Chapter 161: Hello Chang’an
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**Chapter 161: A Dramatic Turn**
The sword attendant spoke, “His Majesty has appointed the Left General of the Imperial Army as the General of the campaign.”
“Didn’t choose Father?!” Chang Sui'an’s face lit up with relief. “Great, I knew the Buddha must have heard my prayers!”
He was about to rush to the temple to express his gratitude.
However, before the sword attendant could finish his sentence, he paused, his expression complicated. “...The general will serve as vice General, and they will depart tomorrow.”
Chang Sui'an, whose foot was already halfway out the door, suddenly froze.
After a moment, he slowly returned to his seat.
Not long after, Chang Kuo returned to the house. When he saw his son's expression, he was puzzled and said, “Oh, you seem to be well informed. What’s this? Are you already preparing to show your ‘long face’ for your old father?”
Chang Sui'an felt an uncomfortable knot in his chest. “Father, you haven’t even left for the battlefield yet, why are you speaking of such ominous things?”
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This novel is translated by the Eternal Novel Hits translators. Please read it at https://eternalnovelhits.blogspot.com
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“Is there anything more inauspicious than your face, which is longer than a bamboo fan?” Chang Kuo sat down in his chair, adding, “Stop with that gloomy look, you’ve grown more pretentious the older you get. When you were little, every time I went to war, you’d be the first to set off firecrackers outside the Xuanzhe Manor!”
Chang Sui'an opened his mouth, but lowered his head without replying.
At that time, he was just a child, unaware of danger. His father was still young, his hair was not yet graying, and he walked without a limp. To Chang Sui'an, his father looked mighty on the battlefield, always chatting and laughing with the officers, as if going to war was no different than taking a spring stroll.
But after the battle with the Northern Di twelve years ago, his father had suddenly aged.
Chang Sui'an lowered his head, and after a moment of silence, he heard Chang Kuo say, “Tomorrow, I’ll be leading the army to war. The household will be in your hands.”
Hearing this, Chang Sui'an suppressed the tears welling up in his eyes. Yes, with his father leaving, he had to hold up the family. He needed to show the strength expected of a man.
He quickly gathered his emotions, lifted his head, and nodded seriously. But when his gaze fell on his younger sister, Chang Sui'an felt an odd sense of regret.
Chang Suining hadn’t spoken yet, but just gave a slight nod.
Chang Kuo, though conflicted inside, kept his tone steady and said, “Suining is now capable of handling matters on her own. I can rest assured that she can manage the household while I’m away.”
He then called over steward Bai, to speak with him: “Old Bai, while I’m gone, Suining will be in charge of everything in the household. Whatever she decides, you follow.”
Steward Bai responded affirmatively.
Chang Kuo was not a man of many words. After a few brief instructions, he paused and then added, with a gentle tone, “Since I’m not here, if there’s a conflict... it’s best to avoid fighting if possible.”
Chang Sui'an couldn’t help but speak up. “But Father, every time Suining gets into a fight, it’s always because the other person was in the wrong. Ning Ning doesn’t want to fight!”
Chang Kuo, with a slight frown, replied, “I know that already.”
He wasn’t worried about right or wrong in a fight; his concern was that without him in the capital, there would be no one to protect his daughter if things got complicated.
Suddenly, he seemed to have an idea, and smiled fondly at his daughter. “If fighting can’t be avoided, then let it be. If anything happens, go to Qiao Yan or Yu Zeng for help. If they can’t handle it, then go to General Cui.”
He turned to steward Bai and instructed, “If she’s hurt, make sure to use my token and call a physician from the palace. Don’t take it lightly.”
“Understood...” steward Bai said with a frown.
What kind of father arranges for his daughter to fight before going to battle? Even generals, while off to kill enemies, must take a moment to think: Did my daughter fight today? Was she successful?
Upon hearing this, Chang Suining finally broke into a smile, nodding with mock seriousness. “Okay, I’ve got it.”
She understood that her father said all this to lighten the mood and ease her mind. Though she didn’t take it to heart, she was no child anymore and didn’t need her father to console her like that. But to put him at ease before he left for the battlefield, she decided to play along.
She made a cheerful face, as if everything was fine.
Chang Suining, in turn, reminded her father, Chang Kuo, of a few things.
Chang Kuo answered every one of her instructions with full compliance.
Afterward, Chang Suining asked, “By the way, Father, what’s your relationship with General Li Yi, the Left General of the Imperial Army, who has been appointed as the General of this campaign?”
Since Li Yi was the General and Chang Kuo was the vice-General, the two would need to cooperate and discuss many matters.
When she thought of Li Yi, a face in his early thirties appeared in Chang Suining’s mind.
Li Yi, the Left General of the Imperial Army, was a member of the royal family. His father, Prince Huai’an Li Tong, was a cousin of the late emperor.
