Chapter 1306 - 1263: Free-for-All
The people left behind hesitated and refused to speak, and Zhao Shen threatened them: "If you don’t speak up, and if there’s any danger to General Yuan, you won’t be able to bear the consequences."
They still wouldn’t open their mouths, so Zhao Shen said with a grim expression: "The Great General has ordered me; I must see General Yuan immediately."
A few soldiers exchanged glances, then said: "General Yuan went to the Governor’s Mansion, Vice Minister Zhao. Perhaps you could wait a little longer; I reckon the General should be back in half an hour."
Zhao Shen turned around and led his people away, "I can’t wait any longer."
The soldiers, seeing he was about to go to the Governor’s Mansion and afraid he’d ruin things, quickly rushed over to grab his horse, looking at him pitifully and pleading: "Vice Minister Zhao, please wait a little longer."
Zhao Shen confirmed, "Are all the other soldiers at the Governor’s Mansion too? If they’re there, they’re there. Does he think taking hostages can stop me from joining in the excitement? I’ve brought plenty of people with me, and I can help him out."
Seeing the soldiers’ faces grow bitter, Zhao Shen emphasized, "Don’t worry, I’m not here to steal his credit."
Is this a matter of stealing credit?
It’s a matter of success or failure.
All their investigations in recent days pointed to Zheng Zhi. If Zheng Zhi could take down Yu Hong, things would be fine. But if there’s no evidence to nail him, the most Yu Hong could face is a charge of negligence and protecting relatives, according to Great Jin law, which would warrant a demotion.
Even if the Great General disliked him, he would only be dismissed; he couldn’t be executed for such a charge.
The General never intended to kill Yu Hong. He only wanted to capture some evidence to use him for the Great General.
After all, he was considered an old minister. If he could lead others to pledge allegiance, maybe more old ministers could be brought over.
But Yu Hong was audacious enough to plot against the General’s life. At this point, how could the General not kill him?
Whether Yu Hong had made his move was unknown. If not, and Vice Minister Zhao arrives at this moment, wouldn’t he ruin the General’s plan?
The soldiers held tight to the rope around the horse’s neck, looking pleadingly at Zhao Shen on the horse.
Zhao Shen, deeply trusting his prediction, was furious with the soldiers obstructing him. He swatted them a couple of times with his whip, "Let go quickly. I’m going to lend him a hand. I said I wouldn’t steal any credit. Is that all you care about?"
"It’s not about credit," one soldier couldn’t help but say, "Our General didn’t go to capture anyone. It’s, it’s, ah, how do I say it?"
The soldier beside him was anxious and, after holding back for a long time, remembered what the General had said, "It’s called bait. Our General went to be the bait."
Zhao Shen squinted his eyes, "Fishing?"
In an instant, Zhao Shen understood, his expression changing slightly, and he sternly ordered them to step aside, "Yuan Li being proud is one thing, but how could you let him mess around like this? Don’t you know the saying, ’A son worth a thousand gold pieces should not sit under the eaves’?"
The soldiers shook their heads honestly, "We don’t understand, Vice Minister. We really don’t understand what you’re saying."
"Even if you don’t understand, step aside. I divined a bad fate for your General!"
Upon hearing this, the soldiers immediately let go.
A stomach full of words that Zhao Shen had prepared: ...
If he knew these words worked so well, he would’ve said them earlier.
Zhao Shen whipped his horse and, with his men, galloped towards the Governor’s Mansion.
At this moment, Zheng Zhi had just poured them some wine. Yuan Li glanced at the sake in his cup, then looked at the wine pot and smiled slightly. Facing Yu Hong and Zheng Zhi offering a toast, he raised his cup and drank it all in one go.
Xun Fan followed suit and drank along.
After a few rounds of drinking, Xun Fan became more talkative. He seemed to regret something and, seeing Yuan Li’s good spirits, pulled Yu Hong aside, saying: "The Great General is a tolerant person, always generous to officials who admit and correct their mistakes. General Yuan is here; if there’s something, it’s better to say it out loud. I believe if you sincerely admit your mistakes, General Yuan would be willing to put in a good word for you."
After all, as his good friend, after the anger subsided, Xun Fan still hoped he could have a good end, so perhaps he should confess.
Now that grain prices had dropped, a small punishment for his past mistakes would be a great warning.
Xun Fan squeezed Yu Hong’s wrist, signaling him to speak.
However, Yu Hong refused to accept his kindness, using the act of picking up food to release his hand, and smiled: "Tai Jian, you’ve had too much to drink."
"Where’s the excess? I think not enough. I’m only half drunk, half sober, and speaking nonsense," Zheng Zhi stood up, lifted the wine pot, and refilled their cups, saying: "It’s better to drink some more. Once drunk, you won’t speak nonsense."
Every time he poured wine, Yuan Li paid attention to his hand. When he saw him press the mouth of the pot, a smile naturally formed at the corner of his mouth. He had finally waited for this moment. Taking so long to poison, if it were him, it would have been done with the first cup of wine.
Zheng Zhi filled their cups and, picking up his cup, said: "Come, Grand Tutor, General Yuan, a toast to you. If there have been any shortcomings in hospitality during this period, please forgive us."