This question made Kang Zhi feel as if her innermost intentions were seen through at a glance.
Her expression was uncomfortable for a moment, but soon turned into frankness and determination: "My brother and I bear the infamy of killing our father, and in this chaotic world, we have no power to protect ourselves... I want to find a place for myself, my mother and my brother to settle down!"
Chang Suining: "So you come to thank me?"
"No!" Kang Zhi said hurriedly, "Ani is truly grateful to Governor Chang! She has long admired Governor Chang. Even if this hadn't happened, Ani would have been willing to lead Governor Chang's horse and follow him around!"
Chang Suining still did not comment, but reminded: "You should have somewhere to go."
Facing Kang Zhi's puzzled look, Chang Suining patiently explained: "Kang Cong killed his father, which was a fault of the Kang family, but he was meritorious for the country, and it was a great merit of sacrificing one's own family for the sake of justice. Commander Cui will report the matter truthfully, and the court will be happy to see it. At that time, there will be praise for your brother, and under political needs, nine out of ten times he will be given a military officer position to show the world -"
Kang Zhi had never been involved in political affairs, so when she heard this, she was very surprised for a moment.
"I never thought of it before, but it's not too late to know it now." Chang Suining said, "This is also an opportunity. If Kang Cong can grasp it properly, in this chaotic world, it may be possible for him to stand out. You can also use this opportunity to establish your own business."
Seeing Kang Zhi's uncertain look, Chang Suining said, "You can go back and discuss this matter with your mother and brother, and make plans early."
Kang Zhi came back to her senses and said, "But that was a reward from the court to my brother, not for me!"
She quickly accepted this realization and said firmly: "My brother is no better than me. If I have to rely on him, I'm afraid I won't be able to sleep well. He can take his reward and be his official, but I still want to make a living on my own!"
She didn't want to be dependent on others like before, nor did she want to see those who were not as good as her stepping on her head. Not others, not even her brother!
There was a hint of rebelliousness in the girl's deep and determined eyes.
But when those unruly eyes looked at Chang Suining, there was a rare level of obedience and respect: "Ani, you know that only you are willing to employ female soldiers!"
She recommended herself, "Ani has learned martial arts since she was young. She is good at using a whip, riding and shooting. I hunted all the winter fur coats for my mother and brother! I promise that I will never bring disgrace to the name of Governor Chang!"
"What you said is all about your own selfish desires, which shows that you have a sharp and strong character. Moreover, after you helped your brother kill your father, you didn't show any grief." Chang Suining's tone was unrecognizable, and he asked calmly, "Why do you think I dare to keep such a person around?"
Kang Zhi's face was filled with anticipation but froze, and she was obviously a little uneasy.
In her panic, she blurted out: "Kang Dingshan is not worthy of being a father. He was unfaithful and unkind. I have never truly obeyed him! If I pretend to be sad, it would be a deception and disrespect to you!"
"But Ani treats you differently. Ani has admired you for a long time. Even if you use me this time, I am only grateful and admire you!"
She seemed to be at a loss as to how to prove herself, and could only raise her hand awkwardly but resolutely to swear: "Ani, I can swear that I will never betray Governor Chang!"
She was so anxious that her eyes turned red. Then she suddenly thought of something and said, "Since you have spared my life and my brother's life, I guess in your eyes...Ani is not a heinous person who deserves death, right?"
She was watching and waiting for the reaction of the girl who was sitting cross-legged there.
At this moment, the girl who had always looked indifferent suddenly smiled: "You found out."
Chang Suining nodded and praised: "Although you are reckless, you are also very smart."
Kang Zhi was stunned for a moment, then suddenly became happy: "Ani knew... you are definitely not that worldly and superficial person!"
She could call herself a villain who killed her father and not care about the eyes and judgments of the world, but at that moment just now, facing the doubts of Governor Chang about her character and loyalty, she still panicked.
Now that she realized that Chang Suining was just testing her, Kang Zhi felt extremely fortunate and had an indescribable heartwarming feeling, with tears welling up in her eyes.
In her sight, the girl sitting behind the desk said to her slowly, "But you must know that the battlefield is never a place for us to settle down. On the contrary, it is a place for the people of the world to settle down. What you can get may be fame and success, or you may die on the battlefield. Is this really what you want?"
"Yes!" Kang Zhi said without hesitation: "Anywhere that Ani is willing to go is Ani's place to stay!"
The tears in Kang Zhi's eyes inexplicably became more frequent, but her eyes were bright and powerful.
The Governor Chang in front of her was more worthy of following than she had imagined.
