On the wedding day, my wife was abnormal

Lin Zhenxian listened to Lin Zhen's clear and passionate explanation, and unconsciously stopped teasing his great-grandson.

His cloudy but still sharp eyes fell on Lin Zhen's face. Looking at the ambition and light in his grandson's eyes that were like burning flames, he felt both relieved and complicated.

This kid...his vision and perspective have long surpassed his grandfather, who only knew how to chop off people's heads.

He was silent for a moment, handed the little Chengshu, who was tired from playing and began to doze off, to the wet nurse next to him, and signaled another wet nurse to take the babbling little granddaughter down to rest.

Then, he picked up the purple clay teapot on the low table and poured a cup of strong tea for himself and Lin Zhen respectively. He took a sip slowly before speaking slowly, his voice carrying a hint of vicissitudes and the indifference of someone who had seen through the world:

"Zhen'er... everything you mentioned... road construction, mining, farming, trade... every single one of them sounds good. They're all long-term plans that will benefit the country and the people."

He put down the teacup and looked at Lin Zhen calmly.

"But... these things are too time-consuming! Too expensive! Too tiring! I have to deal with those cunning merchants, deal with those stubborn tribal leaders, appease those impoverished refugees, and guard against those scoundrels who are jealous of the mining profits... It will take at least ten or eight years to see any significant results! This old man..."

He pointed at his gray hair and beard, a self-deprecating smile on his face, "I'm seventy-four this year! I've been chopping people all my life, and these old bones are tired! I can't chop anymore! Now, I just want to enjoy my grandchildren and live a peaceful life. Watching Cheng Yu and Cheng Shu grow up day by day, watching those little girls babbling and learning to talk... This is better than anything else! These... the mines, the fields, the trade routes... you can handle it! I don't care anymore! I can't care anymore!"

He waved his hand, looking like he had completely given up, picked up the rattle again, and teased Cheng Yu who had crawled to his legs to play again.

Lin Zhen felt both angry and amused when he saw his grandfather lying down completely, as if he was content with having grandchildren.

He knew his grandfather was speaking the truth.

The greatest happiness in his later years for this old prince, who had spent his entire life in military service and killed countless people, was to be surrounded by his children and grandchildren and enjoy family life.

In his eyes, the grand ambitions of governing the country, maintaining peace and expanding the territory were far less real than his great-grandson pulling his beard.

"Grandfather," Lin Zhen smiled helplessly, picked up the teacup and took a sip to moisten his throat. He suddenly changed the subject, like a sharp sword drawn from its sheath, "You don't care about these domestic affairs and people's livelihood. Your grandson understands. You want to enjoy a peaceful life, and your grandson is happy for you. But..."

He put down his teacup, his eyes blazing as he stared at Lin Zhenxian, "You can't just walk away from this war, can you?"

"Fight?" Lin Zhenxian paused again while teasing his great-grandson. A sharp light flashed in his cloudy old eyes, like a sleeping lion waking up!

He slowly raised his head and looked at Lin Zhen, "Who are you hitting?"

"South Korea!" Lin Zhen spat out two words, his voice was decisive and filled with a murderous aura like the sound of metal clashing!

"Han Guo?" Lin Zhenxian raised his eyebrows slightly, his eyes gleaming even brighter. "That loser Han Tianhong?"

"Exactly!" Lin Zhen leaned forward slightly, his eyes blazing. "Grandfather, look at the current situation! Northern Yan has been pacified. Although its territory is vast, it is cold and barren, and the people are not loyal. It will take time to digest. Qin and I have a marriage alliance, and the King of Qin is young and very friendly to Daqian. And Han..."

The corners of his mouth curled up in a cold arc. "It's located in the heart of the Central Plains, with fertile land and a dense population, it's a place of war on all sides! However, its ruler, Han Tianhongan, is foolish and incompetent, addicted to wine and women, and favors treacherous officials! The government is corrupt, and the military is lax! In the country, powerful ministers are in power, and the people are boiling with resentment! Its army, claimed to be 200,000, is mostly elderly, weak, and sick, and has long been out of battle! Its capital, Xinzheng (Zhengzhou), may have the danger of Hulao Pass, but the defending general, Han Hu, is the brother of Han Tianhongan's favorite concubine. He is greedy for life and afraid of death, and he loves to show off. He is actually a fool!"

