Chapter 162 Is this how I love you?
"After the incident in Yangzhou, I wonder what Grand Commander Cui thinks of the future of the northern border?"
The girl spoke, but she did not bring up the usual topics, but rather the war and the North.
But her tone was so natural that it didn't seem awkward at all.
Cui Jing didn't find it strange, but he still looked at her subconsciously.
After a moment, he replied, "Although Dasheng and Beidi have been at peace for more than twelve years, during these twelve years, Beidi's internal affairs have been unstable. Last year, a new Khan ascended the throne. He is ambitious and we must guard against him."
"Half a year ago, after the troops from the southern border returned to the court, I submitted a memorial proposing to rebuild the northern border's defenses and station troops to prepare for the northern barbarians. However, the Ministry of Revenue has not agreed to allocate silver, so it has been delayed until now."
The year is peaceful and clear.
It turned out that he had this thought as early as after he returned to the court after defeating the Southern Barbarians.
"Rebuilding the war defenses and stationing troops for preparation will require a huge expenditure. If the treasury is not full, the Ministry of Revenue will inevitably delay." She added the word "will" to herself to make herself seem less knowledgeable: "But now the internal troubles have arisen, and the Northern Di are very likely to take advantage of the situation to break into the northern border of Dasheng."
We must fight against domestic enemies and guard against foreign enemies even more strictly.
Cui Jing nodded: "I have mentioned this matter again at the morning court yesterday. The emperor has attached much more importance to it than before. I will urge the Ministry of Revenue to formulate the regulations as soon as possible."
He added: "If everything goes well, I will go to the northern border to start this matter before the end of the year."
Chang Suining turned to look at him and said, "General Cui is going there in person?"
"Well, since I proposed this, I should go. Besides, we must not be careless when it comes to building border defenses and training troops. If we make a mistake, it will be a waste of effort. At this critical moment, I can't trust others to do it."
It is not easy for the court to allocate money. Since he proposed it, he should be responsible to the end.
Chang Suining nodded in agreement: "It is indeed appropriate for Grand Commander Cui to go there. In addition to supervising the reconstruction of the border defenses, he can also deter the Northern Di."
"Yes, if we want to intimidate them, we still need the Xuan Ce Army." When Cui Jing spoke, he subconsciously looked at the girl beside him.
The Northern Di have always been arrogant, and the only one who has frightened them and forced them to behave themselves until now is Xuan Ce's army.
He tried to read something from the girl's face, but she didn't show any expression that was worth investigating. She just said objectively and calmly: "Even if it's just to deter Beidi temporarily, it's the best."
Otherwise, the eruption of internal and external troubles will inevitably lead to more chaos, and the great prosperity will be in danger.
Cui Jing: "I will arrange the trip to the northern border as soon as possible. I will inform you when this matter is settled."
Chang Suining subconsciously wanted to nod, but his tone sounded as if he was telling her this was necessary, so she couldn't help but look at him.
Noticing her gaze, Cui Jing moved his hands slightly behind his back, and said as calmly as possible: "General Chang privately asked me to look after you in the capital. If I go to the northern border, I will inform you in advance and try my best to arrange everything for you."
So that's it.
Chang Suining smiled nonchalantly and said, "I'm not a three-year-old child, so why should I be so meticulous?"
As for taking care of her, if she is in Beijing, she can do so. If she is not in Beijing, then forget about it. You can't trouble him to arrange her affairs after leaving Beijing just because he promised to take care of her.
What kind of stupid three-year-old baby is she? Cui Jing did not comment, but only said: "Then you keep the copper talisman. If necessary, you can take it to Xuan Ce Mansion."
The bronze talisman was indeed very convenient to use, and Chang Suining did not refuse.
"General Cui, is it time to stop having breakfast? Or why not stay and eat with us?" Chang Sui'an, who was standing aside, listened to the two men talking about the war and the northern border. Now that they finally stopped, he was able to interrupt and ask a polite question.
After all... everyone had to follow him and his sister to the dining room.
It wouldn't be appropriate not to ask.
Cui Jing was thinking of saying no, but for some reason he nodded: "Okay."
After saying this, I couldn't help but feel weird.
Why did his brain and mouth suddenly become so out of sync? When he sat down in the Chang family dining room and looked at the food that was quickly served, more strange feelings suddenly surged in his heart.
First of all, he had never had breakfast in someone else's house, so he was not used to it.
Secondly, he had already eaten...
Cui Jing didn't understand why he nodded just now. It was as if he was sitting here now, and suddenly realized that no one seemed to invite him into the house, but he followed in on his own for some unknown reason.
His odd behavior became more and more frequent.
"General Cui, please don't be restrained. After all, there is no one else here. The food in our Chang family may not have any other merits, but there is one thing we like: there is enough of it!" Chang Sui'an was particularly enthusiastic because he was grateful to Cui Jing.
