Chapter 1276 – Defeating Huang Song, Unification of Dongqing (Eighteen)
After Hua Yuan finished speaking, Nie Xun showed a weary expression, his eyes half-closed, concealing the turbulent emotions within.
Neither of them spoke again, and the air seemed almost stagnant, filled with a bizarre ambiance akin to a silent standoff.
“Student has great admiration for Military Adviser Nie. Hearing of your situation, my heart seethes with indignation,” Hua Yuan suddenly broke the silence with a bright smile. “Seeing is believing; even in a perilous situation, you still think of the Lord and family. Such noble character is truly a model for us all.”
Nie Xun calmly practiced Tai Chi, “I am but an inconspicuous person, unworthy of such praise.”
Hua Yuan chuckled, stepping closer and taking a seat right beside Nie Xun’s bed, barely a few steps apart.
He lowered his voice, “If you are indeed inconspicuous, how many talents would feel ashamed?”
Nie Xun ignored him, maintaining his recumbent posture, gazing blankly at the ceiling.
Hua Yuan continued, “Your ability to read people’s hearts is beyond my reach.”
Nie Xun’s gaze shifted slightly, his expression unchanged, but a trace of murderous intent bubbled up inside.
“What do you mean by reading hearts?”
“I’ve heard—there has been much conflict between you and the General for some time.” Hua Yuan remarked, “The General disregarded your counsel, obstinately determined to use force against the enemy, which led to significant losses of over ten thousand troops. Failing to reflect, he confronted you in the field, almost costing you your life. If these two matters reach the Lord’s ears, the General could face demotion or even military justice.”
Hua Yuan spoke of the advice Nie Xun had given to Yuan Xin, but Yuan Xin had not heeded it and believed Hua Yuan instead.
Why would Yuan Xin easily trust a temporary worker’s words?
Simply because the circumstances had changed and so had the speakers.
Initially, when Nie Xun advised Yuan Xin, Yuan Xin had not yet faced setbacks and was calmly confident.
Moreover, the relationship that Nie Xun and Yuan Xin had somewhat mended once again deteriorated, causing Yuan Xin to feel more aversion and suspicion towards Nie Xun, thus creating a rebellious mindset. On top of that, Nie Xun had also been setup by Feng Jin, casting heavy doubt in Yuan Xin’s mind about the worth of Nie Xun’s suggestions.
By the time it was Hua Yuan’s turn, Yuan Xin was already hopping mad.
On the surface, he still appeared arrogant, but internally, he was frantic.
He desperately needed a victory and accomplishments to make up for past mistakes and losses, and also to gain the Lord’s forgiveness for accidentally injuring Nie Xun.
If Yuan Xin achieved great merit, Huang Song would have no reason to dig deeper, nor would he be able to support Nie Xun.
To take a thousand steps back, even if Yuan Xin did back Nie Xun, Yuan Xin could escape with a light sentence, facing only demotion and salary cuts.
Besides, Yuan Xin did not think this disheveled poor scholar could scheme against him, so he reluctantly adopted Hua Yuan’s suggestion.
“The General understands the stakes. To avoid blame, he must compensate for his mistakes. Until then, he won’t let the Lord know of his actions,” Hua Yuan smiled. “You well know this, so you chose this moment to write a ‘will’ to your wife and children, urging them to seek refuge with the Yue family in Wanzhou. Because the General would never inform the Lord of your ‘will,’ instead, he would help conceal it.”
If Huang Song discovered the ‘will’ Nie Xun wrote for his wife, wouldn’t Yuan Xin be admitting guilt without even trying?
As long as they kept Huang Song away, with Yuan Xin’s guilty conscience enabling him to turn a blind eye, Nie Xun’s wife and children could leave safely.
From start to finish, Nie Xun had Yuan Xin ensnared, with Yuan Xin wholly unaware he had become Nie Xun’s pawn.
