Qi Chengjun rarely nodded, and his gaze towards Qi Chenglang was much gentler than before, with an expression that said, "You've grown up, and I'm very pleased." Qi Chenglang held his chin high, and a little pride welled up inside him.
It has to be said that we have the young prince's blessing that these imperial guards, who have been protecting the emperor in the palace for many years, have also learned a few days of military strategy.
In addition, having spent more than a year traveling around, he had become familiar with the veteran bodyguards of the escort agency and was well aware of which terrains were prone to ambushes.
So when they looked at the map and passed that natural cliff, they guessed that if the King of Chu wanted to take action, he would definitely not let go of such a good place.
Qi Chenglang said while taking credit, "Big brother, don't you think I've grown a lot this time?"
Qi Chengjun looked at his beaming face and slowly nodded: "He has grown a lot..."
Before he could finish speaking, Qi Chenglang's eyes lit up, and he became awkward, pretending to be nonchalant as he said, "Really? You've really grown up."
From the time he was born until now, his brother has been a model of a distinguished family. He not only learned to greet people politely and abide by the rules from a young age, but also refused the family's arrangements and passed the imperial examinations on his own.
Growing up next to such an outstanding and almost perfect older brother, Qi Chenglang was under a lot of pressure from a young age, but he was easygoing and didn't care much. Most importantly, with his brother taking care of everything, he could just live his life happily.
He was used to being controlled by his older brother since he was a child, so he felt a little uncomfortable being praised like this.
He scratched his head, his chuckle gradually turning into a smug expression.
Qi Chengjun couldn't help but give him two more slaps, then continued, interrupted, "If you could be a little more composed, you would truly have grown up."
This unconventional personality, even in the harsh environment of the northern desert, was not tempered into composure. One can only imagine how much trouble Xie Changshi and others went through for him.
But actually, seeing my younger brother still so innocent after a year away, I'm really happy inside.
Qi Chenglang had no idea what he was thinking. He pouted and whispered, "I knew you couldn't possibly be genuinely praising me."
As expected, I'm more familiar with this older brother who always educates me.
Time was of the essence, and Qi Chengjun didn't want to waste time on these matters. He pulled him inside, saying, "Don't think that just because you left someone behind, things are settled. You should know that Jiangnan is the territory of the King of Chu, and I don't even know how many private soldiers the King of Chu has."
Qi Chengjun's lips parted slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but he held back in the end.
This matter is of great importance. He only has suspicions now and is trying to investigate secretly. He has no evidence at all, but if he reveals his suspicions, the nature of the matter will change.
He could only continue to remind me tactfully: "The Emperor sent me a letter, instructing me to send some people to protect you."
Qi Chenglang instinctively wanted to refuse: "There are so many of us..."
"Behave yourself." Qi Chengjun's face darkened. "You didn't make a move when you came, but your journey back won't be peaceful. Don't think you're safe just because you've crossed the cliff."
Based on his understanding of the King of Chu, he knew that the King was a vengeful man, and that he would absolutely not let the matter of the salt permits go unpunished after such a major blunder.
If his guess is correct, the journey back for the Mobei Merchants will be even more dangerous than he imagined.
Qi Chengjun continued, "From Wuzhou to Jinzhou, the steep cliffs are a key point, but further north from Jinzhou, there are also many places suitable for ambushes. Qi Chenglang, you need to prepare for the worst, which is that even reaching the northern deserts won't be safe!"
These words were quite serious, and Qi Chenglang, who was always obedient, nodded solemnly: "Brother, don't worry. When we set off, Chief Secretary Xie told us that things wouldn't be peaceful after we got the salt permits. We were all prepared to fight our way back."
Otherwise, His Highness would not have agreed to the statement that almost all the guards had been mobilized.
Perhaps it was because they had obtained the salt permits in advance, or perhaps it was because their long-term experience as escorts had made Qi Chenglang and his companions more vigilant than complacent.
Qi Chenglang suppressed his elation and whispered their arrangements. Then he solemnly said, "Brother, don't worry. We've been traveling all over the country with the bodyguards for the past year. We're no longer the Imperial Guards who just stand around in the palace every day and spar in the training grounds."
Only after hearing this did Qi Chengjun feel a little relieved. He patted Qi Chenglang on the shoulder and said, "I see that the Ministry of Revenue has given you mostly long-term permits. After this, you can buy salt in Linzhou. Don't come to Huizhou for the time being."
Not only had the cost of obtaining salt increased, but there were also many unknown threats from the King of Chu.
If the King of Chu is not eliminated, the Wen family will no longer be suitable to come to Huizhou.
Qi Chenglang glanced at his elder brother twice, roughly understanding what his brother meant. He didn't know why, but he felt a tightness in his chest. He scratched his head and said in a low voice, "I can't make this decision. It requires His Highness's consent."
He muttered to himself, but deep down he was actually quite happy to be able to come to Huizhou to see his older brother.
Qi Chengjun was taken aback and sighed inwardly.
He was no different.
The two brothers felt inexplicably sad and stood silently, neither of them speaking, until Shen Yu'an pushed open the door and entered: "The carts are already loaded outside, and the managers of the other merchants are urging us to hurry up, you..."
Having said all that needed to be said, and now indeed not the time for reminiscing, Qi Chenglang could only mutter, "Brother, then I'll head back to Mobei first. Next time..."
Qi Chengjun didn't say anything, but Qi Chenglang could still sense that his older brother must have had a very hard time in Huizhou, as he had clearly lost a lot of weight since the last time they met.
In addition, the situation in Jiangnan is unclear, and my elder brother is alone here. He doesn't dare to let anyone serve him casually, so he has a lot to say but no one to talk to and can only keep it to himself.
When he came in, he could clearly see that his older brother's tightly furrowed brows had relaxed.
Having already mounted his horse, Qi Chenglang ran down again, went inside, and gave Qi Chengjun a bear hug. Under Qi Chengjun's bewildered gaze, Qi Chenglang patted his back vigorously.
"Brother, I'm going back to Mobei. If I have the chance in the future, I'll come to Huizhou to see you again."
The two brothers lived in opposite directions, one in the south and one in the north, separated by more than a thousand miles.
But Qi Chenglang knew how much the Emperor valued his elder brother. Once the matter of the Prince of Chu was resolved, his elder brother would surely return to the capital in glory, and then he himself…
He pursed his lips, somewhat unwilling to think about what he should do after the matter with the King of Chu was over.
Qi Chenglang wanted to remind him more, but he was a little embarrassed to say more. After letting go of Qi Chengjun, he mounted his horse without waiting for him to say anything, waved his hand, and quickly caught up with the main group.
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