Yes!
It was sheer contempt!
Although in his heart he didn't think highly of Ye Feng, the rebel leader,
The facts were the facts.
His cavalry was indeed powerful, what was there to deny?
What use was this sour bitterness?
If they truly cared about the nation, why didn't they show up during the coalition of loyalists?
Wasn't it because they were afraid of death!
Of course!
These were just the young man's inner thoughts, he didn't want to offend anyone by speaking them.
But undeniably,
Listening to the slow, steady sound of hooves outside, a sliver of emotion stirred within him.
Could the Han truly win?
Or rather,
What was the situation with the coalition of loyalists assembled earlier?
Why could Ye Feng, the rebel leader, openly appear in Chenliu?
These were shadows that loomed over his heart.
After all,
If the Great Han was truly on the verge of collapse, what would become of them, the scholars?
Would they bravely fight to the death against the rebels?
Or would they humbly seek survival and a position under the rebels?
He was lost!
However,
As the young man was lost in thought, his shoulder was suddenly clapped a few times.
"Gongtai, why are you spacing out here?"
"Oh?"
The young man, snapping back to reality, looked at his companion behind him, smiled, shook his head, and raised his cup.
"It's nothing, just recalling some past events, you've made a fool of me, Yuan Mao!"
"Past events?"
The young man called Yuan Mao chuckled, glancing at their companions who were still loudly discussing not far away.
"Gongtai, I don't think you're thinking about past events, but about Governor Ye Feng, aren't you?"
"Hmm?"
The young man named Gongtai's eyes flashed with a sharp gleam, and he looked at his companion with surprise.
Although he hadn't said anything,
They were all intelligent people!
Just from a single address, Gongtai could tell that his companion seemed to have a good impression of Ye Feng.
"Why not?"
Sensing Gongtai's confusion, Yuan Mao smiled and raised his cup to conceal it.
"The First Army Corps, the Second Army Corps, the Youzhou garrison, plus the Liaodong expeditionary force..."
"These alone add up to no less than three hundred thousand troops!"
"Moreover... there are the twenty thousand cavalry he brought this time!"
"How to put it?"
"You can never imagine how many usable soldiers this rebel has in his hands!"
"Mmm..."
Listening to Yuan Mao's analysis, Gongtai nodded slightly but still asked,
"What about that Liaodong expeditionary force?"
"That?"
Glancing at their companions nearby, Yuan Mao pulled Gongtai to another spot.
"This is still top-secret information that hasn't been revealed yet, I wouldn't tell just anyone!"
"Is that so?"
Gongtai smiled noncommittally, but still patiently listened.
"Speaking of the Liaodong expeditionary force, we have to mention someone."
"Who?"
"Gongsun Zan!"
"You mean Gongsun Zan, who resisted the barbarians on the border and was promoted through military achievements?"
"Exactly!"
Yuan Mao looked at Gongtai with surprise, his tone tinged with curiosity.
"Gongtai, I didn't expect you to know about affairs in Liaodong?"
"Heh heh..."
The young man called Gongtai's mouth twitched slightly, and his mind involuntarily recalled a previous scene.
It was also a young man, who had said words very similar to Yuan Mao's.
How to put it?
It started the same way, "I wouldn't tell just anyone," which sounded so mysterious.
But the content was roughly the same!
It was all about praising Ye Feng, the governor of Youzhou, and his mighty army.
However,
That person had stopped talking halfway through, which had really made him curious.
Therefore,
Upon hearing Yuan Mao bring up this familiar topic, he had eagerly followed him.
Of course!
As a good friend, the most basic quality was not to expose the other person when they were showing off.
So,
Gongtai ignored Yuan Mao's surprised gaze and urged him with a smile,
"Continue, tell me what happened with Gongsun Zan?"
"That Gongsun Zan is extraordinary!"
Yuan Mao didn't think much of it, recalling the information he had heard, and enthusiastically recounted it to his friend.
For example, how the Liaodong barbarians had harmed the common people, and Gongsun Zan, enraged, had led his army across the border.
In short,
He exaggerated every part of it, making it sound as passionate as possible, and Gongtai was somewhat swept away by it.
"Those damned barbarians!"
"They deserve to die!"
After taking a few deep breaths, Gongtai's face showed a hint of worry.
"If he charges out like that, will the court have any explanations to make?"
"???"
Hearing his friend's question, Yuan Mao was stunned, then retorted,
"Have you forgotten?"
"Forgotten what?"
"The Youzhou region was originally a rebel territory, what does the court have to do with it?"
"Hiss..."
As Yuan Mao's words fell, Gongtai finally realized.
That's right!
Youzhou was originally the territory of the rebel Ye Feng, and even if the court wanted to intervene, they couldn't!
Thinking of this,
Gongtai, who had been impassioned moments before, suddenly deflated like a leaky balloon and slumped down.
"What kind of situation is this?"
"What?"
"That Youzhou region!"
Recalling the scene Yuan Mao had described, Gongtai said with a mournful tone,
"The border barbarians have been oppressing the people year after year, yet the court has done nothing."
"Instead, a rebel who just took over Youzhou is now fighting his way into Goguryeo for the sake of the people."
"What do you say?"
"Is the court truly incompetent, or is that rebel truly concerned for the people?"
"Hiss..."
