Chang Suining pondered and said, "Three million strings of cash is definitely not a small sum..."
Meng Lie responded with a "yes", because it was not a small amount of money. Such a large sum of money often also meant a large favor, and if a favor was delayed for too long, it would not be easy to repay.
He thought that his Highness thought the same, but the next moment, he heard her say, "Then I'll keep it for now."
Meng Lie was very confused: "?"
Your Highness, have you... suffered from too many days of lack of money? No, of course not, Your Highness will not confuse the importance of this matter.
"When he gave me the three million strings of cash, I was in dire need of money. His willingness to give me all he had is more precious to me than the three million strings of cash itself." Chang Suining said seriously, "I'm worried that if I return it now in a hurry, he will think I'm being too distant with him."
This willingness to do something in order to protect the other person's feelings surprised Meng Lie. He tried to ask, "So, Your Highness is willing to accept this favor from the other party?"
"Yes and no. The reason why I am willing to accept this feeling is because he doesn't think it is a favor." Chang Suining's eyes were filled with smiles, as if he was sharing something new and pleasant: "Meng Lie, you don't know, this person is very strange. No matter how much he does, he always feels that his kindness is not good enough, and he always seems to feel that he has no chance to do anything for me."
This time he moved all his assets to her. If she was in a hurry to return them, he would probably feel that he had nothing to offer.
"So I will keep these three million strings of cash for him first. When he needs it someday, or when the time is right, I will return it to him."
Meeting the girl's clear and joyful eyes, Meng Lie was startled for a moment, then smiled: "It seems that this person is special to Your Highness, different from others."
"Yes, because he treats me really special." Chang Suining nodded and admitted frankly: "He was the first to treat me special, so he deserves this special treatment."
She seemed to be sharing a colorful and bright story, describing a comfortable and positive relationship.
Meng Lie thought to himself: It seems that this is really special...
Then, he heard Chang Suining say "so". Her tone sounded like she was introducing a very important person to the people around her -
"So, he is now my best ally."
Meng Lie's mind froze when he mentioned it. Just an ally...? However, such an "ally" was the first one for His Highness.
Meng Lie said, "The ally chosen by His Highness will definitely not be wrong."
He was very curious about who this "ally" was, but since His Highness did not say it directly, he did not dare to ask too many questions.
Chang Suining smiled and said, "Okay, that's all for today. It's getting late. Let's go back and rest first."
Meng Lie said with renewed energy, "Your Highness, I am neither sleepy nor tired."
Chang Suining joked in a tired and listless tone: "But I am sleepy and tired."
Meng Lie came back to his senses with embarrassment. Yes, His Highness had been drifting on the sea for so many days, and as soon as he returned to the camp, he was busy talking to him and had to take the trouble to comfort him. He must be very tired.
but……
Meng Lie thought of something and said hurriedly, "I have one last thing to ask you. I wonder if your Highness has gained anything from this sea patrol?"
Chang Suining nodded: "We have made some progress. Tomorrow we will discuss with Lao Chang and the others about the next steps to fight against the Japanese invaders."
She did not elaborate on what she had gained, and Meng Lie did not ask further. He was not well versed in nor sensitive to news related to the war. When he followed His Highness, he also walked in the dark as a secret guard.
At this moment, it was enough for him to know that His Highness had gained something, and the other thing was...
"Your Highness, is the commander of the Japanese army this time really that Fujiwara?"
This is the issue that Meng Lie is most concerned about right now.
"It was him." Chang Suining said, "The Japanese army's marching deployment this time was indeed his style."
Meng Lie said sternly: "Your Highness, this man is cruel and vicious, and it is not easy to deal with him... You must be more careful."
"It just so happens that I'm also difficult to deal with." Chang Suining comforted Meng Lie: "This matter has both advantages and disadvantages. Between a difficult 'acquaintance' and a completely unfamiliar enemy, I would rather choose the former. Moreover, I know him, but he doesn't know who I am. Enemies meet without knowing each other. Isn't it more interesting to kill such an enemy?"
"This man was defeated by Your Highness more than ten years ago. Naturally, I trust Your Highness. I am more worried about..." Meng Lie said this and swallowed the rest of his words as he met the girl's bright eyes.
He wanted to say that he was worried that the soldiers under his highness' command at this moment were far inferior to the Xuan Ce army back then, and would hold his highness back.
But he remembered that His Highness had said that if a battle was won, the credit went to the generals and soldiers. But if a battle was lost, the responsibility always lay with the commander, not the soldiers who followed orders. Therefore, every defeat was due to the commander's incompetence and his betrayal of the soldiers who died in battle.
