Chapter 249.1: Hello Chang'an
Chapter 249.1: The Chang Family Could Never Raise a Monster
All along the way, Jicai Niangzi and the others recounted the deeds of Chang Suining in Hezhou.
Old Kang and the rest could not help but prick up their ears to listen, and the more they heard, the more incredulous they became.
Every one of them was utterly astonished — including Xi’er and Ah Zhi — only Ah Dian seemed the least surprised, as if finding everything perfectly natural.
At last, Old Kang slowed his horse and turned toward Chang Ren beside him.
He still remembered, when the young lady insisted on disguising herself as a soldier to infiltrate the camp, how he had done all he could to dissuade her. Yet the young lady had persisted, saying, “Uncle Ren can teach me on the road. I learn things quickly.”
So…
Old Kang could not help but ask Chang Ren, “...Were all these skills taught to the young lady by you?”
“...” Chang Ren nearly fell off his horse.
He would have liked to teach her, but to teach someone a skill — one must first possess that skill oneself…
Though such a reputation was tempting, Chang Ren dared not claim it. “I merely followed the young lady’s orders to deliver the message to Xuanzhou ahead of time. When the young lady defended the city and slew the enemy, I was not by her side.”
Old Kang frowned slightly. “That makes sense. You do not have that kind of ability…”
Then from where had the young lady learned it?
Was it simply from being around the General, absorbing his conduct over time?
“It was I who taught her.”
Chu Xing’s voice sounded from the side.
Old Kang turned his head to look — Chu Xing’s expression was somewhat complicated. “In the capital, when I instructed the young lady in martial arts, she often asked about matters of warfare. I also frequently discussed the art of war with her.”
But he had never thought that those casual words would one day produce such a young lady.
It was like planting a single bean, only to turn around and find a golden mountain had sprung up from the soil — the feeling left Chu Xing both shocked and gratified, yet tinged with unease.
He began to reflect upon whether what he had once taught her might have been improper — if he had misguided her, it would be a grave fault indeed.
Throughout the journey, Chu Xing was lost in self-reproach.
During a rest stop, he approached Chang Kuo, saluted, and hesitantly expressed his concern.
From what he had heard from the ladies, the young lady had been far too fierce on the battlefield. Recklessness was one danger, but what worried Chu Xing most was her state of mind.
It had been her first time on the battlefield — yet she had taken enemy heads without the slightest burden. It was said she could still laugh and talk while holding a man’s head in her hand…
At this, Chang Kuo’s expression twisted faintly. “You mean to say... my daughter was born a bloodthirsty fiend?”
“I merely fear that the young lady may stray down a dark path,” Chu Xing said anxiously. “After all, most of her skills were taught by me, and I bear the responsibility to guide and restrain her.”
His face carried the look of a man “concerned for the young lady, and for the good of the world.”
Chang Kuo: “…”
What gave him this kind of unshakable confidence?
“My Chang family is a house filled with righteous spirit,” said Chang Kuo. “Even the ants in our home are imbued with integrity. Moreover, we have the blessing of the Crown Prince’s spirit watching over us — how could our family ever raise a monster born to kill?”
Chu Xing hesitated.
The Chang family was indeed righteous — but what if too much of that righteousness had been drawn away by the General himself? After all, the man’s uprightness was near excessive...
Before he could reply, Deputy General Jin rode over. “General, we should reach Chuzhou before nightfall — but the scouts report a troop of about a hundred men approaching from the Chuzhou side, likely from the local government.”
“The Chuzhou prefecture?”
Chang Kuo pondered, just as Chang Suining came over with a water flask.
Father and daughter conferred briefly regarding the matter.
If they wished to intercept Li Yi as swiftly as possible, they could not avoid passing through Chuzhou. Borrowing a route through it was the fastest path.
But since they were already there, Chang Suining thought, why not borrow more than just the road?
Once the discussion was settled, they mounted up and pressed forward again.
