. He'd have to be out of his mind to dare entertain any thoughts about Hua Zhi! He'd rather play with the odd girl!
Wait... why did that feel a bit wrong?
Watching their interaction, Hua Zhi grew even more certain of her suspicions. She cleared her throat lightly, interrupting Wu Yong's apparent train of thought. "General Wu, please have a seat."Wu Yong glanced at Shaoyao, who was hopping and skipping away into the distance, then walked back and took his seat at the head of the table. "May I ask what brings the young lady to seek me out?"
"It's not me, but my grandfather."
Wu Yong gave her a meaningful look before shifting his gaze to Hua Yizheng.
Hua Yizheng produced a folded item and handed it to him. "The Hua family wishes to propose a transaction with General Wu."
Wu Yong took it—a neatly folded square of silk. As he unfolded it, his posture straightened the moment his eyes fell upon it. This was actually a city defense map unlike any he had ever seen.
"The Wu family has been stationed at Yinshan Pass for as many years as they have confronted the tribes beyond the pass. But forgive my bluntness, the city's defensive layout has seen little change over all these years. To put it plainly, the defensive deployments of Yinshan Pass have likely long been thoroughly understood by the enemy. Had it not been for the ongoing turmoil beyond the pass these years, Yinshan Pass might not have remained stable for so long."
Hua Yizheng took a sip of tea to moisten his throat and continued, "From what I know, the tribes beyond the pass completed their unification this past April. In the few short months since then, the frequency of border raids has already surpassed that of the entire previous year. Moreover, this year is a famine year. No one knows when such probing might turn into a full-scale invasion. General Wu, do you believe Yinshan Pass can withstand it when that time comes?"
Wu Yong's expression turned icy—this was the Wu Yong, the garrison commander of Yinshan Pass. "Everything the elder says is correct, but there is one point I must refute. The Wu family has not been idle all these years. In fact, the prolonged turmoil among the grassland tribes is largely due to the efforts of the Wu family. The spies we painstakingly train suffer losses of over twenty men each year. As for the city defenses—" Wu Yong snorted coldly, "Do you think the Wu family would rely solely on deployments known to everyone to guard Yinshan Pass?"
Hua Yizheng showed no surprise and nodded. "I have noticed. Yinshan Pass has both overt and covert forces. May I ask, General Wu, how does the true deployment compare to this one?"
Wu Yong studied the drawing in silence for a moment. "The elder is truly a master strategist."
"The Hua family may lack physical strength and would be no match for the enemy on the battlefield, but when it comes to devising strategies, our minds work faster than those of your generals." Hua Yizheng smiled. "If the Hua family dedicates the full strength of our clan to assist General Wu in defending Yinshan Pass, would you be willing to cooperate?"
Wu Yong suddenly turned to look at Hua Zhi. "Was this his idea?"
Hua Zhi knew exactly who "he" referred to. She neither confirmed nor denied it. "If the Hua family proves useless, I presume General Wu would not employ us. But if we can truly be of assistance to you, what harm is there in cooperation?"
The logic was sound, yet Wu Yong felt there must be some personal sentiment involved. If he guessed correctly, the Hua family saw this as a starting point for their resurgence. And rightly so—rather than muddling through life aimlessly, it was better to set a goal and strive toward it. For him, it was a situation with no downsides.
"How does the elder plan to proceed?"
"Allow members of the Hua family to enter the military camp. You may set the rules for how they enter." Hua Yizheng glanced at the silk map—the result of a night's work by several of them. His eldest son had used mathematical calculations, his illegitimate child had provided the framework, and he himself had deduced the hidden aspects based on clues his youngest son had observed from frequent visits to the garrison commander's residence. Together, they had filled in the gaps and produced this map, which even Wu Yong had to regard highly.“To avoid being an armchair strategist, one must understand how the military operates. No matter what tactics are employed, they require practical drills. And as for Zhi Er’s sand table, General Wu, don’t you think it’s a tremendous waste to treat it merely as a game?”
Waste? Wu Yong had nearly rushed to the military camp the moment he left yesterday. Only through actual confrontation could the sand table’s potential be fully realized, and only then could commanders truly hone their leadership skills.
The Daqing Dynasty had not seen a major war in years, and what it lacked most were experienced, capable commanders.
Wu Yong stood up. “As you wish.”
Hua Zhi exchanged a glance with her grandfather. It was done.
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