Chapter 3

Wang Chong was filled with guilt.

Wang Chong had seen his mother's reaction with his own eyes. Just by admitting his mistake, apologizing, and sitting properly at the dining table, he could make his mother so happy. This showed how much of a scoundrel he had been in his previous life.

In his previous life, he had been uncontrollably transported from another world and refused to accept everything. Although they always treated him as their own son, deep down, Wang Chong always thought they were not his biological parents.

Therefore, Wang Chong always felt a deep sense of estrangement from them.

This was also the reason why Wang Chong in his previous life was not afraid of corporal punishment, did not listen to advice, and did not heed teachings. Wang Chong always thought this was not his world, and he was just a passerby.

All the people, all the things... were just fleeting clouds and bubbles in his life. But the facts proved that he was greatly mistaken.

Only those who have lost something know how to cherish it; only those who have nothing know how precious everything is!

In his previous life, after the family's fortunes declined, Wang Chong thought that his past behavior would make his father, mother, and relatives give up on him.

But it was precisely they who, in the most difficult times, when they were like floating weeds, never abandoned him and always took care of him as if he were their own son.

As long as there was a mouthful of food, he was always the first to eat it.

Thinking about how his mother, not yet fifty, had a head full of white hair, looking like a woman in her sixties, Wang Chong felt a deep sense of guilt.

In the last moment, his mother died in his arms. When her frail body fell, Wang Chong realized how weak she was.

Wang Chong's heart was bleeding.

It was at that moment that Wang Chong's heart broke, collapsed, and died completely. For the next thirty years, the living Wang Chong was just a shell.

Mother! Why are you so good to me?

At that moment, Wang Chong wept like a tiger, howling in the heavy rain. It was the first time he cried in this world. At that moment, the whole world collapsed!

Wang Chong suddenly realized, but it was too late, too late!

Perhaps the heavens heard his heart's voice and gave him another chance to start over. Looking at his mother by the dining table, Wang Chong felt a pang in his heart.

Mother, rest assured. In this life, I will never make you sad again, and I will never let anyone hurt you again. Anyone!

Wang Chong clenched his fists under the table, making a silent vow in his heart.

"Come, eat, eat! Start eating, we can talk about other things later."

Wang's wife, Zhao Shuhua, was in a great mood. She picked up her chopsticks and put a large piece of tender, crispy roasted chicken on Wang Chong's plate.

"Mother, you eat too!"

Wang Chong picked up his chopsticks and put a large piece of food in his mother Zhao Shuhua's bowl.

Wang's wife was greatly comforted, and her husband, who had been frowning at Wang Chong, also relaxed. The three cardinal guides and five constant virtues, filial piety comes first. This boy actually knew to serve his mother, which was a significant improvement.

He must have really come to his senses after causing such a big incident. Thinking of this, Wang Yan's resolve became even stronger.

"Father, Mother, I want to take this opportunity to talk about something and hope you will agree."

Just as everyone was about to start eating, Wang Chong put down his chopsticks, his eyes flickering as he pondered what to say next.

"What do you want to do now?"

Wang Chong's father immediately frowned, his eyes cold. This beast, who had done such a thing, thought he had really changed, but it seemed his nature was hard to change.

All the talk and good behavior before were just to set up conditions now. He wanted to see what this rebellious son was up to.

"Chong'er, what do you want to say?"

Wang's wife, on the other hand, was very interested and somewhat expectant. Mothers always believe in their children, and she didn't think as much as her husband.

"Father, Mother, I have thought about it for a long time..."

Wang Chong lowered his head, looking thoughtful. Whether he could regain his parents' trust depended on this. Wang Chong knew that what he was about to say would be very important.

"I want to join the army!"

Wang Chong said.

As soon as the words were out, the hall shook, and everyone was stunned. All the words Wang Chong had said before were nothing compared to the shock of this one sentence.

Wang's wife's lips moved, staring at her son, unable to speak. The news was too shocking, and she needed time to digest it.

Even Wang's father, who had been cold to Wang Chong and hadn't even looked at him, now showed a look of extreme surprise on his stern face.

He was a great general on the battlefield, unflinching even if Mount Tai collapsed before him. But what Wang Chong said was a huge shock to him.

His son was too wayward, idling all day with no ambition, associating with a group of unsavory friends, and this time, he had even kidnapped a civilian woman, disgracing the entire Wang family and making them a laughingstock.

After much pain and thought, he finally decided to send Wang Chong to the army early. The army was the best place to train a person, and perhaps only the army could change his rebellious son.

He had already planned to bring it up at the dinner table, regardless of whether Wang's mother agreed or Wang Chong was willing. It was a done deal, no room for change.

He never expected Wang Chong to bring it up himself.

Knowing what kind of person his rebellious son usually was, Wang's father was deeply moved and realized how difficult this decision must have been for Wang Chong.

