"With the changes in Yangzhou, I wonder what Governor Cui thinks of the future situation in the northern border?"
The girl opened her mouth, and the topic she brought up was not the usual topics, but the war and the Northern Territory.
However, her tone was very natural and did not make people feel abrupt.
Cui Jing didn't feel the suddenness, but he still looked at her subconsciously.
After a moment, he answered: "Although Dasheng and Beidi have been at war for more than twelve years, Beidi's internal affairs have been unstable during these twelve years. Last year, a new khan ascended the throne. He is very ambitious, so we have to guard against it."
"Half a year ago, after I withdrew my troops from the southern border and returned them to the court, I proposed to re-build the northern border's war defenses and station and refine the troops in preparation for Beidi. However, the Ministry of Revenue has never agreed to allocate funds, so it has been delayed to this day."
Chang Sui Ning is clear.
It turned out that he had been thinking about this long after he defeated the Southern Barbarians and returned to the court.
"Rebuilding war defenses and stationing troops to prepare for them will require a lot of expenditures. If the national treasury is not full, the Ministry of Revenue will inevitably delay." She added the word "thinking to come" to herself to appear less expert: "But at this time, inside
Trouble has arisen, and Beidi is very likely to take advantage of the situation and break through the northern territory of Dasheng."
Domestic thieves must be attacked, and foreign enemies must be guarded against.
Cui Jing nodded: "I mentioned this matter again in the morning meeting yesterday. Now that the stakes are high, the saint pays more attention to it than before. I will urge the Ministry of Household Affairs to finalize the regulations as soon as possible."
He added: "If everything goes well, I will go to the north to start this matter years ago."
Hearing this, Chang Sui Ning turned to look at him: "Do you want Governor Cui to go in person?"
"Well, since this matter was proposed by me, it's my turn to go and build the border defenses and station the troops for training. Don't be careless. If there are any mistakes, it will be a waste of effort. At such a juncture, it is always unsafe to leave it to others."
It is not easy for the imperial court to allocate money. Since he proposed it, he should be responsible to the end.
Chang Suining nodded in agreement: "It is indeed appropriate for Governor Cui to go there. In addition to supervising the reconstruction of border defenses, it can also deter Beidi."
"Yes, if you want to deter them, you still need the Xuance Army." When Cui Jing spoke, he subconsciously looked at the girl beside him.
Beidi has always been arrogant and arrogant. The only one who has frightened them and forced them to settle down till now is Xuance Army.
He vaguely tried to see something on the girl's face, but she did not show any expression worthy of further investigation. She only said objectively and calmly: "Even if it is just a temporary deterrent to contain Beidi, it would be the best."
If not, internal and external troubles will break out at the same time, which will inevitably lead to more chaos, and then the great prosperity will be in danger.
Cui Jing: "I will facilitate the trip to the north as soon as possible, and I will let you know when the matter is finalized."
Chang Sui Ning Ben wanted to nod subconsciously, but his tone sounded as if he specifically told her that this matter was very necessary, and she couldn't help but look at him.
Sensing her gaze, Cui Jing moved the hand behind her back slightly, and said as calmly as possible: "General Chang has privately asked me to take care of you in the capital. If I go to the north, I must explain it to you in advance."
, I will try my best to arrange everything that can be arranged for you."
It turns out to be this.
Chang Sui Ning smiled nonchalantly and said: "I am not a three-year-old child, so there is no need for me to be so meticulous."
Things like taking care of her can be done incidentally when the person is in the capital, and can be done when the person is not in the capital. Just because he promised to take care of her, we can't bother him to arrange things after leaving the capital.
Then what kind of idiotic three-year-old baby has she become?
Cui Jing did not comment, and just said: "Then you put the copper talisman away. If necessary, you can use this talisman to go to Xuance Mansion."
The bronze talisman was indeed very convenient to use, so Chang Suining did not refuse.
"Captain Cui, can we have breakfast? Why don't we stay and have some together?" Chang Sui'an, who was on the side, listened to the two talking about the war and talking about the northern border. At this moment, he finally stopped and was able to interject and ask politely.
One sentence.
After all... everyone was following him and his sister to the dining room.
It would be inappropriate not to ask.
Cui Jing had words of rejection in her mind, but for some reason she nodded: "That's fine."
After saying this, I couldn't help but feel weird.
Why were his brain and mouth suddenly so out of sync?
After he sat down in the Chang family dining room and looked at the food that was quickly served, more strange feelings suddenly came to his mind.
First of all, he had never had breakfast in other people's houses, so he was really not used to it.
Secondly, he has actually eaten it...
Cui Jing didn't understand why he nodded just now. Just as he was sitting here, he suddenly realized with some hindsight that no one seemed to invite him into the house, but he followed him inexplicably.
His weird behavior became more and more frequent.
