Chapter 153 The Journey to the Western Cold 2
Lin's tone was somber and serious, "I want you to remember! Remember this crisis! Remember this responsibility! You must grow up, you must become useful! Either fight side by side, or at least, don't become a weakness or a burden! Understand?!"
"The Lin family really can't continue down this path of decadence. They can't just keep indulging in comfort and pleasure, focusing only on the present!"
"I...I understand..."
The next morning, Lin Ziyuan, sporting dark circles under his eyes, found Chen Feng doing his morning exercise.
"Commander Chen... Commander Chen!"
Lin Ziyuan mustered his courage, his voice still trembling slightly, but his back was ramrod straight, "I...I want to become your disciple! To learn martial arts from you! Please accept me!"
Chen Feng stopped what he was doing and looked expressionlessly at the boy who had been terrified by the bloody scene yesterday and was on the verge of vomiting. He then glanced at Xie Sangning, who was watching them from a distance.
Xie Sangning nodded slightly.
Chen Feng then looked at Lin Ziyuan, his voice cold and hard: "Become a disciple? You're not qualified yet."
A hint of disappointment flashed in Lin Ziyuan's eyes, but he did not back down. Just as he was about to make another request, Chen Feng changed the subject:
"However, I can train you for a month first. During this month, I will train you using the methods used to train new recruits. Can you endure hardship?"
"Yes!" Lin Ziyuan was overjoyed and answered loudly without hesitation.
"Don't rush to agree." Chen Feng's eyes were sharp. "The assessment will be in a month. If you can withstand ten moves from me, or complete the task I assign, then come back for the formal apprenticeship tea. If you can't..." He snorted coldly, "then go back to being your pampered young master and don't waste my time! How about it?"
"Good!" Lin Ziyuan's eyes blazed with fighting spirit. "It's a deal! Please instruct me, Commander Chen!"
Watching Lin Ziyuan being led away by Chen Feng to an open space and begin squatting in a horse stance that made one's legs tremble, Lin Huan stood not far away, his eyes filled with complex emotions.
He envied Lin Ziyuan for finding his direction and having the courage to strive for it.
But what about himself… martial arts? The thought of those bloody scenes made his legs weak. Studying? He simply couldn't muster any interest. He was lost, feeling like a useless piece of trash.
Xie Sangning walked up to him without him noticing.
"What are you thinking about?" she asked calmly.
Lin Huan was startled and lowered her head in embarrassment, "Cousin... I... I don't know what I can do. Unlike Ziyuan, I don't have the determination to learn martial arts. And studying... too..."
"Does that mean you're useless if you can't even do martial arts or study?" Xie Sangning interrupted him.
Lin Huan nodded silently.
Xie Sangning looked at the rising sun in the distance and said slowly, "Cousin Lin Huan, this world is vast and there are many paths. It's not only learning martial arts and joining the army or taking the imperial examination to enter officialdom that are the right paths."
She pointed to the camp: "Look at those craftsmen, who can forge sturdy wheels, making our journey less bumpy; look at those cooks, who can make delicious meals with simple ingredients, comforting our hearts; look at those servants, who manage our luggage meticulously and efficiently, ensuring our well-being. And there are merchants, trading goods; doctors, healing the wounded; artisans, crafting masterpieces..."
"As long as you can find something you truly love, something you're willing to dedicate your energy to studying, and something you can do well and do to the best of your ability, then you can establish yourself in this world. That already puts you ahead of most people who just follow the crowd."
Xie Sangning looked at Lin Huan with a calm gaze: "Don't underestimate yourself, and don't continue to drift aimlessly. Take advantage of this trip to Xihan to see and think carefully about what you like and what you are good at. You have to walk your own path."
Lin Huan stared blankly at Xie Sangning. Yes, the world is so big, why confine yourself to the box of literature and martial arts?
He nodded vigorously: "Thank you, cousin! I understand! I will definitely search diligently!"
The atmosphere changed noticeably for the rest of the journey.
Lin Ziyuan began a hellish training regimen, working himself to exhaustion every day, but his eyes grew brighter and brighter.
