——

Prince Qing's Mansion.

In the lobby.

"No! Impossible! I would never go to the barbarian lands!" Jin Changge's face flushed with anger as he shouted at his father.

King Qing sat calmly on his chair. He had long anticipated his daughter's attitude, so he remained composed with a faint smile and said:

"Hee hee, Yongning, your father knows you're proud and ambitious. You look down on ordinary people."

"These Nanman warriors are no ordinary people. The Wu family is the ruler of the Nanman, and their leader, Wu Kui, is a renowned hero who possesses the bravery of his father. Legend has it that he fought a tiger alone in the mountains at the age of sixteen, displaying unparalleled courage!"

Now that he controls Nanzhao, with many soldiers and brave generals under his command, your going to Nanzhao wouldn't be a disgrace to your status as the county princess.

After finishing his speech, Jin Changge shook his head like a rattle.

A delicate countenance had been flushed with a touch of crimson by indignation.

No, I know who the Nanman are. His father, Wukui, led them to invade our Great Han territory. If it weren't for General Huwei going to defeat him, they would still be causing trouble today.

"There's a saying, "Every son inherits traits from his father". I don't believe this Wu Kui is any good person."

Besides, I don't want to get married. What's so good about getting married? Staying at home and raising children? I can't sit still!

Having said that, she sat in the chair, fuming.

King Qing raised his teacup, taking a delicate sip before saying softly, "That's not quite how it is. The Nanman are now under the rule of our Great乾 Dynasty, they are nothing like they used to be."

Besides, not to mention that this Mu Kui is a heroic and chivalrous man, you wouldn't be wronged by marrying him. Furthermore, after your marriage, the Nanman people will be even closer to our great country of Daqian in the future, and they won't harbor any ill intentions. This would benefit both the country and the people.

"This is a win-win situation, what's not to like?"

After finishing her words, Jin Changge was taken aback. Then, her eyebrows rose slightly as she said in a deep voice:

"Father, if you say so, the barbarian people have already surrendered. Why should I marry into their land then?"

Moreover, over so many years, the barbarians haven't shown any signs of disloyalty. What reason could you possibly have for marrying me off to them now?

"Could it be that you...."

Before Jin Changge could finish his words, King Qing's face darkened. He spoke first:

"You keep talking about wanting to go into battle and fight, but you're a woman. What could you possibly do among those men? Who would follow you? Is your status as a princess enough?"

Without the status of a county princess, who would listen to you?

"By marrying Wu Kui, you can strengthen our ties with the barbarians and ensure their greater loyalty to us in the future. Furthermore, once you're in Nanman, anything you desire can be achieved by simply whispering sweet nothings in your husband's ear as the Queen."

“The barbarians are strong warriors. You should talk to Wu Kui about this; he'll give you a troop of soldiers to lead, and it wouldn't be a big deal at all. Wouldn't that suit you perfectly?”

As soon as his voice fell, Jin Changge's brows furrowed.

"I don't want to be like this, a woman can also achieve great things."

Why do I have to rely on others? I can start from scratch.

"Anyway, I won't get married, and I definitely won't go to the barbarian lands. Dad, whatever you say is useless."

You're pushing me, so I'll make a fuss. Hmph, I'd never marry you!

Upon hearing this, King Qing slammed his fist on the table, a hint of anger flashing across his face.

"Eternal peace! Listen well!"

“Nowadays, the world is not very peaceful. Some time ago, in the East China Sea, Fusang has begun to harass fishermen, showing signs of landing in the East China Sea and causing chaos.”

"And in Xijing, Qin Ze holds his troops close, using the pretext of war with Tu Yuan to arm himself further. He even had those sent by Your Majesty to deliver Imperial decrees killed! His treasonous intentions are known to all!"

There are still people from the Chi Chao Alliance stirring up trouble behind the scenes, inciting the populace!

"With such chaos and disturbances occurring frequently, if the barbarians were to harbor any ill intentions again, wouldn't the Great Qin dynasty be thrown into utter disarray? How could the common people ever live peacefully and prosperously then? In that case, there would inevitably be widespread bloodshed and suffering!"

"For you to marry a barbarian, it would be a good thing for both you and the people of this world!"

You keep talking about doing this and that for the people at home every day. Don't you just talk the talk?

After finishing her speech, Jin Changge's face paled suddenly, and her voice trembled:

"But...I really..."

Before he could finish, King Qing narrowed his eyes and interrupted:

Remember! You are the daughter of King Q, not an ordinary person. If you truly want to help the people of the world, then marry a barbarian and do something practical for them!

"Whether public or private, you should marry a barbarian from the south!"

