Chapter 456 - Chapter 456: Chapter 463: Shallow Thoughts (1/2)
Chapter 456: Chapter 463: Shallow Thoughts
What does this mean? Is it implying that he lacks the ability to match the opponents’ general, and that term ‘slain under the horse’—why does it sound so unsettling? As soon as one hears that phrase, it brings bad luck. Moreover, there’s a hint of admiration for Han Yu in those words—what’s that all about?!
“Hmmph!” Vice General Zhang had a few dark lines appear on his forehead upon hearing what the minor officer below him said. They had already lost the battle, which was depressing enough, but this guy just had to rub salt in the wound without being explicit, merely hinting with a look.
Unfortunately, the minor officer failed to grasp Vice General Zhang’s good intentions. Seeing that Zhao Fan and Zhang Meng were not speaking up, he continued, “General, perhaps we should retreat. With a general like Han Yu under Liu Xiu, our chances of victory are too slim. Instead of wasting our efforts, it might be better to return to the Imperial Court…”
Although the young general held a low rank in the army, his family background was not bad, which was why he became a minor officer at such an early age. Otherwise, with no experience in the military camp, he would have been nothing more than lowest rank soldier material. He had come to Yiyang only looking to easily capture a small place like this to gain some credentials, never anticipating consecutive defeats. However, the young general didn’t seem to mind, as his family’s support ensured he could live comfortably regardless.
For this reason, the young general didn’t harbor any hostility toward the local generals. In fact, he had developed a bit of admiration for Han Yu’s courage and almost divine military strategy, which was evident on his face, barely concealed due to his naïveté.
“Enough, hold your tongue! If I didn’t know you came from Duke Wei’s Mansion and that your status poses no concern, I would suspect you to be a spy sent by Liu Xiu. How else could you praise the enemy general so highly, and even utter such treacherous, morale-sapping words?”
The young general might have been overly indulged by his family to the point of not knowing his place, but he wasn’t a fool. Seeing Zhao Fan’s strong reaction, he realized his impropriety. The situation was different from the time when the late emperor was in power; Prime Minister Wang now manipulated the Little Emperor and controlled political affairs. The Duke Wei’s Mansion also had to live under Prime Minister Wang’s influence, so he couldn’t afford to cause trouble for his family because of his own actions.
“General, forgive my reckless words,” the young general said.
“Let it be, I will spare you this time, but let there not be a next time!” Zhao Fan, though displeased with the young general, ultimately let it go. After all, he couldn’t compare to the opposing general Han Yu, and the young general wasn’t just anyone—his background forced Zhao Fan to be considerate. Although Prime Minister Wang now held power, Duke Wei’s Mansion still held significant influence, and the unwritten rule in officialdom was to foster more alliances and cause fewer offenses. Having been defeated, Zhao Fan could still be blamed by Prime Minister Wang, and he didn’t know what his fate would be.
“Thank you, General, for not holding me accountable,” the young general said, although he wasn’t too worried about being blamed by Zhao Fan. His apology was merely for appearances, but inwardly, he somewhat disagreed. He had merely spoken the harsh truth, which usually isn’t well-received.