Volume 1: Zhu Xian Town Crisis Chapter 75: The Return Journey

  Niu Tong and Guan Ling were both at a loss, only Han Yan had guessed some of it. He let out a sigh and said to the two: "Let's go out first! Let Father and Brother-in-law have a good talk."

  After the three men left Han Shizhong's study, Niu Tongfang jokingly asked: "General Han, don't you have any sisters or younger sisters who haven't gotten married yet? Has General Han set his sights on our brother-in-law?"

  As soon as the bell rang, he slapped Niu Tong's head fiercely and shouted: "What's wrong with you, always thinking about women? Brother Yue already has Gong Sao, what do you want Sister Han to come for? To be a concubine?"

  Hanyi Zhi heard this and also couldn't help but laugh and cry, saying: "Brother Niu, I do have an older sister, but she got married more than 10 years ago. I think Father must be looking for Brother-in-law for some other private matter!"

  "Hmm! Let them chat slowly! Niu Tong, let's go! We'll play another round of chess!" Guan Ling said.

  "Ah! Still playing? Can't I just admit defeat?" Niu Tong said with a bitter face.

  "No way! The commander wants us to study military strategy every day! Otherwise, how can we lead the army to recover the lost territories in the north? Do you think you can win battles just by being brave?" Guan Ling said with a serious expression.

  "...". Niu Tong didn't know how to respond. He had no choice but to be dragged away by Guan Ling to play Weiqi with him.

  At this time, in Han Shizhong's study, Han Shizhong asked with a serious face: "Yue Xianzhong, are you and Miss Li very close?"

  Yue Yun was shocked and thought to himself that this old man was indeed sharp, as he had only shown some slight intimacy with Li Yu Rong at the banquet, but he had already seen through their relationship.

  He hastily explained: "Uncle Han is indeed discerning, I and Li's daughter do have some feelings for each other, but it has not reached the point of discussing marriage."

  Han Shizhong also found that his words were somewhat flawed, and the category of "very good feelings" was too broad. If it spread out, it would have a great impact on Li Yurou's reputation.

  He couldn't help but blush slightly and said, "Your Uncle Han is actually a rough man who doesn't understand anything about relationships between men and women. However, Miss Li's identity is extremely special, she's not just the daughter of a merchant, her older brother Li Ke Xin is the supervisor of the military equipment department, he was once a student under Zhao Ding. He can basically be considered as one of Zhao Ding's people. Now Qin Hui's son Qin Yi is also pursuing her vigorously, if you intervene, it's very likely that you'll offend Qin Yi. At this time when Qin Hui is in the emperor's favor, you should think thrice before acting, Nephew Yue!"

  Yue Yun only then realized that he had really underestimated Han Shizhong, Han Shizhong was able to see the situation in the court so clearly, how could he be just a rough and unrefined man as he claimed.

  It's no wonder that in history, Qin Hui originally wanted to harm Han Shizhong, but was finally saved by him, although the military power was seized, but the lives of his whole family were preserved, and he became a rich man after death. He was posthumously honored as Taishi and promoted to Duke of Tongyi County.

  It now appears that apart from Han Shizhong saving Zhao Gou's life during the Miao-Liu military uprising, his ability to yield and adapt without being a leader was also an extremely important factor. In comparison, his own father Yue Fei's political vision was far inferior to Han Shizhong's.

  Yue Yun hastily bowed and said with tears in his eyes: "Uncle Han is so concerned about me, I am truly honored. Uncle can rest assured that I already have a wife, and for the time being, I will not consider taking a concubine. As for Miss Li, we just have a good impression of each other, it's still far from talking about marriage... However, that Qin Xiao has already offended me!"

  "Ah! Who has offended?" Han Shizhong's face changed color as he spoke.

  Yue Yun then told Liu Mingcheng about her attending his birthday banquet, but first met Li Yurou in the backyard, and then had a conflict with Qin Xi.

