Cui Xingzhi is two years younger than Zhou Gu and is the most promising person among the younger generation of the Cui family. Even though Mister Cui has gotten the greatest scholars of the time to painstakingly teach him, and he has lived up to everyone’s expectations. Among the younger generation, he stands out.
Assuming that nothing goes wrong, Cui Xingzhi should undoubtedly become the next leader of the clan.
However, Cui Xingzhi has agreed to Mister Cui’s proposal of sending him to ally with Zhou Gu in Nanchu, which is truly unfathomable.
An elder of the clan stuttered, "This isn’t a joke. Let’s not talk about the current situation in Nanchu, but it’s a minor vassal state. Even if the Nanchu Princess can outmaneuver the Nangong Family and combat Dawei’s scheme, it’s still a minor country..."
Mister Cui sighed, "My dear old Sheng, we can’t be narrow-minded. Nanchu is indeed a minor vassal state now, but who knows about the future?" He paused for a moment, "Of course, I too am gambling. The situation in Nanchu is indeed not encouraging. Of the two hundred shadow guards I handed over to Zhou Gu, only a dozen remain after the fight. The future indeed remains uncertain. This is why I said I’m gambling. If any of you aren’t willing, I won’t force this decision. It will then only be the decision of my own household."
"How can a decision affecting our entire clan be based just on your family? Are you planning to send Xingzhi away?" cried out Uncle Sheng in big distress.
"Apart from Xingzhi, there’s Jingcheng. Even the talented younger generation members of the Cui family." Mister Cui said, "Uncle Sheng, the Cui family has been lingering in our cozy space for far too long. If the Duke that served the country, Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace, and Grand Tutor Qin can all let go of Zhou Gu, why can’t our Cui family let go of Xingzhi?"
Uncle Sheng fell silent.
Mister Cui looked at everyone and said: "Although this matter is urgent, there’s still time for consideration. After going back home tonight, everyone should ponder it carefully. Xingzhi will be setting off tomorrow afternoon. Before he departs, all of you should make your decision. Those willing to come along can follow Xingzhi. Those who aren’t, can continue as usual."
Everyone looked at each other. Having said all of this, everyone had their own considerations and thought that they should think it over properly and nodded their heads in silence.
After the elders had all left, the younger members surrounded Cui Xingzhi, including some who were several years older and some younger ones. Among them was Cui Jingcheng, whom Mister Cui had mentioned earlier.
Cui Jingcheng was of the same age as Cui Xingzhi and quite talented, always compared by the elders with Cui Xingzhi. Surprisingly, he didn’t harbor any jealousy towards Cui Xingzhi. The two grew up together, discussing their studies with each other, and got along very well with each other.
After a round of discussion and debate, Cui Jingcheng carefully looked at Cui Xingzhi and asked: "Xingzhi, why did you consent to go to Nanchu? We promised that we would contribute to the family together, to restore the former glory of the Cui family."
Cui Xingzhi firmly replied, "Jingcheng, what our grandfather said makes sense. Our grandfather failed to salvage our family from the decline, and our elders exhausted all their lives but were still unable to reverse the downfall of our family. Instead, the family continues to go downhill day by day. We, the younger generation, certainly harbor high aspirations and the desire to climb higher, but the current crown prince doesn’t value the prominent families, as can be seen from this year’s examination. Half of the talents that the court needs are from poor families and there’s a glut of talent. Even if both you and I are outstanding, it’s still hard to guarantee we will do better in the future than our grandfather and the elders. Since it’s like that, why not take an alternative path?"
"But Nanchu has no connections to our Cui family," Cui Jingcheng said.
"That’s true, but the Nanchu Princess and Brother Zhou Gu only recently moved to Nanchu, and they also lack roots there," Cui Xingzhi replied. "I heard that before the Princess left Daliang, she recruited several talented and capable men: Zhang Mao, the legitimate son of Zhang Ping; Zhang Yun, the third son born to a concubine; Ning Ze, the second son of the Marquis Nanping Residence; Jiang Zhu from the Eighteen Camps; and the most surprising is Qin Ruo, former Vice Minister of the Imperial Censorate who was exiled to a bitterly cold place."
Cui Jingcheng was surprised, "I vaguely heard that after Zhang Ping’s sudden death, Zhang Mao and Zhang Yun decided to serve the Nanchu Princess. The Eighteen Camps also decided to align with the court. The most talented and youngest among the Camp Lords, Jiang Zhu, aligned with the Nanchu Princess. Among these people, only Ning Ze, the second son of the Marquis Nanping Residence, has an obscure name. He was once referred to as waste, inferior to Ning Chi, the heir of Marquis Nanping. But how did Qin Ruo also get taken away from the bitterly cold place by her? I didn’t know about this."
"I also heard about it from our grandfather, not many people are aware of Qin Ruo’s situation. It’s said that he was a person specially requested by the Princess from the Eastern Palace Crown Prince, who granted her request. The Princess personally went to the bitterly cold place to take him away and even settled his family to prevent them from suffering any longer," Cui Xingzhi explained. "I want to go to Nanchu to assist Brother Zhou Gu and also stake everything for our family name, Cui." 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚
Upon hearing these words, Cui Jingcheng nodded, "Then what about me..."
Cui Xingzhi looked at him, "Jingcheng, you should stay! You and I are different. Your uncle only has you as his son, but my father still has children and after I leave, my brothers can still fulfil their filial duties to our parents and grandparents. Moreover, it’s still uncertain how things will turn out in Nanchu in the future. That’s why our grandfather didn’t make this decision authoritatively, but instead wanted the elders of the clan to deliberate this matter together. It’s indeed a gamble. Perhaps my departure will bring about a bright future, or maybe I’ll never come back. Both possibilities exist."
Cui Jingcheng fell silent, "This is so risky..."
"Great fortune comes with great risks," Cui Xingzhi patted his shoulder, "By choosing to go there, I might be able to reverse the downward trajectory of our family. If I can’t, you guys will still be here."
Cui Jingcheng nodded, "Alright then! Take care of yourself and I’ll give you some of my shadow guards to take with you."
Cui Xingzhi shook his head, "Our grandfather has already made arrangements to protect me. Keep your men, once I leave, the burden on you will increase greatly. After all, the foundation of the Cui family is here. You will have many places to use these men, so you don’t need to worry too much about me."
Cui Jingcheng sighed, "Alright then!"
Having concluded their conversation, a teenager, barely ten years old, with a Treasure Sword at his waist, waddled his way through the crowd surrounding Cui Xingzhi to join them. He looked up at Cui Xingzhi and said, "Brother Xingzhi, I’ll go with you."
"Yanjin, you being the only child, have your Fourth Uncle and Aunt agreed?" asked Cui Xingzhi.
"They agreed. I just ran back home and told them. They said I can follow my own wishes," replied Cui Yanjin confidently.
Cui Xingzhi fell silent, "Fourth Uncle and Aunt agreed so quickly? You aren’t joking right?"
"I’m not kidding, if you don’t believe me, go and ask them." Cui Yanjin said: "My dad said that since I’m unruly and lack discipline, If I die outside, he and mother can simply have another child."
Cui Xingzhi: "..."
Though he was already aware of how casual his Fourth Uncle and Aunt were, treating child-rearing like a game, he still found himself shocked.
He looked at his young cousin, feeling that with parents like his, he wasn’t sure whether to be envious or to pity him. He could only nod, "Alright then, since Fourth Uncle and Aunt have agreed, I’ll take you with me. But remember, if you follow me, you must obey my instructions."
Cui Yanjin joyfully nodded, "Ok, I will definitely listen to you and Cousin Zhou Gu."
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