Chapter 332 If there is no wise leader, I will be the wise leader
The imperial edict stated clearly that 80,000 troops would be left behind to follow Chang Suining in the fight against the Japanese pirates.
The soldiers under them naturally had no power to choose whether to stay or leave, they only had to follow military orders.
These differences arose between the generals who had some say and the great coaches.
The source of this disagreement comes from the fact that everyone generally holds the same idea - since someone has to stay, why can't it be me?
Wanting to follow General Ning Yuan to build a career is one thing. Who wouldn't want to follow a popular general who loves his subordinates? Of course, respect is only a prerequisite, not everything. Yes, they are going back to Beijing this time, but after returning to Beijing, can they just lie down and enjoy themselves? No, they still have to fight, just in a different battlefield.
Since they had to fight anyway, instead of facing an unknown and unfamiliar road ahead, why didn't they choose to stay in Jiangdu and follow General Ningyuan, who had never been defeated? This disagreement was caused by the dual effects of respect and weighing the pros and cons.
At first, everyone was concerned about their reputation, and their methods were still limited to "Everyone knows that the war against the Japanese is particularly dangerous, so let me stay" and other such volunteering and leading by example to demonstrate good qualities -
But soon everyone found out that no one would buy into this. If you dare to volunteer, I will be ready to die. You sincerely "modestly" declined the opportunity to return to Beijing, so I took out the suicide note I had written and tearfully asked you to pass it to my old mother in the capital.
After such a long period of "yielding", everyone gradually couldn't continue the performance.
The secret fight began to turn into an open fight. Seeing that the matter was about to be finalized, everyone was anxious and had no choice but to go to Xiao Min.
In Xiao Min's tent, a bunch of military commanders and coaches gathered at this moment. Some said that they had no parents and no ties, and were the most suitable to stay and fight the Japanese army.
Some said that they were good at swimming, and even mentioned their glorious experience of rescuing Erdan, a boy from the neighbor's family, from the river ten years ago; others said with great confidence that they had followed General Ningyuan in the Battle of Bianshui, which was real experience in cooperation in water battles.
“…”
Looking at the quarreling generals, Xiao Min sat there and gave a bitter smile.
Doesn't anyone think that this is a kind of harm to him?
Seeing Xiao Min's expression, a general reacted and quickly explained: "Commander Xiao, don't misunderstand, we don't mean anything else!"
Xiao Min: ...How could there be any other meaning? It is normal to have other meanings, after all, he himself has that meaning.
At this moment, he only hated himself for being the commander-in-chief. This identity restricted him and prevented him from doing what he wanted.
If he had the slightest choice, how could he not join everyone? In the fierce competition, among the people present at this moment, Captain Bai stood out for his calmness. He stood there with a calm expression, like a lotus flower that was isolated from the world.
As a small lieutenant who only managed a hundred men, he originally had no right to speak. But when Chang Suining killed Xu Zhengye, Lieutenant Bai was by his side the whole time and made great contributions. Now, when Xiao Min returned to Beijing and the soldiers of the army were rewarded for their merits, he would be promoted to an eighth-rank general.
I have made great contributions here, and I am also a popular figure around General Ning Yuan, so it is okay for me to say a few words to recommend myself at this moment.
But Captain Bai said nothing and refused to join the competition.
There was no other reason, it was just that he was so favored by General Ning Yuan that he was secretly selected without realizing it.
There are many people like Captain Bai who have been selected. Most of them have been with Chang Suining and have gone through life and death together. This is also for the sake of the war. Although it is not in accordance with the rules, it is not difficult to arrange it with Xiao Min around.
Every single one of the people present who had a face that looked as pure and otherworldly as a lotus had been chosen.
Looking at the people who were fighting so hard, Captain Bai, who was as gentle as a white lotus, gave advice to Commander Xiao in a friendly manner: "The palms and backs of your hands are all flesh and blood. If you want to treat everyone equally and not let anyone complain... I have a fair way."
Hearing the word "subordinates", Commander Xiao felt a dull pain in his heart. The other party followed General Ning Yuan to gain credit, and when they met again, it would be unclear who was superior and who was inferior.
Commander Xiao suppressed the evil thought of having red eyes, listened attentively to Captain Bai's proposal, and adopted it.
So, in the camp that day, such a scene appeared:
“I got it! I got it!”
Someone held a note with the word "Chang" written on it in his hand and laughed out loud, looking ecstatic, quite like Fan Jin who had passed the imperial examination.
Yes, Captain Bai’s fair suggestion was to draw lots, and whether to stay or go depends entirely on luck.
Those who grabbed the blank note, even though they were frustrated and gnashing their teeth, quickly managed their expressions and came to Xiao Min's side. One of the generals laughed nonchalantly: "It doesn't matter whether you stay or go! It's all good!"
