Before Chang Suining dismounted, he sat on the horse's back and looked closely at the plaque of "Bingzhou Grand Marshal's Office" hanging high above the solemn and dignified gate of the mansion.
Yuan Xiang, who was following beside him, also looked at it subconsciously. When he saw these six eye-catching characters, he couldn't help but feel a sense of familiarity in his heart.
At this time, the person waiting for the foreign minister of the Grand Marshal's Office had already walked up quickly.
When Chang Suining dismounted, the leader of the group raised his hand and bowed deeply, with a respectful attitude: "I am Dai Cong, the Chief Clerk of the Bingzhou Grand Military Governor's Office. I have been waiting for Envoy Chang for a long time."
Chang Suining also raised his hand with a smile: "Mr. Dai, I have heard of your great name for a long time."
She had heard Cui Jing mention Dai Cong before, and he praised him highly in his words.
"How dare I!" When Dai Cong stood up, he could truly see the face and temperament of the woman in front of him.
Dai's eyes flashed with surprise, and he stepped aside, raised his hand and respectfully invited, "Envoy, please..."
"Thank you." Chang Suining raised his leg and stepped onto the stone steps in front of the door with light and calm steps.
Yuanxiang and Shecai quickly led their men to follow, leaving more than a hundred cavalrymen waiting on both sides outside the mansion gate.
Soon, the carriages of Cui Lang and others stopped, and the people of the Cui family got off the carriages, walked forward, and were also led into the mansion.
She Cai followed behind Chang Suining, watching the people paying respects along the way, and her eyes couldn't help but fall on Dai Changshi.
Nowadays, the post of Grand Commander is mostly held remotely, and the person who actually handles the affairs of the Governor's Office is the Chief Clerk of the government. The person holding this post is an official of the third rank and is in charge of the practical affairs of the Governor's Office.
In other words, Taiyuan and the entire Bingzhou were all under the leadership of Dai Changshi, and a person of such status leading the envoys undoubtedly represented the highest courtesy and respect of Taiyuan City.
She Cai noticed the respectful attitude of Dai Changshi, and pondered quietly in her heart - this was the first time that the Changshi met her family's envoy, and he could do this at this time, most likely he had received some instructions in advance.
At the side, Yuan Xiang placed a hand on Dai Changshi's shoulder in a familiar and casual manner, and asked with a smile: "It's been a long time since we last met. Why don't you wear flowers in your hair today?"
Dai Changshi is a man of fine mind. Although he has entered middle age, he still retains the elegant hobby of wearing flowers in his hair.
Dai Changshi still had a decent smile on his face. He took Yuanxiang's hand without leaving a trace, coughed lightly without saying anything, and gave Yuanxiang a warning look.
This was the first time that Envoy Chang Jie came home, and he seemed so unsteady and unruly to be muttering these gossips in public.
At this time, Cui Lang, who was always more unruly, followed up. After confirming Dai Changshi's identity, he thanked him repeatedly: "...If it weren't for Changshi's help, my family would not have been able to move to Taiyuan safely! These days, my family has been disturbed a lot here, thank you Changshi for taking care of us!"
Dai Changshi smiled and said, "Sixth Young Master, there is no need to be so polite. This is the order from the Grand Commander, and it is also my responsibility."
As Cui Jing's subordinate, Dai Cong was not only sincerely impressed by Cui Jing, but also remembered a favor from Cui Jing - before, he was almost charged with treason, but it was Cui Jing who saved his life and Taiyuan.
Nowadays, the world is in turmoil. Facing Cui Jing's many instructions, Dai Cong not only obeys his orders but also takes extra care in everything he does. This is true for both the matter of taking in Cui's family and the arrival of Chang Suining.
Cui Lang felt very close to Dai Changshi's motherly care. He looked around and couldn't help but tear up. "Although this is my first time here, I feel like I'm home. It's as if I've come to my elder brother's side."
"It's a pity that my elder brother is in the army now, and I don't know what the situation is..." Cui Lang said, and suddenly asked: "By the way, Chief Secretary, how are my mother and sister?"
Dai Changshi nodded: "Madam and the girl are both well."
"We haven't seen each other for such a long time. Mother and sister must be missing me a lot..." Cui Lang missed their relatives so much that he could not wait to quicken his pace, but Dai Changshi stopped him silently with his hand.
Cui Lang turned his head and met Dai Changshi's disapproving gaze.
Dai Changshi smiled and reminded: "Since we are already home, Liu Langjun really doesn't need to be so anxious."
The envoy Chang Jie was here, and Liu Langjun quickly passed by and walked in front, which was not in accordance with the rules.
This was not an ordinary visit from a girl, so she only needed to leave a relaxed and friendly impression on the other party.
