Rebirth: Making a Fortune in Ancient Times

"Get up, both of you," Xia Yu said to the two kneeling figures in front of her.

Then he looked up at the third, silent deputy general surnamed Guo and asked...

"I noticed that General Guo has remained silent. Does he have a different opinion?"

"Your Highness," General Guo said thoughtfully, "I have been pondering the words of both generals, and they both seem to make sense. However, I wonder if we could come up with a compromise that would allow us to launch a proactive attack without sending our soldiers to their deaths in vain."

His words piqued Xia Yu's interest, and she quickly pressed for an answer.

"Let me elaborate."

"If archers are prepared on the city walls every time troops are sent out for a surprise attack, they can provide cover during the retreat after a successful attack, preventing the enemy from entering our firing range. Wouldn't that be the best of both worlds?"

"The enemy also has archers. And our city doesn't have much military supplies. If we use this method, how should we deal with it when the Prince of Ding'an launches a full-scale attack?" The general who didn't advocate war said coolly.

"Hmph, if you're afraid of death, just say so. Making excuses is not the way of a man!" the young general who had just argued with said disdainfully.

"Alright, stop arguing." Zhao Bei stopped the argument as soon as he saw they were about to start fighting again. Then he turned to look at Xia Yu.

"Princess, what do you think?"

"General Zhao, why don't you share your thoughts first?" Xia Yu then turned his gaze to Zhao Bei.

"This...Princess, I really can't think of a good solution right now, and Jialing Pass has always been primarily a defensive position."

"General Zhao, have you ever thought about what will happen if the food I brought runs out one day?"

"This...this..." Zhao Bei was momentarily speechless; he hadn't considered this question.

"The food I brought is only enough for ten days. If we don't find a solution in time, we will all die here."

Upon hearing Xia Yu's words, the three people in the room were dumbfounded, while the remaining general, who advocated for war, showed obvious joy on his face.

Xia Yu didn't care what they thought and continued speaking.

"General Zhao, you should find a way to break this deadlock as soon as possible." Xia Yu made the final decision, setting the direction for the next battle. They certainly couldn't just hold their ground like this.

Since Xia Yu said so, the group stopped arguing about whether to fight or defend, and stood in front of the map again to study their battle strategy.

Seeing them like this, Xia Yu's lips curled into a slight smile. Now that's what a general on the battlefield looks like; she couldn't be blamed for deceiving them. She was still hoping this battle would end quickly so she could go home soon. She couldn't stay here with them every day.

Lost in thought, I heard the voice of Nineteen outside the door.

"Princess, the dumplings are ready. Where should we put them?"

Xia Yu glanced at the people with their backs to him. Although none of them turned to look at him, the chatter had stopped. The study was now so quiet that only their breathing could be heard. He smiled, turned to Nineteen, and gave her instructions.

"Let's put them in the flower hall. Go tell the kitchen that there are three more generals, and ask them to send over more."

"Yes"

After agreeing, Shijiu turned around and went to make the arrangements.

"It's getting late, generals, why don't you go and have some dumplings, the kind with chives and shrimp?" Xia Yu extended his invitation to the group of people who were listening intently.

"This...is too much of a bother," General Guo said, rubbing his hands somewhat embarrassedly.

“Yes, let’s just go back and grab something to eat.” The other person echoed politely.

"Don't be so polite. Eat these dumplings and go back to think about what to do next. If you dare to argue or quarrel again, you'll each get twenty lashes." Doesn't Zhao Bei know his men well enough? He was standing right next to them, and when they heard the word "dumplings," they stopped halfway through their sentence. Now that the princess has invited them to stay for dinner, they're all acting like sissies.

"Hehe, then we shall respectfully comply." The youngest general, who had always advocated opening the city gates to meet the enemy, immediately agreed upon hearing Zhao Bei's words.

Then the group moved to the flower hall. Having spent most of their lives in the army, they were always straightforward and efficient. Now that they had accepted the princess's invitation to stay for dinner, they didn't hesitate and sat down at the table without any hesitation.

The dumplings tasted delicious, just right for Xia Yu's palate. Noticing that the others were always a bit reserved around her, Xia Yu only ate a dozen or so before putting down her chopsticks.

"You all eat, I'll head back now. No need to get up and bow." With that, he left the flower hall with his two maids.

Once Zhao Bei was sure Xia Yu was far enough away that she couldn't hear him anymore, he called out to the guards outside.

"Go and get some garlic," he said, then turned to the others at the table.

"If you don't eat garlic with dumplings, they'll lose half their flavor."

"Exactly, but we didn't dare eat it in front of the princess. Garlic tastes good, but it makes your breath stink. Every time I eat it, my wife won't let me go to bed." Deputy General Guo put down his chopsticks and complained to the people at the table with a smile.

"Hey, why did you put your chopsticks down? Aren't you going to eat?"

Seeing him put down his chopsticks, the young general asked in confusion.

"I'll wait until the garlic arrives before I eat it!" Deputy General Guo chuckled and said.

The young general shook his head and continued eating the dumplings on his plate. He wasn't married yet, and he couldn't be like Old Guo, with his mouth full of garlic breath; it scared away any good girls.

Xia Yu, accompanied by two maids, boarded a carriage and headed straight back to her villa.

Currently, only Xia Yu and the twelve guards she brought live here. As soon as she returned to the courtyard, Xia Yu gathered everyone together.