  Han Shizhong sighed and said, "A great man has things he will do and things he won't do. In that situation, it's no wonder you took action! However, Qin Hui is a person with a bad reputation in Lin'an, and he is narrow-minded and vengeful. You must be careful to guard against him. In my opinion, you should quickly send the grain back to Zhu Xian Town. Once you return to the main camp of the Yue family army, Qin Hui will not be able to do anything to you."

  Yue Yun was actually somewhat skeptical in her heart. Qin Yi was a weak scholar, how much ability could he have? Even if there were some family generals and guards by his side, couldn't they still withstand their own three hundred elite cavalry? But seeing Han Shizhong's expression so solemn, she also knew that there must be something fishy going on. At this point, she thanked Han Shizhong and then returned to her residence.

  He returned to his room, only to find Yu Yunwen already waiting inside.

  Yue Yun was overjoyed in his heart, and immediately gave Yu Yunwen a big hug. Yu Yunwen looked embarrassed, but couldn't bear to refuse. After a moment, he smiled wryly and said: "Young Master Yue, if you hold me any tighter, I'll pass out."

  Yue Yun burst out laughing and said: "I'm also too excited, I finally returned safely, got to see you guys again, and even solved the grain borrowing problem."

  Yu Yunwen smiled and bowed his head, saying: "Congratulations to Master Yue! I was just about to report to you that the grain merchants have already transported the military rations to the official warehouse. Lord Liu has informed us that we can set off at any time."

  "Let's set off tomorrow then!" Yuke Yun nodded and said.

  "Alright! But which way are you planning to take when you head back, young master?" Yu Yunwen asked.

  "Are you not going back the way you came?" Yueshan asked with some surprise.

  "Gentlemen, when you came, a large section of the road was actually within the Jin army's defense zone. However, since you were all cavalry and had over 500 men, even if the Jin scouts discovered you, they didn't dare to provoke you. By the time they notified the main Jin army, you would have already gone far away. But it's different on the way back. On the way back, our troop strength is only over 300 people, and we're also carrying 150,000 stones of grain. If the Jin scouts discover us and lead their main army to attack, I'm afraid we'll have no choice but to abandon the grain and flee." Yu Yunwen said.

  Yue Yun thought for a moment and then asked: "Yun Wen, what's your opinion on how we should head back?"

  Yu Yunwen then pulled out a map from his bosom and spread it on the table, saying to Yue Yun: "Sir, I obtained a map of the nearby area from General Han. Our safest route now is to follow the south bank of the Huai River, starting from Chuzhou, passing through Bozhou to Caizhou, then heading north from Caizhou to reach Zhuxiantown..."

  "He pointed to the location on the map and said, 'Although this route is a bit longer, taking three more days than returning by the original road, it's all within the defense zone of our Great Song army, so it's relatively safe. Since Ambassador Xiao Yi has already arrived in our Great Song, it shows that Wanyan Zongbi has the intention to negotiate, and it's unlikely that he will launch another attack on our Great Song in the near future. Even if there are Jin troops crossing the border, they must be small groups, and we just need to be vigilant, send more scouts to investigate around the grain carts, and if there is an accident, we can ask for help from the garrison along the way, and it should be safe.'"

  Yue Yun thought for a moment and then agreed: "Okay! Let's go with your plan!"

  "Alright! If there's nothing else, Yu Yunwen won't disturb the young master's rest anymore, and will take his leave first!" Yu Yunwen said with a bow.

  "Alright! You go ahead and I'll take a nap. If anything happens, just wake me up!" Yue Yun nodded and said.

  These two days have been exhausting on the island, and last night I didn't sleep well because of the "heart-to-heart" talk that went on for too long, now my eyes are still dark.

  However, Yue Yun did not expect that at the same time he was sleeping soundly, Qin Yi, Wei Liangchen, Xiao Yi, and Fan Tong, Qin Yi's staff, were having a secret meeting in a very secluded room within the Chu State Post House.