"Master Cui, please don't be restrained. There are no other people after all. Our Chang family's food has no other merits, but one thing is enough!" Because she was grateful to Cui Jing, Chang Sui'an was particularly enthusiastic.
He personally picked up the vegetables for Cui Jing and stacked the three-pot steamed buns in front of Cui Jing. He did not forget to ask the female envoy to serve the porridge: "... Governor Cui is also a person who marches and practices martial arts. Remember to use a big bowl."
The big bowls in ordinary people's homes are used as small bowls in Changfu, and the big bowls in Changfu are sea bowls.
Cui Jing knew this very well: "Thank you, that's enough..."
He had already had breakfast and couldn't eat any of this.
There was no need to force himself to eat. It seemed too stupid to do so. He just planned to eat a little to cope with it.
Chang Suining quickly ate two steamed buns, a plate of beef with soy sauce, some side dishes, and a bowl of shredded chicken porridge.
During this process, she glanced at Cui Jing, who hadn't eaten much, and was a little confused - Governor Cui didn't seem to have a good appetite?
This doubtful look was received by Cui Jing.
Looking at the food in front of him, he suddenly felt that Chang's breakfast was indeed very good. The beef was red, the porridge was white, and the buns... were skin-on. They looked appetizing.
Yuan Xiang, who had not waited for his Grand Governor to come out for a long time, came over at this moment - as the Grand Governor's personal attendant, how could he miss the Grand Governor's peacock... He meant, how could he not follow the Grand Governor at all times?
Yuan Xiang went all the way to the dining hall and heard that his governor was eating there. He was startled, hadn't the governor already eaten?
He subconsciously stretched his head and took a look inside, and saw Cui Jing put down the bowl and chopsticks. The bowl was empty, and the dishes and steamed bun basket in front of him were also empty.
Yuan Xiang's eyes showed an unbelievable look.
Chang's food...is it so delicious?
No, how delicious is the food here?
The Governor obviously did this just to stay in the Chang family for a while, right?
Yuan Xiang's expression was complicated and difficult to describe, sighing with emotion and sympathy.
Dadudu...does he really love him so much?
When Cui Jing and the Chang family brothers and sisters came out of the dining hall, they felt that the belt around their waists was a little tighter.
In addition, Governor Cui also received sympathetic looks from his subordinates.
Seeing Yuan Xiang here, Cui Jing was inexplicably nervous.
He'd better not say anything nonsense, such as "How can you still eat breakfast when the Governor has already eaten?" This kind of destructive statement without a wink.
The moment Yuan Xiang opened his mouth, Cui Jing's pupils were slightly trembling, and he almost reached out to cover his subordinate's mouth——
It was at this time that Chang Suining spoke: "By the way, I have something to give to Governor Cui."
what?
Yuan Xiang looked at the Chang family girl curiously.
Cui Jing has a feeling of surviving a disaster.
While Chang Sui Ning sent Xi'er back to pick up things, several people were walking and talking in the courtyard.
Xi'er quickly turned back and handed the things to Chang Sui Ning.
Chang Suining handed it to Cui Jing.
It was a very delicate long wooden box with blue and white orchids painted on it.
Many thoughts flashed through Cui Jing's mind. Why did she suddenly give him a gift? Was it because she wanted to thank him for the flower banquet? In fact, it was not necessary.
But he took it anyway.
Just when he was hesitating whether to open it in person, he heard the girl in front of him say: "It should have been returned to Governor Cui a long time ago. It's just that I haven't found the time, and I can't carry it with me at all times, so it's been delayed so far."
return?
Cui Jing opened the box and saw a white jade auspicious cloud hairpin inside.
This is his thing.
Cui Jing remembered that she had pulled it out of his hair while she was "fighting" with him in the water that day when she was drunk and fell into the water.
Thinking of that incident at this time, Chang Sui Ning felt as if he had been whipped repeatedly, so he said again: "I almost hurt Governor Cui that day. I'm really sorry."
In her previous life plus this life, she had committed such shameful behavior only a handful of times.
"It doesn't matter." Cui Jing put the box away, looked at her and said, "Those moves of yours are very good and are very suitable for defeating the enemy."
The image of a girl attacking him in the water flashed before his eyes in a trance, with water droplets splashing, the afternoon sun shining brightly, and the koi carp swimming quickly in the pond, with an astonishing murderous aura overflowing from her bright black eyes.
Not only her eyes, but every part of her body was filled with murderous intent.
But looking back at it now, the picture fell on the young man's heart like morning dew, seeming to be nourishing the nascent guess, and it seemed... more than just a guess.
Cui Jing couldn't explain what he was feeling in his heart, but it was still not peaceful. He didn't dare to look at those eyes for a long time. His eyes moved slightly and fell on the maple trees behind her.
The autumn sun was shining brightly, the maple leaves were turning red, and there was a stone table under the tree, which reminded him of the scene of Sui Ning playing chess with Song Xian under the ginkgo tree.
