The Finale
After the Northwest was pacified, Lu Chang sent a message to the south, announcing that he would lead an army of 50,000 southward to return to Lingnan.
When the army arrived at Qijingdu, the river was filled with bamboo rafts for crossing. The soldiers sat on the rafts one by one and crossed the river in an orderly manner.
When only a few hundred men remained, Lu Chang rode his horse to the riverbank and saw people coming in a boat from the opposite bank. One man was rowing the boat, and another stood at the front, his armor silver and his cloak fluttering in the wind—it was Cui Dongchi.
When the boat reached the shore, Cui Dongchi did not get on, but said with a smile, "I will accompany Qingqing across the river."
Behind him, Chen Min whispered, trying to dissuade him: "General, you mustn't."
Lu Chang ignored him, dismounted, and jumped into the boat.
The two stood in the boat, looking at the vast river. Cui Dongchi said, "Aren't you afraid I'll make a move here?"
Lu Chang smiled: "You are no match for me!"
Cui Dongchi chuckled to himself, "That's true. Lu Chang is the one who trains the navy. How could I possibly win in this river?"
Looking back at the riverbank, there were only a few people waiting to cross. The two forces in the south were evenly matched, but the northwest was already in Lu Chang's hands, giving him a greater advantage than himself.
“My advisors have given me a lot of ideas, each one of which could kill you in the Northwest.”
"Then why not do it?" Lu Chang laughed. "You can't be an emperor if you're not ruthless, and you can't hold onto this country!" He looked at Cui Dongchi and said, "You reinstated me just to use me as a tool to clear away obstacles, didn't you? You did it, and so did I."
Cui Dongchi frowned: "Because I'm unwilling." He looked at Lu Chang seriously: "I had many opportunities to kill you, but I was unwilling."
"Because your 50,000 elite troops are going to cross the Yangtze River to the south, my advisors have advised me to let the Pingyuan River breach its banks."
"You could have done that."
"Do you know how many people live on both sides of the river?" Cui Dongchi said solemnly, "Three hundred thousand! A full three hundred thousand people! Just for these fifty thousand people, I'm going to kill three hundred thousand lives?"
He shook his head: "Not worth it! I'd rather have a proper fight with you!"
The ship quickly approached the opposite bank. Although there was still some distance between them, Lu Chang saw Wu Xia leading her horse and waiting on the other side, with countless elite soldiers behind her, all waiting for Lu Chang there.
Seeing this, Cui Dongchi laughed and said, "It seems your subordinates are also worried that I'll use underhanded tactics!"
He looked at Wuxia ahead and said, "I haven't touched Lingnan, and Ningzhou was also conquered by you. I'm returning it all to you. Lu Chang, what happens next depends on our fates."
Lu Chang asked, "If you were emperor, what would you do?"
"Let the people recuperate and rebuild, and return the country to its people."
Lu Chang smiled.
The boat docked, and before he could even bow, he said, "Greetings, young master."
Lu Chang mounted his horse and led his army south. Cui Dongchi suddenly ran after Lu Chang, but he was on foot and no match for a horse. Only his voice echoed along the banks of the Pingyuan River.
"Qingqing, I made the right bet, I made the right bet, didn't I?!"
When the army arrived in Ningzhou, Lu Chang received Jingwan—he had asked Wuxia to take her across the river earlier.
Wu Xia asked, "Is Cui Dongchi willing to let Master return to Lingnan? Perhaps he has been planning to ambush him along the way for a long time."
Lu Chang smiled and said, "I will write to you when we get to Lingnan."
Upon hearing his words, Jingwan looked at Wuxia in surprise: "You're not going back to Lingnan?"
A feeling of reluctance welled up in Wuxia's heart, but even so, she still told Jingwan, "The Northwest is my home."
She was facing separation again, and each time it broke her heart. Bo Jun, Gong Shu, Chun Lai, they all left.
Wuxia said, "I will often visit Xiaoxing Village so that if the girl returns one day, she will have a clean home to stay in."
"And Your Highness, you must go and see her for me."
Wuxia nodded: "Okay!"
They parted ways in Ningzhou, one heading south and the other north, not knowing when they would be able to reunite.
After the army crossed the Daguanling Pass, just as Lu Chang had said, Cui Dongchi had not lied to him; he had indeed brought them back.
After a month of rest in Lingnan, Lu Chang asked Chen Min to deliver a letter to Cui Dongchi.
After Cui Dongchi finished reading the letter, he led a few people to Lingnan. When they arrived at Jinning City, they learned that Lu Chang had already left.
"General Lu has been in poor health since returning from the Northwest, and Lord Feng has been handling all the affairs in Lingnan."
"I heard he went overseas to seek out renowned doctors, but they didn't say when he would return."
While listening to the servants' report in the Lu family hall, Feng Ji rushed over and knelt before Cui Dongchi to pay his respects. Before leaving, Lu Chang had already told him that this would be the future emperor.
Cui Dongchi knew Feng Ji; Lu Chang had mentioned him in a letter.
In that letter, Lu Chang recommended many talented people to him. At the end of the letter, he clarified that he did not intend to interfere in politics, "However, the country has just been established and urgently needs people. I hope you will consider this carefully."
Cui Dongchi hadn't expected him to leave, but thinking about it, it was indeed Lu Chang's style.
Rather than staying here and arousing his suspicion, it's better to leave. Besides, he has no interest in power or the throne; he has someone he loves who is willing to travel the world with him.
"Lu Chang, I will never let you down!" Cui Dongchi murmured to himself.
On the shimmering sea, Jingwan leaned against the ship's edge, admiring the sunset's glow. The clouds on the horizon were ablaze with color, and she pointed to the radiance, counting the various hues.
On a three-story-high giant ship, she was just a tiny speck.
A cloak was draped over her body. Without turning around, she knew who it was. Without the slightest surprise or doubt, she still looked up and smiled, "Brother, guess how many colors these clouds have?"
Lu Chang stood behind her, enveloping her completely in his arms. He rested his chin on the top of her head, his hands clasped over Jing Wan's slightly protruding belly, and asked with utmost tenderness, "Hmm, how many kinds?"
"There are seven kinds, and there are some others I can't name."
Jingwan yawned, her eyes blurry from looking at all. Since becoming pregnant, she felt like she couldn't get enough sleep every day.
Lu Chang took her hand and led her towards the cabin: "Want to sleep a little longer?"
She rubbed her sleepy eyes and said, "Brother, stay with me."
"Okay, your brother will always be with you."
Jingwan fell asleep holding Lu Chang's hand. Looking at her beautiful sleeping face, Lu Chang affectionately kissed her forehead.
With such a beautiful woman by my side, this life is enough.
We first met in our youth, but were separated by the chaos of war.
The twists of fate shattered the heart of a beautiful soul.
Wherever you wander, you will return home once you land.
The sunset fades over the sea, and I sleep soundly until the ends of the earth.
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