Su Yushan had even planned to ask Hongli to help persuade her brother! She never expected this to be his idea. "When did you tell Jiafeng about this? How come I didn't know?"
"I mentioned it yesterday, but I haven't had a chance to tell you yet." Hongli originally planned to tell Yushan last night, but he was so busy being intimate that he completely forgot about it. By the time he remembered, Yushan was already sleepy and had closed her eyes. He planned to tell her tonight, but unexpectedly, He Yuning came to his door.
Su Jiafeng only told He Yuning that it was his own idea, without mentioning that it was Fourth Master's. He Yuning was completely baffled upon learning the truth.
"But why does Fourth Master want Jia Feng to go to the battlefield?"
Hongli had his reasons for making this arrangement. "Jiafeng has been a palace guard for three years and has been promoted three ranks in those three years. He is now a second-class guard. However, he is a Han guard after all, and his background is not as good as that of a Manchu guard. It is not easy for him to be promoted to first-class guard unless he can make meritorious contributions. Otherwise, even if he endures for a few more years, he may not be able to get ahead."
That's why I thought of sending him to war, so he would have a chance to earn merit, and then I would have a reason to help him get promoted and ennobled.
Hongli's initial intentions were good, and Su Yushan was grateful that he was thinking about Jiafeng's future, but she still had some concerns.
"Jiafeng only needs a minor official position. Yun Ning and I don't expect him to rise to prominence. Peace and safety are what we truly desire. I don't want him to risk his life on the battlefield."
Women care about stability, but most men want to strive. "That's just your opinion. As a man, Jiafeng is willing to go to the battlefield, defend his country, and make contributions."
The Dzungar War had lasted so long; this battle must be incredibly arduous and wouldn't be so easily won. The more Su Yushan thought about it, the more uneasy she became.
“But swords are merciless. Jiafeng has never been on the battlefield. I’m worried something might happen to him. He’s my only brother, and I don’t want him to take any risks.”
Hongli had also considered this point. "I will instruct the ministers in charge to protect his safety. He is my brother-in-law. Those people know what they're doing and won't send him to the front lines right away. They will definitely wait until he is familiar with the battlefield and has gained experience before he goes into battle."
He Yuning was still hoping that the Fourth Prince could persuade Jiafeng, but he also supported Jiafeng going to war. He Yuning became increasingly anxious and once again expressed her stance to Hongli.
"Fourth Master, I never expect Jiafeng to seek any wealth or glory. I only hope that my husband and I can live a peaceful life and avoid any mishaps. We have been married for so long and have never been separated. I really cannot accept his going to Junggar. Please understand, Fourth Master."
“I understand your concern for Jiafeng’s safety, but this is ultimately Jiafeng’s business, and you must also consider his feelings. He is focused on going to the battlefield, and you should support him and not let him have any worries.”
Hongli believed that Jiafeng should decide this matter. Seeing that the Fourth Prince was unwilling to change his mind, He Yuning had no choice but to take her leave.
When she saw her off, Su Yushan told her not to worry too much, and that she would try to persuade the Fourth Master.
After her younger siblings left, Su Yushan returned to the inner room, growing angrier the more she thought about it. "How could you make such a big decision without telling me beforehand?"
This time the situation was special. Hongli did not intend to hide it from her. "At that time, the palace was recruiting soldiers and required people to sign up. I didn't have time to discuss it with you. Besides, Jiafeng also agreed, so I made the decision for him. I was thinking of telling you when I got back to the manor. I was busy feeding you last night, so I was delayed."
“He agrees, but Yun Ning and I disagree. Isn’t it better to be a peaceful bodyguard? Why risk going to the battlefield?” In Su Yushan’s view, being a bodyguard is a secure job with no worries about accidents.
Hongli shook his head and sighed softly, patiently explaining to her, "You should know that a guard will also get bored after a while. Rather than being a guard and standing there all day like a statue, he would rather fight and kill on the battlefield."
In the eyes of a man skilled in martial arts, only by putting his skills to good use can he make his life worthwhile! If everyone yearns for comfort, fears death, and is unwilling to defend their home and country, then who will protect this land?
She understood the greater good, but Su Jiafeng was, after all, the original owner's family, and Yushan had a duty to protect his safety. Moreover, He Yunning didn't agree to Jiafeng joining the army, so as the older sister, she naturally had to consider her younger brother and sister-in-law's feelings.
“I can’t interfere in other people’s business, but this is my brother, so naturally I have my own selfish motives. If nothing happens to him, all will be well, but if something does happen, how am I supposed to explain it to Yun Ning?”
He gently stroked her furrowed brows with his finger, and comforted her softly.
“Yushan, I understand your concerns, but I still think you should respect Jiafeng’s wishes. Even if you are his family, you shouldn’t make decisions for him.”
If you continue to obstruct him and forbid him from trying, he'll probably regret it for the rest of his life and be depressed. If he tries it and finds the battlefield too harsh and doesn't want to stay, then I'll transfer him back to the capital.”
Hongli's words seemed to make a lot of sense. She thought it was for Jiafeng's sake, but it was Jiafeng's own life. Even as her older sister, she could only offer guidance and suggestions, not make decisions for him.
After much thought, she decided to meet with Jiafeng and hear his thoughts.
Knowing that she was uneasy, Hongli began to make arrangements. The next day, he invited Su Mingfeng and Su Jiafeng, a married couple, to his residence to discuss the matter together.
Su Mingfeng was a scholar who understood the greater good. He supported his younger brother's decision. In his view, a true man should either speak up for the people in the court or defend his country on the battlefield. This was their inescapable responsibility.
With her younger brother right in front of her, Su Yushan asked him what he thought. He said the same thing again: he had had enough of being a guard for the past three years and didn't want to waste any more time. He wanted to go out and make his own way in the world.
“Sister, Yun Ning, I know you are worried about my safety. I have so many family members in the capital, and I can’t bear to leave you behind. I can assure you that I will take good care of myself, do what I can, and strive to return safely. I will never act rashly or abandon you.”
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