Dou Yong shook the envelope and asked sternly, "Do you recognize this handwriting?"
Guo Honglei nodded. "If I'm not mistaken, this should be the handwriting of my master, Elder Lu."
"Well, it is indeed Mr. Lu's handwritten letter. I just received it this morning. You can get up." Dou Yong placed the letter on the table and covered it tightly with his palm.
Are you not going to punish me? Guo Honglei hesitated for a moment, then stood up as ordered.
"Cough, cough, cough." Dou Yong coughed, causing pain in his wound. He covered his abdomen with his hands from time to time and said gently, "You are his last disciple, one in a million. You must be extremely talented."
Guo Honglei said modestly, "I don't deserve it. My teacher has many students all over the world, and there are so many talented people among them. Compared to them, I am simply too incompetent."
"From what I can tell from the words in that letter, Mr. Lu really appreciates you. That's rare." Dou Yong cast aside his previous imposing demeanor and spoke in a friendly manner, "We've known each other for thirty years. I know he's always been a serious person. Even if a disciple passed the imperial examination or received a promotion, the most he would do is say 'good job' and then warn 'don't be arrogant.'"
"So you're an old friend of my master?" Guo Honglei was startled, thinking to himself: We've known each other for thirty years? From his tone, it seemed like they were quite close, yet my master had never mentioned this person.
Dou Yong waved his hand, his eyes complex and deep, and said solemnly: "Mr. Lu is a great scholar of our time. I am just a warrior. How dare I call him an 'old friend'?" He smiled and asked expectantly: "Has the old gentleman ever mentioned me?"
Guo Honglei shook his head and frankly said, "In fact, I have only been studying with you for two years. I haven't even learned the basics yet, but something terrible happened at home. I am unable to serve you, my dear teacher. I am extremely regretful."
"It's hard to meet each other across the world. Tell me the truth, is he still in good health?"
Guo Honglei sighed and replied briefly, "My master is over seventy years old and inevitably weak. He retired five years ago due to illness. He always suffers from coughs in the cold winter and early spring. He usually stays at home to recuperate and rarely receives guests."
"Alas," Dou Yong sighed, his face filled with nostalgia. He spoke frankly, "When I was young, I studied literature and lived in the capital for several years. I failed the exams repeatedly and felt disheartened. Then, by chance, I met Mr. Lu. He was a man of great refinement. After listening to the frustration of a failed candidate, he gave me a long lecture, explaining that 'a little tolerance leads to success, while urgency leads to success.' He urged me to study hard."
Guo Honglei nodded suddenly.
Dou Yong continued, "Moreover, the old gentleman saw that I was financially strapped, and generously gave me money, which was like a timely help." He then changed the subject, sighing, "Unexpectedly, my mother suddenly became seriously ill, and I rushed back to Xicang to care for her. While I was observing mourning, the Northern Qi invaded Dagan. In anger, I gave up my pen and joined the army, gradually giving up the idea of taking the imperial examination."
"The general is both civil and military, and he joined the army in times of crisis. It is truly admirable!" Guo Honglei stood in awe.
The two talked for a while, and he recalled his mentor with a mixture of respect and guilt. He spoke with resignation, saying, "The Guo family was convicted and exiled, their reputation in tatters. By accepting me as a disciple, my mentor's reputation has also been damaged... I'm so sorry for him."
"snort."
Dou Yong's face darkened, and he raised his head in displeasure, demanding sternly, "Since you clearly know you should protect our teacher's reputation, why did you make such a mistake today? You've brought shame upon our teacher. Do you acknowledge your mistake?"
Guo Honglei's face flushed instantly, and he felt humiliated. Following military etiquette, he knelt on one knee again, clasped his fists solemnly, and said, "I acknowledge my guilt. After this, I will never dare to do it again. Please punish me, General!"
Dou Yong's face was as gloomy as water, and he said coldly: "Today's matter is not big, but it is not small either. If this general wants to investigate, you will not escape punishment."
