Upon hearing this, Cui Yanjin’s face changed immediately, ordering Zhou Gu to quickly lie down on the bed.
He knew that Zhou Gu was extraordinary with his double-handed sword, making a name for himself after rampaging through the enemy camps in Nanping twice. It would be such a pity if he lost his martial arts skills.
No, no, this definitely couldn’t happen.
Zhou Gu noticed that Cui Yanjin was no longer fearful of him, reaching out to pull him. However, he couldn’t bear to tug his arm hard, concerned about tearing open his newly-wrapped wounds. Instead, he pulled his sleeves, saying, "Don’t listen to him. Doctors are known for exaggerating. They always make a seven-point ailment sound like a twelve-point one."
Doctor Zhang glared, nearly falling out with Zhou Gu, sternly saying, "Fourth Young Master, you might be talking about other physicians or those imperial doctors in the palace. I’m not one of them. I always strive for truth and do not spout nonsense or lies."
Cui Yanjin panicked upon hearing this, "Cousin! If you don’t listen, I am going to wake up your wife to deal with you."
It seemed like he had conveniently forgotten how Zhou Gu had earlier vented his anger at Su Rong.
Zhou Gu was actually intimidated by this and immediately spoke, "I will lie down on the bed after I finish eating."
Cui Yanjin turned his gaze onto Doctor Zhang upon hearing this.
Doctor Zhang nodded, "As long as he rests, that’ll be fine."
Satisfied with the answer, Cui Yanjin gradually let go of his grip and stopped forcing Zhou Gu back to the bed.
At the city gate, there was a small restaurant whose owner had already vacated the venue to house wounded soldiers.
Mo Shu took Cui Xingzhi to the small restaurant as per Cui Xingzhi’s suggestion to find a nearby place. As soon as he sat down, he heard Cui Yanjin’s men calling him, saying that Zhou Gu was awake and wished to see him. He immediately stood up and rushed out of the restaurant again.
Once Cui Xingzhi returned to the Commanding General Residence, he was guided to the room where Zhou Gu was staying.
Inside the room, food was being served. Cui Yanjin ordered for additional tableware, but Doctor Zhang shook his head, "I will not dine with the Fourth Young Master. I’m worried about Second Young Master Ye and others and need to check on them."
Zhou Gu nodded, "Thank you for your hard work."
Doctor Zhang waved his hand, reminded Zhou Gu to rest well, and quickly departed.
Just as he left, Cui Xingzhi arrived. Cui Yanjin’s eyes brightened, "Perfect timing. There’s no need to clear away the extra tableware. My cousin is here."
As he finished speaking, Cui Xingzhi entered the room. Seeing Zhou Gu sitting at the table, he greeted, "Cousin."
"Xingzhi, sit down," Zhou Gu tried to get up in return, but was stopped.
Cui Yanjin immediately pressed him down, "Cousin, you can’t move recklessly."
Zhou Gu couldn’t help but laugh, "You sure are a good supervisor."
Cui Yanjin chuckled, and spoke to Cui Xingzhi, "Cousin, his injuries are severe. The doctor has asked him to remain seated and not perform any martial arts. Otherwise, his skills could be permanently lost. So my constant surveillance of him is justified, don’t you think?"
Cui Xingzhi was taken aback, he hadn’t expected Zhou Gu’s injuries to be this serious. When he arrived, all he saw was Zhou Gu being escorted by his men. Yet he deeply respected his cousin’s wife, Princess Su Rong, and had newfound respect according to his observations of that day. After all, it was the princess who stayed on the battlefield, offering an escape route to Zhou Gu.
It made him realize that his grandfather was right. Since his cousin was so loved and cherished by the princess, his decision to give up everything in Daliang was valid. As long as his cousin and him stand tall, why worry about the lack of a place for the Cui Family in Nanchu?
He nodded, also looking serious at Zhou Gu, "Cousin, you must listen to the doctor. All of Dawei’s artillery has been destroyed. I’ve ordered to re-fortify the city gate, city walls, as well as reassess the defences today."
Zhou Gu sighed, "The city gate has long been unstable due to the constant bombardment, and the city walls have been seriously damaged. All of these cannot be completed in a couple of hours. Dawei will definitely continue to besiege the city tomorrow. Now, the question isn’t whether we have martial arts skills or not but whether we can save our lives."
Cui Xingzhi shook his head, "Cousin, what you don’t know is that if it was just the guards from Qinghe Cui Family, we wouldn’t have been able to accomplish it. However, most of the members of my maternal grandfather’s Evil Ghost Sect are skilled at modifying mechanisms. Handing over the city gate and walls to them, they’d be able to reinforce them seventy percent in one night."
Zhou Gu, genuinely surprised, immediately turned to ask Cui Yanjin, "Is it that amazing?"
Cui Yanjin too had his eyes wide open, "I don’t know either. Cousin, is that true?"
"Yes," Cui Xingzhi nodded, "Right now, all of them are working hard."
"That’s wonderful!" Cui Yanjin was instantly delighted, "The people my grandfather sent me are really helpful."
Cui Xingzhi laughed, "The people of the Evil Ghost Sect may be skilled in a variety of things, but what they excel at is construction and mechanism techniques. You are understating their usefulness. Your grandfather practically handed over the entire sect to you."
Cui Yanjin laughed, "Well, he only has my mother as his daughter, and my mother has only given birth to me. My grandfather is getting old and is happy to be a hands-off boss, living a life of leisure. You see, knowing I’m coming to Nanchu with you, he took the opportunity to offload them to me. I have to feed them in the future."
After he finished speaking, Cui Yanjin looked at Zhou Gu, "Cousin, my cousin and I came to seek refuge with you. You will take us in, right? I will be able to feed them in the future, correct?"
He had earlier told Zhou Gu about their decision to seek refuge, but it slipped his mind to ask if Zhou Gu would accept them.
Zhou Gu nodded, "Of course. These people are all talented, even if you don’t support them, they won’t starve."
"I can’t let that happen. I have to support them. I can’t let down my grandfather," Cui Yanjin immediately voiced his objection.
Zhou Gu chuckled, "If your grandfather is willing to send you guys, along with men, to seek refuge in Nanchu, it’s naturally a good thing for me. How could I turn you down?"
He hadn’t expected his grandfather-in-law to make this decision, and to send Cui Xingzhi no less. He suppressed his laughter, looking at Cui Xingzhi, "Xingzhi, have you really decided on this? It’s okay if you haven’t. Think it over carefully. If we can’t hold Nanchu, your guards can escort you and your younger cousin back to Daliang, back to Qinghe."
Cui Xingzhi shook his head, "Cousin, once the bow is drawn, the arrow flies. Once I made the decision, there was no turning back. I believe your wife is a great person. If we are able to repel Dawei’s forces, allowing her to rule Nanchu would be the right choice."
Cui Yanjin was nodding in agreement, his eyes sparkling, "Cousin, we saw it today. Your wife is amazing. Even when she’s surrounded and on the verge of death, she never gave up. She is noble and proud, a true princess!"
Zhou Gu scoffed, "But she turned me into a deserter."
"Oh, why are you still dwelling on this? Didn’t I already explain everything to you?!" Cui Yanjin sounded unsatisfied, "Cousin, you’re really being ungrateful."
Zhou Gu didn’t want to engage with him, addressing Cui Xingzhi instead, "Let’s eat first! Have you been on your feet without any food or drink since you got here?"
Cui Xingzhi nodded his head, and patted Cui Yanjin’s head, "Let’s eat!"
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