Chapter 367 - Chapter 367: Chapter 374: Bearing Some Injustice (2/2)
Seeing the situation, Han Yu had a rough idea of what was happening. Such looks were not new to him, most likely indicating that another unpleasant task had fallen to him. Fearless in his heart, Han Yu was also composed; he was not one of those who feared death—joining the military camp meant being prepared to shed blood and sweat.
“Chancellor Han, you’ve arrived just in time. I have a mission for you. Liu Yan of Nanjun has rebelled, and he’s gaining momentum. The local garrison is insufficient, so the Imperial Court has ordered us to send an army to quell the rebellion. After much consideration, I’ve decided to send you. Make sure you annihilate the traitors without leaving any survivors,” Jiang Qianhu commanded sternly, leaving no room for Han Yu to question his orders.
“Yes, I, your subordinate, accept the command!” Han Yu was well aware of the situation in Nanjun; the rebel army led by Liu Yan had rallied various forces, and their strength was formidable. Merely leading these troops would not suffice—it was akin to a death sentence. But military orders were like mountains, and with Jiang Qianhu and Mr. Sun in cahoots, voicing any objections would be futile and would only result in accusations of disobeying military orders.
Seeing Han Yu accept the orders without protest, a sinister and triumphant look flashed across Jiang Qianhu’s face. Not only did Mr. Sun deeply despise and want to get rid of Han Yu, but Jiang Qianhu also harbored wariness against him. This young man was rapidly climbing the ranks, and Jiang had initially thought he would be a spineless sycophant easily removed. Instead, he proved to be a tough nut to crack. Ever since Han Yu’s arrival at the military camp, all Jiang’s attempts to trip him up had been effortlessly dodged by Han Yu. Removing him sooner rather than later was imperative to avoid future troubles.
Han Yu left Jiang Qianhu’s tent with a stoic expression and returned to his own, where his demeanor turned grim. It was quite the sight. Military advisor Yan Pingdao, having heard that Han Yu had been summoned by Jiang Qianhu, had been waiting in the tent. Seeing Han Yu’s expression, he suspected trouble.
“Master, have you encountered some trouble? Jiang Qianhu wouldn’t have summoned you without reason. From the information I’ve gathered, could it be that Jiang Qianhu intends to send you to support the suppression in Nanjun without providing sufficient manpower, possibly wishing for our certain demise?” Yan Pingdao conjectured based on the information he had and Han Yu’s reaction, guessing close to the truth.
Han Yu nodded, a slight ease coming over his expression, “You’re right, it is as you guessed. If it were anyone else, it might be acceptable, but with fewer hands, if we utilize them properly, we wouldn’t be without a chance of winning. But it’s Liu Yan of Nanjun; I do not wish to be his enemy.”
Han Yu hadn’t concealed much from Yan Pingdao, who understood his concerns: “Not only is Liu Yan of Nanjun an Imperial Descendant, but he is also a hero that commands respect. Judging from the current momentum, he could potentially achieve great things. The Imperial Court is no longer what it was, held tightly in Prime Minister Wang’s grasp. It’s uncertain what the future holds, and indeed, there is no need for us to be enemies with Liu Yan. You and Liu Xiu get along; perhaps you also share these thoughts.”
“If it really comes to it, we might as well turn against him and join Liu Yan in Nanjun. As I see it, the Imperial Court will sooner or later fall into chaos, with various heroes claiming their stakes. Master, the time for you to realize your ambitions will then arrive.”
“I’ve considered what you suggest, but my family, including my wife and young children, are in Yiyang Prefecture. If I were to rebel, the Imperial Court would surely target my relatives. My parents and brothers would be relatively safe, far away in a remote village, and difficult to detect when moving. However, my daughter-in-law and child live within the prefecture, and those people are likely keeping an eye on Han Mansion. Any slight movement could arouse their suspicion, and I absolutely cannot risk the safety of my wife and child.”
Hearing this, the military advisor inwardly sighed. Those destined for great accomplishments must not dwell on trifles. The master cared too much for his wife and children. As a subordinate, however, his duty was to offer the best advice possible: “Master, if you wish to relocate your wife without arousing suspicion, I have an idea. It will only require Madam to endure some discomfort temporarily.”