Zhao Jiaqi's whole body prickled with goosebumps at the thought of such a tragic event. Her hair stood on end, and the chair beneath her felt like it was covered in needles, making her unable to sit still!
"Husband, I'll write back to Junjun right away. You should send more people to collect medicinal herbs and grain, and send them to Zongsheng Kingdom first!"
After instructing him, Zhao Jiaqi scurried away from the room.
In the study, Zhao Jiaqi wrote down all her speculations and worries. At this moment, they had to rally imperial physicians and folk doctors. While saving lives, they must also pay close attention to the rainfall and livestock.
She wrote a long letter, detailing everything and instructing her meticulously, for fear of a plague spreading uncontrollably and then engulfing them, turning into another battlefield for human extinction.
Fan Zehao immediately ordered his subordinates to procure medicinal herbs, grain, clothes, and cotton quilts, the more the better!
As he instructed his subordinate to go to the study, he happened to see his wife releasing a carrier pigeon. Watching the bird soar into the sky, he placed his arm around his wife's shoulders.
"I've already given the orders. Once we have enough for a cartload, we'll ship it. There will be no delay. Rest assured, I believe Junjun and Xiao Ba will overcome this hardship!"
Zhao Jiaqi watched the disappearing pigeon and sighed, "I'm afraid this hardship is too great to overcome!"
However, Fan Zehao did not see it that way. "This is a natural disaster, not man-made. If it can be avoided, I believe even the ruthless Zong Han wouldn't abandon his people. But he is fortunate that we can extend a helping hand to him through this difficult time. Money, food, medicine, clothes, and quilts—as long as he needs them, we will not be stingy. As a mother-in-law, you have done all that you can, and no one can fault you!"
Zhao Jiaqi turned her head and looked at her husband, saying faintly, "Compared to life, what is my reputation worth? The hardship I spoke of is not about readily available wealth, but the fear that while Zongsheng Kingdom is 'sick,' someone is trying to take its life!"
A strong nation, yet it feared natural and man-made disasters, and such fatal ones at that!
Fan Zehao understood his wife's concerns and felt that the situation was indeed not optimistic. However, he then recalled their signed contract, which stipulated no war for a hundred years.
"No war within a hundred years, that's the contract the vassal states signed. They wouldn't go back on their word, would they?"
Zhao Jiaqi replied, "A contract is just a piece of paper. It can restrain a gentleman but not a villain. Which emperor doesn't wish to expand their territory and become the brightest star on the Cangyi Continent? Now that Zongsheng Kingdom is suffering this calamity, I would admire these countries if they didn't try to take advantage. If Zongsheng Kingdom truly finds this difficult to overcome, I suspect those people will kick them while they're down!"
Fan Zehao took a deep breath. It seemed he was too naive, trying to expect everyone to think like him. Unfortunately, there weren't many upright gentlemen.
"Then I will station troops at the border. If anyone tries to provoke or launch a war, I will not stand idly by. Not for Xiao Ba, but for our daughter, I must intervene!"
Zhao Jiaqi clasped his hand, looking at the determined will in his eyes, which filled her with unease.
The words of Master Lü Can from back then were still vivid in her memory! Although she hadn't understood his meaning then, she understood it now!
"No, we cannot ignite the fires of war. War benefits no one. Setting aside the waste of silver and grain, human life is the most important!"
Fan Zehao's expression immediately turned grim. Over the years, his wife had always been generous, always prioritizing human life and considering the common people in everything. He had no objections to these things, as it was a contribution to the people's well-being, aligning with heaven and earth, and his own conscience. However, at this moment, his daughter was in Zongsheng Kingdom, living a life as if in dire straits. Would his wife not consider their child's safety?
He removed his hand from Zhao Jiaqi's shoulder and, for the first time, looked at her with sharp eyes. He asked coldly, "If Mengmeng married Zong Han and faced such a situation today, would you still be so calm and tell me to put down my sword and not protect her?"
Zhao Jiaqi understood the implication of his words, her brow furrowed. She replied, "In your eyes, am I that kind of person, Zhao Jiaqi?"
"Junjun is not my biological daughter, but I raised her. She is my daughter too, and her place in my heart is the same as Mengmeng's, with no distinction!"
"If that's the case, then why don't you let me protect her? Why are you always worried about the lives of others? Are their lives worth living, but Junjun's is not?"
Fan Zehao felt deeply hurt. Anger etched itself onto his angular face. Without giving Zhao Jiaqi a chance to speak, he continued, "I took up my sword in the past to protect you. Now that I have the capability, as the children's father, I have even more responsibility to protect them. They are suffering now, and I am protecting them in my own way. Am I wrong?"
With each question, he spoke in a suppressed growl, pouring out all his dissatisfaction and incomprehension. This was the first time he had ever raised his voice to her.
Zhao Jiaqi felt truly hurt seeing her husband's anger.
"I didn't say your actions are wrong. What I mean is, if there are ways to resolve this without resorting to weapons, why initiate war so readily?"
"Besides, what I said earlier was just speculation. If you were to send troops rashly like this, what would Zongsheng Kingdom think? What would the other surrounding vassal states think? Have you considered these consequences?"
"What can impulsiveness solve? Do you want to solve everything with force? If you dislike someone, you just draw your sword, a bloody mess, and force them to submit to your blade?"
"If these vassal states united against you, how many hands would you have to resist them? How many soldiers would you have to fight? They could wear you down with their rotating attacks, let alone talk about the future, about protecting your wife and children. What if you die on the battlefield? Have you thought about your parents, your children, and me?"
Zhao Jiaqi's rapid-fire questions left Fan Zehao speechless.
Xiao Ce and Zhang Heng stood not far away. Hearing the couple arguing, they exchanged glances, unable to believe that these two could quarrel, and so fiercely at that.
Now, Xiao Ce, holding a letter in his hand, was unsure whether to deliver it. Deputy General Zhang Heng also didn't know whether to report on the border situation.
Zhao Jiaqi, catching sight of the two of them in her peripheral vision, gave Fan Zehao a shove on the back of his head and turned to return to her room.
Su Ya followed behind her cautiously. Seeing that Madam was truly angry, she said in an attempt to appease her, "Master is worried about Miss's safety. After all, Miss is still young and hasn't experienced much. It's normal for a father to worry about his daughter and lose his temper. Madam, please don't be upset with Master!"