Chapter 1153 – The Downfall of Xu Pei, An Alliance’s First Kill (Part 23)
Xu Pei originally intended to use a balance of power to promote others and take some authority away from Han Yu.
Han Yu had no objections to this; after all, “what flourishes will eventually decline.” He was too favored, and it would only raise Xu Pei’s suspicions and fears sooner or later.
From another perspective, this could also provide opportunities for talent, allowing them to cultivate more useful individuals for the Lord.
A single person’s strength cannot guarantee the prosperity of a force; it must have a hundred flowers blooming to thrive.
Han Yu wasn’t a tyrant. With Xu Pei’s desire to establish a balance, he also took the opportunity to delegate power to others—truly a win-win situation.
Until one night, an unexpected person scaled his courtyard wall.
Han Yu looked speechlessly at Xie Ze, shrouded in black. Was there something that couldn’t be discussed during the day in the administration hall that had to be done in the dead of night?
He tightened the cloak on his shoulders, holding a bronze lamp in his right hand.
While changing clothes to head back to his room in the middle of the night, he was startled to see a dark shadow crouching outside his door.
“What is Colonel Xie doing?” Han Yu couldn’t help but laugh bitterly. If it weren’t for his good friendship with Xie Ze, he could’ve easily called the guards to toss him out for this late-night stunt. As he observed Xie Ze’s hesitant expression, he pushed open the door, chuckling, “Colonel Xie, you might as well come in and speak. If patrolling guards see you, who knows what rumors will spread the next day.”
Han Yu lit the lamp, flooding the room with a bit of light.
Xie Ze followed him inside.
Seeing that Xie Ze was silent, Han Yu teased him.
“Everyone in the military says Colonel Xie is honest, who would’ve thought you’d have the hobby of a thief sneaking over walls late at night?”
Xie Ze’s face turned crimson at the teasing, stumbling over his words.
He didn’t know how to start and ultimately half-kneeled with a loud thud, apologizing. Han Yu was taken aback and quickly helped him up.
“Colonel Xie, please get up! What is this?”
Xie Ze said, “Military Adviser, I haven’t managed things well, allowing the Vice General to exploit the situation and slander you before the Lord—”
Han Yu was baffled, “Where is this coming from?”
Xie Ze, embarrassed, refused to stand, stuttering out the events that led up to this situation.
If the Vice General hadn’t let something slip, and had spoken ill of Han Yu in front of him, Xie Ze wouldn’t have known that his own Vice General had secretly stabbed Han Yu in the back.
The Vice General’s words about Xu Pei were nothing short of heart-rending.
Xie Ze recalled the Lord’s recent attitude toward Han Yu and suddenly understood.
This wasn’t merely a misunderstanding; the Lord was truly dissatisfied, and perhaps even suspicious.
As Xie Ze recounted the story, the smile on Han Yu’s face gradually faded, leaving only a chilling coldness, with dark currents seeming to flow beneath his gaze.
“Military Adviser, I—”
Xie Ze tried to continue but was cut off by Han Yu.
“Enough. I know of this matter now. Thank you for coming here in the dead of night to inform me.”
Han Yu’s voice, unlike its usual clarity, took on a chilling tone that hinted at brewing plans.
Xie Ze opened his mouth but couldn’t utter a word.
Han Yu paused, then added, “I’ll be staying home for a few days, closing the door to guests. If you have no matters to discuss, please do not drop by.”
As Xu Pei’s most trusted military general wielding power, being too close to him could make things awkward for both of them.
Han Yu lowered his eyelids, concealing his thoughts.
Xie Ze couldn’t help but want to say something nice about Xu Pei to ease the tension between him and Han Yu.
Before he could speak, Han Yu laughed softly, “Colonel Xie, you don’t need to be so cautious. I am well aware of my own thoughts.”
Xu Pei was chosen by him; how could he be disappointed or heartbroken over a fleeting suspicion?
It wouldn’t be normal for a Master-Servant relationship to be devoid of bumps and hurdles.
After Xie Ze left, the smile returned to Han Yu’s face, though it was now calm.