Li Yi was the same age as Chang Suining, and when she was still under the name of Ah Xiao, they had crossed paths in their youth. The next time they met was not long ago at the Flower Banquet.
More than a decade had passed since they last saw each other. In the past, Li Yi, who was known for his timidity among the royal children and often bullied by some of the princes, had now become the Left General of the Imperial Army.
Chang Kuo responded, “I’m not very familiar with him. We’ve only crossed paths a few times. But he’s a humble person, without the arrogance that most royal family members have. After the morning court today, he privately spoke to me, saying that he would follow my orders during the campaign.”
Chang Suining nodded.
If that were the case, it would be ideal.
The reason Li Yi was appointed as the General, while her father took the vice-General role, was twofold. First, her father had suffered injuries and was not suited to lead the army, so stepping down to the position of vice-General would make things more acceptable to everyone.
Second, since Xu Zhengye and his followers were raising the banner to restore the Li family and overthrow the current regime, having Li Yi, a member of the Li family, as the General was a way of legitimizing the decision and appeasing various factions, while also delivering a slap to Xu Zhengye’s face.
Therefore, Li Yi’s role in this campaign was more symbolic, owing to his royal status. In terms of military strategy and command, it would still be her father, Chang Kuo, who held the real authority.
If Li Yi could understand and accept this, and truly be willing to prioritize her father’s advice, the battle would be relatively easier.
“Speaking of which, someone tried to compete for the vice-General position during today’s morning court,” Chang Kuo joked. “But I didn’t let him. In this battle against Xu Zhengye, no one stands a better chance of winning than I do!”
The next day, at dawn, as Chang Kuo was preparing to leave, the person who had competed for the vice-General role came to see him off.
The young man in a dark robe dismounted and walked toward the house as the first light of morning shone down.
Chang Kuo, who was speaking to his children outside the gate, smiled and greeted him, “General Cui, what brings you here?”
The young man approached and raised his hand, “Cui Jing comes to see the general off.”
Chang Kuo laughed and sighed, “The affairs of Xuanzhe Manor are busy lately. Why did you come all the way here?”
The main General and the vanguard soldiers were to gather at the city gates. Officials and palace attendants had been ordered to wait there to see the general off. However, Cui Jing had specifically come to Xingning Lane to personally see him off.
Cui Jing and Chang Kuo then moved aside to talk, and the two of them conversed privately for about the length of a tea break.
Chang Suining and Chang Sui'an watched the two of them talking.
Chang Suining guessed that Cui Jing’s words were likely some reminders and advice, possibly including some views on the war that weren’t appropriate for public discussion.
Her gaze, however, was mostly fixed on her father.
It had been a long time since she had seen him in armor.
The last time she had seen her father after his return to the capital, she and Wei Shuyi had been attacked halfway and encountered Chang Kuo and Cui Jing. Since Chang Kuo had been sitting in a carriage, he wasn’t wearing his armor.
Now, after so many years, seeing him in his armor again, the contrast struck her deeply. It gave her a sense of the hero growing old.
When Chang Kuo turned to return to his children, Chang Suining suddenly looked at him and asked, “Father, can I go with you to fight this battle?”
Cui Jing subtly glanced at her.
The autumn morning light was soft, illuminating the young girl’s eyes with a bright glimmer.
“Stop saying such silly things!” Chang Kuo laughed as he ruffled his daughter’s hair. “Stay at home and wait for me to return!”
Chang Suining had already asked this question the day before, and without hesitation, Chang Kuo rejected her request, showing no willingness to entertain it.
He loved his daughter dearly, but he wasn’t foolish.
His daughter was highly talented in martial arts, but the battlefield was never about mere martial prowess.
Even though he doted on his daughter, he could not indulge her in the reckless pursuit of battle. While he had never opposed her progress as a woman, this war was too dangerous and was not an appropriate first experience.
Chang Sui'an, who had also expressed his desire to accompany his father on the campaign the previous day, spoke up, “Sister, just listen to Father.”
He had gone to their father’s room alone that night and expressed his wish to join the campaign. However, a single question from his father made him abandon the idea.
His father had asked, “If both of us were to fall, do you want the Chang family to end with us?”
He didn’t know how to answer that.
Then his father continued, “The family’s legacy isn’t the biggest concern, but have you considered what would happen if both of us didn’t return? What would become of your sister?”
He froze. He had never thought of that.
To make sure Chang Sui'an understood, his father had even explained it in a more familiar way, “This is what people mean by ‘don’t put all your eggs in one basket.’”
Chang Sui'an, feeling as though he had suddenly become one of those eggs, almost wanted to say, “Father, it might have been better not to use such a comparison.”
However, it was indeed a very clear and simple explanation.
For the sake of the Chang family and his sister, he realized he couldn’t be in the same “basket” as his father anymore.
After a long discussion, his father had also expressed a strong wish for him to join the Xuanzhe Army, which was like a second family to him, home to the best soldiers in the empire and the most revered military traditions.