Xiao Min, who was also forcing a smile, saw this and felt that the other party was so smooth that it made people feel distressed.
In any case, the differences were finally suppressed, and after everything was settled, it was time for Xiao Min to lead his troops back to Beijing.
On the eve of the army's departure, Chang Suining, who had been very busy recently, still came to the army in person to see them off and to perform for the soldiers who had gone through life and death together with him.
Chang Suining had just finished discussing matters with the officials of Jiangdu when he rode over on horseback with He Wuhu and others. He was still wearing his official robe, but he had taken off his official hat. His thick bun was tied up on top of his head with a white jade hairpin.
Upon hearing that General Ning Yuan was coming, most of the soldiers in the camp were excited and surprised.
Compared with the common people's admiration for Chang Suining's miraculous deeds, their respect for Chang Suining is more solid and firm.
General Ningyuan's deeds are far away from ordinary people, but very close to them.
Previously, when they followed Li Yi, the war was not going well, the morale of the army was low, and they were forced to fight among themselves. It was this young girl who suddenly appeared beside General Chang and turned the situation around.
After that, he rectified military discipline, changed the method of training troops, and led them to win one victory after another, even planning to kill Xu Zhengye in a very short time and achieving a great victory.
These are not legends, they are real things that happened to them.
They were able to return to Beijing safely to receive their reward, thanks in large part to General Ning Yuan.
At this moment, with countless gazes on her, the girl in the scarlet robe stood in a lofty position different from ordinary people on this battlefield where men should be respected.
Chang Suining brought with him several jars of Fengzhiniang given by the emperor.
Whether it was the pacification of Jiangnan or her outstanding achievements, they were not achieved by her alone, but were the result of the blood and lives of many soldiers.
She picked up a jar of wine, pulled out the cork, and first toasted the souls of her comrades who died in the battle.
The overwhelming aroma of wine rolled in the scorching sunset, carried by the evening breeze, and opened up a long journey between heaven and earth to comfort the souls of the dead.
Chang Suining held the empty wine jar and looked towards the distant horizon with Xiao Min.
Chang Suining had the remaining five jars of wine poured into the well, and all the soldiers, regardless of rank, drank the water from the well.
The well water is cold and sweet, and the aroma of wine remains in the mouth. The road ahead is long and the time of seeing each other again is uncertain, but they will always remember this bowl of practice wine.
When they put down their wine bowls, many soldiers couldn't help but shed tears in their eyes.
Under such circumstances, Chang Suining also made an exception and drank the bowl of wine.
Xier was nervous. Although the wine was mixed into the well water and the cook put more wine in it when stewing fish, the girl's alcohol tolerance was shockingly low, so she couldn't help but be afraid.
To be on the safe side, Xier went to scoop up another bowl of hot soup, trying to dilute it for her girl.
However, after the hot soup was scooped back, the girl disappeared in the blink of an eye. Xier asked along the way and looked for her. At a glance, she saw her girl holding a long knife and fighting with Commander Xiao!
Xier's hand trembled, and the bowl of soup fell to the ground with a "bang". She rushed forward and asked A Che and He Wuhu who were standing by: "...Why didn't you stop the girl!"
"What are you stopping?" He Wuhu's eyes were fixed on the two people fighting, and he said in a daze: "The general is sparring with General Xiao in swordsmanship!"
Xier relaxed a little after hearing that, but she couldn't help thinking, so... whenever a girl drinks, no matter whether it's real or fake, does she have to fight with others?
Previously, Chang Suining had made a bet with Xiao Min on whether Xu Zhengye would go to Luoyang. Xiao Min said at that time that if he won the bet, he would ask Chang Suining to teach him swordsmanship.
The result was naturally that Xiao Min lost.
Fortunately, I was able to learn how to use the knife.
When Xiao Min put away the knife, he was already sweating profusely, but his eyes were clear and he showed a look of enlightenment.
There were beads of sweat on Chang Suining's face. He threw the knife to A Che, took the handkerchief handed to him by Xier and wiped his sweat. He felt that the dizziness had dissipated a lot... Well, his alcohol tolerance has improved.
Xiao Min raised his hand and clasped his fists with Chang Suining, with a happy and comfortable smile on his face.
Chang Suining returned his greeting with a smile. A pile of bonfires had been lit not far away.
The hot wind blew past their ears as the two stood away from the hustle and bustle and had a long conversation before parting.
Xiao Min thanked Chang Suining again and again, and said in a heartfelt tone: "...There are countless rumors outside nowadays. Those who suspect that the general has ulterior motives are simply nonsense!"
In the past, whether it was training soldiers or instructing him and his subordinates, General Ning Yuan never kept anything to himself. How could a man who was so willing to train talented generals and good soldiers for the court have any other intentions? Faced with such trust, Chang Suining was silent for a moment, then nodded with a clear conscience, took the kettle in his hand, and touched the wine bag in Xiao Min's hand.