Because in your Highness's eyes, no one is born knowing how to ride a horse and fight, but as long as they are willing to obey military orders, they are good soldiers and can become good soldiers. If the obedient ones fail to become excellent soldiers, it is also the fault of the commander.
Her Highness is strict in leading her troops, but she loves them like her own sons. She is strict with others and even stricter with herself, and sets an example in everything. That is why countless people are willing to follow her loyally. That is why Her Highness was able to personally forge the Xuan Ce Army, a sharp blade that is still protecting the people of Dasheng.
As for how many soldiers under His Highness's command are currently useful, His Highness must know better than him, so there is no need for him to say more.
Seeing that Meng Lie had stopped talking about this, Chang Suining did not continue the conversation, and only said, "Don't worry, I know what I am doing."
A general who only complains about everything will not be able to fight a good battle. The soldiers under her command do have shortcomings, so she must focus more on improving their combat capabilities. As for those shortcomings that still cannot be made up after the improvement, it is necessary for the leader to formulate tactics that are suitable for the time, place and people, so as to maximize the chances of winning.
Therefore, since setting up camp here, in addition to deploying and adjusting coastal defense, military training and combat exercises are also top priorities, and the military has never relaxed for even a single day.
"Okay, go back and rest." Chang Suining finally said to Meng Lie, "If you think of anything later, it won't be too late to talk about it tomorrow."
Meng Lie responded "yes", and his eyes suddenly felt inexplicably hot again, "later", "tomorrow"... He suddenly realized that His Highness would not disappear suddenly, and there would be plenty of opportunities to speak in the future.
At this point, the invisible tension in Meng Lie's body was finally relieved. He bowed to Chang Suining and said, "Your Highness, I will take my leave."
He bowed his head with great respect and retreated to the door of the tent. Just as he was about to turn around and leave, he suddenly heard Chang Suining say, "Meng Lie."
Meng Lie looked up, and a look of waiting appeared on his face. Just as he was about to ask, "Your Highness, do you have any other instructions?", he heard the voice in front of him speaking seriously to him -
"Thank you for your hard work over the years."
After Meng Lie was stunned for a moment, his eyes became more and more sore, but there was only a smile in his eyes: "Subordinates never feel tired."
Chang Suining smiled at him and said, "Then take good care of your hair and let it grow back."
Meng Lie responded with tears in his eyes, "Hey!", bowed again, and then left the tent.
He had just walked a short distance when he met Adian who was running towards him.
Meng Lie stretched out his hand to stop the man.
"Uncle Meng, I heard... I heard that Ah Li is back!" Ah Dian's sleepy eyes sparkled: "I was just about to go there!"
"Adian, be obedient. It's too late. Go back to sleep..." Meng Lie pushed her back and coaxed her in a low voice, "Her Highness is tired. Let her rest."
Adian's feet suddenly stopped, and it felt like a mountain, which Meng Lie could not move easily.
“Uncle Meng, you…” Ah Dian’s eyes widened, and he pointed at Meng Lie. After looking around, he nervously covered Meng Lie’s mouth and said in a low voice, “Uncle Meng, you, you don’t say anything first, I’ll teach you how to say it!”
"You can call me General, Sir, Lady, Commander...but you can't call me Your Highness!" Ah Dian said nervously and self-righteously, "If anyone hears it, Your Highness will be burned to death as a monster!"
Having said that, he pulled Meng Lie over without saying anything, dragged him into his tent, and gave him a serious "teaching".
"Uncle Meng, have you memorized everything I said?" Finally, the strict teacher Adian asked in a tone as if he was asking a student about his homework.
"Okay, okay, I'll remember it all." Meng Lie was different from his usual self, with a gentle smile in the corners of his eyes and eyebrows.
He told Adian to go to bed quickly, and when he was about to leave, Adian grabbed the corner of his clothes again.
"Uncle Meng, I can't sleep. Can you stay and tell me a story?"
Meng Lie agreed good-temperedly.
He hadn't told Adian a story for many years. Adian lay down on the couch and looked at him sideways. He sat beside the couch and told him the stories he had told him before.
Adian, who had just said he "couldn't sleep", quickly fell asleep with the accompaniment of Meng Lie's slow voice.
Looking at Adian's peaceful sleeping face, Meng Lie couldn't help but smile.
He left only after carefully covering Adian with a blanket.
The night was still dark, Meng Lie walked forward, and he felt that he had roots under his feet and a direction in his heart.
The bond between him and Adian Changkuo and others is because of His Highness. When His Highness is away, they are destined to be scattered all over the place. But now that His Highness is back, home is back too.
