"Mm!" After a brief chat, Rong Zheng learned that Rong Sheng was very busy, treating patients and saving lives every day. It would be inconvenient for her to wear these jewelry pieces and clothes, so he did not insist.
Evening arrived quickly. Rong Yu returned from school and went to the clinic to get the key. After returning home, he cooked for his father and Sheng Bao. As soon as he arrived, he saw his second brother, Rong Zheng. He greeted Rong Zheng happily. Rong Zheng saw that Rong Yu was in much better health, his face was not as pale as before, and his body was much stronger. His worries were completely relieved. He then led Yuwen Yuanjing to follow Rong Yu back to their home in the county town.
Rong Zheng saw that their home in the county town was clean and tidy. Although it was a bit small, it was full of the warmth of home life, which made him feel very at ease, as if the hardships of his escorting goods on the road had been soothed.
Rong Yu glanced at the imposing Yuwen Yuanjing with a cryptic look, "Second Brother, who is this?"
"His name is Yuan Jing!" Then, he recounted how they met.
Upon hearing this, Rong Yu's eyes grew even more obscure. If his foolish older brother Rong Zheng didn't know, surely he did? Yuan Jing and General Yuwen shared the same name and were about the same age. Although Rong Yu wasn't sure if they were the same person, he had a feeling that Yuan Jing was extraordinary, unlike an ordinary farmer's son, more like a rough gem that had been polished.
Moreover, their meeting was... full of purpose, so Rong Yu glanced at Yuwen Yuanjing with great wariness.
If Rong Zheng were as smart as Rong Yu, then I wouldn't need to go through all this trouble. I could just take Rong Zheng away directly. Why would I need to go to the county town to see their family?
“Second brother, you can tell our parents about your desire to join the army! They wouldn’t have agreed before, but they definitely will now! The only requirement is that you are skilled in martial arts, so that our parents won’t have to worry about outliving their child!” Rong Yu said.
Rong Zheng said, "My martial arts are very powerful now, Fourth Brother, let me tell you..." Rong Yu told Rong Yu about his encounter with bandits on his journey as a镖师 (bodyguard/escort). Rong Yu was terrified as he listened, because the process was too frightening. However, his Second Brother's martial arts had greatly improved, and he had escaped unscathed and sent the bandits to the authorities, which showed that his Second Brother's martial arts had improved by more than just a little.
“Alright, when Dad and Shengbao come back tonight, I’ll put in a good word for you. Once Dad agrees, you should go home and see your older brother and mother! Your mother and older brother are very worried about you. Go back and let them know you’re safe. If you’re worried that your mother won’t agree to you joining the army, don’t tell her. Just let your older brother know!” Rong Yu said.
Rong Zheng nodded: "Of course. Although I'm not confident I can get Father to agree, Mother is even harder to persuade than Father!"
Rong Yu smiled, then asked his second brother to sit with his brother for a while while he went to the kitchen to cook. He talked with his second brother for a long time, which took up a lot of time. When his father and Sheng Bao came back for dinner, there was no food for them.
Instead of staying with Yuwen Yuanjing, Rong Zheng pulled him to the kitchen. He had Yuwen Yuanjing sit in front of the stove and help watch the fire, while he cooked with Rong Yu. In Rong Zheng's subconscious, Rong Yu's health was not good, and even though he had been cured, he still felt that Rong Yu was just as weak as Yuwen Yuanjing.
So when it came to cooking, he took on almost all the chores, leaving Rong Yu to assist him.
Rong Yu couldn't possibly fail to sense Rong Zheng's obvious concern; he simply chose not to say it!
Even if I told my second brother, he might not agree. Just like my parents and eldest brother, they always felt that I was still the same as before, weak and frail. In fact, I had recovered, but they had been worried for more than ten years and couldn't change their minds in a short time.
After they finished cooking, Rong Dong'an and Rong Sheng returned from the clinic. Rong Zheng was very happy to see them return and quickly told them to wash their hands and prepare to eat.
Seeing Rong Zheng's eagerness, Rong Sheng couldn't help but chuckle, but still followed Rong Zheng's lead and washed her hands.
At the same time, he told Yuwen Yuanjing to wash his hands and prepare for dinner.
Yuwen Yuanjing was a guest. Although they were not familiar with each other, they still had to be polite to the guest. Rong Dong'an and his two sons warmly invited Yuwen Yuanjing to eat and even drank some wine with him.
But Rong Zheng didn't forget Rong Sheng, and piled a lot of food on her plate: "Sheng Bao, these dishes were all made for you by your second brother, eat more! It's been a long time since you've had your second brother's cooking, hasn't it? Then eat more!"
"Thank you, Second Brother!" But the food in the bowl was overflowing, and he couldn't eat anymore.
After finishing her meal, Rong Sheng rubbed her round belly. She needed to take two digestive pills, otherwise she would feel uncomfortable at night!
After dinner, Rong Zheng tidied up the kitchen, and the whole family sat in the main room talking. After a while, Rong Zheng glanced at Rong Dong'an and said, "Father, I have something I want to tell you, and I hope you can agree."
"What is it?" Rong Zheng usually didn't say anything good, and Rong Dong'an was already used to it.
Rong Zheng said, "Father, I want to join the army!"
"Join the army?" Rong Dong'an frowned. "Rong Zheng, you know your parents don't approve of you joining the army, this idea..."
"Father! I know you won't agree! But I must join the army! I heard from Shengbao that my eldest brother fulfilled his dream of farming, building thousands of acres of greenhouses in the village. My third brother also fulfilled his dream of becoming a successful businessman and made a lot of money! After my fourth brother recovered from his illness, he went to school under Scholar Pei. Soon, in the spring, he will be able to take the preliminary examination, and in the second half of the year, he will be able to participate in the imperial examination. At that time, my fourth brother will be able to fulfill his dream of becoming a high-ranking official! Only I have accomplished nothing! Now my martial arts skills have improved even more, so I must join the army! I must join the army! I want to become a great general!"
Rong Dong'an: "Rong Zheng, your father doesn't want to bury his son..."
Rong Sheng quickly said, "Father, how can there be no danger in the army? If everyone is afraid of the elderly burying their children, then our Qingluan Kingdom will have no soldiers to protect us! We might have been annexed by the other three kingdoms long ago! It is certain that there are risks in war, but Second Brother's martial arts have improved, so he will definitely be safe on the battlefield! Right, Second Brother!"
"Yes, yes, yes! Father, my martial arts are really amazing. If you don't believe me, I'll fight Brother Yuan Jing right now. You watch!"
Yuwen Yuanjing: "Uncle, I have already fought Rong Zheng. His martial arts are indeed very strong. I am no match for him! If you don't believe me, I can fight Rong Zheng again!"
Rong Dong'an: "..."
Yuwen Yuanjing added, "Uncle, I know what you're worried about, but don't worry, Rong Zheng has just entered the army and will be undergoing training. He won't be going to the battlefield! Moreover, the four kingdoms are at peace and there is no war, so you can rest assured to let Rong Zheng join the army!"
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