Chapter 393: Take a Step Back

Since Dong Changjun said so, Zhu Lan naturally would not be polite and bluntly expressed his hope that Dong Changjun would send someone to escort the three of them back to the capital.

But she knew that this matter would cause some concerns for Dong Changjun, which was why she did not come directly to Longyou for help at the beginning.

"Second Master, Longyou has many rugged mountain roads, and the journey is difficult. It will take a long time to enter the capital from here. If the King of Zhenbei sends people to intercept us near the capital, I'm afraid there will be a conflict with the Dong family's troops."

Dong Changjun hesitated for a moment and said slowly:

"We, the Longyou Dong clan, are now living in a corner of the country, and we really have no intention of provoking the King of Zhenbei. But just because we don't cause trouble doesn't mean we are afraid of it.

The Dong family is now a foreign relative, and we don't want to be known as interfering in politics. But the current Crown Prince is the adopted son of the Queen, and also Xin'er's husband. He shares the joys and sorrows with us, the Dong family. How can we not help our family?

There is no need to say more about this matter. I will send someone to escort you to the capital tomorrow. If you really run into the people of Zhenbei King, you can let him know.

Even a rotten boat still has three pounds of iron, not to mention that our Longyou Dong family has a foundation of hundreds of years, and we are not a soft persimmon that can be easily manipulated by others. "

"Since Second Master said so, I feel relieved." Zhu Lan said with a smile.

Seeing that she seemed to have something else to say, Dong Changjun said, "We are all family, so feel free to speak up if you have anything to say."

Zhu Lan asked, "I do have a question in my mind, please help me. The Longyou Dong family has been the best family in the world since the previous dynasty, with students and former officials all over the world, and countless famous ministers and generals.

Since the current emperor is afraid of the King of Zhenbei, why not cultivate the power of the Dong clan in the court and the army to achieve balance?"

A trace of admiration flashed in Dong Changjun's eyes. "You are so young but you know how to balance power. It seems that Xin'er made the right choice by asking you for help."

"You are too kind, Master."

Dong Changjun took a sip of strong tea and said, "In fact, His Majesty is not without this idea. He also wants to support the children of the Dong family to check and balance the King of Zhenbei, and the young bastards of the Dong family are even more eager to try. However, they were all suppressed by us old guys."

"Why is that? Doesn't the Second Master want the Dong family to regain their former glory?"

"A big tree attracts the wind, and everything that prospers will eventually decline." Dong Changjun said, shaking his head slowly.

"The Longyou Dong family has been around for hundreds of years, with a large population, including famous ministers and generals, as well as treacherous villains. Now, after just a period of hiding their talents, many of the family members have become restless and can no longer restrain themselves, and have even begun to covet the position of head of the family.

If we don’t get rid of these people who don’t know how to advance or retreat, and Dong’s revival falls into their hands in the future, I’m afraid that not only will we lose our wealth, but we may even lose the lives of our entire family.”

After listening to Dong Changjun's words, Zhu Lan finally understood why the Dong family had been able to stand for hundreds of years and survive the ups and downs of two dynasties.

Since ancient times, countless people have climbed to the top, but most of them can only enjoy temporary glory. Those who are greedy for the top often end up in pieces.

However, people like Dong Changjun have seen through the rise and fall of all things. They can restrain their desires and choose to take a step back when they are at the peak of their glory.

Such a decision requires not only a calm mind and a long-term vision, but also a courage that is unimaginable for ordinary people.

Just this one step is enough to make you far superior to millions of people in the world.

This is how we should behave as individuals and as officials.

"Second Master's words are thought-provoking. I am grateful for your advice." Zhu Lan said sincerely and kept these words firmly in his heart.

Dong Changjun laughed, "Hahaha, I'm old now, so you don't have to take my nonsense to heart."

The banquet and food have been prepared. After dinner, the few people rested in the guest room, preparing to set off for the capital tomorrow.

…

The next morning, the guards arranged by Dong Changjun to escort Zhu Lan and his party had gathered.

Dong Changjun brought a young man to Zhu Lan.

