Chapter 468 - Chapter 468: Chapter 475: No Reason (1/2)
Chapter 468: Chapter 475: No Reason
“I merely heard such rumors and do not know whether they are true or not. Therefore, when such an incident occurred, I was momentarily agitated, which led me to suspect and offend General Han.”
“Where did you hear such rumors, Liu Zuoling, and why speak of them? Aren’t you afraid of arousing my suspicions?” When Liu Xiu asked this, his gaze was fixed on Liu Kuan, as if trying to discern something from his actions.
Liu Kuan, however, looked up and met Liu Xiu’s eyes with neither guilt nor worry: “I have done nothing to betray My Lord and have a clear conscience, so why should I worry? Only those with ghosts in their hearts need to fear. Besides, I have compelling reasons. I hadn’t noticed before, but when Chen Chu turned against General Han and the two became estranged, I felt something was amiss and suspected that the matter was not so simple.”
“Could there be some trickery afoot?” Before Liu Xiu could speak, an impatient and straightforward general immediately pressed for an answer.
“Indeed, there is trickery. It’s not just the rumors about General Han this time. Similar incidents happened before, and although they didn’t cause major losses, they bred mutual suspicion and distrust among colleagues, almost leading to a falling out. Those who spread the rumors definitely have an agenda. And who would do such a thing?”
“Who would act in such a way, Liu Zuoling? Just speak plainly and stop beating around the bush; you have me all on edge. Spit it out!”
The same general spoke, urgency in his words, showing he took Liu Kuan’s words to heart and was driven by curiosity.
“In truth, such actions benefit none of us, which was the part I found most puzzling at first. That’s why I believed the words of the instigator. But now, looking back, the only ones who stand to gain from this are the enemy forces. This must certainly be a divisive ploy by the enemy, wishing to see us distrust each other and thus providing them with an opportunity.”
“That’s it, my goodness! The damned Zhao scoundrels are too cunning. Unable to defeat us on the Battlefield, they resort to such despicable schemes behind the scenes. It’s utterly detestable. Fortunately, Liu Zuoling discovered it in time, or we might have indeed fallen prey to the enemy’s plot. Just now, Mr. Chen and General Han almost turned against each other.”
Liu Kuan’s words were well-reasoned, and with his candid and loyal demeanor, the simpler-minded generals present almost believed him, as his explanation made sense. Naturally, some were also angered by Liu Kuan’s cunning, feeling deceived by him.
“Liu Zuoling hasn’t answered yet. Where did you hear these rumors? We need to find the source to root out the enemy spies amongst us!” Yin Shi said in an insistent tone, his eyes locked on Liu Kuan.
Liu Kuan’s eyes flickered, but he didn’t panic. Having spoken thus, he must have been prepared, and upon hearing Yin Shi, he said, “Unfortunately, I merely overheard a few Soldiers who looked rather unfamiliar speaking as I passed by. In my distress upon hearing the words, I did not recognize them as an enemy ploy and took them at face value, so I didn’t pay them much heed. Later, when I went to look for them, they were nowhere to be found. My carelessness is to blame!”
As Liu Kuan spoke, his face was filled with self-reproach, making it difficult for others to further blame him. After all, who could immediately realize in such a situation that it was a trap? A few generals who had good relations with Liu Kuan on a daily basis spoke up.