Yuan Xiang was one of Cui Jing's personal guards, and Cui Jing had the power to transfer and arrange him.
The reason why Yuan Xiang has been able to stay with Cui Jing for so many years and be valued by him is certainly not because he speaks confidentially enough.
To quote Cui Jing's thoughts, Yuan Xiang has always had two heads, one is the Huichun Pavilion head, and the other is the battlefield head.
When there is no war, dogs tend to ignore each other, but once on the battlefield, their advantages become particularly obvious.
Chang Suining also saw this. She has always loved talents and dreamed of pulling all the talented people in the world into her own hands. Faced with such a good general's help, it would be a lie to say that she was not moved.
But out of the most basic principles of being a human being, she still hesitated: "But the south of the Yangtze River is even more dangerous than the north. If you stay, the swords and guns on the battlefield are blind, and I can't guarantee that I can return you to General Cui unscathed in the future."
The Northern Di are still just ready to make a move and there is still a possibility of suppressing them, but Xu Zhengye's fangs and claws are already everywhere he can see.
"That's why the Grand Commander knew that Madam Chang needed help right now, so he asked me to come here! It's because he has the important task of building the border defenses and can't leave... Otherwise, he would have come here in person to help Madam Chang and General Chang!"
At this point, Yuan Xiang's expression became more determined: "Don't worry, Madam Chang. On the battlefield, life and death are determined by fate. Anyone who has fought in a war knows this very well. If Madam Chang is worried, I can write a life and death statement to show my willingness!"
Chang Suining was surprised for a moment: "That's not necessary."
Yuan Xiang's eyes lit up: "Then Madam Chang agreed to let me stay?"
Chang Suining smiled and stopped refusing, nodding sincerely: "I'll trouble you more in the future."
Yuan Xiang: "This is my honor!"
Xier, who was standing by, looked at Yuanxiang's grinning mouth that was almost reaching his ears, and finally realized - she had said that the other party must have some ulterior motive for being so polite and enthusiastic, it turned out that he had prepared to work with her in advance!
As soon as he got the title, Yuanxiang couldn't wait to ask Chang Suining for a job.
Chang Suining looked at him, still looking very exhausted, and felt that even a donkey could not be used in this way.
So he said, "You have been busy for many days and just arrived at the camp. Go and rest first. These days we have been investigating the remnants of Li Yi everywhere, and we need to reorganize the army later. There is no rush to arrange the task."
Yuanxiang agreed and left the tent happily.
On the way, I met Changji.
Seeing Yuanxiang's expression, Changji frowned subconsciously - did this guy pick up money?
Yuanxiang also saw him and immediately puffed out his chest higher, almost looking at the other person with his nose up.
Changji was so furious that he couldn't help but taunt him, "Why, are you in such a hurry to ask Madam Chang for a reward?"
Yuan Xiang didn't get angry when he heard this, but laughed, "Hey, how do you know that Madam Chang agreed to let me stay and work?"
"......?" Changji frowned, and then suddenly felt annoyed.
Oops, he had accidentally fallen into the other party's trick of showing off! Not willing to be outdone, he sneered, "What was I thinking? It turns out that you have sold yourself into slavery."
Yuan Xiang was still not angry, and his mouth opened wider: "So what if I sell myself into slavery? You want to sell it, but can you sell it?"
Having said this, he turned away, hummed a little tune and left briskly.
"..." Changji stayed where he was, his face turning green.
Not long after, he returned to Wei Shuyi's tent and couldn't help but talk about this matter.
"You mean... Madam Chang asked Yuanxiang to stay?" Wei Shuyi paused and looked up at Changji.
"That's right, Cui Yuanxiang is so proud that his tail is about to rise to the sky!"
Seeing Changji's indignation, Wei Shuyi came to his senses and smiled: "Why, you also want to stay and compete with him?"
Afterwards, without waiting for Changji to answer, he continued writing the official document, saying slowly: "But Madam Chang doesn't accept everyone, so it's better for you and me not to humiliate ourselves."
