Xu Run immediately displayed reluctance toward Liu Kun, his face full of words left unsaid.
Liu Kun comforted him. “Though we won’t be in the same place in the future, our hearts are in one place. Being confidants means not being limited by distance.”
He also instructed him, “After going to Yuzhou, you must often write to me.”
Xu Run only felt panicked. Zhao Hanzhang had always favored commoners—how could she not only refrain from punishing him after what happened today but even request to take him away and treat him well?
What confidant? Those were just words to deceive Liu Kun. Xu Run could almost predict his bitter days ahead.
But this wasn’t finished yet. After requesting Xu Run, Zhao Hanzhang said again, “Yueshi, I have one more person to request from you.”
Liu Kun asked with interest, “Oh? Who?”
Zhao Hanzhang pointed to Linghu Ni and said with a smile, “This young general is both brave and spirited. I like him very much. I want to take him to fight the Xiongnu. I dare not ask you to yield him, but how about temporarily lending him to me?”
Hearing this, Linghu Ni’s eyes lit up brightly as he looked eagerly at Liu Kun. A colleague beside him tugged at him, and only then did he react, hurriedly lowering his head.
Liu Kun didn’t pay much attention to Linghu Ni, but Linghu Sheng was one of his major generals, so he still needed to ask for their father and son’s opinion.
Linghu Sheng was an upright person and didn’t hesitate much before saying, “Everything is at the Lord’s disposal. If Commander Zhao has use for my unworthy son, feel free to command him.”
When asked, Linghu Ni also quickly said, “This humble one listens to the Lord’s command.”
These words were no different from agreement. Liu Kun’s gaze swept over Linghu Sheng, suppressing his inner suspicion. Under Zhao Hanzhang’s gaze, he smiled and nodded, agreeing.
Zhao Hanzhang was delighted and immediately raised her cup with a smile. “Many thanks to Yueshi for parting with them.”
Liu Kun saw that her eyes held pure, undisguised affection, so he set aside his inner doubts, thinking she was like himself, being someone who followed their heart.
That’s right—at that time when she was fighting outside the city, it was Linghu Ni who led the vanguard to receive her. Perhaps she took a liking to him then. Today it was also Linghu Ni who led them through the city. It should just be compatibility, not some collusion with Linghu Sheng.
Xu Run’s expression had grown even worse since hearing that Zhao Hanzhang was also requesting Linghu Ni. It was almost visibly pale, his emotions fluctuating.
Everyone knew he was at odds with Linghu Sheng.
That old scoundrel Linghu Sheng, relying on his military achievements, always slandered him before the Lord, repeatedly urging the Lord to kill him.
Originally, he’d planned to find a way to kill him after this Xiongnu siege ended. But now…
Xu Run lowered his eyes, concealing the viciousness and calculation in them.
Sitting across from him, Zhang Bin’s lips curved slightly as he raised a cup of wine to drink. Sensing a gaze, he turned to look and met Ming Yu’s knowing, half-smiling eyes.
Zhang Bin: …How annoying to have this feeling that someone could peer through one’s thoughts with a single glance.
There were quite a few people with thoughts during the banquet. Everyone’s gazes slid over Liu Kun and Zhao Hanzhang. It seemed the Commander and Zhao Hanzhang’s relationship was truly good. Giving away Xu Run was fine, not a big problem, but Linghu Ni was not only a deputy general of Jinyang but also Linghu Sheng’s son, yet Liu Kun also said he’d give him just like that.
This was more than being confidants—it was almost like siblings, or father and daughter.
Ahem, it seemed their relationship with Yuzhou could grow even closer.
In the entire hall, only Fu Tinghan didn’t overthink. He raised his head to scan the hall once, then silently lowered his head to eat and drink again. He didn’t know about the daytime events, but he understood Zhao Hanzhang and felt she wasn’t well-intentioned in requesting Xu Run from Liu Kun.