Although this was not a battlefield, the girl of the same age as her had neither a sword nor armor on her, but she clearly gave her a sense of true strength.
The other party never used worldly terms to judge her right or wrong, good or evil. Her aura was like water, tolerant and broad, yet flowing freely. As it rushed, a majestic "spirit of the Tao" seemed to emerge.
This aura of destruction was something Kang Zhi had never seen in other generals.
At this moment, Kang Zhi seemed to be summoned by some powerful force. She felt her heart boiling with excitement. A voice in her head clearly told her that she had made the right choice. It couldn't be more right! If she did have the intention of seeking shelter and realizing her own ambitions before coming here, then now she was impressed and followed from the bottom of her heart.
Kang Zhi suddenly knelt down and bowed her head, saying, "Sir, please let Ani be your knife!"
"Ani will be a very useful knife and will never let you down! She will never show you the blade either!"
Chang Suining nodded and said, "Okay, let's give it a try."
Kang Zhi raised her head and almost cried for joy.
The reason why Chang Suining was willing to give it a try, besides because he truly admired the little girl, there was another very hidden reason.
For a moment, she vaguely saw the shadow of an old friend in this little girl—she was unwilling to be inferior to those who were inferior to her, and she desperately wanted to have the ability to protect her family...
The old friend was named Li Shang.
…
Kang Zhi wiped away several tears on her way back.
She didn't cry when she was bullied, and she didn't cry when she helped her brother kill her father. But now that she has recognized her master and has a home, she cries for no reason.
Yuezhi was startled: "Ani, but Governor Chang..."
Kang Zhi interrupted her with sobs: "Mother, Governor Chang has accepted me!"
Kang Cong stood up from behind the screen and walked out quickly: "...Ani, do you really want to stay?!"
In order to facilitate supervision, the three of them were thrown into the same tent, separated from their accommodation by a simple screen.
"Ani, you won't sell me to her too, will you?" Kang Cong didn't expect Chang Suining to be really willing to accept his sister. He was anxious and scared at this moment.
"How much is my brother worth?" Kang Zhi paused and changed her words: "Maybe he is worth a few... The governor just calculated for my brother and said that he has a high chance of becoming an official."
"Calculate..." Kang Cong looked puzzled. How did he calculate? Is Chang Suining a fortune teller?
Kang Zhi lowered her voice and repeated what Chang Suining had said.
Kang Cong was stunned for a moment.
"But brother, remember, you can't stand firm on your own—" Kang Zhi said in advance: "No matter what official position you can get in public, you will always stand with the governor in private, understand?"
Kang Cong: “…”
It turns out that before he even got the job, he'd already been designated as Chang Suining's lackey?
He couldn't help but ask his sister: "Is this how she threatens you?"
Kang Zhi slapped her brother on the head and tried to wake him up as usual: "What threat? Wake up, the governor didn't like you at all and didn't even mention you! You are just a match I forced in! Whether you can force it in or not depends on whether you have the ability to do it in the future!"
Kang Cong's expression was complicated and bitter. So, he was a match that he couldn't help but feel a little aggrieved: "Ani, do we have to rush like this?"
"What do you know?" Under the oil lamp, Kang Zhi's eyes were bright: "I, Kang Zhi, will never make a mistake in choosing a master."
…
Mrs. Shi, who was under solitary confinement, woke up from a night of coma, feeling as if her whole body was falling apart, and she kept crying out “ouch”.
Shepherd's Purse received Chang Suining's instructions and came personally to deliver breakfast.
Madam Shi took one look at the porridge and vegetables and curled her lips in dissatisfaction: "Is this all I am supposed to eat? How about feeding the sheep?"
Shepherd's Purse smiled cheerfully: "You're mistaken. In our military camp, sheep are only meant to be eaten. How can we make porridge for them?"
Madam Shi's face darkened, and she snorted, "Who are you trying to scare? I'm not afraid of you, old lady. You guys have to count on me."
Although she was picky with her mouth, she was really hungry and finally ate all the food.
On the one hand, she has a big appetite. On the other hand, as someone who was used to hardship in the past, she cannot stand wasting food, no matter whether it tastes good or not.
Shepherd's Purse was waiting nearby. When Old Madam Shi put down her bowl and chopsticks, she stepped forward to clean up the dishes and asked in a casual tone, "Old Madam, you must be sixty this year, right?"
Madam Shi wiped her mouth with a handkerchief: "I'm already sixty-eight this year..."
Shepherd's Purse looked surprised and said, "I really can't tell. You look young and blessed."
Madam Shi's lips twitched slightly, and she looked a little pleased: "It's nothing else, I just raised a promising and filial son."