"Yes." Guo Honglei was extremely ashamed and did not make any excuses. He said earnestly: "I know I was wrong and I am willing to accept the punishment." @Infinite good articles, all in Jinjiang Literature City
Dou Yong studied the heroic young man, his eagle eyes gleaming with brilliance as he frowned. "Compared to the outside world, loyalty is even more valued in the military, and the camaraderie of comrades is extremely precious. But as has always been the case, excess is as bad as deficiency. While it's fine to value loyalty, letting it get in the way can easily lead to mistakes, and that's absolutely unacceptable! Do you understand this principle?"
"To be honest, I thought I understood, but it's only now that I truly understand." Guo Honglei suddenly understood and said gratefully, "Thank you, General, for your advice."
Dou Yong had been in the army for half his life and had seen a lot, so he was not surprised by anything. He said with a stern face, "If you had made a serious mistake, this general would not have forgiven you easily! Fortunately, it is only a minor mistake. Considering that you have only been in the army for a short time and are young and ignorant, I will forgive you for this time."
Guo Honglei was as if he had been pardoned and hurriedly said, "Thank you, General, for your forgiveness!"
"This won't happen again! If it happens again, I'll punish you severely for both crimes."
Guo Honglei lowered his head awkwardly, "Yes."
"When you're young, you learn from your mistakes. Otherwise, you'll probably forget everything after a while." Dou Yong, seated high up in the group, had a plan in mind. He calmly ordered, "From now on, for the next month, in addition to daily drills, unless you're engaged in combat or injured, you must run twenty laps around the parade grounds."
"The Master said, 'I examine myself three times a day.' If you don't have time for 'three examinations,' at least you should examine yourself once. Reflect on yourself as you run, remember today's lesson, and calmly consider the principles of conduct in society, so as not to bring shame upon your respected teacher."
"I will obey your orders, General!" Guo Honglei sighed softly, sincerely convinced, and said firmly, "I will remember this and will do as you command from now on!"
Dou Yong nodded with satisfaction.
At this time, the personal guard loudly reported: "General, the Wu Qianhu wants to see you!"
Dou Yong frowned and said lightly: "Spread it." @Unlimited good articles, all in Jinjiang Literature City
"yes."
Dou Yong warned, "Alright, go down now. Be sure to reflect on your actions."
Guo Honglei stood up as instructed and was about to turn around, but then he stopped and asked sincerely, "Please forgive my audacity, but I wonder if you will still recruit your personal soldiers? If so, what are your requirements?"
"When did this General ever say he would take back his order?" Dou Yong asked instead. The two rows of sturdy personal guards, armed with swords, had softened their expressions, their lips and brows adorned with smiles.
Guo Honglei understood and was instantly delighted. Without hesitation, he lifted his robe and knelt, saying loudly, "Thank you, General, for taking me in. From now on, I hope to serve you wholeheartedly."
"You are thin and still lack exercise. Go down." Dou Yong waved his hand happily.
"Yes!" Guo Honglei was full of energy. He turned around and couldn't help laughing. His feet were like the wind, and the corners of his robe were flying. He strode through the corridor with his head held high. Unexpectedly, as he stepped down the stairs, he ran into Wu Hai head-on.
Guo Honglei stopped, saluted formally, and said politely, "Master Wu."
Wu Hai looked at the man intently for a few breaths, snorted, and passed by with an expressionless face.
Qian Hu was moody, but Guo Honglei was used to it and walked away calmly.
Meanwhile, in the hall
The confidant leaned closer and asked curiously, "General, what did Mr. Lu praise Guo Honglei for in his letter?"
"Actually, I'm not praising him at all." Dou Yong smiled and sighed, "Mr. Lu is truly a great scholar of his generation, highly respected and broad-minded. Over the years, I've often written to him seeking advice, and he's patiently replied and answered my questions. I've benefited greatly from this, and I'm deeply grateful."
The confidant asked, "So he asked you to take care of the young disciple?"
