Chapter 266.1: Hello Chang'an
Chapter 266.1: Visiting the Chief Instructor
That one address of “Head Instructor,” Fang Chao called out with heartfelt conviction, filled with both respect and self-reproach.
He maintained his posture of cupping his fists in salute for a long while, until the Commandant officially announced Chang Suining’s victory.
Cheers erupted like waves, a roaring fire that set the New Year’s Eve ablaze, destined to be etched in the memory of all who witnessed it.
As the defeated opponent, Chief Instructor Fang did not find the applause harsh, nor did he feel humiliated. For he too had received kindness.
Those who are favored by goodwill find it hard to harbor bitterness.
At this moment, he was perhaps more sincere than the spectators themselves in believing that this round of applause was what that young lady truly deserved.
Watching the motionless figure who stood like a sculpture, hands still clasped in salute, Xiao Min murmured with Chang Kuo, “Miss Chang possesses great virtue…”
Though she lost the final bout, she had won something far greater — something that cannot be attained by victory alone.
And that single “Head Instructor” spoken from Fang’s lips carried far more weight than if it had come from the mouth of their nominal Commander.
It signified that henceforth, when Miss Chang issued commands as the Head Instructor of these one hundred and seventy thousand troops, none would dare obstruct her orders.
Amid the uproar of voices, the ashamed Chief Instructor Fang lowered his head, only to see the young maiden step toward him, the heels of her dark crow-green boots glinting in the firelight.
Many others approached as well, but Fang Chao saw only her.
She raised her hand slightly, motioning to help him up. “I have offended you much today, Chief Instructor Fang — I ask your forgiveness.”
“No… it is I who should apologize.” Fang Chao straightened himself, guilt written across his face. “I wonder if I injured you just now, Miss Chang?”
Chang Suining smiled. “Just a small wound — nothing to worry about.”
At that smile, Fang Chao’s shame deepened all the more. He wished he could slap himself. Looking at her, then at himself — how vast the difference! His loss was not merely one of skill.
He bowed his head again. “It was my fault for not holding back my strength…”
“In sparring, when skill falls short, it is no disgrace,” said Chang Suining. “I am weak in strength. I must ask Chief Instructor Fang for much guidance in the future.”
By now, several rings of onlookers had formed. The young girl’s voice was neither soft nor timid — open, clear, and sincere, never hiding her shortcomings nor begrudging others their due.
Perhaps from the very beginning, Chang Suining had known exactly what she sought.
She did not fight to satisfy pride or vanity. What she wanted was only to shatter the prejudice that stood against her.
To break the bias was enough — there was no need to crush another’s dignity or backbone.
The man before her was not her enemy — at least, not now.
At this moment, they were comrades-in-arms.
And in her view, there was never any reason to drive one’s comrades to ruin — nor would there ever be. Therefore, she must set the example herself.
Moreover, this match had been provoked by her own taunting, to spur the contest. In a sense, she had stood on higher ground, seeing the full picture and the outcome — while her opponent had not.
Since she had held the advantage, she should now yield a round in turn — otherwise, it would not be the conduct of a true person.
At last, some of the other instructors realized the true intent behind that frail-looking girl’s insistence on finishing the final round despite her weakness in strength.
“Earlier, we failed to recognize your greatness, Miss Chang. Our words were offensive — please forgive us!”
“……”
They all lowered their heads before her in apology.
Each heart differed — whether they spoke out of genuine remorse, or merely followed Fang’s lead, or bent to the demands of future necessity — yet no matter their reason, Chang Suining’s goal had already been achieved.
She lifted her hand with a faint smile. “A fight makes friends of strangers. I thank you all for your regard. In days to come, when we work together, I shall still rely on your guidance and care.”
“Miss Chang speaks too kindly!”
“It is we who must trouble Miss Chang instead — if we act clumsily, we beg your tolerance.” Fang Chao’s voice was hoarse, his face still flushed with shame. By contrast, tonight’s match had shown him the truth — why back in Hezhou, the Cui forces had been able to repel Xu’s army.
