bayedsolid Chapter 555: Old People in the Sanatorium
Chapter 555: Old People in the Sanatorium
In the ancient streets of Xianyang, the warm autumn sun lazily shines on every corner, but it cannot dispel the deep loneliness in Cheng Yaojin's heart.
At this moment, he was standing in front of the gate of Tian Ce Mansion, his body slightly hunched, but his eyes were fixed on the faded "Tian Ce" plaque, as if through these two words, he could once again see the days when he fought side by side with His Majesty and drank and chatted happily.
"Old Cheng, what are you doing here?"
A familiar and somewhat vicissitudes of life voice came from behind him.
Cheng Yaojin's body shook violently, he slowly turned around, and what came into his sight was Li Ji's equally weathered face.
Li Ji's face was covered with wrinkles like ravines, but his eyes were still capable.
Cheng Yaojin looked at Li Ji, his originally furrowed brows gradually relaxed, the corners of his mouth unconsciously rose a little, and the heavy feeling of loneliness in his heart instantly dissipated a lot.
"Come and see, what about you?"
There was a hint of emotion in his voice, and he raised his hand and gently patted Li Ji's shoulder.
Li Ji walked slowly to Cheng Yaojin's side and also looked up at the plaque. Tears glistened in his eyes.
He sighed deeply and said slowly: "Me too, come and take a look."
"I've been having trouble sleeping lately. As soon as I close my eyes, the images of me fighting on the battlefield keep flashing before my eyes."
As he spoke, he turned his head slightly and looked at Cheng Yaojin with concern, "How about you, how are you feeling lately?"
"As for me, there hasn't been much change. My body is still strong, just like when I was young. I eat well and sleep well. It's just that I feel like time is passing too quickly, and every day is getting shorter and shorter."
Cheng Yaojin waved his hand, but there was still a hint of helplessness in his words.
After saying that, he also looked at Li Ji, "How about you, how is your health?"
Li Ji nodded slightly, a reassuring smile on his face. "Don't worry, my health is still good. I can hold on for a few more years, and it won't be a big problem."
After Li Ji finished speaking, both of them fell silent.
At this time, the surroundings were very quiet, with only the occasional bird calls.
"Take care of yourself, Maogong. You must not die before me, otherwise, my future life will be meaningless."
Cheng Yaojin was the first to break the silence. There was a hint of sincere reluctance in his voice, and he patted Li Ji's shoulder hard again.
Upon hearing this, Li Ji couldn't help but laugh out loud, his laughter carrying some of his usual cheerfulness. "Zhijie, you should relax. I, Li Ji, still have many blessings. It won't be so easy for me to leave."
The smile gradually faded, and his expression suddenly became serious. He frowned slightly, and his tone became particularly solemn, "Zhijie, I want to go to the border."
When Cheng Yaojin heard this, his originally relaxed brows knitted together again. He raised his eyebrows in surprise and looked Li Ji up and down. "Maogong, you are already this old, so stop making trouble."
"Behave yourself and stop thinking about running away."
"Now that the world is at peace and there have been no wars for a long time, we two old guys should spend our old age in peace and quiet in Xianyang City."
As he spoke, he shook his head slightly, his face full of disapproval. "Besides, even if a war really breaks out, look at your body. Can you still charge into battle like you used to?"
"You can't even wear your armor, are you? How can you fight?"
Li Ji did not retreat because of Cheng Yaojin's questioning. He looked firmly into the distance, as if he had already seen the vast sky and earth of the border and the fluttering Tang Dynasty flag.
"Zhijie, I'm worried that no future generals of the Tang Dynasty will be able to inherit my skills and strategies!"
After hearing what Li Ji said, Cheng Yaojin didn't know how to refute for a moment.
As a veteran who had fought all his life, he knew very well that Li Ji's concerns were not groundless.
Those of them who have come all the way through the smoke of war understand better than anyone that there is a world of difference between generals.
Take him and Yuchi Jingde for example, they are both brave generals who are good at fighting bravely on the battlefield, but if they are asked to lead 10,000 troops, they will find it a bit difficult. Two thousand troops are the most comfortable command scale for them.
However, true wars often involve tens or even hundreds of thousands of troops, requiring large-scale operations. Commanding a hundred thousand troops requires a completely different level of strategy, courage, and coordination than commanding a small force. This is the profound difference between generals and commanders.
In today's Tang Dynasty, there are many brave generals in the army, but commanders who can truly strategize and lead large-scale military operations are extremely scarce. This is exactly what His Majesty is worried about day and night.
Thinking of this, Cheng Yaojin looked at Li Ji again, and the doubt in his eyes was gradually replaced by understanding.
He finally understood that this old brother was planning to drag his no longer young body to the border in his twilight years to find an apprentice who could be trained, to pass on the military strategies he had learned throughout his life, to train a capable commander for the Tang Dynasty, and to do his last bit of work for the country.
"If you want to go, go ahead, Maogong. Now is the time, while your legs are still good and you can walk, go and tell His Majesty."
"I don't have your great ability, so I'll just wait here quietly for you to come back."
Cheng Yaojin put his hand on Li Ji's shoulder, and his eyes became supportive.
"If you don't go now, when you're older you won't be able to walk anymore."
Li Ji deeply felt the firm support in Cheng Yaojin's words. He nodded heavily, his eyes slightly reddened, "Okay."
"I came here just to tell you that this trip to the border is long and arduous, and I don't know when I'll be back."
A hint of melancholy flashed across Li Ji's eyes. "You are old now. You must take good care of yourself and wait for me to come back."
"Okay, I'll wait for you here. Are you still spending the New Year's Day here this year?" Cheng Yaojin looked at Li Ji eagerly and asked.
"No, I'm afraid I won't have enough time. I don't have enough time." Li Ji shook his head helplessly, a look of urgency in his expression. "Zhijie, we are grateful for your majesty's kindness. We fought together to build this Tang Dynasty, and we must protect it together!"
After hearing what Li Ji said, Cheng Yaojin was silent for a moment, feeling mixed emotions.
He took a deep breath, then nodded firmly, his eyes slightly moist. "I understand. Be careful when you go out. You go submit the memorial. When you leave, I'll set up a table of good wine in the mansion as a farewell party for you!"