Chapter 35: A Hero Has Ambition

  Li Zhen defeated Vasily, Chen Yuande and the Russian envoy left quietly.

  Qishan watched Chen Yuande leave, but did not stop him. For Qishan, this victory had already brought the greatest benefit, and if he were to force the Russians too hard, it would be unseemly.

  After getting off the stage, the people cheered and celebrated even more, with joyful expressions on their faces.

  Qishan said with a smile after leaving the martial arts arena with Li Zhen, Zhilan and others: "Li Zhen, this time we won against the Russians, not only did we bring honor to the Qing Dynasty, but you also became famous in Beijing, it's a joyous occasion."

  Li Zhen replied: "If it weren't for the support of the adults, I would have found it difficult to push the Russians into a dead end and make them roll out of Beijing."

  Zhilan's pair of clever eyes rolled around, and an unusual light appeared in her eyes.

  Qishan's sharp eyes detected Ji Lan's situation, which was clearly no different from that of Huai Chun's daughter.

  This twenty-something unmarried young woman has also developed romantic feelings now.

  Qishan thought to himself that if Li Zhen and Zhilan were to get married, and Li Zhen was loyal to him, this would be the best opportunity to form an alliance with Guilian. Qishan had something on his mind, so he smiled and said: "Zhilan, today's sunny weather is perfect for a boat ride on the lake. You rarely come out, wait for Li Zhen to return to the hostel and freshen up, I'll have him accompany you to the lake for a boat ride, what do you think?"

  Zhilan stopped, her eyes swept over Li Zhen's body, and she said with a slightly shy tone: "Li Zhanjiang and the Russian strongman have been competing, he must be exhausted in both body and mind. It's probably difficult for him to accompany a young woman like me on a boat ride, let's just forget it."

  Li Zhen raised an eyebrow, this is not a refusal? It's clearly a retreat in advance.

  A strange smile appeared at the corner of Huang Shi Hai's mouth. He had long since sensed that something was off, and indeed there were internal reasons.

  Qishan said: "Although martial arts are tiring, sailing is a rest."

  Zhilan slightly lowered her head and softly murmured in agreement.

  Qishan's eyes shifted, and he instructed: "Li Zhen, Miss Zhilan rarely comes out. Accompany her to take a stroll. This time, after returning to Beijing for debriefing, I have already met with the Emperor, and soon I will be returning to Jiangbei Camp. You must seize this opportunity, understand?"

  Seize the opportunity?

  Li Zhen's mouth twitched slightly, but he couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

  This old Qi Shan is really good at causing trouble!

  After returning to the inn, Qishan went back to his own room, leaving Li Zhen an opportunity. Next, Li Zhen returned to his room to wash and dress in a clean white changshan, combing his queue neatly. When he came out, his clothes fluttered, his demeanor was majestic, and he looked exceptionally handsome.

  Li Zhen didn't pretend, and took Huang Shi Hai, Die Er and Zhi Lan out of the post house to go boating on the lake.

  Under the sunshine, the lake surface is sparkling and shining, it's really beautiful.

  On the lake, a small boat slowly sailed, quiet and charming. Li Zhen and Zhilan were alone on one small boat, while Huang Shi Hai and Die Er were on another small boat. The two boats were separated by more than ten zhang, leaving Li Zhen and Zhilan with their own space.

  "Wow! Wow!"

  Li Zhen rowed forward, and when he reached the center of the lake, he suddenly stopped and sat quietly at the bow of the boat.

  The warm sunshine shines on me, feeling extremely comfortable.

  Li Zhen looked at Zhilan sitting quietly beside him and let out a slight sigh.

  By now, if he still can't figure it out, then he's really a blockhead. But Li Zhen understood that he couldn't stay in Beijing, because this was a prison, where countless Manchu young masters were locked up to raise dogs and fight chickens. If he stayed in Beijing, he could only do some trivial things, so Li Zhen had to leave.

  But leaving Beijing, he and Zilan had little chance of being together.

  Therefore, Li Zhen did not want to get involved too deeply.