Lin Huan stopped feeling sorry for himself and began to carefully observe everything along the way, becoming very interested in everything.
It's as if they grew up overnight, losing some of their spoiled nature and gaining more composure.
A few days later, the convoy finally entered the territory of Xihan.
The air became dry and the sandstorms intensified, but the roads were exceptionally smooth and wide, and the carriages could barely feel any bumps as they traveled on them.
The roadsides are no longer barren, but lined with rows of drought-resistant trees with lush foliage, like green guards protecting against the wind and sand.
The Lin family members were amazed; this was completely different from the desolate, sandy landscape they had imagined!
Xie Sangning's letter to Qu Zhinian, the magistrate of Xihan County, arrived two days earlier than theirs.
The moment Qu Zhinian received the letter, he was so moved that tears streamed down his face!
The young lady is coming back!
He rushed out of the county government office almost immediately and rang the bronze bell hanging at the entrance, which symbolized the summons of important events!
"The young lady is back! The magistrate of Jianing County is returning to Xihan!"
The moment this news broke, the entire West Han was in an uproar!
"The young lady is coming back?!"
"The county princess is back?!"
"Quickly! Quickly inform everyone!"
The news spread like wildfire, and everyone who heard it beamed with genuine smiles!
When Xie Sangning's convoy finally appeared and slowly approached the tall and majestic city gate of Xihan, even Xie Sangning, who was mentally prepared, was moved by the scene before him.
The Lin family members were so shocked that they were speechless!
Inside the city gate, a dense, dark crowd stretched as far as the eye could see!
Men, women, young and old, scholars, farmers, artisans and merchants—almost the entire city's population came!
Although their clothes were not luxurious, they were washed and clean, and their faces did not have the lingering sorrow of the people of Jiangnan, but rather a healthy, rosy glow!
Their eyes were bright, filled with pure joy and reverence!
"Young Miss!"
"Princess!"
"Welcome home, young lady!"
Upon seeing the convoy appear, the crowd erupted in a deafening roar of cheers! The sound soared into the sky!
This heartfelt welcoming ceremony was something the Lin family had never seen before in the capital!
The people of Jinling generally held high-ranking officials in awe and distance, but the people here showed Xie Sangning heartfelt love and affection!
This shows that Xie Sangning is very popular in Xihan.
Suddenly, their gaze shifted from the crowd to the city wall, which was four or five zhang high and was made entirely of huge gray-white stones. It was thick and sturdy, making it seem as if even an army might not be able to push it down!
What the Lin family found most incredible was that outside the city walls, instead of the yellow sand and Gobi desert they had imagined, there was a vibrant and thriving place!
Along the base of the city wall, there is a green area that extends outwards at least a hundred feet wide!
Tall poplar trees and patches of sea buckthorn are everywhere, greatly protecting against wind and sand.
"This...this is really in the desert?" Lin Ruhai couldn't help but mutter to himself, rubbing his eyes hard.
Xie Sangning did not go out immediately. She simply stretched out her hand from the carriage window and waved lightly, as if responding to the people of Xihan. The crowd instantly erupted in cheers. This completely stunned the Lin family. No, how did Xie Sangning manage to gain the support of so many people!
When the carriage arrived at the city gate, everyone entering the city had to be searched. This was a rule set by Xie Sangning, and she was no exception.
The soldiers on duty stepped forward solemnly and began to carefully inspect the carriage. They stood tall and straight like javelins, dressed in uniform dark-colored tight-fitting clothes and wearing headbands.
Each person gripped a gleaming spear tightly in their hand. Their solemn expressions, sharp eyes, and strict discipline made everyone in the Lin family hold their breath!
That imposing aura instantly reminded the Lin family of Xie Sangning's guards!
Everyone had only one feeling: compared to these people, the seasoned soldiers guarding the city gates of Nanjing were like green recruits who had just put down their hoes!
After the inspection was completed, the carriage slowly drove into the city gate.
Cheers and a shower of flower petals completely overwhelmed the carriage.
The Lin family members still heard the deafening cheers and the soft sound of falling petals, their chests filled with an unprecedented, almost dizzying shock.
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