Hearing Gongtai's grumbling, Yuan Mao was startled and quickly stood up, looking around.
A moment later,
Slightly relieved, Yuan Mao irritably slapped Gongtai.
"You!"
"You don't even watch where you are when you say such things, what if someone reports you?"
"So what if they report me?"
Picking up his wine cup and taking a large gulp, Gongtai said with a bitter smile,
"The nation is no longer a nation, the subjects are no longer subjects, this Great Han, I fear it cannot last!"
"Presumptuous!"
Before Yuan Mao could even speak, the young men who had been drinking with them moments ago, instantly surrounded them.
"Chen Gongtai, how dare you spread such seditious words here?"
"Let's go!"
"We'll take you to see the magistrate!"
"If I don't punish you for treason today, I'll change my surname to yours!"
"???"
With these accusations, Gongtai, who had just been feeling a bit heated, sobered up instantly.
He panicked!
If he were really sent to see the magistrate, it would be utterly humiliating!
As for losing his head?
Don't be ridiculous.
Scholars like them had a golden shield of immunity. Even if they had truly said something, so what?
Unless the presiding official was particularly vindictive, they wouldn't be beheaded for such a matter.
And Zhang Miao, the Prefect of Chenliu, was one of the Eight Cooks, so he wouldn't make a fuss about this.
But not being punished didn't mean he was out of trouble!
Once these words spread from here, he, and even the Chen family, would be branded as being on the side of the rebels.
What should he do?
Just as he was hesitating,
The door of the restaurant was pushed open, and a burly man, standing eight feet tall, walked in.
"Shopkeeper, where are the people!"
"Hmm?"
Disturbed by the commotion, the young noblemen quickly gathered around.
"Uncle Wei, you've arrived at a good time, quickly take this traitor to see the magistrate!"
"???"
Wei Zi, who had only come to borrow some cooks, was somewhat bewildered.
"See the magistrate? See what magistrate?"
"The traitor!"
Seeing that Wei Zi seemed confused, the young nobleman at the forefront exaggeratedly recounted Gongtai's words.
Finally,
He added a sentence at the end, "Uncle Wei, that rebel Ye Feng..."
"Slap~!"
Before the young man could finish speaking, Wei Zi, his face ashen, slapped him across the face.
"Young Wang, are you tired of living, do you want to drag your entire Wang family down with you!"
"Remember this!"
"Go back now and tell your grandfather honestly about everything you've done today."
"Otherwise..."
At this point, Wei Zi sneered twice and pointed at the young men gathered around.
"Every single one of you, I estimate you'll be in big trouble!"
"???"
"This..."
"What in the world is going on?"
The young man, who was already confused from being slapped, almost fell to his knees upon hearing this.
He had to go back and tell his grandfather about this?
No, that wouldn't be appropriate!
He wasn't stupid!
Although he didn't know exactly what had happened, it was clearly not a good thing!
But if he didn't go...
"Idiot~!"
Chen Gongtai, also known as Chen Gong, who had just recovered his senses, spat with a cold sneer.
Did these guys really use their brains?
Didn't they see what time it was?
Yes!
Normally, you could curse that rebel leader all you wanted, but not now!
He had so many troops in the city.
If word got out and he heard about it, what would he think?
After all,
Rebels were the embodiment of capriciousness, and he might just wipe out your entire family if he was displeased.
And at this time, you still dared to act against the tide?
If he's not an idiot, what is he?
Unfortunately,
Before Chen Gong's thought could dissipate, he saw Wei Zi beckoning him over.
"And who are you, young sir?"
"This..."
Chen Gong, startled, quickly stepped forward and bowed.
"Your humble servant Chen Gong, a native of Dongwu Yang, Dong Commandery, here to study!"
"Oh?"
Wei Zi nodded noncommittally and then asked with some curiosity,
"I heard you were praising Governor Ye just now, and even saying that the Great Han court was in decline?"
"This..."
As Wei Zi's words fell, sweat began to bead on Chen Gong's forehead.
He really couldn't figure out what this man meant.
Was this a routine inquiry, or was he trying to save face for his juniors?
"Lord Wei..."
Just as Chen Gong was at a loss, Yuan Mao, standing beside him, decisively stepped forward.
"Lord Wei, my friend was merely drunk and spoke rashly..."
"Stop!"
Wei Zi waved his hand at Yuan Mao, signaling him to stand aside.
Then,
Looking at the nervous Chen Gong beside him, he said reassuringly with a kindly tone,
"Young man, don't have any psychological burden, just say what's on your mind!"
"I don't mean anything else!"
"I just want to figure out if they are falsely accusing you, or if you really said it?"
"I, I..."
Glancing at the expectant young men, Chen Gong gritted his teeth and finally admitted with a nod,
"I was drunk earlier, and I did say so, but..."
"Very good!"
Before Chen Gong could finish speaking, Wei Zi clapped his hands with excitement.
"Since you said so, then it's what you truly think!"
"How about this!"
"I've been ordered to host a banquet for Governor Ye today, you should come and accompany him!"
"Ah?"
"Me?"
Chen Gong pointed at himself dazedly, his face still showing disbelief.
Accompany Ye Feng?
What did that mean?
Retaliation for personal grudges?
Your juniors were indiscreet, why should you blame me for this?