Chapter 516: I Will Live Up to Your Trust
The edict thrown into the copper basin was still burning, and the flame seemed to spread to the hearts of everyone in the study.
This source of fire seemed to be invisibly fighting against the cold wind that was swirling from the sky.
As the flames swayed and climbed, illuminated by the candlelight, they cast a huge shadow in front of the bookshelf behind the red-robed girl sitting at the desk, like a slowly rising sword, with a soaring momentum, exuding an uncompromising and courageous sword spirit.
The red figure enveloped by the silently surging sword energy cast his gaze on the people in the study and said, "Since I came to Jiangdu, I have been fortunate to have your help, which has enabled me to establish the foundation of today. Without you, there would be no Jiangdu and Chang Suining today."
She was referring to the people in the study, and also the hundreds of thousands of people behind them who had worked tirelessly and even shed their blood for Jiangdu and for her various decisions.
"The crisis in Jiangdu has been temporarily resolved. However, the crisis in the world is getting worse. What I will do from now on will be hundreds of thousands of times more difficult and dangerous than before—"
"If you have any doubts, just tell me now. I will never stop you or force you to stay." Chang Suining looked at everyone with a frank expression without any threat: "If you want to escape from the world, I will also do my best to help you."
As she finished speaking, you could hear a pin drop in the study.
Luo Guanlin sat cross-legged in the same place, as if he had suddenly returned to the summer night when Chang Suining first revealed her ambition to him... And now, at this moment when she wanted to formally put her thoughts into action, she still chose to tell him honestly.
But the difference from that time was that this time she even gave them the choice, letting them decide whether to stay or go.
From this, it can be seen that the road she is going to take next is indeed extremely difficult... so difficult that she even rarely gets to be "polite" with others.
However, Luo Guanlin did not think that this "politeness" was hypocritical. If he had to say that she was hypocritical, then he hoped that there would be more such hypocritical people in the world. Such hypocrisy from top to bottom would be a great blessing for those in lower positions.
There is no equality between the master and the servant, but she gave enough honesty and respect.
To Chang Suining, they deserved this respect. In addition, before a war, when she was recruiting soldiers, there were always two things she had to do: to know the way forward and to unite the people.
Doing these two things well is the basic prerequisite for winning the battle.
Chang Suining burned the imperial edict, and his attitude was clear. Next, Wang Yue and others needed to make a choice.
Yao Ran stood up almost immediately.
She came to the desk, lifted up her skirt, and knelt down solemnly towards Chang Suining, folding her hands in front of her forehead, her posture extremely straight.
It was a rare occasion for her to perform such a grand ceremony, and it was also the first time she introduced herself by her full name in front of others—
"Wherever you want to go, Yao Ran will go." Yao Ran's eyes were filled with the excitement of her wish coming true. She spoke sincerely and bowed her head: "No matter what the future holds, please believe that Yao Ran's determination to surrender to you that day will not change!"
She begged her family for a long time, even threatening to commit suicide, before she was able to leave the capital and come to Chang Suining.
And every day since then, she has been more grateful for her decision than the day before.
As for the current decision of adults...
The fire in Yao Ran's heart burned brighter and brighter——
This was a vague thought that had popped up in her mind many times. Every time it occurred to her, it was like a lightning bolt tearing a glaring ravine in the dark night, and then suddenly seeing the bright daylight. The feeling was amazing and breathtaking.
Now, this expectation that made her fascinated but dared not speak of it has come true... How could she retreat? And why should she retreat? Before coming to Jiangdu, she had been "detained" for too long. Since she was born, she had been disciplined and detained by her mother. Since that day when she scratched her cheek with a gold hairpin, she was then detained by self-regret and self-doubt.
It was not until she left the capital and stood behind her parents that she saw the vast world and possibilities that ordinary people could not imagine.
Now, she is going to take this path that ordinary people dare not even dream of...
Yao Ran knocked his head to the ground. Although his body seemed motionless, even his fingertips were trembling slightly.
This was almost the first time that anyone present, except Chang Suining, heard her full name.
Yao Ran...
As Luo Guanlin read the name, his eyes fell on the scar on Yao Ran's cheek, and a hint of surprise and understanding flashed in his eyes.
Wang Changshi also stood up, dropped his robe and knelt behind Yao Ran, raised his head and said politely: "I eat the master's salary and share the master's worries. Since I am the Changshi of your house, how can I escape from the battlefield?"
There was a hint of a sigh in Wang Changshi's voice, but it did not come from hesitation.
He thought of what the Grand Tutor had said. The Grand Tutor had told him that the new governor of Jiangdu was a man of great ability and someone who was going to do great things.