"His name is Xiao Qian. He is a reliable guy. You will be safe with him escorting you.

Come, Xiao Qian, meet the two girls."

Xiao Qian seems to be younger than Zhu Qingyan, with sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, and is very handsome.

"Hello, ladies!" He clasped his fists and smiled at Zhu Lan and the other girl, revealing his two fangs.

Zhu Lan and the other two also returned the greeting with a smile.

Before leaving, Dong Changjun stopped Zhu Lan again and said to her:

"Oh, by the way, there is one more thing I want to tell you. The woman who was chasing you yesterday was hit by my dart. Later, I sent people to follow the blood and horse hoof prints to investigate her whereabouts. We found that she did not go to the direction of the northern border, nor did she go to the nearby town to treat her injuries."

Mu'er didn't return to the camp? Zhu Lan frowned slightly.

"Did you find out where she went last?"

Dong Changjun shook his head.

Zhu Lan pondered for a moment and said, "When we came from Yunzhou, we encountered a fork in the road. One road led to Longyou, and the other led to the capital. She should have returned to that fork in the road and taken the official road to the capital to report the news."

Second Master, the road from Longyou to the capital is mostly mountainous and difficult to travel. Why don’t we turn back and take the official road back to the capital?”

Dong Changjun said: "If the King of Zhenbei really wants to kill you, I'm afraid if he fails to hit you with one strike, he will send others to kill you along the way.

It’s a bit far to go back to Beijing from Longyou Mountain Road, but this is Dong’s territory after all, and we have people along the way, so it’s much safer.”

Indeed, the lives of the guards are also lives. After all, they are all Dong Changjun’s men. If they really encounter danger and are killed, Zhu Lan himself will feel guilty.

So she said no more and followed Dong Changjun's arrangements.

…

Everyone said goodbye to Dong Changjun, rode on horseback, and soon left Penglai Town.

At noon, everyone found a place under the shade of a tree to take a rest.

Xiao Qian went to the stream to fetch some cool water, sat down on the ground next to Zhu Lan and the other man, and handed the water bag to them.

"It's rare to see two sisters who can ride horses!"

Xiao Qian smiled, his eyes sparkling, very pleasing. He was cheerful, and he and Zhu Lan were about the same age, so they quickly became familiar with each other.

Zhu Qingyan took the water bag and drank a few sips, then said with a smile: "Riding a horse is nothing, women can also go into battle and kill the enemy!"

"I also want to go into battle and kill the enemy. The head of the family said that when I grow up, I can also become a general!" Xiao Qian said.

Zhu Lan seemed to have thought of something and asked him, "Your last name is Xiao, and you are not a member of the Dong family. Why do you stay in the Dong family?"

"Oh! That's why you ask. My brother and I are orphans. It was the Second Master who took us in and taught us martial arts. Later, when my brother and I grew up, we stayed in the Dong family as guards."

Xiao Qian thought for a moment and added, "Although we are guards, the Second Master treats us very well, like his own father."

Zhu Qingyan exclaimed, "Your brother? Is he also at home? I don't have any impression of him."

"My brother is in Beijing." Xiao Qian said casually while roasting a sweet potato.

"You guys know the Crown Princess, right? She's our uncle's daughter. When I was a kid, she and my brother often took me climbing trees.

Later, she married and moved to the capital. My brother personally escorted her. Later, my brother stayed in the capital. He should be in the Prince's Mansion now—hiss, it's so hot! "

The freshly baked sweet potato bounced a few times in Xiao Qian's hands, then was broken open and handed to Zhu Lan and the other two.

Xiao Qian gave a somewhat flattering smile.

"Second Master originally asked me to send you to the capital and come back, but..."

"Do you want to see your brother?" Zhu Qingyan asked.

Xiao Qian scratched his ear a little embarrassedly, "Yes, but I have never been to the capital, and I don't know how to meet him."

Zhu Qingyan turned his gaze to Zhu Lan.

Zhu Lan took a bite of the steaming sweet potato and said that it was not difficult and he could help the two brothers meet.