I walked out of the governor's mansion with a sad heart, and was greeted by my classmates. Standing in the front were Ziyuan, Zishe and Zisheng.
Ziyuan's face looked like a rotten orange from smiling, and I wanted to kick him just by looking at him.
"I was scared to death at the time. After I finished watching, I realized it was you. How come you were deceived after seeing my appearance?"
"It seems that you are popular among the guests."
"Are you angry with me? Go back and talk to your sister first." Zishe also knew that he was a bad guy, so he smiled.
I had nothing, so I got on the horse and, ignoring my classmates' calls, rode home.
I was confused. I didn't know how my sister would react if I told her about this. Last time I just used the excuse of avoiding military service, but this time I had to ride thousands of miles alone and travel between battlefields. My sister would cry. I took a deep breath and looked up at the sky. The summer afternoon sun made the whole sky very dazzling. I closed my eyes and let the horse wander around the city at will. Suddenly the horse stopped. I lowered my head and saw my sister holding the reins of the horse, shading the sun with one hand and smiling at me.
"What are you bragging about? How does it feel to be an official on your first day?"
"fine."
There was silence in the room. I guess that's it. I don't know what my sister is thinking, but I know this will be the result when I'm done.
"You won't lie to me again?" She suddenly laughed.
"Not this time. You can ask any of my classmates about this."
"oh."
Silence again.
At three quarters past three in the afternoon, I had already arrived at the court where the morning government meetings were held. I quietly sat back in my seat. My sister and I were silent throughout the afternoon. I think this might be the longest time I had ever remained silent.
"Zi Rui, have you arrived already?"
"No, sir, I have only been here a short time."
"What do you think about this matter?"
"I didn't expect it at first. I didn't even think it would be me. Zisheng was and is the first choice."
“Is there any difference between before and now?”
I know I let the cat out of the bag. What I was thinking was that in the past, Zisheng could annoy those two generals to death, so they had to send troops to get some peace. But now, after listening to his words this morning, I feel that there is no problem for Zisheng to obey Generals Zhu and Huangfu.
"What I mean is that Zisheng has always been more suitable for this task than me."
"No, I don't think so."
"When it comes to strategizing, Zishe and Zisheng are definitely better than you." I nodded and had to admit, one of them always talked too much and the other was always frivolous in front of me, I never realized they were so talented.
"But in the entire court, no one can beat you in one aspect. Do you know that in terms of the ability to respond to emergencies, there are probably no more than ten people in the world who can surpass you."
Just as I was thinking of something, Teacher Wei continued.
"I know you are not someone who shrinks from danger. You have some concerns, and your teacher is well aware of that."
I walked to within five feet of the teacher, lifted my clothes and knelt down.
"Sir, if Zirui can't come back, please take good care of my sister."
"No, you must come back. If the Yellow Turbans block your way, then come back."
"Sir, this matter concerns the great plan of Jingzhou. Zirui will pay tribute to you two in person even if he dies."
"Don't force yourself. ... I have always regarded you as my sons and nephews, and your sister as my daughter. I will take good care of her. No matter what happens in the future, I will definitely marry your sister off in a grand manner."
"Thank you, teacher, for your help." I bowed again.
"The students are relieved and will leave now."
"Leaving so soon?"
"The situation is urgent. I have to reach an agreement with the two generals before the autumn harvest, otherwise it will be too late. I don't know where General Huangfu is in Youzhou, and I don't know whether he is willing to see me."
"He will definitely meet you. Do you know that General Huangfu is the same Huangfu who discussed politics with you last time?" The teacher said with a smile.
"I'd better leave quickly." All I wanted now was to leave early and come back early to reassure my sister.
"Okay, go ahead." After a pause, "Go to the storehouse and withdraw some money. Be careful on the way and don't act stubbornly. If you can't make it, come back as soon as possible."
"yes!"
When I got home, I didn't see my sister. Aunt Zhang told me that my sister had packed my bag and stayed in the room. Aunt Zhang told me to come back soon. I knew. My sister didn't come out during dinner either. I hung around her door for a long time.
In the end I didn’t knock on her door. Maybe if I had, I would never have the courage to go there again.
Finally, I set off, carrying my bag, riding my horse, and heading straight for the north gate.
Unexpectedly, someone was already waiting for me at the North Gate. Zishe led a group of classmates, wearing the clothes we wore when we were students, and seemed to have been waiting for me here for a long time.
"We can't see you off at your house since you still have to say goodbye to your sister. We'll wait for you here." Zishe still had that frivolous smile of his.
I grabbed his sleeve and leaned over to whisper in his ear.
"Take care of my sister while I'm away. Don't let anyone else, especially Zisheng, get close to her. Don't make any plans either."
Some of them wished me well, some said they were serious, and some gave me some silver and dry food.
"Zirui, please stay for a moment." It was the teacher's voice. When I turned around, I saw the teacher riding a horse galloping towards me.
"Zi Rui, there are some things that I am still worried about, so I came over here."
"Please speak, sir, and I will teach you."
"Zi Rui, you are impulsive and often speak without restraint. When you are alone outside, it is not like in school. You should be cautious. It is best to think more and less."
"Yes, the students remember it."
So I left Xiangyang and headed towards a place I had never been to before.
That year, I was 16 years old.