21: Chapter 21 Zhao Zilong Wants to Become a Junior Flag Master!
Zhao Zilong looked at Cai Wenjing in disbelief.
He hadn't expected Cai Wenjing to be so direct and open.
Most importantly, wasn't the progress between him and Cai Wenjing a bit too fast?
Although he had worked at the Fuzheng Division before, he hadn't had much contact or interaction with Cai Wenjing.
They had interacted a bit more over the last two or three days, but it shouldn't have led to such deep feelings—deep enough for Cai Wenjing to proactively suggest staying the night at his house.
“Clerk Zhao, what's wrong?”
Seeing Zhao Zilong frowning, Cai Wenjing was somewhat puzzled.
Zhao Zilong said with a serious face, “Deputy Director Cai, I know that I, Zhao Zilong, possess some talent and striking good looks. Having recently divorced my wife and being single, I understand this might give many women hope or even fantasies.”
“I just didn't expect Deputy Director Cai to be interested in me as well, and to even proactively make such a request. However, feelings need to be nurtured; they should progress step by step. Don't you think this is moving a bit too fast and too hurriedly? To be honest, I'm not prepared yet.”
“Zhao Zilong, can you have some shame?”
Listening to Zhao Zilong's long speech, Cai Wenjing's eyes widened, and her small mouth hung open in utter disbelief.
Did Zhao Zilong have water in his brain?
Did he even know what he was saying?
Did any of that sound like something a normal person would say?
She appreciated his talent, and the guy did indeed seem to have become a bit younger with quite upright features.
But that wasn't enough for her to fall in love at first sight, let alone suggest staying the night.
“Deputy Director Cai, what you're saying is a bit unfair. You were the one who made the request to stay the night, not me. How am I being shameless? You may be a high-ranking official, but you shouldn't be so unreasonable.”
Zhao Zilong felt that Cai Wenjing was being very unfair, and he felt somewhat wronged.
Looking at Zhao Zilong's serious yet slightly resentful expression, Cai Wenjing laughed out of sheer frustration.
This laugh was like the stars high above in the night sky. When Zhao Zilong saw it, he felt his heart skip a few beats. His gaze became fixed, staring intently at Cai Wenjing.
“In the north, there is a beauty, peerless and independent. One glance can topple a city; another can topple a nation.”
Zhao Zilong couldn't help but think of a poem, murmuring it aloud with a few slight modifications.
Cai Wenjing heard what Zhao Zilong was murmuring. Her smile vanished instantly, replaced by eyes full of shock.
“In the north, there is a beauty, peerless and independent. One glance can topple a city; another can topple a nation.”
“Is Zhao Zilong writing this poem about me?”
Her heart rate quickened, her cheeks flushed slightly, and her gaze toward Zhao Zilong held a hint of some inexplicable emotion.
Zhao Xiaotian stood to the side watching the two of them. He didn't understand what they were doing and didn't dare to speak, so he could only stand there blankly, occasionally raising a hand to scratch his head.
Zhao Zilong and Cai Wenjing stared at each other for quite a while before both snapped out of it, coughing lightly to ease the awkwardness.
“Um, Deputy Director Cai, if you insist on staying the night at my house, I can't refuse. However, I still...”
“Zhao Zilong, have some shame. I'm staying at your house because I'm worried the Remnants of the Previous Dynasty will make a move against you and your son. I'm going there to protect you. What on earth are you thinking?”
“Ah? That's the reason?”
Zhao Zilong was stunned; he had indeed overthought things.
He thought his superior wanted to do something to him, her subordinate.
“Otherwise, what did you think?”
Cai Wenjing gave Zhao Zilong a sharp look.
Zhao Zilong chuckled. “Deputy Director Cai, after you.”
“Zhao Zilong, when did you write that poem just now?”
Cai Wenjing suddenly asked.
Zhao Zilong asked, “Did you hear it, Deputy Director Cai?”
Cai Wenjing nodded. Zhao Zilong was thick-skinned and didn't mind using the works of the ancients to make himself look good. He said, “It was just a spontaneous inspiration.”
Hearing Zhao Zilong say this, Cai Wenjing's cheeks reddened slightly again.
The three of them returned to Zhao Zilong's house.
Cai Wenjing stayed in Zhao Zilong's room, while Zhao Zilong stayed with Zhao Xiaotian.
Cai Wenjing did not lie down; instead, she sat cross-legged on the bed.
She was cultivating.
“This guy is so lazy; it's truly a miracle he could become a martial artist.”
Hearing Zhao Zilong's snoring, Cai Wenjing shook her head helplessly.
However, she didn't care too much. She was using Zhao Zilong not for his martial prowess, but for his talent.
What she needed was a strategist.
Little did she know, Zhao Zilong was also cultivating in his sleep.
He held an illusory blade in his hand, dancing with it.