The fact that she accepted Yuan Xiang shows her trust in Cui Jing, and even her acceptance of him.
"?" Changji's eyes widened in shock when he heard that, and after a moment, his defense was completely broken.
So, is he really not as good as Cui Yuanxiang?
Although Wei Shuyi did not raise his head, he seemed to be able to see the expression of his subordinates, and he said nonchalantly to comfort them: "This matter cannot be entirely blamed on you, because your husband is not as good as Cui Ling'an."
He joked to himself while writing each word much more slowly.
Yuan Xiang, who was also writing a letter, was different. He was writing furiously, his excitement fully expressed in his pen - he wanted to tell the Grand Commander about this good news as soon as possible! Yuan Xiang's talkativeness was reflected not only in his words but also in his writing.
He wrote until late at night before handing the letter to his men who were about to rush back to the north.
But after thinking about it, I felt that there was still something missing to make it even better...
The next day, Yuanxiang went to Chang Suining early to report.
Chang Suining was teaching the art of riding and archery to She Cai Niangzi, A Che and others in the martial arts field. In the morning light, the horses' hooves raised clouds of dust.
Yuanxiang waited obediently by the side. After Chang Suining dismounted from the horse, he hurried forward, took the job of leading the horse from Xier, and smiled attentively.
The two exchanged a few words, and seeing that Chang Suining was not busy, Yuan Xiang lowered his voice and asked, "Madam Chang, can I have a word with you for a moment?"
Chang Suining nodded and left the crowd with him before asking, "What's wrong?"
Yuan Xiang said cautiously, "It's like this... I was sorting out some discarded letters for the Grand Commander before, but I accidentally misplaced them and lost them. I wonder if Madam Chang has seen them?"
This one.
Chang Suining nodded: "I have seen it."
And I read it all without missing a word.
Yuan Xiang immediately covered his mouth and acted panic-stricken: "This..."
Chang Suining didn't take it seriously and turned on the kettle to drink water.
Yuan Xiang continued his chaotic speech: "…This matter is all due to my subordinates' mistakes, the Grand Commander is still unaware of it!"
"I know." Chang Suining finished drinking the water, wiped the corners of his mouth, and looked at him: "Otherwise, how would you still have the chance to stand here?"
Yuan Xiang scratched his head awkwardly: "It's all my fault for being careless... Can I dare to ask Madam Chang to keep this secret for the time being?"
It is true that he made this request for the sake of his own life, but he also considered it for the sake of his own Grand Commander. Just imagine, if this matter were to be exposed, he was afraid that the Grand Commander would be too upset and would not be able to face Madam Chang again.
Chang Suining nodded: "No problem."
Yuan Xiang acted as if he had been pardoned: "Thank you, Madam Chang!"
Chang Suining screwed on the kettle and asked, "Anything else?"
Yuan Xiang hurriedly shook his head: "I wonder if Madam Chang has anything else for her subordinates to do?"
"Wait until the day after tomorrow. There is something you need to do in person the day after tomorrow." Chang Suining said, "You might as well follow Deputy General Jin and the others for the next two days to familiarize yourself with the affairs of the camp first."
Yuanxiang nodded and said "Okay", shaking his right wrist.
"What's wrong with your hand?" Chang Suining noticed and asked, "Is it injured?"
Yuan Xiang smiled and shook his head: "No, I was in a hurry to write a letter to the Grand Commander last night, and I accidentally wrote a few extra pages, and I was tired..."
Chang Suining was silent for a moment. "Now when Xuan Ce writes letters in the army, are they all weighed by kilogram?"
But this sentence also reminded her: "Are your people going back to the North?"
"Yes, we will set off today."
Chang Suining: "Can you wait a moment? And bring me a letter."
Yuanxiang nodded quickly.
Chang Suining didn't want to delay their departure, so he immediately returned to the tent to write a letter.
