Xi Yinglong was wearing a black suit and a pair of polished leather shoes. He stood in the tent with his head held high, his eyes were calm, and he said respectfully: "Xi Yinglong, I have met the president."
Li Zhen said: "Brother Xi, I have been waiting for a long time."
Xi Yinglong replied: "The matter has just been settled. Please forgive me, President."
Li Zhen said: "Let's go for a walk and talk while walking."
Xi Yinglong nodded, followed Li Zhen, and left the camp together. Li Zhen was one step ahead of Xi Yinglong. As he walked, he said: "Brother Xi, although we had our own positions at the beginning and were hostile parties, Generally speaking, it can be regarded as if you don't know each other without fighting, it's fate that plays a trick on people."
Xi Yinglong replied: "President Meng Da will not pursue the case, otherwise my brother and I would already have been killed by the sword."
Li Zhen smiled and continued: "I heard from Xi Changzhen that after brother Xi relinquishes military power, he and Xi Changzhen are planning to return to the country, and then find a place to retire to the countryside and never serve in official positions again."
"That's the plan."
Xi Yinglong nodded and did not deny it.
Li Zhen frowned and said: "Brother Xi, with your talents and skills, are you really willing to live in seclusion in the mountains and forests? Or maybe you are unwilling to serve as an official because of me." At this point, Li Zhen stopped and said, Looking at Xi Yinglong, he said seriously: "If it is really me, then I am willing to apologize to you and Xi Changzhen, and I hope you can stay."
Xi Yinglong shook his head and said: "President, you don't have to be like this. It's not because of you that my brother and I plan to go into seclusion. It's because my brother and I are tired of officialdom and tired of fighting and killing on the battlefield, so we decided to take off our armor and return to the fields. After a lifetime of fighting, I am tired of it and don’t want to live like this anymore.”
Li Zhen frowned and continued walking forward.
Xi Yinglong followed, and the two of them walked in tandem and quickly left the military camp. The guards protecting Li Zhen followed far behind and did not go up to disturb Li Zhen.
The atmosphere between Li Zhen and Xi Yinglong was quite unusual.
Li Zhen didn't speak, and Xi Yinglong didn't take the initiative to talk. The two of them walked forward in silence.
The atmosphere seemed to be frozen.
After walking for about ten minutes, the two came to a small hill on the right side of the military camp. They climbed the mountain silently. After going up the mountain, Li Zhen sat down on a rock on the top of the mountain and waved his hand for Xi Yinglong to sit down.
Looking at the scenery at the foot of the mountain, Li Zhen said: "Brother Xi, you are also the one who dominates. You should understand that there are never too many talents at any time, especially as China has ushered in an unprecedented period of development. The country is getting rid of the old. Innovation requires countless talents, whether they are leading soldiers or running a country, they are all in great demand."
After a pause, Li Zhen said seriously: "As the president of the country, I naturally want to recruit more people and govern the country well. China was once bullied. After several years of struggle, it finally changed. I am being bullied everywhere. The current situation is hard-won. It must be cherished and protected. We must never go back to the old path again.”
Xi Yinglong said with emotion: "It is to be cherished and to be protected. The responsibility of the army is to protect."
There was also a look of nostalgia in his eyes.
Since I left Guangxi, I have never been back, and I miss her all the time.
Li Zhen stared at the foot of the mountain intently and continued: "However, protecting the country is not my responsibility alone, nor is it the responsibility of one or two leaders, nor is it the responsibility of being an official, but the responsibility of everyone in the world. This is The world no longer has an emperor, it is no longer a world for one person, but a world for everyone."
"Scholars often say that everyone is responsible for the rise and fall of the world, and all Chinese should do their best."
"It's just that I think everyone is responsible for the rise and fall of the world, but it's different."
"Everyone can tell you the truth, but when it comes to scoring, it doesn't mean that everyone should pay attention to national affairs, but that everyone should perform their duties and do as much work as they have the ability to do."
"In whatever position you are in, you should do whatever you want to do, and you should do your best in your position."
"For example, if you tell a common man who is farming the country the principles of governing the country, it is like talking to a cow, and it is difficult for him to understand. However, you teach him how to farm, enable him to read and write, and let him put his knowledge into practice. When things are done well, and then guide him to be a moral person, this is his business and the responsibility of the people." "For an official, that is to think about the people. I once quoted someone's words, saying that being an official is not a good thing. It is better to go home and plant sweet potatoes than to make decisions for the people. This is the responsibility of an official."
"Those who serve in the army are there to protect the people and the country..."
Li Zhenba raised his voice and said loudly: "My understanding is that everyone's responsibility in this world is to do their best, do their own thing well, and bring out the best of everyone's abilities."
He looked at Xi Yinglong and saw Xi Yinglong's face was deep in thought.
After Li Zhen pondered for a while, he continued: "Brother Xi and Xi Changzhen are both talented people. Brother Xi is good at running the army, and Xi Changzhen is good at running the army and the country. But I think Xi Changzhen is better at running the country. My brother is talented and capable, but if he retreats to the mountains and forests, it will really be a waste of what he has learned."
"Returning to the mountains and forests is indeed a relief for Brother Xi and Xi Changzhen, but the country has lost a useful talent. Maybe Brother Xi retorted that one more is not more and one is less, but it cannot be considered this way. If everyone If you think about it this way, what will happen to the country when everyone goes into seclusion? The governance of the country requires the accumulation of an individual and the dedication of generations of talents to achieve progress."
Li Zhen said sincerely: "Brother Xi, I don't have to force you. How to choose depends entirely on you in one year. I just hope you can think more about it. You spent the first half of your life because of the corruption of the Qing Dynasty. As for serving the country, there is no way, but now that I have the opportunity, I hope Brother Xi can progress in what he has learned."
He looked sincere and had longing in his eyes.
This is a talent that Li Zhen does not want to be buried.
Xi Yinglong suddenly burst out laughing. Li Zhen looked puzzled and asked, "Brother Xi, why are you laughing?"
"Because of the President."
"Oh, I really don't understand this."
Xi Yinglong took a deep breath and said: "My brother and I dominated Guangxi. We were defeated because of the President's attack. It was the first time that my brother and I fell into the hands of the President. After we escaped to Vietnam, we captured the Vietnamese Emperor's palace. Dominate one side, but were attacked by the coalition forces of various countries, were also attacked by the President, and fell into the hands of the President; going to India was fueled by the President, and fell into the hands of the President. Now, it seems that we Brother is going to be in trouble again, not just for a little while, but for a lifetime."
After hearing this, Li Zhen felt happy.
Xi Yinglong stood up, clasped his hands, bowed his head, and said respectfully: "The president's words made Xi Yinglong feel ashamed. Xi Yinglong has no ability, but he is willing to do his best and contribute his share to the country. strength."
"Okay, okay, okay,,."
Li Zhen said three good words in succession, with a big smile on his face.
If Xi Yinglong relents, all his talk will be in vain. And if Xi Yinglong relents, then Xi Changzhen will definitely stay and serve the country since he can't support himself alone. Two brothers in the same family are both talents.
Li Zhen smiled slightly, stood up and said, "Let's go back."
Xi Changzhen followed Li Zhen and said with a smile: "The president came out alone with me to find such a quiet place to talk to me. There is a purpose."
Li Zhen laughed and said, "Fortunately, I'm not disappointed."