Chapter 156 - 153: Master’s Old Leader
"That must be right. That old gentleman always did things so differently," Director Ma said, his emotions calming. "Back on the battlefield, he used all thirty-six stratagems, but the ones he used most were the most insidious and cruel, which drew a lot of criticism. Yet he casually dismissed everyone with just a few words: ’You want to treat beasts with the same attitude you’d use for people? Aren’t you afraid our countrymen who just died won’t be able to rest in peace?’"
"Oh, but my master has already passed away. As for anything else... there’s nothing else, is there?" Li Xiu said softly, suppressing his frustration.
"What, you don’t want to meet your master’s old leader? He’s been thinking about him all this time!" Director Ma said, finding Li Xiu’s reluctance somewhat amusing. ’Just what kind of student did that man teach? He must know that forging a connection with us... well, it might not be a meteoric rise, but with that man’s legacy, a smooth path is guaranteed. Yet this Li Xiu is something else.’
"Director Ma, how about this? Since he is my master’s old acquaintance, could I trouble you to pass on a message? My master never mentioned any old acquaintances to me. If this person still wishes to meet, then as a junior, I will naturally comply," Li Xiu said calmly, looking at Director Ma. ’Just how famous was Master back then? It’s been decades, and old acquaintances are still thinking of him.’
Director Ma smiled. ’What a fine student that man taught. The old leader will surely like him when they meet. The old leader is completely swamped right now; meeting his old friend’s student might be a good way for him to relax his constantly tense state of mind.’ Thinking this, he spoke directly to Li Xiu: "You all continue chatting. I’ll be right back." Without waiting for a reply, he strode away.
Li Xiu watched the rapidly disappearing figure, feeling a bit speechless. ’This Director Ma really must have a military background. So swift and decisive. But thinking about the trouble to come, my head hurts. What is all this? My own Bao’er is amazing, too. She just randomly makes a friend, and it ends up connecting us to Master’s old acquaintance.’
"Jin Chen, Master’s old acquaintance?" Zhou Lian asked, a bit puzzled. ’I never heard about Master having any old acquaintances in my last life. We just came out to visit a friend, and suddenly we’ve dug up one of Master’s old friends. Does it have to be this dramatic? Even movies in the future wouldn’t dare use a plot like this; this trope is so played out. Just go out and conveniently meet a benefactor. And judging by what Director Ma said, this ’old leader’ must be no ordinary person!’
"I never heard Master mention any old acquaintances either. But, Bao’er, I think Master did mention people he knew. As for whether they were old friends, I’m not too sure. Let’s just wait and see," Li Xiu gently reassured Zhou Lian, explaining slowly so she wouldn’t worry.
"Your master never mentioned this to you?" Father Zhang asked curiously. ’That old gentleman was an infallible strategist. How could he not have paved the way for his student?’
"He never did. He only ever talked about his days in the war. I never heard him mention anything else," Li Xiu said softly, shaking his head. ’But with Master’s pride, how could he ever think the student he taught would need to rely on others? Besides, what Master taught me most was the free-spirited style of the Wei and Jin dynasties. He never wanted me to join the system. I realized that in my last life. It’s just that back then, I was trapped by a hollow sense of kinship and completely wasted my master’s teachings.’
Everyone fell silent. The situation had developed too suddenly and unexpectedly. Seeing how seriously Director Ma was taking this, it was clear that the old gentleman had been held in high regard for decades, without change. This meant the future for the young couple, Li Xiu and Zhou Lian, was destined to be bright.
Around noon, Director Ma returned in a hurry. The moment he entered, he called for Li Xiu and Zhou Lian to go with him, saying the old leader wanted to treat them to lunch. Li Xiu and Zhou Lian were already prepared. They stood up, said their goodbyes to the Zhang family, and followed Director Ma.
Seeing the car at the entrance, and the guard in it, Li Xiu’s heart began to pound. ’This old acquaintance of Master’s might be a bigger deal than I thought. For now, I can only take it one step at a time. I just hope this person isn’t too difficult to deal with.’ He gently squeezed Zhou Lian’s hand and helped her into the car. ’Ah, what’s the use of overthinking it? I’ll just cross that bridge when I come to it.’
Watching as the car drove smoothly into a large compound, Li Xiu and Zhou Lian glanced at each other. ’We’ve never been to this place, but we’ve certainly heard of it. This old acquaintance really is an extraordinarily big deal!’ The car stopped in front of a small, ordinary-looking courtyard, but Li Xiu and Zhou Lian didn’t dare let their guard down. The sentries standing guard at the entrance told them all they needed to know.
They followed Director Ma and the guard into the small courtyard. Inside, a man in his seventies wearing a simple Zhongshan suit was watching them with a smile. Li Xiu and Zhou Lian’s hearts tightened. ’Is this real? The great man we often saw on television in our past lives?’ Fortunately, both of them had lived for several extra decades and didn’t lose their composure too badly. This earned a nod of approval from Director Ma, who was watching from the side. ’As expected of the student taught by that man. His composure is quite impressive. So grand and steady at such a young age!’
"You must be Yun Qi’s student, Li Xiu, is it? And this must be your wife. A talented man and a beautiful woman. If Yun Qi knew, he would be very pleased," Elder Ping said kindly.
"We are Li Xiu and Zhou Lian. We greet you as your juniors, Elder Ping," they said in perfect unison after a quick glance at each other.
"Good, good, good. Come in and sit. Xiao Ma, you can go attend to your business. You’ve worked hard today," Elder Ping said with a smile.
Only the three of them remained in the living room. Li Xiu and Zhou Lian waited for Elder Ping to sit down before they slowly took their seats opposite him.
Elder Ping watched their actions and praised them inwardly. ’Yun Qi’s eye for talent is as good as ever, to be able to pick out such a promising seedling from the countryside.’ He then smiled gently and said, "Don’t be nervous. I simply haven’t had any news of Yun Qi for so long. As soon as I heard, I eagerly asked you to come over. I apologize for the trouble!"
"Not at all, Elder Ping. To be able to meet you is our good fortune. Even setting my master aside, you are one of the people we respect most," Li Xiu said with a smile, having composed himself.
Elder Ping smiled. ’These two youngsters are interesting. I’ve had my share of ups and downs and experienced the vicissitudes of life; I can still tell sincerity from falsehood.’ Hearing this, he said gently, "Can you tell me about your master? I haven’t seen him in decades. I just never imagined I wouldn’t even get to see him one last time."
So, Li Xiu began to softly recount his life, starting from when he began following his master at the age of six—herding cattle, practicing calligraphy, and studying—until his master passed away when he was sixteen, and he acted as a pallbearer and banner carrier to see him to his final resting place.
"Did your master leave you with any last words?" Elder Ping asked softly. ’My old comrade has been gone for almost ten years. I wonder if he had any regrets before he died.’
The corner of Li Xiu’s mouth twitched again. He said softly, "Yes, he left a few words. I was with him when he passed."
"What were they? What did he say?" Elder Ping asked anxiously. ’My old comrade never married and had no family, only this one student. He must have been worried about him.’