At some point along the way, Chu Xing rode up beside Chang Suining.
Suining turned her head toward him. “Uncle Chu, how is your injury now?”
“I thank the young lady for her concern. It is nothing serious.” Chu Xing, in turn, asked after her — both her body and her state of mind.
“The young lady achieved great merit on her first battle, truly a rare feat.” He sighed, then cautiously asked, “When you slew the enemy, did you feel afraid?”
The words “not afraid” were already on Suining’s lips, but she stopped herself in time.
“I was afraid,” she said after glancing around, leaning closer, and lowering her voice. “After killing for the first time, I hid myself and cried for a long while. I did not sleep all night, was drenched in cold sweat as though I had bathed in water, and my hands and teeth trembled.”
Chu Xing’s heart lifted — that was good.
Suining added, “And I had nightmares the entire next night.”
Chu Xing nodded and was about to comfort her, when something struck him as wrong. “...Did you not just say you didn’t sleep that night?”
If she hadn’t slept, where had the nightmares come from?
Suining’s expression didn’t waver. “The first night I didn’t sleep, the second night I had the nightmares.”
Just a matter of managing her timeline, that was all.
Chu Xing understood.
“Do not fear, young lady. On the battlefield, life and death are matters of fate; each side has its stand, and death is inevitable...” He comforted her first, then continued, “Yet though all creatures have spirits, and man is foremost among them, life may be taken but not defiled. One may rightfully slay the enemy, but must never kill wantonly or take pleasure in it. To preserve reverence for life — that is the path of longevity.”
Chang Suining nodded thoughtfully. “I will remember that.”
Chu Xing felt somewhat relieved, though he did not let down his guard. He felt a heavy weight of duty — to lead the young lady upon the proper path.
Sensing his intention, Suining feared he might soon start preaching to her nightly on the innate goodness of mankind.
After riding another twenty li or so, they encountered the hundred-man unit approaching from Chuzhou, just as Deputy General Jin had mentioned.
The carriages halted. From one of them stepped a middle-aged man in official robes, about forty years of age, with a square and upright face.
He came forward and bowed. “This humble official, Wei Jun, Prefect of Chuzhou, has long admired Grand General Chang’s name! Upon hearing the report from the county officers that the Grand General was passing through Chuzhou, I came personally to welcome you outside the city!”
Chang Kuo raised his brows in pleasant surprise, a faint smile on his face. “How could I trouble Prefect Wei to come in person!”
“I heard that the Grand General defended Hezhou and repelled Xu’s army — I felt immense relief, and I deeply admire your valor and righteousness.”
Several more officials stepped forward to pay their respects. After the greetings, Prefect Wei once again bowed, gesturing with sincerity. “If Grand General Chang and the honored commanders do not disdain humble Chuzhou, I have already prepared a welcoming banquet for your rest and refreshment.”
It was not uncommon for local officials along the way to offer such hospitality, especially toward a victorious commander like Chang Kuo — there was never any shortage of those eager to curry favor.
Chang Kuo considered briefly, then clasped his hands. “In that case, it would be discourteous to refuse. I shall accept your hospitality, Prefect Wei.”
He added, “As it happens, I also have a matter to discuss with you.”
Prefect Wei’s expression straightened immediately. He suggested that the General share his carriage so they might talk more conveniently along the road.
Chang Kuo did not decline.
Thus the party set out toward Chuzhou. Along the way, one of the mounted Chuzhou military officers asked Chu Xing about the affairs of Hezhou.
Chu Xing replied, “I did not accompany my General to Hezhou, so I know little of what transpired there.”
Then he turned to the side. “If it is Hezhou you wish to hear about, none know it better than our young lady.”
“Young lady?”
Hearing those words, the officer glanced at the youth on horseback — and realization dawned. “Could this be the young lady of the Chang family?”
“It is indeed,” said Chang Suining with a friendly smile. “Might I ask what it is that Lieutenant Li wishes to know?”
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