In fact, she should have replied to him when she received his Yanling Armor, but she hurried to Shouzhou that day, and due to a series of emergencies afterwards, she had no time to take care of this matter.
Yuan Xiang was very considerate and said to the girl from behind: "Don't worry, Madam Chang, take your time to write!"
Only by writing slowly can you write more! But no matter how well Chang Suining writes, she is destined to be inferior to Cui Jing. She writes without wasting words. She first talks about her own experience and the situation in Jiangnan, and briefly explains her future plans, and then thanks him.
Thank you for his good sword, thank you for his good armor, thank you for his good subordinates, and thank you for his kindness.
In fact, according to the agreement between the two, she should give the other party a chestnut as a thank you gift.
But there were no chestnuts in the winter camp.
Chang Suining thought about it, then picked up the pen and carefully drew a chestnut on the letter paper.
After finishing the painting, she admired it for a while and nodded to herself. As everyone knows, her painting skills are always excellent, and this chestnut was painted so vividly.
And added another line of small words at the bottom: Although these chestnuts cannot be eaten, they can be preserved for a long time.
Well, in ancient times people drew cakes to appease hunger, now she draws chestnuts to express gratitude...
It may seem perfunctory at first, but Cui Jing must know the sincerity of her writing.
She had said before that every chestnut represented her gratitude, and if he encountered difficulties in the future, he could show him chestnuts and she would do her best to help him.
Of course, she would rather see the day when he didn't have to use the chestnuts.
At this moment, Xier opened the curtain and walked in with a basin of hot water.
During this gap, Chang Suining looked through the tent door and saw the endless morning sky.
She also thought of the sky in the north, which was higher, more vast, and more lonely.
The words Yuan Xiang said yesterday formed a picture in front of her eyes. She seemed to see Cui Jing working by lamplight, riding a horse on the snowy plain, standing on the city wall in the north, gazing into the distance at the territory of Dasheng.
If it weren't for the other person's innate noble temperament that often reminded her, it would be difficult for her to imagine that such a person was actually a descendant of the Qinghe Cui family, and was regarded by the arrogant Cui family as the candidate for the future head of the family.
He should have been like most of the Cui clan's descendants, aloof and arrogant, with a pure heart and only concerned about the fate of his clan.
The Cui family was the head of the gentry in the world, and they regarded the rest of the world as lowly commoners. They collected books and proclaimed themselves sovereigns, monopolized official positions, and built a shrine for themselves.
Cui Jing was the person who walked down from this lofty "altar".
War is unpredictable and life and death can be decided at any time. However, he left home to join the army at the age of twelve and has been in the army for a full ten years. He has suffered many scars and has made countless achievements.
It is a recognized fact that the northern border is bitterly cold. Now that it is almost the end of the year, other members of the Cui family can enjoy the snow and plum blossoms, drink wine and play chess in the capital, but he is the only one who goes to the northern border alone to worry about the border defense of Dasheng - and this is an imperial order that he finally obtained after repeatedly submitting petitions to the emperor.
What kind of person is this? Chang Suining thought carefully.
She thought of the towering mountains in the north, the frozen lake, the heavy snow, and the blood-red setting sun.
At this moment, all these describable mountains and rivers are closely connected with a man named Cui Jing. He is in the middle of it, and what he is protecting is this piece of mountains and rivers.
She felt that this was a kind of sincere, cold, magnificent, splendid, majestic, moving, and worldly-detached boundless romance that only existed among the vast mountains and rivers.
It just so happens that she has lived two lives as a human being, and her heart is always in these vast mountains and rivers.
But now, she saw a figure holding a sword, wearing armor and leading a horse, standing alone in the boundless mountains and rivers, and it resonated with the bell in her heart.
All of a sudden, she blinked slowly and lightly, as if she suddenly sensed what Wu Jue had said to her. Wu Jue said that Cui Jing was the "opportunity holder" for her to return to life.
Chance and resonance, induction and destiny.
She seemed to suddenly understand the mysterious feeling of being pulled.
