Diao Chan’s maneuver almost made Xu Gong fall to the ground, yet Ye Feng remained troubled.
“My lord, what troubles you? Tell your concubine, perhaps I can assist you!” Diao Chan asked softly.
“Sun Jian is from the Sun family of Jiangdong. If he harbors any ulterior motives, this matter could become troublesome,” Ye Feng said with worry.
Diao Chan heard clearly and was taken aback. She quickly asked, “But Emperor Ling is already in Liangzhou, which is your territory. To control the emperor and command the lords, how dare they!”
Diao Chan covered her mouth, fear showing on her face. After so many years in this world, she knew what she should and shouldn’t say.
Ye Feng looked at Diao Chan with a smile and spoke slowly, “My dear, why be afraid? This is simply the truth. As for Emperor Ling, he wouldn’t dare. But don’t forget whose territory Liangzhou truly is.”
Diao Chan glanced in the direction Ma Chao had left, then her gaze grew heavy as she cautiously said, “But isn’t he already yours?”
“One should not have ill intentions towards others, but one must guard against them. You know the events of the past clearly!” Ye Feng spoke earnestly, appearing genuinely wary.
“My lord, your concubine knows nothing…” Diao Chan quickly began, but Ye Feng gently flicked her nose.
“It’s not that you don’t know, you’re merely using my words to express your thoughts. I should thank you for being so considerate of my affairs,” Ye Feng said with a smile, though there was a distinct coldness within it.
“Send orders to Lu Bu to return. We will hasten to Ye City. If Lu Bu can return, we will make further plans,” Ye Feng made a calm decision, but Diao Chan seemed puzzled.
Emperor Ling was currently in Liangzhou. Going to Ye City seemed like a wild goose chase in the opposite direction. Yet, she swallowed her words.
As they set off, Diao Chan leaned into Ye Feng’s embrace, and he slowly began to explain.
“If they truly have a plan, then the moment I approach Liangzhou, those people will likely attack me en masse. In that case, the losses would outweigh the gains. It’s better to leave early. Dogs fighting dogs will eventually end up with messy mouths.”
Ye Feng explained himself in a few sentences and asked with a smile, “My dear, why do you think I didn’t go to Taohua Mountain? Wouldn’t that be a loss of my dignity?”
Diao Chan sat steadily and smiled charmingly, gently pointing her finger. “How would your concubine dare to guess your thoughts, my lord? Moreover, matters of state are not for me to speak of!”
“These are hardly matters of state. I simply wish to hear about domestic affairs,” Ye Feng gently patted Diao Chan. “If you don’t speak, I will assume you have ulterior motives!”
“My lord, you are so wicked!” Diao Chan playfully traced a finger on Ye Feng. “Your concubine guesses that you merely wish to avoid falling into their trap. Am I right?”
“Hahahaha, when my dear speaks, how can I not give face? Even if you’re wrong, I must agree!” Ye Feng laughed heartily, then began to ponder internally.
Historically, Sun Jian was the one who truly obtained the Imperial Seal. However, his death was later unexplained. As for now, venturing into Liangzhou must have a purpose.
“My dear, if one day I lose the power in my hands, would you still be willing to follow me on campaigns?” Ye Feng chuckled and suddenly asked.
If Diao Chan hadn’t been on horseback, she would have covered Ye Feng’s mouth. Even so, she pouted with tearful eyes and said, “What nonsense are you speaking, my lord? Do you think your concubine is after your power? Then I might as well marry Emperor Ling directly, why follow you!”
“Good,” Ye Feng laughed heartily. “I promise you, as long as I am here, I will never mistreat you.”
“Issue the order. Speed up our pace. Let us go to Ye City quickly.”
With the command, the army’s speed increased. This was agony for Xu Gong on horseback, his legs chafed until they bled, yet he dared not speak.
After traveling for an unknown duration, upon seeing a city gate, Xu Gong was so overcome with emotion he almost cried tears of joy. Who knew how long it had been since he’d felt solid ground beneath his feet.
Before Ye Feng could dismount, a robust man was waiting at the city gate. “My lord, you’ve kept Feng Xian waiting. Does my lord have any instructions?”
“Good, truly worthy of being called Lu Bu among men and Red Hare among horses. Your speed is even faster than mine. The New Year is approaching. We shall return after the festival.”
Lu Bu clasped his hands. “Thank you, my lord. May I ask who this is?”
Ye Feng looked at Xu Gong and spoke slowly, “This is an official from Jiangxia. He has accompanied me back from my travels. If one day someone goes to Jiangxia, they must escort him back.”
“My lord is truly benevolent. If I were to encounter such a person, I would have killed him with a single blow. Only the King of Chu can make Feng Xian sincerely submit!” Lu Bu laughed heartily and knelt on one knee. “Feng Xian has not yet had the chance to congratulate my lord on being enfeoffed as the King of Chu!”
Hearing this, Ye Feng pondered secretly. Even if news traveled fast, Lu Bu couldn’t have received it this quickly. He then asked, “From where did you hear that I have been appointed King of Chu?”
