Rebirth of a Farming Wife

Chapter 466: Chapter 473
 

“Xiu Qi, you’ve come?” Liu Xiu saw Han Yu and his expression eased somewhat, speaking in a gentle voice.

Han Yu nodded, looking at Chen Chu and Liu Kuan who were kneeling in the middle of the tent, their faces filled with grief and resolution. Something flitted through his gaze rapidly before disappearing, deepening his own expression.

Given the circumstances, Han Yu did not think that Chen Chu and Liu Kuan had done something to be caught by Liu Xiu. Otherwise, their expressions wouldn’t be like this. Liu Xiu clearly looked somewhat troubled, making the situation appear quite interesting.

Han Yu wasn’t in a hurry to know what had happened, he simply stood there, watching the situation unfold while also taking in the expressions of the generals in the tent.

“My Lord, please you must stand up for us. If it weren’t for our quick reactions, we would have nearly been killed by those men in black. Although I, Chen Chu, am merely a scholar without the strength to truss a chicken, capable only of providing My Lord counsel, I am not someone who fears death excessively. If I am to die on the battlefield, it would be honorable death in loyalty to My Lord, but to be chased and killed without reason, by our own people no less, that would be an utter injustice. Please My Lord, stand up for us!”

Chen Chu’s performance was convincing, not only in expression but also in every aspect. Only a few present knew the full story regarding Chen Chu and Liu Kuan, so everyone, despite their usual dislike for Chen Chu’s behavior, couldn’t help but feel some sympathy and indignation.

After all, Chen Chu was one of their colleagues, and to be chased down by their own people under broad daylight, what did this mean? Moreover, if Chen Chu was being hunted today, who knew if it would be their turn tomorrow. Of course, there were also some who adopted a wait-and-see attitude and didn’t immediately believe Chen Chu’s words.

“My Lord, what Chen Chu said is also what I wished to convey. I’m not afraid of death, but I do not wish to die at the hands of our own. Liu Kuan immediately followed up, insisting. While Chen Chu’s situation might only garner sympathy, Liu Kuan carried more weight; many generals present had some relationship with him. Upon hearing his words, all of them looked to Liu Xiu, waiting to see how he would handle the situation.

That was also Liu Kuan’s aim; most generals gathered in the tent were not summoned by Liu Xiu, but called over by Liu Kuan himself, to create such a scene. Regardless of what Liu Xiu might think of them, as long as there was no evidence, he could not punish them arbitrarily, lest it chills the hearts of all present. Even as My Lord, Liu Xiu had to consider everyone’s opinions.

“Why speak such words, Kuan? The identities of the men in black are yet to be confirmed, and we’re still uncertain who they are, so why lead to such a situation? You may all rise,” said Liu Xiu. Regardless of his true feelings, he went over and helped Liu Kuan to his feet, maintaining his composure in front of the generals. It was to prevent Liu Kuan from continuing to stir up trouble and causing an uncontrollable situation. With a formidable enemy at the doorstep, it wasn’t the time to deal with such matters, let alone that Liu Xiu wasn’t completely unaware of who was behind it.

Unfortunately, while Liu Xiu intended to deescalate the situation, Liu Kuan was not willing to comply. His face was even more full of grief and anger than Chen Chu, almost as if he was accusing Liu Xiu.

“Why say such things, as if My Lord is not clear in his own heart? I did not wish to make such a big fuss over things and would have endured any mistreatment, so long as it served My Lord’s greater purpose. But I couldn’t believe someone would be so ruthless as to plan such a sinister and vicious attack, lying in ambush to take my life. I, Liu Kuan, am a military officer who should die on the battlefield, not from the machinations and plots of my own people!”

Liu Xiu, even with his good patience, did not look pleased facing Liu Kuan, especially since he harbored suspicions about Chen Chu and Liu Kuan. Speaking with both authority and displeasure, he said, “Enough, everything should have a limit. With an external enemy upon us, now is not the time for internal chaos. You both are long-time followers by my side; can’t you differentiate between what’s more important?”

“My Lord, what’s minor and what’s major entirely depends on how one measures it. Precisely because we face a great enemy, some things must be made clear. Otherwise, wouldn’t it give the enemy an opportunity to exploit? Only with internal unity and stability can we focus our combined efforts on the external threat.”

Today, Liu Kuan was prepared to lay all his cards on the table, instead of letting Liu Xiu harbor suspicions inside, he preferred to speak openly. He was very aware that Liu Xiu definitely had no conclusive evidence of his betrayal, otherwise his attitude towards him today would not have been so benign. The process of breaking and rebuilding can only start after things have been torn apart and can then be rebuilt on a new foundation.

That’s why Liu Kuan made such a big fuss, even if Liu Xiu indeed had suspicions about him. With no evidence in Liu Xiu’s hands, he couldn’t just do whatever he wanted, especially with the eyes of many watching. Of course, Liu Kuan hoped that after today’s incident, any doubts about him would be dispelled.

“Well then, if that’s the case, say all you wish to say. I really want to see who would be so bold as to commit such fratricidal acts,” Liu Xiu said indiscernibly, seeing that Chen Chu and Liu Kuan were determined to escalate the issue, with so many generals watching, he could no longer stop it. However, he was curious to see what tricks these two would pull next.

When Liu Xiu spoke these words, Yin Shi’s face showed a trace of discomfort, but he quickly concealed it. If one weren’t looking closely, it would have gone unnoticed. Han Yu had suspicions, so he had been observing carefully all along and did not miss Yin Shi’s subtle reaction. Many things were already clear in his mind.

“My Lord, this incident must have been orchestrated by Han Yu. Though I have no evidence, aside from Han Yu, I can’t think of anyone else capable of such a deed. It must have been him,” spoke Chen Chu, immediately pointing the finger at Han Yu upon Liu Xiu’s prompting.

Yin Shi, initially tense, relaxed upon hearing Chen Chu point at Han Yu. He thought the killers sent after Chen Chu and Liu Kuan could be messy, leaving behind evidence or clues, leading to their brazen approach to Liu Xiu, even drawing most of the generals in the army as witnesses. But it turned out not to be the case—it was a setup against Han Yu.

As Yin Shi breathed a sigh of relief, he also felt some schadenfreude. Indeed, Han Yu was a man who drew ire, and considering the events of that day, Yin Shi had suspected what Han Yu might have said in front of Liu Xiu. No wonder Chen Chu and Liu Kuan tried to pin everything on Han Yu.

Actually, most present were surprised to hear Chen Chu directing the situation towards Han Yu, since after leading them through several successful battles, Han Yu’s momentum and status in the eyes of the people had risen, and he was regarded with admiration by many.

Hearing Chen Chu suddenly accuse him, Han Yu was slightly taken aback, but quickly understood the reason behind it.