roccoschili Chapter 109 Political Awareness
Chapter 109 Political Awareness
After lunch, Jin Chu greeted Manager Zhao, and then took Zhao'er and Su Cheng'an away from Tongfu Inn. On the way, he bought some ingredients for hot pot.
When the three of them got home, it was already late in the afternoon. Huanyan had gone to the workshop and had not returned yet. Huizhen and her daughter were not at home either. The courtyard was quiet at this time.
Jinchu let Su Cheng'an into the main hall, poured some tea, and introduced him to Zhao'er beside him: "Zhao'er, this big brother is my friend. He gave you Xiaohui."
Xiao Hui is the rabbit that Jin Chu brought back from the mountain last year.
"So, it was this big brother that my sister took care of during those few days in the mountains, right?"
Zhao'er showed an expression of sudden enlightenment and asked Jinchu.
Ever since this bearded uncle, oh, bearded brother, saved him, little Zhao'er began to regard Su Cheng'an as a great hero who stood up for justice, punished evil and promoted good, and stood tall and upright.
Seeing his sister invite his older brother back for dinner, the little child was very happy all the way and secretly observed the bearded brother all the way.
Now that she knew that he was actually the older brother that her sister had helped take care of last year and had specially given her Xiao Hui, Zhao'er looked at Su Cheng'an with a visibly more intimate look.
Jinchu nodded and said to Zhaoer, "You can take big brother to see Xiaohui. I need to wash the vegetables. When your sister Huanyan comes back, we can set up the pot and eat."
"Okay, sister. Then big brother, come with me to see Xiao Hui. He has grown so fat now."
Zhao'er showed off to Su Cheng'an as if he were presenting a treasure.
Jin Chu looked at Su Cheng'an and smiled: "This is a rented house. Please feel free to do as you please. I will come back after I finish my work."
Su Cheng'an nodded, and followed Zhao'er to go see his rabbit.
Jinchu went to the kitchen by himself, took out the hot pot and wiped it briefly, then washed and cut the bought meat and vegetables and put them on plates.
When she was almost done, she turned around and saw Su Cheng'an coming behind her without her noticing.
"Hey, when did you come here?" Jin Chu put down the plate in his hand and laughed.
"Just now when you were filling the plates." Su Cheng'an reached out and picked up another plate of vegetables and placed it on the table.
Thinking of the days when the two of them were in the mountains last year, when he was also so quick and agile in helping her light the fire, Jin Chu couldn't help but curl the corners of his lips.
Although this man was born into a noble family, he was indeed not like most men nowadays who adhered to the pedantic idea of "a gentleman should stay away from the kitchen".
"Zhao'er is a smart kid, you guys..." Su Cheng'an paused slightly, as if he hadn't figured out how to continue the topic.
Jin Chu replied nonchalantly: "Yes, it's just what you think!"
She washed a plate of mushrooms and said in a normal tone, "We originally had a brother, but unfortunately, he left us in Qingxi Village and then went away. He hasn't been back for three years. Zhao'er and I have been dependent on each other for three years."
Three years ago, she was only eleven or twelve years old, right? Still a little girl, yet she was forced to shoulder the heavy responsibility of being the eldest sister and mother, taking care of a young child!
No wonder when I first met her last year, this girl was wearing a patched cotton jacket and looked pale and skinny from hunger. Yet, in the bitter winter when the mountains were covered in snow and she was so cold that she couldn't even stretch out her fingers, she still went up the mountain to catch rabbits.
I think her family must have been short of food at that time, so they had to find ways to make ends meet.
Thinking of that day when she wanted to go home earlier and he couldn't let her go home for his own safety, and the battle of wits and courage between the two, Su Cheng'an couldn't help but feel a little regretful.
"I'm sorry." Thousands of words were reduced to these three words.
"Don't be sorry. It's nothing to be ashamed of. Besides, you've been very kind to us. If I hadn't taken your banknote that day, I wouldn't have been able to break free so quickly and live the life I have now."
Seeing that Jinchu had misunderstood his meaning, Su Chengan explained, "I was apologizing for stopping you from going down the mountain and returning home. I imagine you must have been extremely worried about Zhao'er back home at that time, right?"
"Of course I was worried. But you and I didn't know each other at that time. Even if you knew that my younger brother was the only one in my family, would you let me go?" Jin Chu turned around and stared at the young man in front of him with bright eyes.
Su Cheng'an thought about the situation at that time, and finally shook his head honestly: "Indeed not."
Jin Chu smiled and shrugged, "Isn't that it? So your apology is really redundant."
Su Cheng'an thought for a moment, looked at Jin Chu's expression, and asked tentatively, "Well, how about I give you some more silver?"
His serious eyes, cautious exploration, and messy beard give him an inexplicable sense of humor.
Jin Chu burst out laughing. "Mr. Du, do you really think you're the God of Wealth? You throw money at people all the time?"
Seeing that giving money didn't work, Su Cheng'an fell silent.
After a while, Jin Chu changed the subject and asked, "How did you return to the Northern Territory safely when you were so badly injured?"
"Because the prefect of Lincheng suddenly sent soldiers to search the mountain extensively, I had no choice but to hastily descend the mountain with my men and rush to the next city's stronghold overnight. My men also found a very famous local doctor in advance, and after a lot of rescue, I was able to save my life."
In just a few sentences, Jin Chu could already feel the thrilling journey.
"You are a noble person, and you suffered a severe blow last year. You should rest and recuperate at home. You can stay at the center, plan and direct others to the front. Why do you, the son of a wealthy family, repeatedly put yourself in danger?"
Seeing Jinchu's concern for him, Su Chengan raised the corners of his lips slightly: "My destination this time is not in Lincheng, and this matter can only be accomplished if I show up, so I have to go in person."
He glanced at Jin Chu, whose face was solemn, and continued, "Sooner or later, our Northern Territory and the Imperial Capital will have to go to war. Since ancient times, the struggle for imperial power has benefited the powerful and the wealthy, while the soldiers and civilians have suffered. If we can reduce the number of wars in the future, we can also reduce the number of casualties. Regardless of whether we succeed or fail, our Northern Territory does not want to see the country in ruins and the people mourn."
Changes of dynasties have always been paved with the lives of the lower classes and soldiers.
As the next master of the North, it was only natural for him to be unwilling to be killed by the unjust king sitting on the Panlong throne in the imperial capital.
However, in such a turbulent battle of life and death, being able to have compassion for all living beings is an extremely rare kindness!
After a while, Jin Chu said, "Are you going to Jiaocheng this time?"
Su Cheng'an suddenly looked straight at the calm and composed girl opposite him.
He knew she was always smart, but he didn't expect her to be so smart!
She was able to guess his intentions after just a short conversation. This political awareness is far beyond what an ordinary lady should possess.
"You are so smart!" Su Cheng'an slowly uttered five words.
"I don't want to hide my weakness in front of you." Jin Chu looked directly into Su Cheng'an's eyes. "Besides Zhao'er, there are only you and me here. If you are worried, you can just get rid of me immediately!"