Lin Zhen's voice resonated like the beating of a war drum, brimming with the confidence of someone who understood the enemy's situation. "On the other hand, my Great Qian! Northern Yan has just been pacified, yet the main frontier forces remain intact! The elite Imperial Guards and Jinwu Guards are all present! Furthermore, the deepwater port of Hu County continuously delivers provisions, salaries, and weapons! With the might of my grandfather, I will lead my Great Qian army, a force that has fought for a hundred battles, and with the remaining momentum from the pacification of Northern Yan, I will march south! We will conquer Hulao Pass, conquer Xinzheng, and capture the King of Han! I, your grandson, dare to assert that in three months at the earliest, and half a year at the latest, the Kingdom of Han will be destroyed! All of its fertile lands will belong to my Great Qian territory!"

He looked at Lin Zhenxian with a piercing gaze, his voice filled with unquestionable determination and compassion: "Grandfather! This chaotic world! The sooner it ends, the sooner the people of the world can be freed from the ravages of war! The sooner they can recuperate and live and work in peace! South Korea is the weakest link in this chaotic chessboard! Remove it, and Daqian will be able to control everything north of the Yellow River! Then, we can rest and recuperate for two years, accumulate strength, and then..."

His eyes flashed with cold light as he spoke word for word, "...March south! Point the sword at Southern Chu! Kill that bastard Gu Beichen! Unify the country!"

"Gu Beichen..." When Lin Zhenxian heard this name, his eyes instantly burst into a cold murderous intent as if it were real!

This name, like a poisonous sting, deeply pierced his and Lin Zhen's hearts!

His thin fingers suddenly clenched the purple clay teacup in his hand, his knuckles turned white, and a slight "click" sound was made!

A murderous aura as fierce as that of a prehistoric beast instantly emanated from his hunched body!

The temperature in the entire Songhe Hall seemed to drop suddenly!

Even Cheng Yu, who was playing on the ground, seemed to sense something and looked up at his great-grandfather with some uneasiness.

Lin Zhenxian slowly put down the teacup, and a fine crack had quietly appeared on the bottom of the teacup!

He raised his eyes and looked at Lin Zhen. His eyes, old but still sharp like an eagle, were burning with a raging desire to fight and deep hatred!

He was silent for a moment, his voice like sandpaper rubbing against each other, clanging like metal:

"South Korea...deserves to be attacked! Gu Beichen...deserves to be killed!"

He paused, his eyes sweeping over Lin Zhen's young and sharp face, then looking at his great-grandson Cheng Yu, who was nestled against his legs and innocent. The murderous intent in his eyes slowly subsided, turning into a deep, calmness like an ancient pond.

He spoke slowly, his voice returning to its previous calmness, yet carrying an undeniable weight:

"But Zhen'er, war is no joke. A war to annihilate a nation requires extreme caution. Food, weapons, soldiers, generals, timing, and even the right weather, location, and people are all essential. What you just said about the weakness of South Korea is true. But even a lion will use all its might to fight a rabbit. I... will consider your words carefully. I will make a decision after I have reviewed the latest geomancy maps from the Ministry of War and the grain and treasury records from the Ministry of Revenue."

He did not agree immediately, nor did he refuse outright.

But the word "consider" sounded as heavy as a rock.

This shows the old commander's composure and his absolute caution towards this war of annihilation that may determine the fate of Daqian.

He picked up the rattle again, shook it gently, teasing Cheng Yu beside his legs, and a kind smile reappeared on his face, as if the shocking murderous intent that had just erupted had never existed.

But deep in those slightly narrowed eyes, there was a storm brewing like an abyss, powerful enough to swallow up mountains and rivers.

Lin Zhen looked at his grandfather's reaction and understood.

He knew that his grandfather, the sleeping lion, had been awakened again by him.

The battle to destroy South Korea is a foregone conclusion!

The rest is just a matter of time.

He picked up the teacup, drank the slightly cold tea in one gulp, and looked out the window.

Outside the window, the sun was shining brightly, and Cheng Yu's clear laughter echoed in the hall.