Chapter 418: Asking the girl for advice again

"Exactly, looking for a few volumes of maps."

Luo Feng nodded, his gaze falling on the brocade cover in her hand, "It seems that the girl has found a treasure?"

Fu Qingshuang hesitated slightly, opened the brocade cover carefully, revealing an ancient book with yellowed paper but exquisite binding, on which was written "A Brief Examination of the Scenery of Hexi and Longyou."

"It's not any treasure, just a local chronicle and miscellaneous notes about the old lands of Longxi and Hexi from the previous dynasty, some geographical and hydrological records in it, perhaps... can correct the omissions of official history."

She explained, her tone carrying the pure joy of a scholar finding materials, this sense of reality was more convincing than any deliberate performance.

Luo Feng's eyes showed the appreciation that was expected: "The girl is knowledgeable and cares about classics, which makes Luo admire.

This Hexi and Longyou, now mostly under Western Liang's rule, its mountains and rivers are dangerous, and its folk customs are such that if one can understand them, it is beneficial to both military and politics."

He took the opportunity to lead the topic to the current situation, but without involving specifics, just talking in general terms.

Fu Qingshuang looked at Luo Feng, seemingly a bit surprised that he could immediately associate it with military and political purposes, but more of a subtle recognition of "meeting someone who can understand."

She said softly: "General's words are very true! Reading history can clarify the mirror, knowing geography can predict the enemy's opportunities.

It's just that... these old records are scattered and incomplete, being able to find one or two is already a fluke."

Her words inadvertently revealed her regret that old records were hard to find, as if she were just a scholar's feeling about literature.

Luo Feng heard a gap from this feeling that could allow him to cut in.

He sighed, his tone carrying a trace of imperceptible exhaustion and helplessness: "Yes! Clarifying the past can prepare for the future.

It's just that these two words 'prepare,' easy to say, hard to do. Sometimes looking at the maps and knowing the geography, facing the current dilemma, I also feel constrained everywhere and have strength but cannot use it."

He said this vaguely, as if he were talking about the difficulties of military defense, and also faintly revealing his powerlessness toward certain current situations.

This was Luo Feng's carefully designed lines, which not only had to conform to the persona of a general with hidden difficulties, but also could not directly attack Beijiang's policies.

Fu Qingshuang was indeed touched, she hadn't forgotten her goal.

She was silent for a moment, her gaze sweeping over other focused readers in the bookstore, her voice lowered, but clearly passed into Luo Feng's ears: "General shoulders heavy responsibilities, working hard day and night, Qingshuang can imagine his hard work even in the boudoir.

The ancients said 'governing a big country is like cooking small fresh fish,' heat, seasoning, order, a difference of a hair, a thousand miles of error.

General, even if you have the power to shake the sky, you still need to be united from top to bottom, and assisted by left and right to have achievements."

These words, both understanding and comforting, also contained the hint of "needing like-minded people to help," the level is extremely high.

Luo Feng's vigilance in his heart was even greater, but on the surface, he showed a sense of "deeply touching my heart," he leaned forward slightly, his voice also lowered, carrying a trace of rare pouring meaning: "Girl's words, are truly Luo's confidant.

To tell the girl the truth, sometimes in the dead of night, facing the maps and military reports alone, I often think about the front line.

"It is not that I, Luo, covet merit; in truth, I am unwilling to betray... this burning blood, and the lives of the men under my command."

He shaped himself into a general who had ambitions but was trapped by reality and was depressed in his heart.

Fu Qingshuang listened quietly, a flash of complex light in her cold eyes.

Is it pity? Is it touched? Or is it the relief of the task progressing smoothly? Maybe all of them?

She said softly: "General's loyalty and bravery are recognized by the world, Qingshuang believes very much that with General's talent, there will be a day of display. Historical records never fail those who truly serve the country and the people."

"I hope as the girl says."

Luo Feng revealed a trace of "excitement after being understood" at the right time, and then turned into a bitter smile, "It's just that this Chang'an looks calm, but it is actually surging with undercurrents. Luo is a martial artist, only knowing how to march and arrange troops, and for this human calculation and interest entanglement, it is really... exhausted to deal with."

He again "unintentionally" revealed his "shortcomings" and "dilemma," portraying the image of a "simple" martial artist who was not good at power and was exhausted by government affairs and local forces.

Fu Qingshuang's heart seemed to be lightly bumped by this "exhaustion" and "helplessness."

She thought of the planning of her uncle and Dou Gong, thought of the family's future, and then looked at this general who was rumored to be brave and good at fighting, but now revealed a fragile side, a very complex emotion surged in her heart.

She steadied her mind, followed the principle of "opening, encouraging, but not crossing the line," and said softly: "General is too modest. Being able to command ten thousand troops and settle a place, how can it be an ordinary martial artist?

Although human hearts are complex, as long as you treat people with sincerity and handle things with righteousness, even if there are villains, it is difficult to shake. General now sits in Chang'an and settles Guanzhong, which is already a great achievement. A little setback is just a little wind and frost."

Her words were full of "positive energy," not only affirming Luo Feng's ability and achievements, but also encouraging him to stick to "sincerity and righteousness," which completely conformed to the reaction that a "knowledgeable, reasonable, and hero-oriented" big family lady should have.

At the same time, the sentence "sitting in Chang'an, settling Guanzhong" also contained the reminder of "you are already in a high position, the foundation is here," which is implicitly consistent with Western Liang's idea of letting Luo Feng hold troops and respect himself.

Luo Feng was "deeply touched," looked at Fu Qingshuang deeply, and after a long time, he solemnly arched his hands: "Listening to the girl's words is better than reading ten years of books. Luo... will keep it in mind."

He paused as if he had made a great determination, and then whispered: "The ink and books given by the girl the other day, Luo has received.

The ink fragrance and book rhyme are very much to my heart, especially that hand-copy, the insights are unique... Luo often flips through it in his leisure time, and benefits a lot. It's just that I received the reward without merit, and Luo feels very ashamed in his heart."

He finally took the initiative to mention the "thank-you gift" and gave a positive feedback of "very much to my heart" and "often flips through," which is a key signal that the attitude has "softened" and the relationship has "narrowed."

In fact, such progress might feel a bit fast, but Wang Hou and Luo Feng discussed this matter, Luo Feng was not good at pretending, if the time was too long, it would reveal flaws.

Then simply don't do it, let the other party feel the progress, and take the initiative to promote all this.

Fu Qingshuang's cheeks flushed with a faint red, and she lowered her eyes: "General likes it! It's just a meager thing, just to express gratitude, not worthy of the General's memory."

The two talked in low voices for a few more sentences about the views on a specific military book in that hand-copy, the atmosphere was harmonious, and they had a sense of confidant.

Finally, Luo Feng "hesitated" for a moment, as if he had gathered his courage and said: "Meeting and talking with the girl today, I feel much more open. Luo's knowledge of classics and learning is shallow, in the future if I get more masterpieces, or have confusion, I don't know... can I ask the girl for advice again?" ===== CHAPTER 419 =====