"Today...are you free to play a game of chess?" Cui Jing asked.
Play chess.
Chang Suining nodded: "Okay."
She owed him a game of chess.
So a servant took the chessboard and placed it on the stone table under the maple tree.
The two sat opposite each other, Chang Sui Ning Luozi said beforehand: "Captain Cui doesn't have to give in to each other."
Cui Jing held the black piece in her hand: "Otherwise I will lose quickly, right?"
Chang Suining nodded and said, "That's right."
The corners of Cui Jingben's cold eyes were slightly raised, as if there was a hint of a smile: "But I am also good at playing chess."
"Okay." Chang Sui Ning Zai Luo Zi said: "In that case, I won't let you."
Cui Jing nodded: "Okay."
After that, the two of them were speechless.
Chang Sui'an watched from the side, sometimes showing surprise.
Can it still be like this?
No, Ning Ning seems to be losing!
No, Ning Ning didn’t lose, but actually lured the enemy into a surprise attack?
Chang Sui'an's eyes kept changing with the chess game. If he hadn't adhered to the principle of watching the chess without saying a word, his mouth would have been bruised after this game.
There was only the sound of wind and the soft sound of chess pieces falling on the chessboard. However, under this tranquility, there were all the deafening sounds of fighting hidden among the chess pieces.
This game of chess has been played for a long time.
It took much longer than that when Sui Ning and Song Xian played chess.
A maple leaf fell lightly on the chessboard, adding a touch of autumn color to the originally black and white chess game.
Chang Sui Ning raised his hand to take away the maple leaf.
Cui Jing also stretched out his hand at the same time.
The two people's fingertips touched for a moment, Cui Jing's eyes shook slightly, and he quickly took his hand back.
Chang Sui Ning didn't take it seriously, took the maple leaf away, and continued to play.
The lower she went, the quieter she became.
Cui Jing did the opposite.
The feeling of shock inside him became more and more intense.
After half a cup of tea, the winner is finally decided.
"I won." Chang Sui Ning said with a smile as the calmness on his face disappeared.
Cui Jing looked at the chessboard: "I lost."
Chang Sui Ning also looked at it and said jokingly: "Admiral Cui is a good chess player, but I am even better."
Cui Jing's eyes finally left the chessboard.
He knows very well how he lost along the way.
Because of this, it was hard not to be impressed.
Yes, he was impressed by this game of chess.
But it's not just chess.
He silently tightened his slender fingers, looked at the girl sitting opposite, moved his lips, and tried to keep his tone from fluctuating: "Ms. Chang used many tactics of war."
"Yes." Chang Suining said, "I like to read military books."
Cui Jing had already seen the chess game she played with Song Xian in the music hall. It would be strange if she deliberately changed her chess strategy today.
An expected answer.
Cui Jing suppressed all the surges in her heart, and after a moment, she just said to her: "I also like to read military books."
And he especially liked to study the troop transport method left by His Highness... He did not say this sentence.
"My subordinates also like to read military books!" Yuan Xiang grinned and said in a tone of "It turns out that we are all close friends."
Cui Jing: "..."
After sitting for too long, Chang Suining stood up and casually asked Yuan Xiang what military books he read on weekdays.
Yuan Xiang answered enthusiastically, and summed up his experience confidently: "...I believe that in addition to the battlefield, these military techniques are also very applicable to daily matters."
"..." Cui Jing listened, and then thought about all the abuses of military tactics by his subordinates. He felt that if he could make the decision on those military books, he would probably rather burn himself.
Chang Sui'an glanced at the sun and said, "It's getting late. Would the Governor want to stay for lunch?"
Cui Jing was silent for a moment before replying: "No need, it's time to go back to Xuance Mansion."
For one thing, he wouldn't be so shameless, and secondly, he didn't seem to need lunch today.
And just when he was about to say goodbye, he heard a servant from the Chang Mansion coming to deliver a message: "Mr. Sir, Madam, Minister Wei is here."
Wei Shuyi?
What is he here for?
Chang Suining was confused when he saw Wei Shuyi walking over wearing official robes.
It's not that he came uninvited, but that Chang Suining and others happened to be passing by the front hall at this time.
"Admiral Cui is here too?" Wei Shuyi was surprised and looked at Cui Jing with a smile in his eyes.
The smile in his eyes was somewhat teasing, but Cui Jing ignored it.
Seeing him arriving in official robes, Chang Sui'an asked, "I wonder if Minister Wei is here, but there is something important?"
"It's nothing important." Wei Shuyi smiled and looked at Chang Suining: "I was just entrusted by my mother to drop by to bring a letter to Madam Chang."
As he spoke, he took out the letter from the sleeves of his wide robe and handed it to Chang Suining.
"Thank you, Minister Wei." Chang Suining took it and took it apart to look at it.
If she guessed correctly, Duan Zhenyi sent her a letter at this time for that matter.