Joining the army was not like having a meal; the dangers were self-evident. If his previous good behavior was just a trick, joining the army was no joke.

A prodigal son's return is worth more than gold. Could it be that after all that had happened, his rebellious son had truly repented and changed?

At that moment, Wang's father was overjoyed. He began to believe that his child had really changed.

Wang Chong read the situation and knew his words had had an effect.

In this second life, Wang Chong deeply understood that even if he didn't bring it up, his father would have proposed sending him to the army as a punishment.

In his previous life, he had resisted for a long time, but it was useless. His father's decision was final and unchangeable. In this life, since he knew it was unchangeable, he might as well bring it up himself.

This would help change his father's impression of him and win back his trust!

Moreover, upon careful reflection, this wasn't necessarily a bad thing. It was just a matter of how to approach it.

"Chong'er, you're a bit young to join the army. But that's not a big deal. Have you decided which unit you want to join? I can put in a good word for you."

Wang's father said.

He used to call Wang Chong a rebellious son, but this time he called him "Chong'er," showing how pleased he was with Wang Chong's decision.

"Father, I have thought about it. I want to start with the training camp. To forge iron, one must be strong oneself. I want to join the Kunwu Training Camp first to hone my skills, and then join the regular army."

Wang Chong said, speaking his long-thought-out plan.

"Kunwu Training Camp?"

Wang's father was truly surprised. He had just received news from the court that the emperor had decided to establish the Kunwu, Shenwei, and Longwei training camps to train young soldiers for the court.

This was a very recent and secret decision. How did this rebellious son know?

But then he thought, this rebellious son used to associate with all sorts of unsavory friends, so he might have heard it from somewhere else.

"Why did you choose the Kunwu Training Camp?"

Wang's father quickly regained his composure and asked sternly.

"There are also the Shenwei and Longwei training camps. Kunwu is for the children of ordinary generals. Shenwei and Longwei are of a higher level, specifically for the children of nobles and officials in the capital. I believe the training there is more complete and advanced."

"Joining Shenwei or Longwei might be more beneficial for your future. If you have decided, I can use your grandfather's influence to help you join Shenwei or Longwei."

Wang's father was a general stationed on the frontier, not a noble. In this sense, Wang Chong was just an ordinary general's son.

But Wang Chong's grandfather was different. He was a meritorious minister who had helped the current emperor ascend the throne and later became the Left Chancellor, with many disciples and old friends throughout the court.

Although he had retired, his influence remained.

Wang's father said he could use Wang Chong's grandfather's influence to get him into Shenwei or Longwei without any problem.

Wang Chong remained silent. His father meant well, but Wang Chong knew that, contrary to what his father said, Kunwu was the best choice among the three camps.

The current emperor was wise and brave. In the previous life, at this time, to select capable people from the children of nobles and officials in the capital, he established the Kunwu, Shenwei, and Longwei training camps.

Now, the three camps were just starting, and everything was unclear. Everyone thought Shenwei and Longwei were the best choices because of their higher status.

For a long time, many people would try their hardest to join these two camps. But Wang Chong knew that in the future, Kunwu would prove to be the best choice.

When the great turmoil came, the old generation of generals and ministers fell, and almost all the most elite new generals of the Tang Empire came from the Kunwu Training Camp.

But it was not the right time to explain this to his father.

"Father, I have thought about it. Kunwu is more suitable for me. I have been in the capital for many years and know most of the noble children. If you send me to Shenwei or Longwei, others will have the same idea. If I join Shenwei or Longwei, won't I end up with people like Ma Zhou again?"

Wang Chong had to come up with some excuses to avoid it.

Wang's father was initially against it, but then he thought about the recent incident with Wang Chong and his unsavory friends. It was a relief that Wang Chong had repented and made some progress. If he mixed with people like Ma Zhou again, he might revert to his old ways, defeating the purpose of sending him to the training camp.

"Since you have decided, we will do as you say."

Wang's father said, frowning.

Although he didn't fully agree with Wang Chong's decision, it wasn't entirely unreasonable, so he reluctantly accepted it.

"You two can talk about serious matters after dinner. Chong'er, don't mind your father, come, eat, eat!"

Wang's wife, listening carefully, was especially happy.

At first, when she heard Wang Chong wanted to join the army, she was shocked and worried. But when she heard it was just a training camp, she relaxed.

The Wang family was a family of generals and ministers. Wang Chong was only fifteen, so going to a training camp first and then joining the army was acceptable to Wang's wife.

In the capital, most families of generals and ministers were like this. As children of generals and ministers, they all had to go to war eventually.

This was a fact that the wives of the capital had to accept from the beginning.

Wang Chong said no more, picked up his chopsticks, and started eating.

"I wonder if Father will take my words to heart."

Wang Chong was a bit anxious.

Although he had successfully changed his parents' impression of him, he knew this was just the first step. The most important part was yet to come!

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