Zhao Hanzhang indeed wasn’t well-intentioned. As soon as she returned to her room, she immediately said, “Tomorrow morning, invite Xu Run to the military camp. I greatly cherish him. The city of Jinyang isn’t safe enough yet, so send people to escort him back to Luoyang.”
Hearing this, Shi Le asked with a smile, “Does Shi need to help? Then on the road…” He made a throat-slitting gesture and said, “Even if Liu Yueshi investigates, it would be because Xu Run didn’t have eyes and offended Shi. It has nothing to do with Commander Zhao.”
So everyone was smart—they didn’t misunderstand Zhao Hanzhang’s likes and dislikes.
However… they misunderstood her intentions. “Who said I wanted to kill him?”
Shi Le’s brows furrowed as he became serious.
Zhao Hanzhang said with a smile, “This is talent. How can he be easily killed?”
Shi Le frowned, looking into Zhao Hanzhang’s eyes and asking seriously, “Does Commander Zhao truly believe he’s talented? You want to use him?”
Zhao Hanzhang nodded. “Yes, I promised Inspector Liu something. How could I go back on my word?”
“Xu Run’s talent lies in music. The Imperial Academy happens to lack a teacher of music theory. Let him go to the Imperial Academy to be a teacher,” Zhao Hanzhang said. “A teacher transmits the Way, imparts knowledge, and resolves doubts. The position is lofty, and he can display his personal talents. Both Xu Run and Yueshi will be very satisfied.”
Shi Le’s face broke into a smile, his suspicions entirely dispelled, as he nodded repeatedly. “The Commander is right.”
After Shi Le and Zhang Bin withdrew, he couldn’t help but sigh, “Mengsun, you were right. Zhao Hanzhang’s thoughts run deep. Compared to her, I still fall short.”
Zhang Bin lowered his eyes. “Since the Lord has already pledged allegiance to Zhao Hanzhang, why not first assist her with all your effort, observe the situation, and then make the next plan.”
Shi Le nodded. “She can keep her promises to Liu Kun, endure Xu Run—toward me, she should also keep her promises.”
Zhang Bin nodded, unable to help looking back once, thinking to himself: Not only that, she also punished Xu Run without making waves while maintaining her governance philosophy.
Also, her painstaking effort to transfer Xu Run away from Liu Kun—wasn’t that also a concealed warning and protection?
Judging by Xu Run’s character displayed today, if this person remained by Liu Kun’s side, sooner or later he’d become a major problem. Of course, not Zhao Hanzhang’s problem, but Jinyang’s and Liu Kun’s.
Zhang Bin had seen the most sinister human hearts. He could almost guess that with Liu Kun trusting and relying on Xu Run, how terrible Jinyang’s future would be. Zhao Hanzhang could clearly take advantage of this to reclaim Jinyang, yet at this moment she requested Xu Run away. It seemed she was still soft-hearted.
Ming Yu was also discussing Xu Run with Zhao Hanzhang, asking how she viewed Xu Run and Liu Kun, Liu Kun and Linghu Sheng, and Liu Kun and Jinyang.
Zhao Hanzhang knew what Ming Yu was thinking and immediately said, “Jinyang can be without me in the short term but cannot be without Liu Yueshi.”
Zhao Hanzhang had self-awareness. “Though I have the ability to govern a region, I lack prestige and also lack the personal connection to persuade the Xianbei to work for me again, nor can I contain their development.”
“As for Jinyang constantly losing population and the people’s hardships, we might be able to seek another form of cooperation.” Zhao Hanzhang said, “Liu Yueshi isn’t easy to command, but he’s easy to influence. As long as I remain his confidant for one day and give him enough benefits, he’ll listen to my suggestions and act accordingly.”
Ming Yu was still somewhat worried. “From today’s observation, Liu Yueshi is suspicious. I’m afraid it won’t be as the Commander wishes.”
Zhao Hanzhang shook her head. “Precisely because he’s suspicious, he wavers and is easy to influence.”
—