The troops they now led were indeed a scattered mass, useless as they were.
Yet while two hundred soldiers could be drilled easily, to reform a host of one hundred and seventy thousand inside and out was no simple feat.
Chang Suining knew this clearly — hence why she sought unity above all else. To bond with her future subordinates through goodwill and kinship was of great importance.
So she spoke with warmth and curiosity, giving comfort while drawing closer to them. “Chief Instructor Fang, is this your zodiac year of birth?”
Her gaze fell upon the dark red padded garment revealed beneath Fang’s torn uniform.
He was momentarily startled, then glanced down with a self-conscious smile. “Indeed it is.”
“If you had told me earlier, I would have given that red-fletched arrow to you instead,” said Chang Suining sincerely.
Deputy Commander Jin, who had squeezed his way to the front, laughed heartily. “Had that been the case, perhaps Chief Fang might have won!”
Fang Chao could not help but laugh. Even if the red arrow had truly blessed him, even if his ancestors of eighteen generations had come to aid him, he still could not have won tonight.
Yet speaking of such superstitious matters reminded Fang of something.
After this New Year, he would be forty-eight. Before he set out on this campaign, his old mother had personally sewn him a red coat and trousers, instructing him to wear them on New Year’s Eve — and to do so as long as he lived.
For his mother had sought a Daoist’s reading for him: that in his forty-eighth year he would face a great obstacle — that he must not contend or boast, and must know when to bow his head. If he crossed that hurdle safely, a noble person would come to aid him, and he would yet have the chance to earn great merit.
He had believed it only halfway.
But now, looking down at his red garment, and then at the young lady before him…
Could it be that this hurdle — and that noble person — were both right here?
Fang Chao pondered silently.
“Big Sister Jiang Cai! Are there any dumplings left?” someone called, laughing as they approached Jiang Cai and her companions.
Jiang Cai swept her eyes around, seeing that Miss Chang still smiled, and so she too broke into a cheerful grin. “Since you call me big sister, then even if there weren’t, there must be now!”
She was never one to haggle over trifles. She might not understand much, but she knew one thing — whoever treated the young lady with respect, she would return it in kind.
And whoever dared show disrespect — her mouth and her blade would both refuse to agree!
Laughter rippled all around; the air turned warm and harmonious once more.
Soon, steaming hot dumplings were brought over again.
Chang Kuo and Xiao Min did not return to their tents either, but joined the circle around the bonfire, drinking together with the soldiers.
“Smells just like the ones my mother makes!”
“As the saying goes — dumplings with wine, the more you drink, the better it feels!”
Instructor Zhu raised his bowl. “Miss Chang, this cup to you — consider it my apology!”
Another instructor eagerly reached to pour her wine.
Chang Suining smiled and declined. “Thank you, but I cannot drink.”
Everyone thought the young lady simply had poor tolerance, and some began to coax her to take at least one sip — when she explained, still smiling, “My liquor temper is bad. When I get drunk, I start grabbing people to fight.”
“……” The crowd froze, goosebumps rising.
The memory of her match just moments ago made that line far too convincing.
Indeed, not a single person dared insist further. The instructor holding the jug immediately halted and withdrew, even taking the bowl with him, not daring to let her taste a drop.
“I can attest to that!” said Ah Dian, sitting beside Chang Suining, raising his hand eagerly. “Xiao Jing was once— mmmph!”
Yuan Xiang moved fast, clapping his hand over the boy’s mouth.
Ah Dian blinked at him in confusion.
Yuan Xiang grinned broadly. “General Dian, care to guess what filling these dumplings are?”
Ah Dian’s eyes spun in thought.
At last, he lifted his chin proudly. “I know! They’re filled with dumpling filling!”
Yuan Xiang gave a dramatic thumbs-up. “…General Dian, truly a prodigy!”
Ah Dian beamed with pride.
And once again, laughter rose around the fire — gentle and full of goodwill.
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