Chapter 5 Spring Dawn (Grade 7)
"You're still a little kid who can't grow up!" Seeing Wang Jun say something so cute, Zhou Xiao Feng couldn't help but stretch out his big palm and gently patted his head. "Our Anxi army is one that many people cry and shout to join, but can't even get in. And you, you still want to go back home and ask your parents!"
"Yes, among the ten towns of Datang, our Anxi Army is second to none!" Zhao Huaiyu couldn't bear to see Wang Xun let such a good opportunity slip away and reminded him with a smile. "Now that the four seas are at peace, the only ones who can still wield their real skills from time to time are us, the Anxi Army."
"Gentlemen, I'm deeply grateful for your kindness! However, considering the debt of gratitude I owe to my foster mother, I must decline. Wang Xuan awkwardly smiled and continued scratching his head. Before enlisting, Yun's aunt had given him an important reminder: it was better to rise through the ranks slowly rather than take unnecessary risks. Becoming one of Feng Siu's generals was a way to avoid trouble. But if it meant following the old man to the northwest frontier, then thank you but no thanks!"
Feng Changqing couldn't help but feel a little disappointed upon hearing the obvious evasiveness in Wang Xun's words. But after some thought, he understood the other party's choice. As a noble born with a title, even if it was just a viscount, Wang Xun's prospects were much smoother than his own had been back then. Without any effort, he could enjoy wealth and luxury, and if he didn't have any extravagant desires for power, he could spend his life leisurely touring mountains and rivers.
It's too difficult for a child like him to go outside the Jade Gate Pass, which is only seen once every few months, to seek fame and fortune. Moreover, from Biyun's perspective, who has always regarded Wang Sul as her own son, she probably doesn't want the only son of the Wang family to suffer with her either. Thinking about this, Feng Changqing couldn't help but laugh: "Suit yourself. I was too hasty in this matter. You should indeed ask your family members' opinions, after all, you are the only male heir of the Wang family, if you follow me to the Western Regions, it's unlikely that you will be able to return within three to five years!"
"Haha, he's just a little kid!" Zhou Xiufeng whispered in agreement, glancing at Wang Xuan. Zhao Huixu and the other generals also felt disappointed, shaking their heads with wry smiles.
"No matter where I am in the future, I will never forget the care of Fourth Uncle and several brothers!" Wang Xuan raised his wine cup, smiling to express his gratitude.
"Nonsense. What use is a child's gratitude to me? Never mind, let's drink, drink..." Feng Changqing smiled and raised his cup.
For months, he had invested too much energy in Wang Cong. Although not personally appearing, those tasks, from simple to complex, were all carefully crafted for this child. It made his staff members keep saying and laughing, asking if the general had taken a liking to the little guy and was preparing to take him as an adopted son, so that he could pass on his legacy in the future? The first thought, Feng Changqing asked himself, did not exist, Wang Zicheng had been kind to him in the past, just based on this point, he couldn't deprive him of his descendants. But the second thought, Feng Changqing indeed had some, and it became more and more intense as the little guy's performance got better and better.
Through these months of observation and tempering, not only did Fang Changqing discover with astonishment that Wang Xun, this young master, had extremely rare martial talent. Let alone his extraordinary physical strength and instinct for wielding weapons, the fact that he could, at such a young age, in just over a month, bring under control those fifty or so new and old soldiers of different personalities and backgrounds, and have them willingly execute every one of his commands, was far from what ordinary people could achieve. Moreover, while Wang Xun had many shortcomings typical of a young master, such as being afraid of hardship, loving to show off, and often having thoughts of retreat; he also had obvious advantages, such as quick reactions, broad-mindedness, and generosity. A person like this, tempered on the battlefield for several years, would definitely become an exceptional talent. Any commander who saw him would be eager to have him by their side.
Acutely sensing the loss in their commander's heart, Zhou Xiao Feng and other trusted generals couldn't help but secretly scold Wang Xun for not knowing his place. Half a year ago, the Anxi army had suffered a crushing defeat at the Talas River due to Ge Luofeng's betrayal, resulting in heavy casualties among mid-level officers. Therefore, when Fang Da Jiang was ordered to reorganize the Fei Long Imperial Guard, he proposed to the Emperor that they "recruit talented young men from good families through open examinations". This proposal had two purposes: first, to inject new blood into the Fei Long Imperial Guard; second, to select talents for the Anxi army.
If Wang Jun agreed to join Feng Changqing's government today, it can be foreseen that this young man with excellent talent will soar to the sky in no time. And if he chooses to stay in the Feilong Imperial Guard and wait for qualifications, it would be equivalent to being content with mediocrity. Maybe this life can also rise to a certain high position, but an untested soldier who has never seen blood will always be a rookie. Even as a general, there is no exception.
With a hint of disdain and a hint of reluctance, Zhou Xiao Feng and others began to actively find fault with Wang Xuan and drink with him. Wang Xuan knew in his heart that he would definitely stay in the Imperial Guard and not go to the battlefield to fight for his life, so he felt a bit sorry for the care of his comrades over the past few months. Therefore, he did not refuse anyone who came to him with various excuses, and he drank all the wine cups that were brought to him. After several rounds of drinking, he also gained a reputation for being bold and generous in addition to being clever and righteous. This made Zhou Xiao Feng, Li Yuan Qin and others feel even more reluctant to part with him, and their eyes almost emitted a faint green light as they looked at him.
The banquet ended at what time, Wang Xun completely forgot. He only remembered that he seemed to have drunk many colleagues and thoroughly made his superior, Zhou Lao Hu, a sick cat. Before falling on the low table, he saw a familiar face again. It was Cen Shen, who had written poems and drank with Li Bai and others that day, and somehow became a green-robed judge in charge of managing correspondence under Feng Changqing's command.
Cen Shen was present, and poetry was naturally an indispensable part of the wine banquet. "Mounting horse with Hu hook, fluttering over the ridge head. Thinking of reporting to the country at dawn, not loving the title of Marquis......" When Cen Shen wrote a border poem with a flourish, Wang Xun had already gotten drunk and listened to the surrounding military officers slapping the table and loudly reciting, his heart unconsciously also heroic and majestic, following the rhythm of the crowd raising their cups and singing, "Thinking of reporting to the country at dawn, not loving the title of Marquis. Ten thousand miles of countryside are a dream, three borders of moonlight are sorrow. Early must be clever and fierce, no need to experience autumn."
Unconsciously, he fell fast asleep. In his dream, he saw himself wearing a suit of shining armor, holding a long spear, and riding west out of the Jade Gate with Zhou Zong and Li Yuanjin. The Turks, the Tiele people, and the Persians came, one with a green face and fangs, shouting loudly as they charged forward. He rode his horse forward, using his long spear to pierce them one by one, lifting them into mid-air one by one.
In front of them, swords were as dense as a forest and arrows fell like rain, yet no one turned their head back.
Because behind oneself, there is a magnificent Great Wall.
Drunkard's note: Tomorrow can only be updated once, going to the hospital. Sorry in advance. Also, is Wang Xuan not a bit disappointing? No rush, he's only 17 years old and will grow up slowly.
