Flowers Bloom from Battlefield

Mountain Kingdom

"When you say waiting, do you mean working?" Kuina looked towards the mountains of paper in front of Jun Hua with a helpless smile.

Jun Hua put the paper down. It was not her intention to have this much work to do during her time here. It was all obviously the person before her fault. If not because she proposed for her to become the military strategist, she could relax more.

"Whose fault do you think this is?"

Kuina feigned ignorance at that question. "Can I stay here for now?"

"What about Jun Qing?" from what she knew, Kuina preferred to stay with Jun Qing more than with her. As for what they do during their time alone, she didn't bother asking.

"He's still busy. As the new emperor, the officials need to familiarize themselves with him, so they keep on bothering him," Kuina shrugged.

Jun Hua leaned back on the chair. "Don't you have something to do too, Auntie?"

"I have finished my work to sort out our residence," Kuina answered. "It's time for me to relax a little bit."

If she could, Jun Hua would want some rest too. It has been a few days after the declaration of their family separation from Ming Kingdom. The other kingdoms have started to give their reaction and stands towards her family movement.

"Come to think about it, why does it seem the paper keep on increasing?" Kuina pointed to the paper.

"The other kingdoms have given their answer towards our family movement," Jun Hua answered. "And their answers are not exactly kind."

When Jun Hua said that, Kuina could feel the chill coming from the little girl. Although she didn't know what their movement was, she could guess it from Jun Hua's reaction.

"They target us?"

"No, not us, but we will still get implicated later," Jun Hua answered.

"How?"

Jun Hua put her hand on her chin, pondering how she should explain the matter towards the woman before her. If it was her uncle, she wouldn't have any trouble explaining, but for this clueless woman, she needed to find the simple term for that.

"First of all, we're in the middle of the warring era, which mean it is common for the kingdoms to go to war," Jun Hua started. "Each of the kingdoms tries to conquer more areas because it means they can gain more resources. Be it natural resources or human resources, both are equally important.

Because of that, we develop strategies for war. Attacking when a kingdom was at their weakest point is very common or collaborating to defeat a certain kingdom that becomes a threat for them before the threat comes true."

Kuina nodded her head. She could understand that much.

"However, warfare is based on deception*. The better you can trick your opponent, the higher your chance to win. From the surface, it seems that Ming Kingdom is the only threat for them because of how the emperor conducts all these years. Jun Family without Jun Min is similar to a big force without leader," at this point, Jun Hua lips curled up.

"For them, we're not threat right now because our terrain is foreign for them. Other than Yuan Kingdom, almost no other kingdom has mountains in their areas, at most only hills. As long as we don't attack them, they won't bother us, with the exception of someone who bears grudge towards Jun Family."

Besides, the Ming Kingdom was located at the very center of five big kingdoms. With their natural resources always produces a lot each year, they would be the better target than this underdeveloped mountain. Even a child knew that Ming Kingdom seemed more attractive than Mountain Kingdom in regards to the natural resources.

Kuina tried to digest the information Jun Hua gave her. For her to understand what the little girl before her said was truly difficult.

Seeing the confused expression on Kuina face, Jun Hua smiled bitterly. Did it still hard to understand?

"In a simple term," Jun Hua opened her mouth again. "For now they won't attack Mountain Kingdom, but Ming Kingdom."

"Why?"

"Because we appear weak right now and there's not much to gain from attacking us," Jun Hua smiled bitterly. It was really hard to explain something to this aunt of hers.

Kuina tilted her head, "Then should we strike them when they focus on Ming Kingdom?"

"Of course not," Jun Hua rubbed her forehead. "There's no need for us to involve ourselves into a useless battle. War won't bring many benefits if we prolong them, so it's better to strike at the opportunity time."

"When is that time?"

"I don't know," Jun Hua shrugged. She needed to wait to see how the war progressed before she could make the decision. "The time will come, but I still don't know when."

Kuina looked towards Jun Hua with confusion. She truly didn't know what was in her niece mind, but she knew that she was someone who could make right decision.

"I still don't understand about our condition in this war," Kuina said again. "But I guess I will just follow what you say."

"…" that's called blind trust.

Facing this aunt of hers who didn't seem to understand the situation of the kingdom, Jun Hua felt rather helpless. It was actually easy to understand that the other kingdom won't bother them for now and focus on Ming Kingdom.

"Have you ever learned about war from General Tou?" Jun Hua decided to ask.

Kuina nodded her head. "He teaches me about that a few years ago, but I can't seem to understand many things. All that I know from war is the fact that war won't bring many benefits for the country."

"How did you come to that conclusion?"

"That's because many of the families in the kingdom lost some of their members," Kuina answered promptly. She was also included in those families because she lost her brother and she didn't wish to see anyone she knew died again. That was the very reason she was so against of war.

"Even if you don't want any war, it will still happen because of conflicts between each kingdom," Jun Hua said.

"I know that one."

Jun Hua stared at her aunt suspiciously. "Do you know what conflicts that happen?"

"Conflicts to prove who's the greatest?"

"…."