Dou Yong shook his head and said admiringly, "Not really. Ever since Guo Honglei joined the Heqin Guards, he hasn't said a word about it, as if he were confiscating his closed-door disciple. It was I who couldn't help but ask."
"What did the old man answer?" The guards listened with great interest, their ears pricked up.
Dou Yong, not concealing the truth from his loyal confidant, kindly informed him, "Mr. Lu is open-minded. His general point is, 'If Honglei can't be helped, then it's useless to help him. It's a waste of effort. Let's just wait and see for a few years. Whether he's worth cultivating or not is up to you, and you can make your own judgment. There's no need to ask others.'"
"Oh, the old man is indeed open-minded. Just listening to him makes people admire him."
"This old man seems to be very confident in his closed disciple."
"Yes! I guess he seems to have determined that Guo Honglei will have a bright future."
The personal soldiers were talking at once.
Dou Yong took a sip of tea and said calmly, "I've been observing this from the sidelines, and I have to admire Mr. Lu's vision. Guo Honglei is indeed a promising talent. Although the Jingyang Marquis's mansion was defeated, he has noble relatives and friends to look after him. He has never sought leisure time, but has been diligently training, patrolling the border, and fighting in battle, repeatedly making military achievements." After a pause, he said majestically:
"Such a diligent and courageous young man deserves to be promoted, no matter his last name."
In a moment, Wu Hai arrived and everyone in the hall immediately fell silent.
Dou Yong suppressed his smile and looked indifferent.
Wu Hai was apprehensive and hurried inside to greet the guests, secretly pondering over his words.
A moment later, Guo Honglei returned to the training grounds. Coincidentally, the soldiers were resting, and his familiar comrades rushed over, vying to ask:
"What's going on?" Lin Qin was worried.
Peng Changrong struggled to squeeze forward and asked nervously in a low voice, "What's going on? Is the general angry?"
"Hey, we've all heard what Brother Pan said. You didn't get punished, did you?"
"Did the general really accept you as his personal soldier?"
"Guo Honglei, I didn't expect you to be so loyal."
…
Pan Kui approached, quickly pushed aside his men, and asked with concern, "Tell me! What happened?"
Guo Honglei calmed himself down and walked towards his superior who had been so kind to him. He slowly replied, "General Dou has taken me in as a personal soldier and has punished me by making me run twenty laps around the training ground every day for a month. Lord Pan, you—"
"Hahaha~" Pan Kui breathed a sigh of relief, laughed happily, patted his proud subordinate's back vigorously, and said excitedly: "Good boy! Good! I knew that the general was magnanimous and would punish you, but the mistake would not be punished severely."
Guo Honglei clasped his fists and said sincerely, "I haven't congratulated you on your promotion yet, sir. Congratulations!"
"Congratulations, boy. From now on, you will follow the general. Be smart and learn more." Pan Kui's face was full of joy and he couldn't hide his happiness.
The soldiers surrounded Guo and Pan, congratulating them and asking for wine, making the scene very lively.
"Bah, two lackeys, acting so arrogantly, be careful or you might end up in disaster!" Tian Bo watched coldly, gritting his teeth, filled with immense jealousy.
Night Liucun
With a "clang", the teacup shattered into pieces.
Jiang Yushu was incredulous, her eyes wide open, and she asked anxiously, "W-what? What did you just say?"
"Don't panic, young lady. Maybe I heard it wrong, or maybe it's the same name." Cuimei was uneasy. She leaned over and whispered carefully, "I heard the village chief clerk chatting with the official. He said that the state government sent an official to the county. He is from Jiangnan and his name is Pei Rui. The new official has three major tasks to do when he takes office--"
Jiang Yushu gasped and interrupted, "Pei Rui? Isn't her cousin, my cousin, surnamed Pei, given name Rui, and courtesy name Wenfeng?"
"Yes," Cuimei echoed, "Cousin Pei Wenfeng."
The author has something to say:
Pei Wenfeng: The hatred of having my wife taken away is irreconcilable!
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