Although she was the favorite girl of the Grand Commander, before this important relationship, she was first the governor of Huainan Road, Chang Suining, and also the person who controlled the Eastern Capital Luoyang... To treat a person of such status, one must naturally treat him with enough courtesy and respect.
Although closeness and respect are both indispensable, respect must be put first.
The situation has developed to this point today, and he has already understood the future path from the attitude of the Grand Commander... So, some rules must be established as soon as possible.
Not only the Bingzhou Grand Marshal's Office, but Liu Langjun's lively and noisy personality should also be restrained a little depending on the situation, so that they can get along more steadily and long-term in the future.
Dai Cong patted Cui Lang's forearm twice as a reminder.
Cui Lang understood everything, so he slowed down his pace and followed Chang Suining again.
At this moment, Cui Lang looked at the girl walking in front of him, and his heart was inexplicably surging, but also more solemn. At the same time, he realized that he still had a lot to learn, and the word "progress" was a long way to go, and he couldn't just stay at the lip service.
Cui Lang's mind was in turmoil as he followed the crowd forward until two familiar figures appeared in front of him.
Cui Lang's eyes suddenly turned red. Before he could even call out "mother" after a long separation, he heard his mother speak in front of him, but what she called was: "Chang Jieshi——!"
Before Mrs. Lu could look for her son, her eyes and mind were attracted by Chang Suining, who was in the lead.
Mrs. Lu stopped and bowed subconsciously with her daughter.
Chang Suining recognized her and raised his hand and said, "Mrs. Lu."
As he spoke, his eyes also fell on Cui Tang: "Madam Cui."
Seeing that Lu was still bowing, Chang Suining stretched out a hand and supported half of Lu's arm.
When their eyes met, Mrs. Lu's eyes trembled slightly and she almost lost herself.
After not seeing each other for several years, the person in front of her was much taller than she remembered, and his temperament had changed greatly.
The tall woman was wearing a dark-colored cloak, and the edge of her hood was inlaid with snow-white fox fur to keep warm. The distinct black and white seemed to make her skeletal outlines more clear.
The superior brow bones make his eyes and eyebrows look deep and cold, and the clear jaw line seems to hide a murderous heroism.
Marching in winter made the skin on her face no longer as delicate and fair as before. It lost its softness, but became more fitted to her bone structure. Her cheeks were a little red from the wind, and these few flaws added a natural and lively air to her, like a summer lotus covered with a layer of crimson evening light, or the bright moon meeting the scorching sun, colliding to create the most unrestrained and bright colors in the world.
And those eyes are like clear springs in mountain streams.
In a trance, Lu only felt and smelled the natural energy of mountains and rivers, and this energy was lingering around the person in front of him.
As a daughter of Fanyang Lu, she married the eldest son of Cui family when she was young. Even if Lu had a gentle temperament, she was still arrogant in her bones.
But at this moment, she realized very clearly that her former status and age that allowed her to consider herself an elder were no longer applicable to the relationship between her and the girl in front of her.
Although Chang Suining supported half of her arm, Lu insisted on bending her knees even lower and bowed deeply again.
Cui Tang followed suit almost instinctively.
When Mrs. Lu stood up, she looked at Chang Suining again, with respect and smile in her eyes: "Envoy Chang, please go to the hall to talk quickly. I have prepared hot tea for you!"
Chang Suining nodded with her, a little smile in his eyes: "Thank you, ma'am."
This smile made Lu dizzy and she was so excited that she didn't know what to do. She clenched the handkerchief in her hand and tried her best to keep her posture correct as she walked forward with Chang Suining.
Mrs. Lu asked Chang Suining with concern whether he was cold and tired on the way, and finally said: "My Liulang is useless, and I am sorry to trouble the envoy..."
When Mrs. Lu said this, she suddenly remembered something - by the way, where is her son?
Subconsciously stopping, Lu turned back to investigate, but as soon as she turned her head, she was faced with a young man's face full of resentment.
Seeing his mother finally turn around, Cui Lang said dissatisfiedly: "You still remember that you have a son!"
He was just waiting to see when his mother would remember him!
Mrs. Lu was startled, and with amusement and joy, she stretched out her hand to twist Cui Lang's ears: "...You little bastard, are you trying to scare me to death?"
Cui Lang protested: "You don't have a son in your heart, but you are right!"
Mrs. Lu let go of her hand, her face still smiling with anger, but her eyes were redder.
“And you, Cui Tang…” Cui Lang turned and glared at his sister beside him: “It took you a long time to see a living person like me, and your conscience is not much better!”
Cui Tang looked forward and said, "You are about to become the head of the family, but you are still so unruly."
"I'll settle the score with you later..." Cui Lang muttered in a low voice, but quickly put on a serious expression, straightened his shoulders, and put on a reliable attitude.