He had almost never heard the Grand Tutor praise anyone like this, but at that time he still had not thought that that "big thing" was actually this "big thing".
The ability is indeed great, and the things to be done are indeed great...
Wang Changshi estimated that if he dared to desert the battlefield, the Grand Tutor would probably throw a book at him when he saw him again in the future... Well, since he was already here, he might as well follow him!
Besides, who among those who enter the officialdom does not have ambitions? After all this time of getting along and working together, Wang Changshi has not thought about the praise and affirmation that the Grand Tutor gave to Chang Suining for a long time.
Such a person standing in front of thousands of people in such an appearance, she no longer needs anyone to "guarantee" her ability and virtue.
Wang Yue also knelt down and raised his head.
Although Mr. Wangshan's posture is not so correct, it shows more genuine feelings.
Not to mention the slightly red eyes and the trembling voice: "... Your words, don't you mean to despise our desire to follow you? Wangshan has no great talent. It is only because of your kindness that I have the good fortune I have now..."
Wang Yue tried his best to sound serious, but he was too emotional and could not control his emotions. He was about to burst into tears: "As long as you don't abandon me, Wang Yue will follow you till death! With my stupid body, I will do my best to help you, lead your horse and stirrup...I will do whatever you want!"
Luo Ze saw this and suddenly came back to his senses. He stepped forward, knelt down, and saluted, saying: "...I am also willing to follow you, sir!"
"..." Luo Guanlin looked at his son who suddenly came forward without even a glance to greet him.
Noticing his father's gaze, Luo Ze continued to kneel straight.
If my grandmother knew that he didn't speak out in time, she would probably kick him out of the house! As for my father...never mind, my grandmother said that my father's thoughts were mostly abnormal and unimportant.
The moment these words fell into his heart, Luo Ze saw in his peripheral vision that the dark blue figure stood up, walked to his side, lifted up his robe, and actually knelt down with him.
Luo Ze was stunned and turned to look at his father who looked very serious.
This was the first time he saw his father kneeling down to the envoy...
My father has a stubborn character and he has always believed that women are not up to the task... If he didn't truly agree with it from the bottom of his heart, he would never be willing to kneel down.
Luo Ze's heart was beating like a drum, and for some unknown reason, his eyes suddenly felt sore.
The bitterness was not because he felt that his father had wronged himself and made a second-best decision, but because he was truly happy for his father... His father had finally waited for something, a wise leader who was truly worth following.
He didn't know how much struggle his father had gone through, but the fact that his father had given up the biggest prejudice in his heart... was it enough to show that his father had experienced an earth-shaking surrender?
Tears welled up in Luo Ze's eyes.
Luo Guanlin knelt there, raised his hand and bowed deeply without saying a word.
Chang Suining had already stood up from behind his desk.
Yao Ran saw the corner of the scarlet robe stop in front of her, and then a pair of hands lifted up her arm.
Yao Ran then slowly stood up.
The voice of the young girl with a hint of smile rang out in front of him: "Thanks to your trust, I would like to invite you to join me in this great cause, to support this crumbling building, and to stabilize this turbulent world——"
When everyone stood up together, Chang Suining looked at them and said, "Life and death are unpredictable in the future. I dare not promise life and death, success or failure, but I promise you that I will not let you down today."
After he finished speaking, the person who had spoken raised his hand in a salute. His wide sleeves fell down, covering half of his face, but his eyes and brows seemed to contain the aura of heaven and earth.
Her voice was calm throughout. There was no ups and downs in her oaths, nor any actions of swearing blood oaths. Only one sentence, "I will live up to your trust," remained in everyone's heart, and was more solid and profound than any passionate words or actions.
Yao Ran and the others all raised their hands in return and bowed deeply.
Outside the study, a strong wind blew across the surface of the pond, causing ripples before whistling towards the horizon.
The night is dark, wind and clouds are surging, the stars sometimes disappear without a trace, and the only full moon hangs quietly in the sky. No matter how the wind and clouds stir, it only follows its own time and month.
Until the sky turns blue in the east and the silver moon gradually disappears, the morning sun pierces through the clouds and shines on the rivers and mountains.
Looking northwest from Jiangdu, you can see that the terrain gradually becomes undulating and steep.
The emperor's edict was carried by fast horses through these undulating areas and soon reached various places in the northwest.
The Jiedushi of Longyou Road and the Jiedushi of Shuofang, who was in charge of Guannei Road, met in private after receiving the imperial edict.