Jin Changge was speechless. She wanted to argue back, but for a moment, she couldn't find the words.

As my father said, my marrying into the Southern Barbarians is indeed a good thing for the people of this land.

After all, the Nanman people are loyal to the Great Xia and have no rebellious intentions, so the common people will not be disturbed by war.

...just...

Is this really how I'm going to be married off to the barbarians, becoming some so-called barbarian king's wife?

In this instant, Jin Changge's heart was in turmoil, his face growing increasingly pale.

Of course, for the peace of Great Qin and to make the world less chaotic, even if I, one hundred times over, wouldn't want to, what could I possibly do in front of all these people?

Jin Changge could no longer find a reason to say "no," but her heart sank to the bottom. It felt like there was a stone lodged in her chest, making it hard for her to breathe.

A pair of hands trembled, clutching together. Their fingertips were numb.

At this moment, King Qing stood up and said word by word:

"During the Warring States period, the Great Qin Empire suffered countless battles. How many ordinary people perished in the chaos? Sending black-haired children to their graves is a common occurrence."

"After years of hardship, under the leadership of Your Majesty, no, under the leadership of all of us in the Jin family, we have finally reached this day, and achieved the prosperity of the Great Qin today!"

“You say how much effort we’ve put in? Now, seeing the Great Qin once again facing disaster, with chaos in Fushang and Qin Ze rebelling, these people and these events have poisoned countless lives, leaving the common people struggling to survive!”

"Don't you see? If your mother were still alive, she would say the same thing to me.

"You said it yourself, will you marry me?"

As soon as the words left his lips, King Qing's cold and sharp gaze fell directly on Jin Changge.

Looking at his father's sharp gaze, Jin Changge opened his mouth, but after a long pause, he trembled and managed to spit out a single word.

"to be married"

Upon receiving the answer, King Qing's expression softened somewhat. Seeing his daughter's face pale as a sheet, he walked over to Jin Changge and patted her shoulder, saying:

"Yongning, your father knows what you're thinking. You've always lived in the capital and never ventured far from home. You've never shown any interest in men, so it's natural that you'd be afraid of marriage."

"But you needn't worry too much, you are my daughter, and as your father, I naturally will consider for you. You are a county princess, representing the Great Qi royal family. Marrying Wu Kui is his good fortune; he dare not neglect you."

If you suffer even a little bit of injustice in the barbarian lands, just tell me, and I'll show this Wu Kui some color! Heh heh.

These words Jin Changge no longer cared about. She bit her lip corner, forcing out a slight smile, and she spoke:

"Father, then...then, when will I get married?" Jin Changge's voice trembled.

King Qing narrowed his eyes, deep in thought.

Before the Nanzhao were conquered and Beiliang was broken, it would certainly be impossible to marry my daughter off there.

After all, since she hasn't made any contributions, what use is there in marrying her off to Yongning?

The distance between Nanman and Beiliang was also quite far. These barbarians were physically strong, different from the ordinary soldiers of Dayan. This time they went on an expedition, demanding that each city along the way prepare their food and grass, fast horses, so that they could rush to Beiliang in a month or so.

Although providing them with this logistical support may seem worthwhile.

After all, the reason for choosing to let the barbarian forces march north against Beiliang was also to split their power in two.

When troops gather in large numbers, and over time their strength grows, it is inevitable that trouble will arise.

This time, when going to Bei Liang, a large force of troops should be sent from the southern barbarian lands. In the future, it wouldn't be a bad thing to have them stationed in Bei Liang. As long as they are dispersed, it will be much easier to govern in the future.

Of course, since choosing to let her daughter marry a southern barbarian, she wouldn't just send her alone to the south.

Yongning, after all, is a member of the Jin family and knows how to behave. When she gets married, she will bring some of her own people with her. Over time, she will gradually assimilate into this group of barbarians from within, making them useful to her. In the future, they will also become a source of strength.

Considering this, King Qing said with a faint smile: "Don't worry, it may take several months."

"Well now? At my words today, you're in a hurry?"

“That Mu Kui I’ve met before, he was a towering man, strong and sturdy. Though his appearance wasn’t particularly handsome, he was still a valiant figure. You once said you wouldn’t choose a husband who couldn’t beat you, hee hee

"

This Wukui, you definitely aren't his opponent

Hearing this answer, Jin Changge bit her lip and let out a sigh in her heart.

"Yongning, don't think too much. Just stay home these days and take good care of yourself. When the day you get married arrives, your father will definitely make it a grand affair! Heh heh,"

Listening to his father's laughter, Jin Changge squeezed his palms tightly and couldn't utter another word.

(Editor in charge：wings of fire graphic novel)