Meng Lie returned to his simple tent and finally found the sense of belonging after many years, and the long-lost tranquility in his dreams.
…
The next day, Meng Lie got up early, folded his quilt in an orderly manner, washed up, and after having his meal, he walked out of the tent and saw Chang Kuo just returning from the martial arts arena.
Chang Kuo had his sleeves rolled up high, his body and face covered in sweat. He said something to Chu Xing beside him and laughed loudly a few times, his laughter was rough and deafening.
Seeing Meng Lie, Chang Kuo's eyes lit up, and he waved to Chu Xing. He limped over and put a hand on Meng Lie's shoulder, asking in a low voice: "...Meng, how are you? Are you not angry with me?"
Yesterday, when Meng Lie was left alone to talk, he knew what decision His Highness would make - after all, even if Old Meng's white hair didn't say anything pitiful, his silence was more powerful than words.
Meng Lie turned his head and met Chang Kuo's big eyes. He saw Chang Kuo smiling and looking naive.
Meng Lie didn't say anything, just made a "tsk" sound and waved Chang Kuo's sweaty hand away from his shoulder with disgust.
Chang Kuo wanted to get on with it again, but Meng Liena asked curiously in a voice that only the two of them could hear: "... Old Chang, you have only saved one million strings of cash in your life to this age? It's not even enough for His Highness to spend in Jiangdu for just a few months."
Chang Kuo: “?”
The next moment, Meng Lie was seen brushing off the non-existent dust on his shoulders and walking away slowly with his hands behind his back.
Chang Kuo came back to his senses, and was so angry that he put his hands on his hips. What's wrong with one million strings of cash? Isn't one million strings of cash money? Who does the surname Meng look down on? Isn't it just a few stinky bucks? He will go to His Highness to reason with him when he gets back! As for why he is going back, not now, it's not because Chang Kuo has good patience, but because Chang Suining is not in the camp at the moment.
When Meng Lie went to ask for an interview, he heard Xier say, "The girl went to the beach to watch the military training early in the morning. The girl said that if Mr. Meng comes to look for her, he can go directly to her."
The training ground is not far from the military camp and can be reached in two quarters of an hour by horse.
When Chang Suining arrived, military drills were already underway in various places. When they saw her coming, Coach Fang Chao and others wanted to step forward to salute her, but she raised her hand to stop them.
Fang Chao bowed to her and continued the drill. The soldiers' powerful shouts rose one after another, echoing across the early morning coast.
It is still a little chilly in the early morning, so most of the drills are conducted on the shore or on ships. After noon, they will go into the water for combat exercises.
Chang Suining stood on a huge rock, her robe and ponytail blown up by the sea breeze. She looked at the army formation in front of her and said casually, "Summer is a good time to train the navy. If it were autumn or winter, it would be difficult to have such an opportunity to go into the water."
Tang Xing, who was following her, smiled and said, "It seems that even the heavens are helping the governor. The weather, the location and the people are all right. We will surely win this battle."
Chang Suining smiled, blocked the dazzling morning light with his hands, and looked far away towards where the sea and the sky met.
Not far away, Guiqi lowered his head, tasted the sea water, shook his head and spit it out.
Faced with the return date that wanted to try everything, Ah Che was helpless and walked forward to lead it over: "Didn't you taste this sea water once last time?"
Guiqi seemed to understand what Ache said. He stamped his horse's hooves and shook his head to indicate the front. Last time he tasted the sea water there, he thought the tastes of the two sides were different!
Ah Che also understood what it meant: "Aren't they all cooked in the same pot..."
"Brother Che!"
When Xiaoduan's voice came, Ache looked up and saw Xiaoduan and Xiaowu running towards him barefoot with shoes in their hands. Ache's face tightened and he subconsciously took a few steps back, wanting to escape from here.
But Guiqi was wagging his tail and refused to leave. At this moment, he was obsessed with using his nose to dig up the wet sand and then spraying the sand out of his nose.
Seeing Xiao Duan and Xiao Wu approaching, A Che, who had nowhere to escape, subconsciously covered his mouth and nose.
"Brother Che, we practiced with Mr. Liu for half a day yesterday. Can you help us listen and see if we have made any progress?"
The Mr. Liu that Xiaowu mentioned was the ventriloquist that Chang Suining had left behind. It was Chang Suining's instruction that let Xiaoduan and Xiaowu learn ventriloquism from him.
The reason why Ache avoided Xiaoduan and Xiaowu was precisely because of this word: ventriloquism.
The reason behind this happened five days ago.
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