Engagement Canceled: I Can Extract Prefixes-Chapter 265 - 264: The Reason for the Su Family’s Decline

Chapter 265: Chapter 264: The Reason for the Su Family’s Decline

Shen Han neither refused nor agreed.

He simply looked at Su Jinyu, wondering what kind of question she would raise.

Su Jinyu said that she trusted her father’s judgment, because her father was a good judge of character.

But in truth, she had some doubts about her father’s high praise for Shen Han.

This question she was about to bring up indeed troubled the Su Family for a long time.

For the past few years, the Su Family had been trying to solve this question, but had never found a reasonable explanation.

"My difficult question is, why has our Su Family declined over the years?"

Clearly, when she mentioned the word "decline," Su Jinyu felt somewhat uncomfortable.

Her expression was somewhat unnatural.

But feeling uneasy doesn’t mean the Su Family hasn’t declined.

The Su Family’s old general relinquished his military power, and now Su Zhensheng is teaching in the Capital City.

In the Northern Military Camp, only Su Hongyi and Su Hongrong remain from the Su Family...

But how could the two of them support the entire Su Family?

Moreover, the person leading the Northern Military Camp is now no longer associated with the Su Family.

Upon hearing this question, Shen Han frowned deeply.

"This is indeed a difficult question, I have no ideas...

The Su Family has so many advisers; any ideas I might have should have already been considered."

Shen Han didn’t want to answer this question; the decline of a family is not simple.

Even family members, who understand all situations, find it hard to discern.

As an outsider, having only heard some rumors, what exceptional insight could he offer?

Seeing Shen Han reluctant to answer, Su Jinyu had to speak again.

"I simply want to hear your view on this matter; there’s no right or wrong..."

Hesitating, Shen Han raised his eyes to look at Shi Yuezhu.

Shi Yuezhu understood him well; just one glance was enough to know what worried Shen Han.

"There are only the three of us here; it’s just casual talk, and no one else will know."

Seeing Shi Yuezhu speak so, Shen Han decided to respond.

"What I say may have many errors; please, Miss Su, don’t take offense."

He first left himself a retreat, modestly saying his words might be full of mistakes.

"In my view, the decline of the Su Family comes from winning too many battles."

This statement from Shen Han left the two of them bewildered.

What does it mean to win too many battles...?

A general gains merit by winning battles, so neither of them understood Shen Han’s meaning.

"I talked with General Su many times about the northern battles with Qi Country.

Over seven years ago, there was a battle where Wei Country won a great victory and Qi Country’s power was weakened.

From that time, Qi Country only dared to rely on mountainous defense.

For over seven years, there has been no warfare along the northern border."

Su Jinyu frowned; she knew this, but shouldn’t these be reasons for the Su Family’s prosperity?

How could they be the reasons for decline?

"In the northern Qi Country, because of the steep mountains, there’s a natural barrier.

It is difficult to deploy millions of soldiers in such terrain.

If the Wei soldiers attacked northern Qi in that mountainous area, it would basically be suicidal.

General Su wouldn’t do that, and neither would the Great Wei Emperor be interested in those northern Qi lands."

At this, Su Jinyu still didn’t understand Shen Han’s point.

"But the current situation is all thanks to the Su Family’s contribution...

If it weren’t for my father winning that battle, we wouldn’t have had over seven years of peace..."

Shen Han nodded: "Those indeed are the Su Family’s contributions, but just because you have contributions, does it mean the Su Family will thrive?

The northern part of Great Wei has been without warfare for almost eight years now.

If there’s no war, what is the use of elite soldiers?

Besides exhausting Great Wei’s provisions and military pay, what purpose do they serve?

And because there are no wars, the court dares to openly have your Su Family relinquish military power.

Because your Su Family has lost its bargaining chip.

Look at the Shen Family, stationed in the Eastern Garrison for many years, engaging with Yan Country, with both victories and losses.

The court has sent people to command the eastern forces too.

But the ones sent, usually within three months, suffered defeats.

They were even ambushed, and the leaders were captured."

Shen Han paused, looking at Su Jinyu, whose expression grew increasingly serious.

"Would the court dare to rashly take action against the Shen Family?

Such action might result in the Yan Country’s troops advancing swiftly forward.

One could only say, the Su Family is a bit too straightforward..."

On the carriage, Su Jinyu’s brow held seriousness and worry.

She had heard multiple reasons for the decline of the Su Family, each with its rationale.

But today, Shen Han’s reason was the most startling to her.

What Su Family heritage, what Su Family strategies...

None seemed as logical as what Shen Han was saying.

If there were constant warfare in the north, would the court dare to send other generals to seize power?

Faced with the Qi military and its fierce general Zhao Heng, would anyone else dare to confront them?

This, at the core, was the true value of the Su Family.

Without an opponent, the Su Family has lost its value...

The more Su Jinyu thought about it, the more she felt Shen Han had touched upon the essence.

After hesitating for a while, Su Jinyu looked up at Shen Han: "So what should our Su Family do now..."

She seemed to understand a bit why her father said Shen Han was very suitable for the court.

Hearing this question, Shen Han could only show helplessness.

"How would I know...

I don’t have the wisdom to guide the Su Family..."

Sitting next to Su Jinyu, Shi Yuezhu also held a hopeful gaze towards Shen Han.

Yet Shen Han still shook his head.

"I truly don’t know what the Su Family should do...

A family needs to face too many issues.

As an outsider, deducing solutions from scattered information might not suit the Su Family.

Furthermore, everything has pros and cons.

At least in the eyes of the Imperial Family, their trust in the Su Family should be far greater than in the Shen Family.

If the Su Family, adept in warfare, encounters war again, reinstating military power would be justified."

Shen Han’s words brought a hint of delight to Su Jinyu.

According to Shen Han, the Su Family was not declining but lying dormant.

"So you believe our Su Family should keep a low profile and endure for now?"

Su Jinyu’s charming eyes looked at Shen Han, eagerly awaiting his answer.

Seeing her like this, Shen Han indeed felt a bit helpless.

Such significant family matters, constantly changing with circumstances, might require adjustment at any moment.

His casual suggestion, how much could it really guide them?

He glanced sideways at Shi Yuezhu, who also seemed eager for his response...

"If the family truly can’t think of a response...

Then reducing unforeseen movements, avoiding taking sides, might suit the Su Family better.

This way, even if there are changes in the court, they won’t affect the Su Family.

Whoever holds power, in the face of war, will always think of the Su Family.

However, during any shift in court, those rewarded for supporting the new power may not come to you."