The phantom monk wielding the blade was like a master, constantly demonstrating and teaching the saber technique, while Zhao Zilong followed along and learned.
With each repetition of the saber dance, Zhao Zilong gained a deeper understanding of the technique, constantly improving.
Furthermore, Zhao Zilong discovered that he didn't need to strain his brain to comprehend the saber technique; he only needed to increase the number of practice sessions.
However, because his mental energy was limited, Zhao Zilong couldn't sustain practicing the saber in his dreams for very long.
Zhao Zilong estimated that he could currently practice in his dreams for about half an hour at a time.
Upon waking, he would have a bit of a headache, but fortunately, it recovered quickly and had no lasting impact.
Early the next morning, Zhao Xiaotian, who had risen early, had already prepared breakfast.
Zhao Zilong and Cai Wenjing were currently eating steamed buns and drinking porridge.
Although he had only practiced the saber technique for half an hour in his dreams last night, his skills had improved significantly.
Zhao Zilong judged that if he were to face Wang Tu, a Second-Grade Martial Artist, again—even if the opponent had a blade—he could kill him.
Moreover, his blood qi was even more abundant. Zhao Zilong felt that he would soon break through to become a Second-Grade Martial Artist.
“Xiaotian, come over and eat with us.”
Cai Wenjing called out to Zhao Xiaotian, who was still busy with something.
Zhao Zilong said, “No need to call him. Xiaotian is used to it; he won't eat until he's finished cleaning the kitchen.”
Cai Wenjing looked at Zhao Zilong with some displeasure and said, “I suppose you beat that habit into him?”
Zhao Zilong sighed slightly and said, “In the past, to please Jin Rong, I indeed wasn't very good to Xiaotian. I will make it up to him.”
Cai Wenjing didn't want to interfere too much in Zhao Zilong's family matters, and she could see that the current Zhao Zilong was indeed very good to Zhao Xiaotian.
She changed the subject: “Zhao Zilong, let me ask you, if you were in charge of clearing out the Remnants of the Previous Dynasty, what would you do?”
Cai Wenjing had wanted to ask this last night, but she had held back for fear of disturbing Zhao Zilong's rest.
Zhao Zilong didn't really have a plan. He said, “What 'Remnants of the Previous Dynasty'? The winners are kings, and the losers are bandits, that's all.”
“Zhao Zilong, how bold of you! Do you know what you're saying?”
Cai Wenjing immediately shouted in anger.
If these words were spread, Zhao Zilong would surely die.
Zhao Zilong also knew he had misspoke. He said softly, “Deputy Director Cai, my words may be harsh, but is there anything wrong with them? If Daye hadn't overthrown the Ning Dynasty back then, then the people of Daye would be the rebellious subjects.”
“Of course, the Ning Dynasty was indeed a corrupt empire, and it was a good thing it was overthrown. However, in my opinion, there's no need to pressure them like this. The more you pressure them, the more they will resist. It would be better to try and reconcile with them and grant a general amnesty to all those from the previous dynasty.”
“I believe some people don't want to risk their lives. As for those who are desperate and stubborn, that's a different matter.”
Cai Wenjing analyzed Zhao Zilong's words and felt they made quite a bit of sense.
Regarding the people of the previous dynasty, they indeed couldn't be pushed too hard. Otherwise, if they were left with no way to survive, they would naturally have no choice but to fight for their lives.
“This method might be worth a try. However, right now the Remnants of the Previous Dynasty have infiltrated Qingyang County to assassinate the Princess. Do you have a solution?”
Cai Wenjing inquired.
After taking a sip of porridge, Zhao Zilong slowly spoke, “The Princess's Residence is heavily guarded. The Remnants of the Previous Dynasty certainly wouldn't dare to charge in blindly, or they would have done so already. I believe they might try to find a way to lure the Princess out of the residence before making their move.”
Cai Wenjing nodded slightly in agreement.
Besides the guards around the Princess, she had also arranged for people from the Fuzheng Division to guard the Princess's Residence. The Remnants of the Previous Dynasty had no chance to strike at the Princess.
“It's just that although the Remnants of the Previous Dynasty don't dare to enter the Princess's Residence directly to assassinate her, it's not a solution to just keep stalemating like this. We are too passive.”
Cai Wenjing didn't want to keep waiting like this; she still wanted to take the initiative and strike.
Zhao Zilong thought for a moment and said, “If you don't want to be passive, then let the Princess leave the Princess's Residence. Of course, as for how to arrange this, I don't have a good plan for the time being. It will have to depend on you, Deputy Director Cai.”
Cai Wenjing sighed helplessly and stopped pursuing the topic. She said, “Follow me to the Fuzheng Division later. I will appoint you to your post.”
Zhao Zilong's eyes lit up as he asked, “Deputy Director Cai, are you going to appoint me as a Junior Banner Master?”