He sat at the desk, watching the flickering candlelight, with a turbulent undercurrent in his gaze, pondering his thoughts.
After a long sigh, Han Yu blew out the candlelight and went to bed.
With the great war on the horizon, no matter how suspicious Xu Pei became, he wouldn’t truly harm him. This was the perfect opportunity to dispel Xie Ze’s worries during this time.
Jiang Pengji led troops to support Yang Si, and just a few days later, the main army hurriedly arrived to meet with Jiang Pengji.
Crouched in the tent, Yang Si, hearing of the army’s arrival, kicked off the thin quilt covering him and angrily sought out Qi Guanrang for an explanation.
Knowing he was inadequate in combat, he called upon Qin Gong as well.
Qin Gong was also injured, but his years of martial training made him robust, resulting in a quick recovery, much faster than Yang Si’s.
“Military Adviser Yang, Military Adviser Yang—wait a minute! Where are you off to?”
Yang Si halted, frowning, “Naturally to find the culprit responsible for our dire situation—the mastermind!”
Qi Guanrang’s edict had truly put him in a bind.
Had it not been for the Lord’s timely arrival, he might have already gone to the netherworld, sipping on Meng Po’s soup while crossing the bridge of no return.
His body would already have gone cold!
Qin Gong was still a rookie, unfamiliar with the Wanzhou power dynamics.
The newbie, uninitiated, had decided to criticize the old-timers—who gave him the courage?
Yang Si?
“Isn’t that rather offensive?”
“Offensive or not, it doesn’t matter,” Yang Si retorted, feeling wronged. “I was almost left without my life—doesn’t that make it even more pitiful?”
“But, Military Adviser—” As Qin Gong was pulled along by Yang Si, their rambunctious antics caught the attention of patrolling soldiers, drawing numerous curious gazes. Newbie Qin Gong’s face quickly flushed red with embarrassment. “If the Lord finds out, what will we do?”
Provoking trouble without reason? Breaking military discipline? They should be careful about incurring the Lord’s displeasure.
Yang Si replied, “If the Lord knows, then so be it. Given her temperament, it’d be a surprise if she didn’t pour fuel on the flames.”
Qin Gong: “…”
Backhandedly slandering the Lord, and acting as if it were no big deal. Such an unconventional relationship between lord and subject truly opened his eyes.
Yang Si declared they would confront the matter directly. He asked where Qi Guanrang’s tent was and headed over, dragging Qin Gong along.
Before they could even enter the tent, he caught the aroma of food wafting in the air.
As he lifted the tent flap, he happened to overhear Qi Guanrang and Wei Ci sharing a laugh.
“Look, they’ve arrived.”
Qin Gong: “…”
Qi Guanrang and Wei Ci turned to face the two of them as they entered, and the former stood up, giving them a deep bow.
Seeing this display, Yang Si felt an odd mix of emotions.
Qi Guanrang actively apologized and softened his stance, making him feel like he was punching a pillow—any anger he had dissipated completely.
Seizing the opportunity, he said, “I heard many fine dishes were prepared for a feast in honor of the Lord; may we welcome a few unexpected guests?”
Qi Guanrang replied, “More than welcome!”
Qin Gong looked around, his mind still muddled.
He was increasingly perplexed by the literary faction’s tricks.
Yang Si held a ladle of soup, and Qin Gong tagged along to grab a meal.
Wei Ci noticed Qin Gong’s knitted brows, as if troubled, and asked with a smile, “What concerns you, Scholar Wei?”
Seeing that the person asking was Wei Ci, a man whose beauty rivaled that of a woman, Qin Gong’s face flushed instantly, and he quickly fabricated an excuse. “Oh, it’s nothing much. Just curious… with the hardship of military life, these dishes are so colorful and fragrant. I wonder how Military Adviser Qi prepared them…”
Wei Ci smiled, “In trying to make amends to Jing Rong, Qi Guanrang secretly promised many fine goods to me.”
Qin Gong: “…”
That was quite a significant piece of information!