He personally picked up some dishes for Cui Jing, and placed three baskets of steamed buns in front of Cui Jing, not forgetting to ask the maid to serve the porridge: "...General Cui is also a soldier who practices martial arts, remember to use a big bowl."
The big bowls of ordinary people's families were used as small bowls in Changfu, while the big bowls of Changfu were large bowls.
Cui Jing was very clear about this: "Thank you, that's enough..."
He had already finished breakfast and couldn't eat any of this.
There was no need to force himself to eat, as doing so would be foolish. He decided to just eat a little to get by.
Chang Suining quickly finished two baskets of steamed buns, a plate of braised beef with soy sauce, some side dishes, and a bowl of shredded chicken porridge.
During this process, she glanced at Cui Jing, who had not eaten much, and was a little puzzled - General Cui seemed to have a poor appetite? This puzzled look was received by Cui Jing.
He looked at the food in front of him and suddenly felt that the breakfast at the Chang Mansion was indeed very good. The beef was red, the porridge was white, and the buns... were with skin, which looked very appetizing.
Yuan Xiang, who had been waiting for his Grand Commander for a long time, came over now. As the Grand Commander's personal attendant, how could he miss the Grand Commander's peacock... He meant, how could he not follow the Grand Commander all the time? Yuan Xiang went all the way to the dining hall and heard that his Grand Commander was eating inside. He was stunned. Didn't the Grand Commander have already eaten?
He subconsciously stretched his head to take a look inside, and saw Cui Jing put down his bowl and chopsticks. The bowl was empty, and the dish and steamed buns tray in front of him were also empty.
Yuanxiang looked incredulous.
Chang’s food… is it so delicious?
No, this is not a delicious meal!
The Grand Commander clearly wanted to stay at the Chang family for a while longer, right? Yuan Xiang's expression was complicated, he sighed with emotion and sympathy.
The Grand Commander...does he really love me that much?
When Cui Jing and the Chang brothers and sisters came out of the dining hall, they felt that the belts around their waists were tighter.
In addition, General Cui also received sympathetic looks from his subordinates.
Seeing Yuanxiang here, Cui Jing felt inexplicably nervous.
He'd better not say anything nonsense, such as "Why is the Grand Commander still eating after he had just had breakfast?" Such tactless and destructive remarks.
The moment Yuan Xiang opened his mouth, Cui Jing, who had never been so nervous even during a night raid on the enemy camp, had his pupils tremble slightly, and he almost reached out to cover his subordinate's mouth.
At this moment, Chang Suining spoke up: "By the way, I have something to give to Commander Cui."
What is that? Yuan Xiang looked at the Chang family girl curiously.
Cui Jing felt like he had survived a calamity.
While Chang Suining sent Xier back to get something, several people were walking and talking in the yard.
Xier quickly turned back and handed the things to Chang Suining.
Chang Suining handed it to Cui Jing.
It was a very delicate, long wooden box with bluish-white orchids painted on it.
Many thoughts flashed through Cui Jing's mind. Why did he suddenly give him a gift? Was it because he wanted to thank him for the flower banquet? In fact, it was not necessary.
But he took it anyway.
Just as he was hesitating whether to open it in front of him, he heard the girl in front of him say, "I should have returned it to General Cui a long time ago, but I never found the right time, and I couldn't always carry it with me, so I have been delayed until now."
Return? Cui Jing opened the box and saw a white jade auspicious cloud hairpin inside.
This is his stuff.
Cui Jing remembered that she had pulled it out from his hair when she fell into the water drunk that day and was "fighting" with him in the water.
Thinking of that incident at this moment, Chang Suining felt as if he had been repeatedly beaten to death, so he added: "I almost hurt Commander Cui that day. I'm really sorry."
In her past life and this life, she has done very few things so shameful.
"No problem." Cui Jing put the box away, looked at her and said, "You used those moves very well, very suitable for defeating the enemy."
In his mind, he vaguely recalled the scene of the girl attacking him in the water. Water was splashing, the afternoon sun was blazing, the koi in the pond were swimming swiftly, and there was a startling murderous intent in her dark, slightly tipsy eyes.
Not only in her eyes, but also in every part of her body, there was murderous intent.
But thinking back now, that picture was like morning dew, falling on the young man's heart, as if nourishing the budding speculation, and it seemed... more than just a speculation.
Cui Jing couldn't explain what he felt in his heart, but he felt uneasy at the same time. He didn't dare to look at those eyes for too long, and his gaze moved slightly to the maple trees behind her.
The autumn sun was bright, the maple leaves had turned red, and there was a stone table under the tree, which reminded him of the scene where Sui Ning played chess with Song Xian under the ginkgo tree.
"Today...are you free to play a game of chess?" Cui Jing asked without thinking.
Play chess.
