Chapter 198 (1/2)
Chapter 198
Translator: Nyoi-Bo StudioEditor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
By the time AhJing had left, Chu Qiao was already eating medicine. Batch after batch the doctors walked in carrying large boxes of medicine and medical equipment, and the courtyard seemed to be bustling with life and activity. Yet, AhJing felt as though the place was colder. Just as he left the house, he saw Yan Xun standing under a poplar tree. Yunbi had a nice name, but it was, in fact, a very poor city. With heavy snow every year, the people here would starve in winter, and eventually, the younger people had migrated out of this city, leaving behind only the elderly and the poplar trees.
Even though AhJing had walked out, Yan Xun did not turn around. In deference, AhJing passed the letters to Yan Xun. Opening them up one by one, Yan Xun scrutinized the letters. Even though all three letters were short, Yan Xun spent a good hour reading through them. In the end, he returned the letters to their envelopes, and passed it back to AhJing while instructing, ”Follow her instructions.”
With his face completely red, as though he was caught red-handed, AhJing hesitated for a moment, before replying, ”Your Highness, will the lady think too much and take her own life? She sounded as though she was writing her will.”
Without changing his expression, Yan Xun firmly replied AnJing the same answer as Chu Qiao, ”No, she will not.”
”Then,” AhJing asked, ”why did we let her carry the blame for the murder of Zhuge Yue? Not only will the assassins go crazy and take revenge, but the lady will hate you.”
”Hate me?” Yan Xun's tone raised a pitch as he said that. Quietly chuckling, he calmly explained, ”That would still be better than her being dead.”
Taken aback, AhJing seemed to understand something, but he was still not completely sure about his guess, so he continued to ask, ”Your Highness, will there be any problems with using a random corpse to deceive the Xia Empire and the Zhuge Family? After all, we accepted their money.”
Yan Xun did not answer that question, but merely stretched out his hand, pointing to the snow plains in front. Slowly, he asked, ”AhJing, do you know why maps of Yan Bei not mark this city of Yunbi?”
AhJing did not know why Yan Xun suddenly asked that, but he still answered properly as he shook his head and said, ”I do not know.”
”That is because this place is useless.” With a deep tone, Yan Xun coldly elaborated, ”This location is too small, desolate, barren, and without resources. It could not be used as a farm, nor as a rearing ground. Chi Shui does not pass by here, and Qianzhang Lake is too very far away from here. Not only that, but every year, the snow here is heavy and causes disasters every year. Even when the Quan Rong people invade Yan Bei, they will not raid this area. Regardless if it's militarily or economically, this land is a burden to Yan Bei, and therefore even maps do not mark this location. Coldly laughing, Yan Xun continued his explanation, ”To the Zhuge Family, Zhuge Yue's existence is like Yunbi's existence to Yan Bei. His existence was a humiliation. What do you think will happen to a general who was reckless and arrogant, having died not on the battlefield but due to his love for a woman? The Zhuge Family could not wait to break all ties with him. Who would bother to check his body?”
AhJing suddenly understood. ”Ah, I see. No wonder Your Highness needed to use the Lady for disguise. It seemed like you intend to weaken the Zhuge Family.”
Emotionlessly, Yan Xun stared into the distance, as he slowly replied, ”The death of Zhuge Yue is merely the beginning. The Zhuge Family, Zhao Che, General Le Xing, and even Meng Tian, who was the initial one to recommend him, will all be affected. The Xia empire is in a state of chaos now. Zhao Qi has died, and Zhao Song is useless. The Wei Family and Zhao Yang's power are too weak. Why not give them some help and further weaken the conflict? Only when the Xia Empire is in turmoil can I safeguard my lands.”
AhJing stood there with his mouth agape, completely stunned.
”AhJing, do not always fight with Chen Yuan.” Looking at AhJing, Yan Xun lightly frowned as he continued, ”You are no longer just an assassin of an underground organization. With Yan Bei's invasion to the east impending, you will be my arms. If you want to dabble in politics, you must first be capable of doing so. There are many people who need to be sacrificed for a greater cause. If you are unable to understand that, you would forever be like those idealists in the Da Tong Guild, forever living in their dreams and never tasting real power.”
Yan Xun turned around and did not pay much heed to AhJing's shocked expression. There was a sentence that he did not mention: Although a lion is ferocious and powerful, it is hard to control. Sometimes he preferred using a pack of dogs.
As for AhChu, she would eventually understand that the death of Zhuge Yue was exceedingly important, and using her name for the incident was the best option for Yan Bei. Firstly, unless by taking such drastic measures, Zhuge Yue would be impossible to lure into a trap. Secondly, he needed the effects caused by Zhuge Yue's death to force a chain effect in the Xia Empire. By the time Xia Empire started to crumble under the internal chaos, she would surely understand. In regards to her feelings for Zhuge Yue, Yan Xun had not thought much about it. While Zhuge Yue was still alive, Yan Xun had not worried much. What more when Zhuge Yue had already died? She was just like in olden days, merely throwing a tantrum. Time would heal all wounds, and she would be back to normal after a few days. He could afford to wait.
AhJing sank into silence for a while, before suddenly asking, ”Your Highness, the lady is really upset. Are you not going in to take a look at her?”
”There is no time. I have to head back to the pass tonight. Zhao Che has been getting ready to attack for a while, I need to go back to control the situation.”
After Yan Xun finished his sentence, AhJing stood rooted to the ground. Watching Yan Xun mount his horse, and gradually walked far away with the escort of his guards. In that instance, AhJing suddenly recalled what Yan Xun told him back in Sheng Jin Palace. At that time, AhJing had been cautioning Yan Xun to think about the whole situation, yet Yan Xun retorted, ”If AhChu is not around, what use do I have for Yan Bei?”