The huge front hall of the Grand Marshal's Mansion was already filled with people from the Cui family.
Most of the people in the hall were elderly, while many young people and teenagers were waiting in the corridor outside the hall. They stood from the beginning to the end of the corridor on both sides. At first glance, there seemed to be no end, and there were at least hundreds of people.
They all saluted to Chang Suining, and after the salute, they followed the dark white female figure with their eyes.
They all knew very well what this moment today represented. From now on, they would form a close hierarchical and subordinate relationship with this young girl, serving her and being at her beck and call.
When Chang Suining stepped into the hall, the elder of the Cui family came forward with his men to greet him.
The old man with silver hair and beard raised his hand and saluted: "I greet Envoy Chang Jie..."
After Chang Suining returned the greeting, he raised his hand to support him: "No need to be polite, old man."
The old man leaned over and said, "Envoy Chang Jie, please take a seat and have a chat."
Dai Cong also raised his hand and made a gesture of invitation.
Chang Suining looked at the seat at the top that they were pointing to and said with a smile, "I am a guest, so it might not be appropriate for me to sit in the host seat."
Before Dai could say anything, the Cui clan elder raised his hand again and said, "The envoy's status is noble, there is nothing wrong with that. Just like a king visiting his subjects, is it reasonable for the king to sit in the second seat?"
The old man's voice was a little hoarse, without any flattery, but revealed a special sense of solemnity.
Now that we are gathered here, there is no need to say more.
Chang Suining then sat down at the top.
The elder of the clan, with Cui Lang in front and the clan members behind him, bowed deeply to Chang Suining.
When Lu came to Taiyuan this time, she brought a handwritten letter from Cui Ju, which pointed out the future path for this branch of the clan. It ordered the clan members who moved to Taiyuan to respect Cui Lang as the new head of the family, and instructed Cui Lang to obey the arrangements of his elder brother Cui Jing in everything.
The most important explanation was related to the person they were slowly bowing to at this moment.
The pain of being separated from the family, the confusion of being in the turbulent times, the decline of the family, and the shock of his grandfather's death and his father being imprisoned...all of these things came to Cui Lang's mind at this moment, making his eyes burn.
As he bowed, he heard the elder beside him say in a hoarse voice: "I am here on behalf of the new head of the family and all the members of the family to express our willingness to follow the actions of Envoy Chang Jie. From now on, hundreds of members of the Cui family are willing to devote their humble efforts, uphold loyalty, serve Envoy Chang Jie like dogs and horses, and even die for him!"
At this point, the old man bowed deeply again and said, "I hope the envoy will not abandon me!"
The old man's voice added more weight to this promise. Cui Lang suppressed his tears and bowed deeply: "I only hope that the envoy will not abandon you!"
The tribesmen behind Cui Lang also followed suit and bowed, from inside the hall to outside. The movements they made when they bowed were like the grass on the mountaintop blown by the wind, bending their backs but still retaining their indestructible spirit.
Behind them, the sky was now open, and the wind swept across the blue sky, taking away the floating clouds. Looking further, the sky became increasingly blue and high.
Seeing that Chang Suining quickly discussed the future employment matters with the elders of the Cui clan and Cui Lang, Dai Cong withdrew from the hall at the right time.
Looking at the blue sky above his head and then at the ground beneath his feet, Dai Changshi felt inexplicably uneasy in his heart.
This is Taiyuan...the place where the Li family made their fortune, and there is a dragon vein hidden here.
Dai Changshi looked back at the figures discussing important matters in the hall, and felt that this rebellion was too unreserved.
If the ancestors of the Li family were still alive in heaven, they would probably be cursing at this moment.
Dai Cong wanted to burn some incense to calm the situation, but then he changed his mind and thought that with Tian Gang at this point, burning incense would seem like a provocation and would probably only add fuel to the fire... so he had to give up.
Dai Cong went to take care of various affairs by himself, and it was not until evening that he was able to see Chang Suining again.
"Thank you, Chief Secretary Dai, for your careful arrangements for my visit to Bingzhou." Chang Suining first thanked Dai Cong.
"You are too kind, Envoy. These are all orders from the Grand Commander, and I am just following his orders." Dai Cong bowed and said, "The Grand Commander had expected the Envoy to come to Taiyuan, so he ordered me to wait for him here."
He added: "In addition, the Grand Commander has said that all dispatches from the envoys should be regarded as orders from the Grand Commander, and everyone in Bingzhou must obey them."
Chang Suining sat there, his eyes showing a little bit of peace. He nodded slowly before asking, "Has your Grand Commander sent any letter recently? What is the current situation of the war with the Northern Di?" (End of this chapter)
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