At this moment, Chang Suining was suddenly no longer curious about who Cui Jing was loyal to. She was suddenly extremely certain that what he was loyal to must be the same as her, which was only to the country and the people.
After a moment, she lowered her eyes, straightened her pen, and wrote a few more lines of poetry.
[This body is like foam, like a candle, and like the wind.]
【Running around in the world, suffering from numerous worries. 】
…
【We are all strangers in a foreign land, and we look at each other like autumn wild geese. 】
…
【Each of us works hard on the path, and we all share the same goal.】
The world is vast, and the mountains and rivers are far away, but if we have the same ideas, we will follow each other even if they are thousands of miles apart.
…
The ink was dried, the letter paper was neatly folded and placed in the envelope, and after it was sealed with wax, he set out on his journey to the north.
…
The news that Li Yi was executed for treason quickly spread to all states and regions.
Also spreading was the name "Chang Suining" that suddenly appeared.
…
All matters concerning Li Yi have been taken care of, and it will soon be time for Wei Shuyi to return to the capital to report.
Chang Suining also asked him to take a lot of letters, some to Duan Zhenyi, some to the Qiao family, and some to Yao Xia and the others.
Her story must have spread to the capital, and these letters could be considered as her personal report of safety. After all, when she left the capital, she was doing so under the pretext of seeking medical treatment for her brother.
Speaking of this, Wei Shuyi also mentioned: "...Speaking of which, didn't Madam Chang leave the capital to find a doctor for Mr. Chang?"
He has to return to the capital to report and meet the emperor in the future, and naturally he has to give an explanation for this matter.
"I'm looking for a doctor." The girl said calmly, "I asked around along the way and heard that there are many famous doctors in Jiangnan. I came here while looking for them. It's normal, right?"
Seeking a doctor and looking for a father, there is no conflict between the two, right? Wei Shuyi nodded in agreement: "That's right... In this case, I will report the truth to His Majesty."
Chang Suining nodded: "Thank you."
Wei Shuyi smiled and raised his hand to her: "Take care, Madam Chang. I will go back to the capital first to wait for Madam Chang's triumphant return."
Chang Suining also raised his hand: "Be careful on the road."
The two looked at each other, the girl's eyes were open and clear. Wei Shuyi nodded to her and said "take care".
This voice seemed to have more sincerity and simplicity than the previous one, which was rarely seen in him.
Chang Suining smiled at him: "Don't worry, I will."
Wei Shuyi nodded again, then turned to salute Chang Kuo and others.
After saying goodbye, the young man in the imperial envoy's uniform got on the carriage.
The team was moving, the wheels were rolling, and the young man sat upright in the car, never looking back.
He took out the letters from his sleeve. On each envelope was her handwriting, indicating the person to whom it was addressed. The strokes were vigorous and smooth, like a white crane with outstanding character soaring freely.
She had many different handwritings, and he had seen most of them, including the confessions she left behind when he first met her in Hezhou, and later when she copied scriptures at Dayun Temple...
But the handwriting at this moment should be the real "her", the one who is no longer trapped.
The young man's jade-like fingers brushed across the writing on it, with a slight smile in his eyes, and he thought to himself: "It seems that now... I have finally found my freedom."
But where did all the "discomfort" in the past come from?
Why is this battlefield the place where she can truly feel free?
He seemed to have gained something from this trip, but what he gained was not yet clear.
Maybe he should ask his mother.
…
Because the mission was successfully completed, the journey back to the capital was smoother than the journey there. Six or seven days later, Wei Shuyi and his party arrived in the capital.
It was the end of the year, and the capital was beginning to feel the festive atmosphere. But perhaps because of the war, it was not as lively as in previous years.
However, there are still bustling sounds everywhere, and most of these bustling sounds like a pot of boiling water are related to the name "Chang Suining".
4400 words, is that an extra chapter? Good night!
Note: The poem Ningning used in her letter to Xiao Cui is from the poem "Farewell to a Friend Returning East" by the poet Zhou Xingji.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