Chu Xing also spoke to Chang Suining, saying, “Don’t worry, I will take good care of the general.”
Chang Suining did not insist on going along.
She knew well enough that her father wouldn’t agree. Her earlier words were more of a spontaneous comment, a way to prepare her father mentally for what she might say.
Due to various reasons, she couldn’t follow him, and there were still things for her to finish in the capital.
She watched as her father and the others mounted their horses.
“Be good and wait for me to come back!” Chang Kuo called back to his children with a final smile.
Both Chang Suining and Chang Sui'an nodded.
“Drive!”
Chang Kuo’s commanding voice rang out as he urged his horse forward. His figure quickly disappeared into the morning light, accompanied by the sound of hooves.
“Rest assured, General Chang will return safely.”
The voice of the young man, Cui Jing, carried a subtle tone of reassurance, helping Chang Suining refocus her attention and lower her gaze.
She nodded, then turned to him, “I heard my father say, General Cui, that you were considering going in his stead—”
“It wasn’t about replacing him,” Cui Jing corrected. “This is a war for the empire, not just about one general’s personal matter.” He added, “But the general declined.”
Chang Suining didn’t directly comment on this.
What he said was true, and she agreed with it, but she couldn’t help wondering whether he truly had no personal motives behind his decision.
Cui Jing had always avoided speaking in a personal, emotional way. As he had said, he had never really had friends, but she could tell that he viewed her father with deep respect and admiration.
Had someone else been chosen as vice-General, not her father, Cui Jing might not have spoken up at all.
It wasn’t that he was lazy or complacent as a military general. On the contrary, because he was an excellent one, he understood exactly where his role should be in order to make the greatest impact.
In this campaign against Xu Zhengye, her father was indeed more suited to the role than Cui Jing, and there were other places in the empire where Cui Jing’s talents were more urgently needed.
“I think General Cui understands,” Chang Suining said. “Father’s refusal makes sense.”
Cui Jing looked at her quietly and nodded.
Chang Kuo’s departure for the campaign was a significant event, and the entire household came out to see him off. As Chang Kuo moved farther away, steward Bai and the others saluted Cui Jing before returning to the estate.
Chang Suining nodded at Cui Jing and made her way back into the house as well. Cui Jing returned the gesture.
A moment later, as Chang Suining crossed the gate, she glanced at Cui Jing following her. “?”
Her nod had been meant to convey the same message as steward Bai and the others, yet Cui Jing had followed her in without a word.
Behind her, Chang Sui'an was momentarily stunned. As the daughter of the household, Chang Suining could not openly invite him in, especially with the recent events. He had intended to casually ask whether General Cui would like to come in for a while, but before he could speak, Cui Jing had already entered on his own.
The soldiers from Xuanzhe Army, who were waiting outside Chang’s residence, couldn’t help but murmur, “Brother Yuanxiang… it seems no one invited General Cui in, right?”
Ever since hearing about General Cui’s astonishing actions at the Lotus Flower Banquet, the whole Xuanzhe Army had been stunned. This morning, when they learned that General Cui would come to see off General Chang, they had nearly fought amongst themselves over who would accompany him.
This morning, General Cui had only brought two people, one of whom was Yuanxiang, his indispensable companion for all outings, and the other was himself.
He had no idea how many jealous stares he had received when leaving the Xuanzhe Army.
— Wasn’t General Cui supposed to be waiting for Miss Chang? If that’s the case, he surely wouldn’t just wait around, right? He must be planning to do something.
Since dismounting, Cui Yuanxiang had been keeping a close eye on General Cui and Chang Suining. Naturally, he hadn’t missed the detail of General Cui entering without being invited.
"Yeah…" Cui Yuanxiang’s expression was a mix of confusion. He still hadn’t come to terms with the fact that General Cui’s feelings had changed. At this moment, he couldn’t help but ask, “Is Miss Chang holding some kind of leash...?”
Otherwise, how could General Cui have followed so naturally?
The other soldier sighed deeply.
Cui Yuanxiang’s explanation didn’t capture the situation quite right.
If there really was a “leash,” it would have been General Cui holding it himself, wanting to offer it to Miss Chang. But Miss Chang would probably refuse to hold it.
It wasn’t their fault for thinking poorly of their general. It was just that the things General Cui had said at the Mid-Autumn Festival—about waiting for Miss Chang, never marrying, and asking the Emperor not to pressure her—were too much to ignore.
Such declarations were shocking, even in the world of the peacock displays, and had set the whole place ablaze!
Meanwhile, General Cui, unaware of his two subordinates’ musings, was walking beside Chang Suining. As they walked, she spoke again.
“Suining, I’m heading in first.”
Cui Jing nodded in acknowledgment. “Understood. I’ll follow shortly.”
“Goodnight, everyone!”
(End of this chapter)
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