Chang Suining nodded: "Okay."
She owed him a game of chess.
Then a servant brought the chessboard and placed it on the stone table under the maple tree.
The two men sat opposite each other. Before Chang Suining made his move, he said, "General Cui, you don't have to give way."
Cui Jing holds the black piece: "Otherwise I will lose very quickly, right?"
Chang Suining nodded and said, "That's right."
Cui Jingben's cold eyes slightly raised, as if containing a hint of smile: "But I play chess well too."
"Okay." Chang Suining made another move: "In that case, I won't let you win."
Cui Jing nodded: "Okay."
After that, the two of them had no more words to say.
Chang Sui'an watched from the side, with a look of surprise from time to time.
Can this be done? Oh no, Ning Ning seems to be losing!
No, Ningning didn’t lose. She actually lured the enemy into a surprise attack?
Chang Sui'an's eyes kept changing with the chess game. If he had not strictly adhered to the principle of watching chess without saying a word, his mouth would have been worn out after this game.
All around there was the sound of the wind and the soft thud of chess pieces hitting the board. However, beneath this silence, hidden among the chess pieces was the deafening sound of fighting.
This game of chess lasted a long time.
It lasted much longer than the usual time when Suining and Song Xian played chess.
A maple leaf gently fell on the chessboard, adding a touch of autumn color to the chessboard that was originally only black and white.
Chang Suining raised his hand to take the maple leaf away.
Cui Jing also stretched out his hand at the same time.
Their fingertips touched for a moment, Cui Jing's eyes trembled slightly, and he quickly withdrew his hand.
Chang Suining didn't care, took the maple leaf away and continued playing.
She became quieter and quieter.
Cui Jing was the opposite.
The shock in his heart was getting stronger and stronger.
After half a cup of tea, the winner was finally decided.
"I won." Chang Suining's calm and composed look disappeared and he said with a smile.
Cui Jing looked at the chessboard: "I lost."
Chang Suining also looked over and said jokingly, "General Cui plays chess well, but I am even better."
Cui Jing's eyes slowly left the chessboard.
He knew very well how he had lost along the way.
Because of this, it was hard not to be impressed by him.
Yes, he was impressed by this game of chess.
But not only chess.
He silently folded his slender fingers, looked at the girl sitting opposite him, moved his lips, and tried his best to make his tone sound calm: "Ms. Chang used many military tactics."
"Yes." Chang Suining said what he had prepared earlier: "I like reading military books."
Cui Jing had already seen the game of chess she played with Song Xian in the music hall. It would be strange if she deliberately changed her chess moves today.
Expected answer.
Cui Jing suppressed the emotions in his heart, and after a moment, he just said to her: "I also like to read military books."
And he especially liked to study the method of troop transport left by that prince... He did not say this out loud.
"I also like to read military books!" Yuan Xiang grinned and said in a tone of "It turns out that we are all close friends."
Cui Jing: “…”
After sitting for too long, Chang Suining stood up and casually asked Yuan Xiang what military books he usually read.
Yuan Xiang answered enthusiastically, and confidently summarized his experience: "...I think that these military tactics are applicable not only on the battlefield, but also in daily life."
"..." Cui Jing listened to it, and then thought of his subordinates' daily abuse of military tactics. He felt that if those military books could make decisions on their own, they would probably just burn themselves.
Chang Sui'an glanced at the sun and said, "It's getting late. Would the Grand Commander like to stay for lunch?"
Cui Jing was silent for a moment before answering, "No need, it's time to go back to Xuan Ce Mansion."
Firstly, he was not so brazen as to do that, and secondly, it seemed that he did not need lunch today.
Just as he was about to say goodbye, he heard a servant from the Chang residence come over and say, "Sir, Miss, Minister Wei is here."
Wei Shuyi? What is he doing here?
While Chang Suining was wondering, he saw Wei Shuyi, dressed in official robes, walking towards him.
It's not that he came uninvited, but Chang Suining and others happened to be on the way to the front hall at this time.
"General Cui is here too?" Wei Shuyi was surprised and looked at Cui Jing with a smile in his eyes.
There was a hint of mockery in the smile in his eyes, but Cui Jing ignored it.
Seeing him coming in his official robes, Chang Sui'an asked, "I wonder if Minister Wei is here for some important matter?"
"It's nothing important." Wei Shuyi looked at Chang Suining with a smile, "I just came here to bring a letter to Madam Chang on my mother's behalf."
As he spoke, he took out a piece of letter from his wide sleeve and handed it to Chang Suining.
"Thank you, Minister Wei." Chang Suining took it and opened it to read.
If she guessed correctly, Duan Zhenyi sent her a letter at this time because of that matter.
Thank you all for your monthly tickets and messages. The book friend circle now has a fan title activity. If you are interested, you can go and have a look. Good night (づ￣3￣)づ
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