  Jasmine saw Li Zhen not speaking and was secretly annoyed in her heart. She thought Li Zhen was still angry about their previous argument, so she opened her mouth and said: "Li Zhen, you're such a petty person!"

  "Penurious ghost?"

  Li Zhen didn't understand, so he asked: "Miss Zhilan, Li Zhen is a straightforward and open-minded man, why did he become stingy?"

  Zhilan hummed and said with a pout, "You're still saying it's not because you're petty, but at first I wanted you to be an official in Beijing, you refused, and then didn't say another word. Clearly there was resentment in your heart. Now it must be the same reason why you won't even acknowledge me."

  Li Zhen wanted to cry but had no tears, a woman's heart is indeed hard to grasp.

  "Miss Zi Lan, I really don't hold any grudges and have already forgotten about it."

  "Call me Zilan, every time you add 'Miss' at the end, it sounds awkward." After a pause, Zilan continued: "Now that you've defeated the Russian strongman, your name is shaking Beijing, and even the Emperor has awarded you a yellow jacket, he's very appreciative of you. If my mother were to intervene again, you'd definitely be able to get a high-ranking position in Beijing."

  In her heart, Zilan still thought that Li Zhen should be transferred to Beijing to become an official.

  After all, Beijing is the foot of the Son of Heaven, and there are countless Eight Banners sons here. No matter how powerful you are outside, as long as you enter Beijing, if you're a dragon, you have to coil up, and if you're a tiger, you have to lie down. Therefore, Zilan hopes that Li Zhen will enter the capital to be an official.

  Li Zhenxin knew that Ronglan was being kind, but he shook his head and refused, saying: "Miss Ronglan, I won't enter the capital to be an official. Beijing has too many restrictions, it's impossible for me to fulfill my ambitions."

  "You, you, ……"

  Zhilan was so angry that she couldn't even speak clearly, but thinking of Li Zhen's stubbornness, she quickly shut her mouth and stopped talking.

  She took a deep breath and said slowly: "Why don't you understand? Beijing is under the emperor's feet, even being a fifth-rank official is better than being a frontier governor outside. Besides, the world is in chaos now, with bandits everywhere. Especially Jiangbei Dazhen, it's not safe at all. Beijing is still peaceful, you won't have any trouble if you stay in Beijing."

  "Miss Zhilan, I've said it before, I don't want to be a small official in Beijing. I appreciate your good intentions towards me, but my ambition is not in Beijing, so there's no future for us."

  As he spoke, Li Zhen gazed out at the setting sun in the west and said: "I have grand ambitions and a heart full of passion, I cannot let them be ground down in Beijing. Time is very tight, really very tight, I don't have time to waste in Beijing."

  It was already October of the third year of Xianfeng.

  In the sixth year of Xianfeng, the Second Opium War began, and there were only two years left. Li Zhen is now just a small general, wanting to turn the tide cannot delay time, must quickly build up his own power. Every moment is precious for Li Zhen, it's impossible to stay in Beijing.

  Her beautiful eyes moved, and her heart was greatly shocked.

  Suddenly, she felt that the person in front of her was so majestic and grand, and the person in front of her had ambitions and aspirations. If she lost him, she would regret it for the rest of her life.

  Zhilan gritted her teeth and said: "No matter where you are, I am willing to wait for you!"

  Li Zhen stared at Zhilan without immediately responding.

  He paused for a moment before continuing, "You have to think carefully about this. If you really plan on following me, it's unlikely that you'll experience wealth and glory. In fact, you might end up with nothing."

  Zhilan blinked her eyes, with Gui Liang's support, how could Li Zhen possibly lose?

  She thought Li Zhen was intimidating her and immediately said: "I'm willing to wait!"

  Li Zhen saw Zhilan's persistence and nodded slightly, saying firmly: "You don't disappoint me, I won't disappoint you!" After that, Li Zhen stretched out his arm and wrapped it around Zhilan's slender waist.

  Two people sat at the bow of the boat, leaning against each other, letting the small boat drift along.

  Postscript: one of three watches