Chapter 210 Becoming an Apprentice

After receiving the imperial decree, Qi Rong was rebuilding the city walls in Datong. Although they had recaptured the city, rebuilding the city was still a huge undertaking.

They stayed in Datong for nearly a week, and of the city's 10,000 inhabitants, fewer than 10,000 survived. Moreover, a large portion of those who survived were those who had been enslaved.

After hearing the imperial decree, Qi Rong casually put it aside and prepared to continue working: rebuilding the city, resettling the disaster victims, and taking stock of the grain and fodder. He also needed to think about exchanging hostages in the next couple of days.

With so many things to do, Lin Changning is currently extremely busy.

After a busy day, she returned to the camp and saw Cui Zheng squatting at the entrance of her tent.

A five- or six-year-old child, dressed in mourning clothes and all in white, squatted at the entrance of her tent, his head in his hands. He seemed to have been waiting for a long time and his legs had gone numb, so he stood up and rubbed his calves.

Lin Changning was a bit more patient with children, and when he saw this little guy, he casually picked him up.

"Did Ah Zheng come to see me for something?"

Cui Zheng suddenly looked up, and the feeling of weightlessness made him involuntarily hug Lin Changning's neck. He looked at Lin Changning's handsome face and seemed a little shy.

“My uncle and great-uncle have found the bodies of my family members. I am returning to Qinghe County tomorrow, so I have come to say goodbye to you, sir.”

Lin Changning bounced the child on his back: "Alright, then I wish A-Zheng a safe journey."

With a flushed face, Cui Zheng took out a seal from his pocket and showed it to Lin Changning.

Lin Changning couldn't help but ask in confusion, "What's wrong with A-Zheng?"

Cui Zheng stuffed the seal into Lin Changning's hand and said earnestly, imitating an adult, "This is the private seal of the eldest grandson of the Cui family. I am giving it to you, sir. The Cui family values ​​promises above all else. When I grow up, I will come to serve under you and be loyal to you. This seal is my promise and a token. Please accept it, sir."

It wouldn't be right for her to accept the Cui family's seal without permission. Just as Lin Changning was hesitating, the three members of the Cui family came over together and bowed to Lin Changning.

"My lord, since it is A-Zheng who made the promise, please accept the seal."

Lin Changning was still somewhat hesitant; he felt it wasn't a good idea to accept such a thing.

Grandpa Cui advised, “Our Cui family has been a family for a hundred years and we are indeed the most trustworthy. A-Zheng’s seal is his private seal, and he has the right to decide to give his seal to others. You need not worry about it, sir.”

Looking at the expectant eyes of the child in her arms and listening to what Grandpa Cui had to say, Lin Changning accepted the seal and thanked Cui Zheng with a smile.

However, it wouldn't be right to accept someone's gift for nothing. Lin Changning carried the child into his tent and took out a rubbing of a boxing manual from a pile of military books.

As the senior sister of the martial arts school, she naturally knew more than just one or two weapons. She was familiar with various martial arts styles, including fist techniques, palm techniques, and more.

This boxing manual is a style of boxing she plans to use for training these 800 people; it is powerful and domineering while also improving physical fitness.

Kids don't feel any pressure when practicing.

Lin Changning shoved the boxing manual into Cui Zheng's arms, her eyebrows curving into a smile: "This is a boxing manual. Zheng, go back and practice it well to strengthen your body."

The child, holding the book with bright, sparkling eyes, blushed and prepared to thank Lin Changning.

Grandpa Cui stroked his beard and said, "Ah Zheng, why aren't you coming down to become my apprentice?"

Grandpa was a shrewd man. In this era, anyone who taught you could be called your master. After being here for a few days, they had already found out that this Commander Lin was a man of real skill.

This commander not only accepted A-Zheng's private seal, but also gave him a boxing manual. You should know that books and secret manuals like body-refining martial arts are mostly passed down within families and are not easily given to outsiders.

Such books and rare, unique copies are generally extremely valuable.

Cui Zheng struggled to get down from Lin Changning's arms with some excitement, knelt down with the book in one hand, and said, "Disciple Cui Zheng greets Master!"

Lin Changning: ...

How did she suddenly gain an apprentice? She was just returning the favor, not wanting the child to feel disappointed.

But since we've already knelt down, if we don't accept it now, the child will probably be disappointed.

Having taught so many junior brothers and sisters, taking on another disciple isn't a big deal.

Lin Changning rubbed Cui Zheng's little head and helped her up. She didn't have anything good on her, so she rummaged around and finally found a talisman that Sister-in-law Niu Er had gotten for her.

After taking it out, he casually stuffed it into Cui Zheng's hand: "Master doesn't have anything good. This is a peace talisman that Master and Sister-in-law obtained in the temple. I'm giving it to you, Zheng, hoping that you will be healthy and safe in the future."

Cui Zheng accepted the amulet, his big eyes filled with affection: "Thank you, Master."

The uncle and his son behind Cui Zheng exchanged a glance and nodded slightly.

The two exchanged a smile, exchanged a few polite words with Lin Changning, and then left with Cui Zheng.

Lin Changning saw the group out the door. Cui Zheng's uncle cupped his hands and said, "Sir, there's no need to see us off. We apologize for the trouble we've caused today. Now that A-Zheng has been taught martial arts by Lord Lin, he will be an honored guest of the Cui family from now on. If you ever encounter any difficulties in the future, you can seek help from the Cui family of Qinghe County, Hebei. The Cui family will certainly do its utmost to help you."

Lin Changning quickly returned the greeting: "Mr. Cui, you're too kind. The journey may be rough, but I will send a few trusted men to escort you back tomorrow."

The journey was indeed not peaceful. When Uncle Cui saw Lin Changning handing him the ladder, he was overjoyed and said, "Sir, you have considered everything very well. We thank you, Lord Lin."

After exchanging pleasantries, Lin Changning went to find Qi Rong and told him everything. She vaguely felt that the three members of the Cui family were intentionally trying to get Cui Zheng to become her apprentice.

However, there are too many twists and turns in officialdom, and she doesn't know all the information, so it's safer to ask Brother Qi.

Qi Rong raised an eyebrow after listening: "There's nothing wrong with it. This matter is beneficial and harmless to you, so just relax."

The Cui family members are all shrewd people. Their apprenticeship with you is merely a way to curry favor with the Prince of Chu. A little inquiry within the military camp will reveal your promising future.

If you were to become my disciple, not only would it be unreasonable, but you would also easily be labeled as part of the King of Chu's faction.

But it's different if it's thanks to you. The eldest son of the Cui clan chief died unjustly in Datong this time.

The Cui family is bound to have conflicts with the imperial court. Becoming your disciple is a way to establish a connection with the King of Chu, which can be considered a backup plan.

Hearing Qi Rong say this, Lin Changning finally felt relieved.

"That's good."

On the way, Cui Wenjie was somewhat puzzled: "Sixth Uncle, why do we insist on making A-Zheng take an unknown commander as his apprentice?"

Cui Wenbin, standing to the side, smiled knowingly: "Ah Jie, the patriarch received a message recently. Before his death, the prefect told the patriarch that a mine had been found in the fiefdom of the Prince of Chu, and nearly half of the blacksmiths from Datong and the border cities had moved to Taiyuan with their families..."

Cui Wenjie's eyes widened suddenly: "You mean the King of Chu has it!"

Grandpa Cui coughed hurriedly to interrupt, "Watch your words! Ah Jie!"