She was always talkative, and now that she had eaten her fill, she felt more at ease. She looked at Shepherd's Purse and asked casually, "Are you from the south?"
“Yes, I’m from Hezhou.”
"Where is Hezhou?"
She Cai cleaned up the dishes and turned around and smiled: "It's over there on Huainan Road!"
This simple smile made Old Lady Shi feel a little friendly, and she subconsciously asked, "Are you married?"
"It's done, and it's gone!"
"Disbanded?" Old Madam Shi asked in surprise, "Why did they disperse? Did he not agree to let you join the military camp?"
"Not really. He doesn't care about his family and he's looking for a lover behind my back."
Madam Shi immediately perked up, clucked her tongue, and patted her leg: "Look..."
Shepherd's Purse sighed and tried to leave with the dishes, but Old Madam Shi grabbed her arm and pulled her to sit down beside the couch.
Madam Shi patted Shepherd's Purse's hand sympathetically and said, "You must be feeling very miserable... Come, talk to me!"
Back then, when her son had not yet become successful, she was the most well-informed person in the surrounding villages.
The year after her husband died was the most difficult year for her, but it did not stop her from going to the village entrance to complain to the people's congress and tell them about the difficulties of her life, with a bowl in her hands and a basket on her back with her son in it.
Shepherd's Purse chatted with Old Madam Shi for half a day.
After hearing about Shepherd's Purse's experience, Mrs. Shi showed a little more pity and appreciation on her face: "I like your character of being able to let go and not rely on men but on yourself!"
Shepherd's Purse said, "I've also heard some of your family's stories. It wasn't easy for you when you were young..."
"Yes." Old Madam Shi sighed, "Fortunately, we have made it through."
Family gossip can always quickly bring people closer together. Old Madam Shi sighed and continued, "After getting through this, I thought I could live a few more years of peace, but who knew my son would get on the boat of rebellion..."
"I was totally against this kind of thing at first."
"But Gou'er said that he had no choice. He and Kangding Mountain have been inseparable for a long time. If he refuses, he may suffer disaster. He can only wait and see..."
"Kang Dingshan was ambitious and ruthless, and he did a lot of harm to people!" Old Lady Shi said this with a sigh: "This time he died at the hands of his son, maybe it was retribution."
Shepherd's purse occasionally echoed.
Until Old Madam Shi couldn't help but miss the past: "Now think about it, what's the point of having a future? It's better to live a peaceful life..."
"Looking at the current situation, it's not that easy to rebel. Poor Wenwen, she hasn't had time to pick a good and handsome husband..."
Speaking of her most beloved granddaughter, Mrs. Shi felt worried and concerned, and couldn't help but shed tears.
This time, it was Shepherd's Purse who patted her hands to comfort her, and advised her at the right time: "Auntie, it's not too late to turn back now."
Old Madam Shi looked at Shepherd's Purse with tearful eyes, with a look of seeking advice and consultation in her eyes.
That night, a secret letter and a token were sent by express horse from Xuan Ce's military camp in Youzhou to Jizhou in secret.
"What do you think General Cui will choose?"
Watching the messenger and his horse disappear into the night, Chang Suining casually asked the person beside him.
The young man standing beside her said, "Shi Man let the Kang brothers and sisters leave the city so easily that day. In addition to not wanting to hurt Madam Shi, he probably also wanted to leave a way out for himself—"
Chang Suining nodded in agreement: "I think so too. As long as he is interested, there will be a chance to convince him."
Hei Li stood beside the two men, and the blazing torch beside them made the shadows of the two men and the dog appear extremely long.
…
After the news of Kang Dingshan's death spread, people in Jizhou City were in chaos.
The most chaotic place was the Kang family. The remaining sons of the Kang family fought for the military power and property left by their father, and the family fell apart in just a few days.
Shi Man's situation was not easy either. Just when he was in a state of panic, a secret letter was delivered to him, along with an old bracelet.
The bracelet was decorated with a yellow dog tooth, which his mother had found when he was a child and asked him to carry it with him to ward off evil spirits.
He kept it until he was eighteen, when he joined the army and took off the bracelet, which represented his youth and immaturity.
His mother kept many old things and accumulated them into many boxes. When he wanted to ask someone to throw them away, his mother always said, "We can still use them." If he asked her to throw them away again, she would get angry.
At this moment, Shi Man was holding the dog tooth with a hesitant look in his eyes.
…
Three days later, Cui Jing personally selected 20,000 soldiers and led them out of the camp, heading towards Jizhou.
…
4200 words, good night~
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