When the bonfire was burning vigorously, with a roar, brilliant fireworks suddenly bloomed in the night sky all over Yangzhou city.
Countless soldiers looked up and were all immersed in the grand splendor. The eve of leaving Jiangdu was destined to be unforgettable.
Amid the fireworks, Chang Suining mounted his horse, said goodbye to Xiao Min and others, and left.
A group of people and horses galloped in the night, rushing towards the place where the fireworks were shining brightly.
Soon, the guards at the gate of Yangzhou City saw the leader of the approaching group of people and hurriedly saluted and said, "Greetings, Governor!"
Chang Suining dismounted as soon as he passed through the city gate, and then quickly climbed up to the city wall.
On the tower, She Cai was waiting there. When he saw Chang Suining, he clasped his fists and saluted: "General!"
Chang Suining smiled and nodded to her, then walked straight to the figure standing on the top of the city wall, stood beside him, and looked at the fireworks still being set off in the city with him, and asked with a smile: "Sir, do you think it is pleasing to the eye?"
Luo Guanlin, who was brought here by Shepherd's Purse, didn't even look at her. He sneered with his hands behind his back and said, "Extravagance, how can it be pleasing to the eyes?"
Chang Suining was not angry, but smiled slightly and said, "But sir, Yangzhou should have been like this."
Upon hearing this, Luo Guanlin clenched his fingers slightly with his hands behind his back and gradually tightened the corners of his mouth.
Yes, Yangzhou City looked like this in the past. It was Xu Zhengye who destroyed that kind of Yangzhou, and he was not innocent.
"Yangzhou shouldn't be so bleak and miserable." Chang Suining turned slightly and looked back outside the city: "This lively Yangzhou is what the people of Yangzhou remember. The fireworks are extravagant, but there is the spirit of Zhaosu. Those refugees who are still afraid to return home will know that they can go home when they see the fireworks tonight."
Luo Guanlin was silent for a moment, but subconsciously looked towards the outside of the city with her.
During these days in the governor's mansion, Chang Suining did not restrict his movements too much, so he was able to learn a lot of news from the outside world.
Chang Suining would even give him the new measures planned for the day for his "review". Regardless of whether he looked at them or not, she would have someone deliver them to him every day.
In fact, he watched them all.
A small detail can reveal a big thing, not to mention that what she did was not "insignificant".
After a long silence, Luo Guanlin spoke: "Can I ask Governor Chang a question?"
"Just ask, sir."
"Chang Zhishi, who do you want to be?"
Chang Suining nodded approvingly: "Sir, this is a very good question."
Luo Guanlin: “…”
Where is it better?
How come this tone of affirming the other party before answering is like trying to cheer up a three-year-old child? "It's great that you are willing to ask me a question, sir." Chang Suining looked at the night outside the city and said with a smile: "Sir asked me who I want to be, I don't want to be anyone, I just want to be Chang Suining."
Luo Guanlin frowned slightly: "...In this case, what does Chang Suining want to do?"
“I haven’t thought about it yet.”
Luo Guanlin: “?”
"So please teach me, sir." Chang Suining turned to look at him, and said sincerely, "Sir, teach me how to be Chang Suining, and I will do that."
This look of "I really need the teacher to teach me so that I won't go astray" made Luo Guanlin laugh out loud - full of lies! But the other party said shamelessly: "The teacher's mouth is so powerful that it can't teach a mere Chang Suining like me?"
Luo Guanlin laughed again: "I don't have such extraordinary ability."
"How do you know if you don't try it, sir?"
Luo Guanlin: "I think Governor Chang has clearly made up his mind. Why does he need others to teach him?"
"Yes, I have a way to defend." Chang Suining turned around and faced the fireworks in the sky. His face was hidden in the light and darkness, and his voice rose and fell with the sound of the fireworks. He was more serious than before: "But it is far from enough to rely on my own strength. This world is so big, and talented people like you are like stars. I want to gather the power of the stars, integrate them, and re-arrange the chessboard of heaven and earth for the use of the world, so that the mountains and rivers that are about to collapse can be restored to order as soon as possible-"
"Sir, this is what I seek."
Luo Guanlin was silent for a while before asking again, "Does Governor Chang want to establish himself as the governor, or choose another wise leader?"
Soon, the girl's calm and frank voice sounded in his ears.
"If a wise leader appears, I will follow him." She said, "If there is no wise leader, I will be the wise leader."
A burst of firework exploded in the night sky above his head, shocking Luo Guanlin's heart. He turned in disbelief and looked at the girl who had nothing to hide.
No...she wasn't going to support her father and brother?!
Good night, my dears~ (End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
