Chapter 471 - Chapter 471: Chapter 478: The Grace of Assistance (1/2)
Chapter 471: Chapter 478: The Grace of Assistance
Han Yu halted and looked towards Yin Shi, “Vice General Yin, did you have a matter to discuss with me?”
Yin Shi glanced around and saw there were quite a few people. Without stating his purpose directly, he said, “This isn’t the place to talk, General Han, may I have a word with you aside?”
Han Yu glanced at Yin Shi a few times and, seeing the earnest expression on his face devoid of the usual hostility and jealous rage, but rather carrying a complexity, didn’t refuse Yin Shi’s request. For one thing, their interactions had been rather pleasant during this period, and besides, they were colleagues after all. Even if they didn’t get along in private, it wasn’t necessary to make a scene publicly. Moreover, Yin Shi seeking him out now was most likely concerning the just transpired events. Since Han Yu had already lent a hand to Yin Shi in the tent earlier, he naturally didn’t mind seeing it through to the end.
Seeing that Han Yu did not refuse, Yin Shi breathed a sigh of relief in his heart. He had been afraid that Han Yu wouldn’t give him face, after all, Han Yu was different from the others, he didn’t need to show him any courtesy on Liu Xiu’s account, and Han Yu wasn’t one to flatter indiscriminately. Ordinarily, he didn’t show much of a pleasant face to him, and it was only because of their recent mutual enemy that their relationship had thawed somewhat.
Yin Shi led Han Yu to his own tent, sent his confidants to stand guard at the entrance, and then flattered, “For General Han to come here, I am deeply grateful, and it brightens my humble dwelling.”
However, Han Yu was not buying what Yin Shi was selling, “Vice General Yin, please speak plainly if you have something to say. I am quite busy, and didn’t follow you here to hear these inconsequential words.”
Had it been before, Yin Shi would have become infuriated upon hearing Han Yu’s words, thinking Han Yu was too arrogant and self-important. But after the affair involving Liu Kuan, Yin Shi actually saw Han Yu’s temperament, though not likable, as having some merit. At the very least, he was straightforward and didn’t play double games, which was less vexing to guard against.
“General Han truly is a straightforward person. Then I won’t beat around the bush. First, I must thank General Han for your help today.”
As he spoke, Yin Shi respectfully bowed towards Han Yu. Given that Yin Shi was after all Liu Xiu’s brother-in-law and also a Vice General in the army, Han Yu naturally did not accept Yin Shi’s bow and stepped aside.
“Vice General Yin, what is the meaning of this?” While Han Yu was clear about why Yin Shi was acting in such a way, it is one thing to understand something but another to feign ignorance or insight as is appropriate. This too was an art in officialdom. Although Han Yu may come across as somewhat cold and unapproachable on the surface, it was a posture he was showing Liu Xiu, a self-protective stance, not an indication that he was truly aloof and naive about the ways of the world. Indeed, Han Yu’s application and grasp of personal interactions were no less adept than anyone else’s.