Chapter 110
Huo Shu rode out. Not long after exiting the tunnel, he saw several fierce and formidable figures in the distance.
The men were burly and stout, with an overwhelming aura. It was clear at a glance they were not to be trifled with.
The members of the patrol team cautiously monitored every move of the several men. The two parties stood in silent confrontation.
It seemed that the slightest disturbance could ignite the flames of war.
"Brother Huo!"
Seeing Huo Shu arrive, the guards secretly breathed a sigh of relief. It suddenly felt as if their backbone had arrived. They quickly ran over to call out to him, as if wanting to report a grievance.
Even though they had fought evil and suppressed bandits, and were not timid or afraid of trouble, upon seeing these men, they couldn't help but feel somewhat apprehensive.
The crucial point was that their identity and purpose were unknown.
They feared that if conflict turned violent, it would lead to another fierce battle.
But then they saw Huo Shu pull on the reins, look at the leader, and say, "Why have you come?"
"What, is that not welcome?"
Huo Shu gave a light laugh: "Not at all."
The guards, hearing the conversation between the two, could tell they were familiar from their tone.
They were somewhat surprised, but immediately felt relieved.
"We heard long ago that some southerners had come to the southeast, well-trained and extremely capable. They took down the Black Wolf Stronghold and the Wild Tiger Stronghold in one move, and even drove away the scattered bandits, making all the bandits in the southeast uneasy."
"Our men have reported back not just once or twice, urging vigilance and attention, asking what should be done."
Huo Shu said: "Brother Duan is well-informed."
"However well-informed, I still didn't receive any word from you?"
Duan Chi passed through the tunnel and looked at the peaceful pastoral village, narrowing his eyes slightly.
He knew Huo Shu was no ordinary man, but seeing the well-established state of this place still far exceeded his imagination.
"Originally, I thought with the turmoil in Tongzhou, since you had come to Yuchang, perhaps you had changed your mind. I was secretly pleased. I intended to wait silently, expecting you to come and offer your allegiance voluntarily. But after waiting and waiting, the news I received was that you were steadily putting down roots in the southeast."
Duan Chi laughed: "Truly worthy of the man I recognized. How could you easily attach yourself to another?"
"Brother Duan, you flatter me. It's merely survival in the cracks. It's been a long time. This time we should properly drink our fill."
Duan Chi smiled: "I've come to find you this time not just for old times' sake. Do you know the current situation in the south?"
"I heard the Sixth Prince is leading troops to resist the pirates, and the situation is very good."
"Correct. But now it's not just very good, it's a great victory. The Emperor is greatly pleased and has ordered the Sixth Prince to recapture Tongzhou. If he succeeds…"
Duan Chi didn't finish his sentence. He looked at Huo Shu.
Even without him saying it, Huo Shu understood the rest.
The war at the northern border a few years ago lasted for many years but ended in defeat. The old Emperor was inevitably disheartened. The Sixth Prince's defeat of the pirates undoubtedly restored national prestige. The old Emperor was happy, and it was reasonable that the scales in his heart might tip.
"But although the army was victorious in the battle against the pirates, they also suffered significant losses. It's not easy for the Sixth Prince to recapture Tongzhou now. He needs men."
Huo Shu understood Duan Chi's meaning. If they could lend the Sixth Prince a hand now, and if the Sixth Prince succeeds in the future, those who contributed in his time of need would naturally receive generous treatment.
Duan Chi was a bandit. Although he held power in one area, his reputation was ultimately not good. If he wanted to turn from black to white, this was indeed an opportunity to cleanse his record.
But Huo Shu still kindly reminded him: "Although I don't know much about the court situation, I do know the Sixth Prince's background is not high, and he was raised outside the palace since childhood. The three princes in the palace each have their own ambitions. I'm afraid it won't be that easy."
"They have people, but how could the Sixth Prince not have his own? What appears as weakness is merely shown to those who need to see it."
Duan Chi said: "Since I've come to find you, I trust you. I won't hide anything. The Sixth Prince has shown me kindness. He is my master."
In the past, when the Sixth Prince was raised outside the palace, he traveled around in his youth and once came to Yuchang. By chance, he saved Duan Chi's life. Duan Chi swore allegiance to the Sixth Prince.
"These past months, I have been engaging with the rebel forces in Lianping Prefecture and Tongzhou, holding them back from reaching into Lianping Prefecture. Now, although the main army has won a victory, they have suffered considerable losses. The court can hardly send more troops for support. The Sixth Prince fears difficulty in recapturing Tongzhou and wants me to go assist him."
Duan Chi looked at Huo Shu: "I hope you can come with me. It will certainly be more secure then."
Huo Shu had guessed half his purpose upon hearing him out.
He did not confirm or deny, only looked deeply at Duan Chi.
"It's Brother Duan! Why didn't you invite him in to sit for a while!"
Ji Taoyu had been waiting in the courtyard for a long time, looking out several times. He finally saw Huo Shu return.
But he came back alone, which was surprising. When asked if the matter was resolved, he learned it was actually Duan Chi who had come.
Huo Shu said: "He is preparing to go to war. The coastal battle is pacified. The imperial army wants to recapture Tongzhou. Before leaving, he stopped by. He doesn't have much time to stay."
Hearing this, Ji Taoyu's expression visibly stiffened slightly. He had thought the visitors might be troublemaking bandits, or perhaps government officials, but never expected it to be Duan Chi.
Although he had long known Duan Chi was in the northeast, they had been here for nearly a year without any news from Duan Chi, so he hadn't thought of that possibility.
A strange feeling arose in his heart. Coming at this critical moment probably wasn't just a simple visit.
He had known earlier that Duan Chi had previously extended an olive branch to Huo Shu.
"Is it…"
Ji Taoyu looked up at Huo Shu and finally asked the conjecture in his heart: "Did Brother Duan want your assistance?"
Huo Shu noticed the unease on Ji Taoyu's face. Indeed, he couldn't hide many things from him.
He reached out, took Ji Taoyu's hand, and pulled him into his arms. He said bluntly: "Yes."
"Duan Chi is someone the Sixth Prince placed locally. Now the Sixth Prince needs to fight a crucial battle, and it's time to use him. He hopes I can help him fight this battle. It might concern a change of dynasty."
Ji Taoyu suddenly understood. He had sensed back then that Duan Chi and his group were unusual, not simply fierce bandits.
They had speculated that Duan Chi might be under a certain political faction, or that he might be wildly ambitious.
Now their thoughts were confirmed, but they hadn't expected the person behind him to be the Sixth Prince.
Ji Taoyu pursed his lips. Some words were difficult for him to ask: "Then you…"
Huo Shu gently patted Ji Taoyu's back: "I declined him."
Ji Taoyu suddenly raised his eyes and stared fixedly at Huo Shu.
Huo Shu also looked at him: "Xiao Taohe is still young, and your health isn't good. Compared to achieving merit and fame, what's important is staying by your and the child's side." Upon hearing this, Ji Taoyu's eyes turned slightly red.
Huo Shu held him: "Duan Chi didn't insist, but he still had a request. He hopes that after he leaves, I can keep an eye on Yuchang for him to prevent changes. If anything unexpected happens, to lend assistance."
"In return, when the war is over, he will ensure that Lin Village and Caochang Village are safely registered, and will then receive the same treatment as the households of his Wayang Stronghold. I agreed."
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