Hua Yuan smiled and asked, “I’ve heard the Military Adviser wanted to die numerous times, yet under those circumstances, you could scheme so precisely. How could I not admire that?”
A glimmer of real murderous intent flashed in Nie Xun’s eyes, but his tone remained stagnant and bland.
“I do not understand what you are saying. Sending away my wife and children and planning for their future, that is merely the instinct and duty of a husband and father,” Nie Xun’s lips curled into a bitter smile. “Considering my injuries, I couldn’t know if I’d survive, hence I must prepare for the worst.”
Hua Yuan added, “More accurately, it should be twofold planning, right?”
Nie Xun’s hand, once resting beside him, suddenly tightened, almost pulling at his healing wounds.
“If the Military Adviser were to meet misfortune, your esteemed wife and daughter would have protection from the Yue family and would remain unharmed for the rest of their lives. If the Military Adviser miraculously survives, sending them away…” Hua Yuan looked at Nie Xun with a chilling smile, the blackness of his gaze striking terror, like a cold, deep pool, “Then the Military Adviser would have no more worries! From my perspective, the Military Adviser is not a gentle and kind person. Can you actually swallow this grievance?”
In this era, scholars were known for their tenacity, strong tempers, and pride.
Buddhism?
Not a chance!
Even those like Wei Ci and Feng Jin, who were acclaimed for their good tempers, appeared humble and gentle on the surface, but once their bottom line was crossed, none would be easy to deal with. Although Nie Xun seemed harmless, Hua Yuan keenly sensed the hidden currents of danger beneath his placid demeanor.
The situation between Nie Xun and Yuan Xin wouldn’t end amicably.
“Nie and General Yuan Xin are both under the Lord’s command; though there are occasional frictions, it’s hardly a big deal,” Nie Xun turned to Hua Yuan, a seemingly amused smile playing on his lips. “Do you think Nie would act recklessly and create a scandal of internal conflict between civil and military, eventually embarrassing the Lord?”
Hua Yuan paused, seemingly taken aback by Nie Xun’s response.
His words suggested that Nie would swallow his indignation and disregard Yuan Xin’s faults?
“Though Nie and General Yuan Xin have conflicts, judgments on public matters should lie with the Lord. The General may err, but only the Lord can pass his judgment,” Nie Xun said flatly. “As for my wife and children seeking refuge with the Yue family, this might draw criticism in this period. Once my health improves and the battlefield stabilizes, I will find a way to bring them back. I already have plans for this matter, so there’s no need for your concern—”
As he spoke, Nie Xun’s tone grew slightly unfriendly, seemingly displeased with Hua Yuan’s meddling. To put it plainly, Nie Xun did not know Hua Yuan at all; he didn’t even know his name, and Hua Yuan had intrusively speculated, which would irritate anyone.
Hua Yuan’s expression changed, hastily bowing to apologize.
“I was thoughtless and presumptuous; please forgive me, Military Adviser.”
He curved his lips in a smile, but there was no hint of mirth in his eyes.
Nie Xun slightly closed his eyes, calmly issuing an eviction order, and Hua Yuan complied, leaving quietly.
Once alone, Nie Xun’s expression wavered.
He was deciding whether to take Hua Yuan’s life!
The world is not short of clever people; those who cannot hold their tongues often do not live long.
Before long, Yuan Xin learned that Hua Yuan had visited Nie Xun and casually asked, “What were you doing visiting him?”
Hua Yuan replied, “I had some uncertainty, so I went to consult the Military Adviser—”
“That person is merely a flashy ornament, not even comparable to you, a poor scholar—” Yuan Xin scoffed, “How is he recovering?”
Hua Yuan pondered, thinking that the military doctor was likely Yuan Xin’s person, and there was no way to hide Nie Xun’s condition from Yuan Xin.
So—
Hua Yuan said, “The Military Adviser looks pale, but his spirit seems alright.”
Yuan Xin gave a cold laugh, sneering, “What a tenacious life!”