The two military governors were stationed inside and outside Yumen Pass, responsible for the defense of the northern border. At this moment, the military governor of Longyou Road was worried: "...The northern barbarians may attack again at any time. If we let you and I enter the capital at this time, what will happen to the morale of the army? Are we going to hand over this huge northern border to General Cui alone?"
The Shuofang Jiedushi sat in his chair, clenched his fists, and finally sighed: "In today's Dasheng, is there anyone who the emperor does not doubt?"
They have been stationed here at the northern border for many years. Even though their requests to the court have been repeatedly turned down, they have never thought of giving up their duties. Because they are familiar with border affairs and always face the ferocious beast Beidi, they know better what the consequences will be if the border is lost.
Over the past few years, they have taken advantage of limited conditions to work together with Cui Jing to guard the border, and they have not dared to slack off for a single day.
For them, guarding the country's borders is an urgent matter and far more important than anything else. They have no time to pay attention to or get involved in the struggles for imperial power.
They didn't want to get involved, but the situation was beyond their control.
The Jiedushi of Hedong Road, which is adjacent to Guannei Road, had rebelled two years ago. Although it was suppressed in time by Cui Jing, due to this precedent, the court's trust in them was obviously very limited... This visit to the capital was probably to give them a chance to "show their loyalty."
Thinking of this, the Longyou Jiedushi, who had half Hu blood, couldn't help but grit his teeth and curse.
Do those people in the imperial court really think that the Northern Di will not come again after being repelled once? If they are forced to stand in line and show their loyalty, they have to choose the right time! "...I really want to go to the capital to see what kind of faces those people with their own ulterior motives have!" The governor of Longyou paced back and forth: "They are fighting over and over, but I have nothing to do with it!"
Although it is said that small countries are destroyed by foreign wars and big countries collapse by internal troubles, it is not reasonable to let internal troubles drag down the outside world! "You are on the same rope, why don't you say something!" The Longyou Jiedushi stopped and looked at the Shuofang Jiedushi who was silent.
"Yes." The Shuofang Jiedushi said solemnly, "At least one of us must go, otherwise the court will surely suspect that you and I are colluding with each other to rebel... If the court then takes action, it will only cause greater unrest."
"I'll go." Shuofang Jiedushi said, "The Xuan Ce Army is stationed above the Guannei Road, and the Longyou Road is even more dangerous now. We cannot afford any mistakes. You stay and follow the arrangements of Grand Commander Cui and continue to prepare for the defense against the enemy."
The Longyou Jiedushi hesitated to speak. He wanted to say that the journey to the capital was full of dangers, but... this was not the right time to show his loyalty.
After a moment's silence, the Longyou Jiedushi said, "Don't worry. If anything happens to you, I will take care of your concubines and property at home."
The Shuofang Jiedushi made a "tsk" sound, stood up and punched him on the shoulder.
The Longyou Jiedushi raised his hand in return, and the two of them couldn't help laughing.
The next day, the governor of Longyou rode out of the palace to look for Cui Jing.
Cui Jing has been going in and out of various camps recently, busy with intensified military training, and is rarely seen.
The north gets cold earlier, so now you can still train in light clothing and armor. But in another two months, the weather will get colder, the days will get shorter, and there will be even less time available.
Because they had been secretly rehearsing a new square formation recently, and in order to guard against the Northern Di spies, the security in the military camps was even stricter than before, with a sentry almost every ten steps. Even the people brought by the Longyou Jiedushi were checked at various levels before being released.
When the Longyou Jiedushi arrived at the camp, it was already late. After asking around, he learned that Cui Jing had left here in the afternoon and returned to another camp fifty miles away.
Hearing that he was leaving in the afternoon, the Longyou Jiedushi asked hurriedly, "Is there something urgent?"
"I guess so." The deputy general who answered smiled mysteriously and said, "I went to see off a distinguished guest!"
The governor of Longyou was surprised: "Which distinguished guest would require the great governor Cui to personally see him off in his busy schedule?"
"He is the man who was sent by Envoy Chang to deliver the silver to us..." The deputy general came closer, winked and whispered, "It is said that this man has a lot of influence in front of Envoy Chang."
Finally, he looked at the Longyou Jiedushi with a look that said "you understand, right?"
The governor of Longyou suddenly realized, oh, I understand, this relationship... that's a good gift! Thank you all for your monthly tickets, and thank you to the book friends Qipao Pupu Tea, Yanzhihu 1, Lonely Cello, I only read books and don't leave comments, Fang Duoduo 123, and book friend 20191127022519789 for their rewards! (I'll pull Xiao Cui out in the next chapter, good night~)
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