Athena curled her lips into a light smile, her eyes flashing with cunning. “It’s not intervention; it’s help.”
She picked up a pen and circled a red dot in the upper reaches of the Wolf River. “This is the Blackwind Tribe’s pasture. Last month, Northcold robbed them of 300 cattle and sheep, and the patriarch’s youngest son was seriously injured. The Blackwind Tribe hates Northcold the most, so we can start with them first.”
She paused, then wrote the word “warhorse” next to the red dot. “The Blackwind Tribe is rich in fine steeds but lacks iron ore for forging weapons. We can send envoys with ten carts of refined iron, without mentioning allegiance, just saying that we are willing to help the Blackwind Tribe take back their cattle and sheep. If they are willing to cooperate, we can then logically propose that we will help them contain the Northcold garrison during the alliance meeting, on the condition that they use warhorses to offset the refined iron.”
Xander looked at the route she had circled, tapping his finger lightly on the wolf river altar. “But what about the other tribes? Even if the Blackwind Tribe agrees, the remaining twelve tribes each have their own thoughts and may not respond.”
“They will.” Athena’s smile was firm. “Northcold has plundered countless cattle, sheep, and warhorses from the Thirteen Tribes every year, and each tribe has long hated them. Our helping the Blackwind Tribe to stand up is sending a signal to the other tribes that the Grand Luminary Empire is willing to be their backing. As long as Northcold dares to attack during the alliance meeting, our Aegis Guards ambushed downstream of the Wolf River will come out, which can show our strength and sell the Thirteen Tribes a favor.”
She picked up the military talisman on the table and gently placed it in Xander’s palm. “As for internal conflicts, we don’t have to worry about them. As long as they see that following the Grand Luminary Empire is better than being exploited by Northcold, someone will naturally stand up to take the lead. After all, who doesn’t want to protect their own pasture and clansmen?”
Xander suddenly understood. “The youngest son of the Blackwind tribe is now in critical condition, and they lack not only refined iron but also herbs. If your elixir can cure his youngest son, then our chances of winning will be greatly increased by two tribes.”
Athena gently curled her lips, “Then it depends on how much money you’re willing to spend.”
“All the silver in our family is in your hands. I don’t even have a coin on me,” Xander said, shaking his robe. He even looked proud. “Last time I drank with Grand Secretariat, he was famously stingy. He wanted me to pay, but when I searched my pockets, I only found half a string of coins. You didn’t see it. His face turned ugly. He asked me tremblingly, ‘You are a prince at any rate. How can you be so poor?’ Grand Secretariat, whenever he went out, would knock on the door–but when it came to meals, he never once offered to pay the bill. But his ancestors left him a lot of family property, which he could not spend even in his next life. It was a skill to get him to pay the bill.”
The smile on Xander’s face became even more smug. “I told him, there’s nothing I can do. My wife is strict with my spending. Ten taels of silver. His heart was bleeding when he took it out.”
Athena couldn’t help but laugh at Xander’s vivid description. “If you cheat him, he will definitely resent you, and maybe one day he will make you spit the silver back out,” she said.
Xander leaned lazily against the back of the chair and said rascally. “I don’t have any silver on me. Can he sell me?”
Athena laughed so hard that tears were about to flow out.
After the two joked for a while, they returned to the topic. “But, who should we send?” Xander asked. He began to plan the deployment of food, grass, and troops.
“Trevor, the third son of my grandfather.” Athena blurted out, “He was exiled in the Northwest with my grandfather. He understands the languages and customs of the Thirteen Tribes. Although his temper is a bit bad, with Ray, the resourceful person, he won’t mess things up.”
Xander looked at her with shining eyes. “How many ideas are in that brain of yours?”
“I learned it all from you.” Athena looked up at him, her eyes full of love. “You taught me to use barbarians to control barbarians, I can’t just learn it for nothing.”
“Okay, we’ll listen to you. I will never go wrong listening to you,” he said. He shamelessly pressed his face against Athena’s belly, talking to the babies through their clothes, “Did you two hear that? Don’t make your mother angry in the future, or you’ll be in trouble.”
Athena laughed until her face ached, and pushed Xander away. “Go away, always making a mess.”
Xander snuggled with her for a while before standing up. Before going out, he raised his eyebrows at Athena with a smug look. “My wife still loves me more after all.”
Athena was stunned before she realized that he was jealous of Ray again. She shook her head. “You’re so jealous. What will you do when you get old?”
Trina walked in from outside and said with a smile, “If the prince is jealous, it means he cares about you. Why are you still unhappy?”
“Him? Who cares?” Athena said she didn’t care, but a smile appeared on her face.
Trina put the fruit she brought on the table. Athena took a closer look and couldn’t help but be stunned. “Where did these grapes come from this season?”
“General Osborne asked someone to send them, saying that the grapes were soaked in sugar water and put in sealed jars, so they could be preserved until now.” Trina poured the grape pulp into a small bowl and said to Athena, “Try it quickly.”
Athena didn’t take it, but asked Trina, “Does the prince know about this?”
Trina burst out laughing. “When the prince saw these grapes, his brows furrowed into a knot, and he almost kicked General Osborne and his things out. Later, perhaps thinking of letting Athena have a taste, he asked people to leave the things behind.”
Athena laughed, “His temper is getting weirder and weirder.” She scooped up a spoonful of fruit and put it in her mouth. It was sweet and sour, and tasted pretty good.
Michael returned to Pidence City on business and brought Athena two jars of grapes along the way. The King met him in the imperial study, accompanied by Xander.
The climate in Ironfang Pass was dry, and Michael’s face was wrinkled from the wind, and his chin was covered with stubble. Compared to the past, he was more calm. The King was very relieved that he was guarding Ironfang Pass. “It is hard for you to guard Ironfang Pass. I respect you for this.”
Michael quickly got up and said in a panic, “It is my duty to share the worries for you, Your Majesty.”
“Today, the three of us are having a private gathering, so don’t talk about so much false politeness. Sit down,” the King said with a smile. Michael sat down and told the King a lot about military affairs. Then, he turned the topic to the Xander Manor.
“The Princess Consort must be exhausted carrying twins. Did she enjoy the grapes I sent?” Michael asked. Michael brought back four jars of grapes on this trip, giving two jars to Athena and two jars to the Queen.
Xander looked at him warily, but pretended to be calm, “My wife is doing well. General Osborne, you’re not getting any younger; it’s time to settle down and start a family.”
“I’m not in a hurry.” Michael gave Xander a speechless look. He just casually asked about Athena’s recent situation, and he bristled like a hedgehog.
What, is he afraid that I will snatch Athena away from him? he thought.
Xander waved his hand. “How can you not be in a hurry? By this time next year, my children will be running all over the place. I’m enjoying the bliss of having two wives, but you’re all alone. It’s heartbreaking to see. Look at this robe. It’s torn, and no one cares about it.”