knife

Chapter 21 The power of choice

The glint of swords and shadows faded.
The sounds of drums and horns have faded into the distance.

Vivid faces fluttered before my eyes.

The ancient road was buried in yellow dust.
The border town, once ablaze with war, is now desolate.

Time, you can't take it away.
Those familiar names.

Who decides the rise and fall of dynasties?

The rise and fall of dynasties are not without reason.

A page of history has been written, and the winds of change have dispersed.
Time and space have changed.

Meeting and parting are all predestined.

Separation and reunion are always matters of the heart.

Take responsibility for what happened before you died.

Why worry about what will be said after death?

The slightly hoarse singing voice seemed to possess an invisible magic. Inside the tent, Zhang Qingyun, who was filled with anxiety and confusion, unknowingly closed her eyes and fell asleep.

The fragrance lingering in her nose woke her from her sleep. She opened her eyes, her pupils darting around as if trying to figure out where she was. The next moment, she suddenly sat up and looked at the curtains, sunlight streaming through the gaps and illuminating her face.

"Are you awake? Then come out. After breakfast, we're on our way!"

Li Dachui's clear voice came from outside.

Zhang Qingyun reached out and tidied her slightly disheveled hair, took a deep breath, and then lifted the curtain to step out.

This is a rare good day after so many days.

The sky was azure, and the sun was rising slowly from the east. The white frost of last night was turning into a rising mist under the bright sunlight, making the distant view hazy and dreamlike.

"I slept so soundly, I didn't realize it was so late!" Zhang Qingyun looked at Li Dachui, who was busy ladling porridge into bowls, somewhat embarrassed.

"Not late at all!" Li Dachui handed the porridge to Zhang Qingyun and said, "It's just that I'm used to getting up early. But you slept really well last night, you were even snoring."

The apology that Zhang Qingyun had just felt for Li Dachui, which was holding the bowl, vanished completely in an instant with those words.

Snoring is fine, but why did you have to tell me?

If you don't tell me, I won't know.
What am I supposed to do now that you've said that?
That damned bandit, he's just asking for a beating the moment he opens his mouth. No wonder even someone like Xiao Changche was so enraged by him that he nearly died.

But it's really embarrassing!

Do you really snore when you sleep?

The girls around me had never told me this before.

Holding the bowl, head down, drinking the porridge, he could see out of the corner of his eye that Li Dachui had quickly dismantled and packed up his tent, then loaded it onto the horse.

This person is annoying, but for some reason, they give me a sense of security.

These past few days, I've appeared outwardly calm, but inwardly I'm filled with worry, and I haven't slept well a single night.

Last night was probably the most relaxing day of my life!

So he fell into a deep sleep.

It even snored.

Sweat beaded on Zhang Qingyun's nose, and she felt sweaty all over. She didn't know if it was because she had drunk porridge or because of her shame.

With blue skies, white clouds, and the sun shining brightly, the good weather lifted my spirits considerably. I could leave behind many of the world's worries and simply enjoy the scenery before me.

Compared to Chang'an, this place is naturally very different. Not only is the scenery different, but the people are too.

Desolation is also a kind of beauty, and the unknown and wildness mixed in with it are even more fascinating.

Back when I was a noble young lady from an official family, I had seen many handsome young men who were witty and charming. These people could always find topics that interested me, and being with them made me feel like I was basking in a spring breeze.

Unlike this bandit in front of you, who can make you furious with just a few words, even a kind word sounds sarcastic coming from his mouth, making you want to clench your fist and punch his mouth that always shows eight teeth when he smiles.

But...
how to say?

When I'm with those handsome young men, I always keep a wary eye on them and leave room for maneuver in my words. But with this guy who can't say anything nice, I feel much more relaxed and at ease.

"I'm such a worthless wretch!" Zhang Qingyun cursed herself inwardly.

"Miss Qingyun, you can't ride a horse like that outside the pass. You have to straddle it!" Sure enough, the guy was nitpicking as soon as he opened his mouth.

Zhang Qingyun sat casually on the saddle, which was certainly a very ladylike way of riding.

Hearing Li Dachui's words, Zhang Qingyun rolled her eyes at him. She wanted to, but when Fang Xiaomao grabbed her and threw her to Li Dachui yesterday, she was wearing a skirt. How could she straddle him?

Shall I lift up my skirt?
"Don't let the size and might of these horses fool you, they're actually quite intelligent and run very smoothly without jolting you. You can try it!" Li Dachui was still chattering on.

Zhang Qingyun pouted and tugged at her skirt.

Li Dachui blinked, finally understanding.

"Oh dear, I really didn't think of that. But it's alright, someone will come to pick us up by the day after tomorrow at the latest. I've already notified them to bring women's clothing, so you can change back then. Riding like that outside the Great Wall will make it obvious to everyone that you're an outsider!"

