Chapter 1614 – Seizing Nan Sheng, Killing An Huan (Part 28)
In Hua Yuan’s eyes, Lü Zheng’s behavior was like a blatant lie that couldn’t fool him at all. However, just as Lü Zheng suspected, Hua Yuan merely came to check on an old classmate and meant no malice. Since Lü Zheng was blocking him, he wouldn’t force himself to seek out embarrassment.
After shamelessly staying at Lü Zheng’s residence and having a few cups of tea without seeing his old classmate Fang Zhi, Hua Yuan decided to take his leave.
At that moment, Lü Zheng suddenly asked a question.
“Do you know what Fang Zhi looks like now?”
The so-called “Liu Xi” was a character conjured by Hua Yuan after his illness, based on Jiang Pengji’s information.
No matter how detailed the writing was, it was still just black and white text, and many things could only be understood in broad strokes.
For instance, Hua Yuan remembered that “Liu Xi” and Fang Zhi were classmates during their studies, and they had a good relationship, but he had no idea what Fang Zhi actually looked like. A character of imagination, no matter how similar it seemed, was ultimately fake and couldn’t possess the true memories of the original.
Hua Yuan couldn’t possibly know Fang Zhi’s actual appearance, and he certainly didn’t realize that the “servant” who had just come to pour tea was actually Fang Zhi himself.
When Lü Zheng posed the question, Hua Yuan instinctively recalled Fang Zhi’s face, only to end up with a blank mind and merely a fuzzy textual concept. Who was Fang Zhi? A person from the eastern gate of Zhangzhou, who once studied in Langya during his youth, and was a classmate of “himself,” with a pretty good relationship…
Apart from scant introductions, there was nothing else.
Hua Yuan’s previously easy-going expression suddenly froze, his gaze toward Lü Zheng carrying a hint of hostility.
He certainly understood what Lü Zheng was hinting at—it was simply an attempt to negate his existence and disrupt his mood, and he refused to play along!
“It’s been nearly ten years since we last met as classmates, my memories are a bit hazy.”
Hua Yuan stiffly finished his sentence, and Lü Zheng decided to let it go, clasping his hands to bid farewell to Hua Yuan, who left with a cold huff.
Once Hua Yuan left the garden, Fang Zhi finally changed into his own clothes and emerged from the back hall, looking somewhat surprised at the direction Hua Yuan had left.
“Is that person Shào Yīn…?”
Lü Zheng divulged part of the situation, “The one who just left is the most trusted person under our lord.”
Fang Zhi remarked, “That person is Hua Yuan? Quite the handsome figure, and his demeanor is impressive. No wonder he catches An Huan’s eye.”
This statement seemed like praise but was actually a subtle jab at Hua Yuan relying on his looks to gain favor.
Lü Zheng sneered, “Hua Yuan has issues with his mind; he constantly fantasizes about having studied in Langya. I don’t know where he heard you were here, but he specifically came to take a look. I had you make an appearance, yet he couldn’t recognize you at all, indicating a significant level of madness…”
Fang Zhi was puzzled, but learned from Lü Zheng that Hua Yuan was “mad.”
“How could that be? Just now, he appeared clear-headed, showing no signs of madness?”
Given that Fang Zhi had allied with Jiang Pengji, Lü Zheng couldn’t disclose the exact situation of their faction. He aimed to express his own frustrations while misleading Fang Zhi’s judgments. Seven parts truth, three parts lie— even if Fang Zhi went back to report to Jiang Pengji, Lü Zheng wasn’t worried.
“Indeed, he looks sane, but his words are quite disordered,” Lü Zheng ridiculed, aiming to mislead Fang Zhi’s conclusions.
Sure enough, Fang Zhi misunderstood and believed Hua Yuan was putting on an act, leading him to worry about Lü Zheng’s circumstances under An Huan.
“Hua Yuan is highly trusted by An Huan and now holds significant power. Why can’t he tolerate you? Why make things difficult?” Fang Zhi expressed concern for Lü Zheng, worried that the lord didn’t trust him and there was a colleague eyeing him closely. How could he manage like this, not understanding why Lü Zheng insisted on sticking to one path to the end? “Regarding previous matters, you might want to reconsider. Observing coldly, An Huan is truly not a wise ruler, and Hua Yuan can’t see things clearly. With a great enemy at hand, how can there still be energy for internal strife?”
Although conflicts within the group were inevitable, as long as the priorities were clear, it wouldn’t affect the overall situation.
For personal grievances to overshadow public matters, such a force would soon be crushed and consumed by rival powers.
Lü Zheng smiled lightly, “Everyone has their selfishness. Some can be public-minded and forget personal matters, while others can neglect public matters for personal gains.”
Without a doubt, Hua Yuan belonged to the latter.
Fang Zhi worriedly said, “What if he uses our relationship as a springboard to tarnish you? How would you handle it?”
If Hua Yuan exposed Fang Zhi’s existence to An Huan, not only would Fang Zhi be in danger, but Lü Zheng would also face deep suspicion.
Lü Zheng replied with a smile, “Just take care of yourself, the lord still needs manpower for now and won’t do anything.”
Just as Fang Zhi mentioned, with a great enemy approaching, even if An Huan’s mind had been kicked by a donkey, he wouldn’t do anything to Lü Zheng.
It wasn’t that An Huan was thinking of old times; it was simply because many government affairs still required Lü Zheng’s assistance.
Lü Zheng had helped An Huan grow from having no territory at all to the scale they currently had, pouring countless effort and energy into it. How could a newcomer like Hua Yuan completely replace him? If An Huan wanted to kick Lü Zheng out, he first needed to find a competent successor.
Seeing Lü Zheng so confident, Fang Zhi relaxed as well.
After all, he and Lü Zheng had been classmates; how could he bear to see his friend perish?
Even if he was idly at home, Lü Zheng wasn’t being confined. He could still covertly ensure Fang Zhi’s safe escape.
Days later, Fang Zhi followed the waterways back to Jiang Pengji to report everything. After listening, she remained silent for a long while.
Fang Zhi couldn’t help but speak kindly of Lü Zheng, “Shào Yīn’s temperament…”
Before Fang Zhi could finish, Jiang Pengji interjected, “After all, we were classmates. As long as he still wants to live, I won’t aim to kill him. I hadn’t pressured someone like Cheng Jing, let alone Lü Zheng. Looking at the monk’s face, we should also consider the Buddha; Mr. Yuanjing is getting older, and he has only four direct disciples. If I can save him, I will. However, if Lü Zheng himself insists on crossing my bottom line, I can’t spare him either.”
Fang Zhi fell silent.
He knew this was the biggest concession and promise Jiang Pengji could make as a lord.
“In that case, I humbly thank the Lan Ting lord on behalf of Shào Yīn.”
Jiang Pengji smiled, “Bu Qu has quite a bit of confidence in me.”
Fang Zhi said, “I’m not flattering; I don’t understand the situation well. But from surface observations, it indeed seems An Huan has lost in some aspect.”
He couldn’t believe An Huan was unaware of the friction between Lü Zheng’s faction and Hua Yuan’s faction.
As the lord, failing to balance and mediate while allowing their conflict to persist— even if they succeeded, it would be fraught with complications, jeopardizing the future stability. In contrast, Fang Zhi thought his old classmate seemed more reliable, with only progeny being a significant flaw.
Fang Zhi’s trip to Jiang Pengji was not merely about pressing Lü Zheng for debts; he had another task.
According to Fang Zhi’s description, the battle between the two factions might break out soon.
Taking the offensive was the best defense. Jiang Pengji, holding the upper hand, could initiate an attack and seize the initiative.