Ye Feng’s brow furrowed. Lu Bu dared not speak rashly. He quickly composed himself and tentatively asked, “Are these all rumors? I will surely reprimand the men in the army when I return, for speaking such foolish words.”
Lu Bu gripped his Fangtian Hua Ji tightly, wishing he could charge out immediately.
Ye Feng’s suspicion deepened. The first person to receive this news wasn’t Lu Bu, the direct party involved, but rather the soldiers. There was undoubtedly someone deliberately fanning the flames.
What was the connection between this matter and Sun Jian’s journey to Emperor Ling’s side? It couldn’t be a baseless rumor.
“Not at all. I am indeed the King of Chu. However, Feng Xian must not spread this news,” Ye Feng instructed hastily, then spurred his horse forward. Of course, he didn’t forget to add, “Feng Xian, go and rest first. After you’ve recovered, don’t forget to find me.”
“My lord, do you have any instructions? Why not tell me now?” Lu Bu spoke frankly. “We are brothers, does my lord fear outsiders overhearing?”
“That is where you are mistaken. It’s not that I fear outsiders overhearing, but rather some domestic matters that need to be discussed, which might cause Feng Xian to be laughed at if overheard by outsiders!” Ye Feng shook his head and explained.
Having said that much, Lu Bu could only nod in agreement.
As soon as Xu Gong dismounted, he collapsed on the couch and wailed, completely disregarding any scholarly demeanor.
Three days passed. Ye Feng gently entered Xu Gong’s room, picked up a teacup, and took a sip. He then heard a teacup being slammed to the ground in the tent. “Are you all dead? Only indulging in your own merrymaking and ignoring my plight!”
“Then what does sir desire?” Ye Feng asked quietly.
Xu Gong should have recognized whose voice it was, but after days of travel and being consumed by anger, he couldn’t be bothered. He immediately began to curse.
“You deadbeat! I am a guest in Ye City, and you haven’t even served me tea. What is your intention!” Xu Gong cursed furiously.
Ye Feng silently pushed a cup of tea into the tent. Unexpectedly, Xu Gong took a sip and immediately spat it out.
“What is this foul-tasting filth? Are you trying to fool me? Believe it or not, I’ll report this to the King of Chu and have you all buried without a grave!” Xu Gong roared in the tent.
“I didn’t realize sir had such great authority. I wonder if I, your King,” Ye Feng hesitated slightly, placing the teacup gently on the table, “the King of Chu, will listen to sir’s words!”
“What nonsense are you spouting? I am a distinguished guest invited by the King of Chu! When the city was being built, it was the King of Chu who kowtowed thrice and invited me to Ye City before I agreed. You little servant, what do you know!” Xu Gong cursed without taking a breath.
Ye Feng heard him clearly. After a pause, he slowly said, “I had no idea Xu Gong was so influential. You have quite the audacity!”
Xu Gong’s heart jolted. Who else in Ye City could refer to themselves as ‘this King’? It could only be one person. Instantly, his expression changed dramatically, and he stammered, “My lord, if what I just said was not my true intention, would you believe me!” Xu Gong trembled. Ye Feng could make him ride for days; what else couldn’t he do?
Ye Feng threw open the tent curtain, smiling rather than angry. “If sir were my subject, I would believe anything you said. Unfortunately, it is my wishful thinking!”
Xu Gong’s heart stirred, and he quickly tried to placate him. “My lord is immensely intelligent and possesses brilliant strategies. You will surely uncover the truth.”
“Sir speaks correctly. But what if, when the investigation concludes, your words are still unbelievable to me? How does sir wish to die?” Ye Feng asked with a forced smile.
“My lord!” Xu Gong cried out. The cruelty Ye Feng had shown him flashed through his mind. He hastily knelt on the couch, tears streaming down his face. “I too wish to pledge allegiance to my lord, but how can a servant serve two masters? Furthermore, having served the ruler of Eastern Wu, I feared my lord might harbor doubts, just as you do now!”
“You have great audacity! Xu Gong, I have treated you with fine food and drink, and you speak such insolence! Guards, drag him away and behead him!” Ye Feng roared, calling for his men.
Xu Gong collapsed on the couch as if struck by lightning. After a long moment, he recovered and glared at Ye Feng furiously. He no longer cared about decorum and cursed, “Ye the villain! I thought you were loyal to the Han Dynasty, but I never expected you to slaughter your subordinates for your own whims. Ye the villain, Xu Gong wishes he could devour your flesh and drink your blood! Let the world rise against you!”
“Wait!” Ye Feng raised his hand, and the guards stopped. “Since Master Xu Gong is a man of integrity, why should he face the blade? Strip him and flog him thirty times in the marketplace for seven consecutive days. If sir dies prematurely, you two will take his place!”
“Yes!” The guards knew Ye Feng was enraged. They fumbled to strip Xu Gong, who struggled in the air, utterly powerless.
“Ye the villain, Ye the villain!” Xu Gong’s eyes bulged with fury. After cursing a few more times, he actually fainted. Ye Feng, however, was relentless.
“I know you have your ways of waking him up. Otherwise, both of you will die!”