Southern Frontier Military Camp.
General Zhang You hesitated briefly at the door, took a deep breath, then pushed it open and respectfully addressed the person casually flipping through a book at the desk, "General, everyone has assembled in the training ground, awaiting your inspection. Regarding the recent military matters..."
"Not urgent," Chu Mingyun interrupted him, still looking down at the book, "I have something to ask you."
"Yes."
"How much do you know about the situation in Huainan Shou Chun?" Chu Mingyun inquired.
Zhang You lowered his gaze and replied, "I don't know much about it."
"Oh?" Chu Mingyun glanced up at him, "You're so close, why don't you know?"
"My duty with the Southern Frontier Army is to guard the borders of our Great Xia territory. The rebellion in Huainan is the internal strife of the Western Ridge Kingdom. Moreover, during times of internal turmoil, there's a risk of external enemies taking advantage. My sole focus has been on defense, without delving into matters over there," Zhang You explained.
"When reinforcements were dispatched from the court, the Ministry of War also ordered the Southern Frontier Army to rush for support. Didn't you see the orders?" Chu Mingyun questioned.
"I saw them. But just as our troops were mobilized and set off, news arrived of the rebels and the reinforcements disappearing. Unsure of what to do, we eventually withdrew," Zhang You responded.
"So that's how it is," Chu Mingyun propped his chin leisurely with one hand, nodding slowly. "Zhang You, it's been years since we last met, and you've truly made great progress."
"General, you flatter me."
"No flattery here," Chu Mingyun chuckled lightly, pulling out a letter from the pages of a book. "You've become quite skilled at spinning lies seamlessly, and your courage has grown substantially."
The composed demeanor of Zhang You crumbled the moment he saw the letter. He hurriedly knelt down, pleading, "General, please listen to me..."
"Shut up," Chu Mingyun commanded.
Zhang You immediately fell silent, lowering his head in fear, unable to meet his gaze.
"I casually picked up a book to read, and happened to come across this letter. Quite a coincidence, wouldn't you say?" Chu Mingyun slowly examined the thin letter. "What does it say?"
He hesitated for a moment, then muttered softly, "General, now that you already know, I..."
"I don't know," Chu Mingyun interrupted. "Look at me and tell me."
Stiffening, Zhang You struggled inwardly for a moment before slowly raising his face, meeting Chu Mingyun's gaze with anxiety before lowering his eyes again. "In the letter... Governor Han of Jiujian Prefecture sent a thousand taels of gold, but as you can see, he only mentioned it as a gesture of appreciation without any requests. General, please understand, although I did receive it, I haven't abused my authority or done anything for him. I haven't done anything for him at all!"
"You turning a blind eye to Huainan is exactly what he wanted, what more is there to do?" Chu Mingyun raised his hand, lightly tapping his forehead with his finger, speaking slowly, "You both benefit from each other, but what about my affairs?" His ivory-white fingers slid down gradually with his words, finally stopping at Zhang You's throat, fingertips cold as blades. Chu Mingyun furrowed his brow, looking at him. "Well?"
Zhang You was already pale, not daring to move, trembling as he spoke, "General, actually, I do have some knowledge about Shouchun."
Chu Mingyun raised an eyebrow slightly, "Didn't you just claim ignorance?"
أنت تقرأ
Jun You Ji Fou
العاطفية"Shiyu, my heart does not lie." With these words of deep passion, Chu Mingyun inserts his hand back into his sleeve and pinches himself. Su Shiyu's smile deepens all of a sudden. He squints his eyes and gently parts his mouth to say, "Are you sick?"...