What is an external code?

"So you're not a local!" Li Dachui said with a smile. "Yeah, that's the local dialect."

"Where are we going?" Zhang Qingyun asked.

The only way Zhang Qingyun can distinguish directions now is by the sunrise and sunset. If there is no sun, and the weather is bad with fog, she basically can't tell which way is which.

“Let’s go to Tai’an City!” Li Dachui said. “I’ll take you to see the most prosperous and bustling city outside the pass, which is also the safest city. You can settle down there first.”

"Aren't you going to take me to your hideout?" Zhang Qingyun asked.

“Tai’an City has the best understanding of the entire situation outside the pass!” Li Dachui said, “There, you will see government officials, bandits, people from the Northern Yuan, people from the Southern Chu, and of course, all sorts of forces you’ve never heard of or seen before. Don’t underestimate these forces; some are truly powerful, and some, though not so powerful, can still cause considerable destruction. So, try your best not to offend them. They’re more likely to cause trouble than to accomplish anything.”

"Didn't you just say that Tai'an City is the safest place?" Zhang Qingyun retorted.

“Yes, if you stay in Tai’an City for your whole life, then naturally someone will protect you, but what if you leave the city?” Li Dachui said, “The city lord of Tai’an has an agreement with those influential people: within Tai’an City, grudges are not considered; outside Tai’an City, everyone depends on their own abilities!”

"So, some people can escape unharmed as long as they have the ability to reach Tai'an City?"

“That’s right!” Li Dachui laughed. “The ability to escape to Tai’an City while being chased is itself a testament to a person’s capabilities. Such a person can never leave Tai’an City, which is a good thing for Tai’an City, because he has to ensure that Tai’an City remains standing, otherwise he will not benefit from it.”

Are there many people like this?

“Quite a few. Several of them are Linghu Ye’s enemies, and some are wanted criminals from Bei Yuan. These people are all quite capable; they are all in charge in Tai’an City,” Li Dachui said.

"So, you've placed me there too, so that if something really happens to my father, I'll be safe and sound in Tai'an City, right?"

“You’re different!” Li Dachui shook his head violently: “I sent you there to familiarize yourself with the situation, and then I want you to come out and work for me. This time, helping your father, I’m very likely to lose money, so I have to plan ahead and see if I can reduce my sunk costs and strive to make a profit by training you!”

Zhang Qingyun didn't understand and glared at Li Dachui, asking, "What sunk cost?"

Li Dachui didn't answer her, but said, "I have a large shop in Tai'an City. Go there to learn first, learn how to sell goods to others. If you do well, you can become a manager. If you do well as a manager, you can become a junior manager in charge of a category. If you are still outstanding, you can become a senior manager. You have to climb up one level at a time!"

"Do you treat me like a lowly maid?" Zhang Qingyun roared in anger.

"I'll make you the head manager right now. Can you handle it?" Li Dachui stopped laughing and said bluntly, "Besides, no one can rise to the top overnight under my command. Everyone has to start from the bottom. Of course, you are different. If you are not willing, I can arrange another place for you, and even arrange maids to serve you, providing you with exquisite food and clothes every day. Are you willing?"

Zhang Qingyun exhaled a breath of stale air, "I'm going to the store to sell things!"

There's no such thing as a free lunch. If you get something easily, what do you have to give up? Need I say more?

Now I have nothing of value, what do I have besides myself?
Zhang Qingyun had no choice.

But she should also be grateful to Li Dachui for giving her a choice.

The world is cruel like this. Some people don't even have the chance to choose. They can only drift with the tide and let fate dictate their lives. Those who have the opportunity to choose are already very lucky.

Only those who can take control of their own destiny in the future can be considered truly strong.

This is the answer Zhang Qingyun came to from what she saw and thought during this period.

Whether it's Xiao Changche or Li Dachui, they have the choice because they are strong enough.

“This is the right choice!” Li Dachui laughed. “Everything you gain comes at a price. The easier something is to obtain, the greater the price you pay, and it’s also easy for someone else to take it away. Only what you earn through your own hard work and struggle is truly yours. Miss Qingyun, if you can really reach the level of manager or above in Tai’an City, then I can take you to my lair. Only then will I truly recognize you as a partner, rather than someone who needs care and protection.”

Zhang Qingyun silently lifted her skirt, swung her leg, and straddled the chestnut horse. With a backhand slap on the horse's rump, the horse galloped forward.

If you want to be respected, and if you don't want to be seen as a subordinate or a decorative object, then the only way is to be self-reliant and strong.

Grandpa has no eldest son, and Qingyun has no elder brother. From now on, the Zhang family will have to rely on themselves to establish themselves.

(End of this chapter)