Chapter 39

Without asking, Liang Xiao listened to the reason for Huan Jun's sudden change of heart.

Huan Jun had extraordinary hearing; he naturally heard every word Liang Xiao and Liu Ling said under the grape arbor. If it were true as Liu Ling said, that Huan Jun did not get the chance to fight on the battlefield but instead suffered sixteen years of imprisonment, it would indeed be hard to refuse the opportunity now presented.

Historically, Liu Ling was known as "eloquent," and he did not disappoint. To be honest, if it weren't for his knowledge of historical trends and his deep understanding that the scholar from Huainan could not achieve anything, he might not have been able to resist the temptation and would have been swayed by Liu Ling long ago.

It's like a college student suddenly receiving a high-paying job offer from a world-renowned company; how many could remain indifferent to fame and fortune?

"A Xiao, take the crossbow, let's go hunting by the river."

"Okay." Liang Xiao responded, took the small crossbow, and accompanied Huan Jun out the door.

The neighbors they met along the way were especially courteous, and even after Huan Jun and Liang Xiao had walked far away, they continued to praise them. Originally, they didn't know much about Huan Jun, only seeing him as a fallen prisoner, and thought the nobleman had come for Liang Xiao. Now, knowing that the nobleman's true target was Huan Jun, their views changed.

No wonder Liang Xiao was so principled; it turns out he had a principled teacher. Truly, a great teacher produces great students; he is indeed a fine man of Wu and Chu.

The teacher and student left the city and came to the riverbank. Following the river, they unknowingly arrived at the Han Canal in the east of the city. Seeing the Wu King Temple from afar, Huan Jun's eyes became complicated. He limped to the front of the Wu King Temple and stood quietly.

"A Xiao, my surname is Huan, my given name is Yuan, and my courtesy name is Xuanbo. I was once a general of the Wu Kingdom, commanding ten thousand troops, and was the youngest general under the Wu King. When I was first given the general's seal, I was only twenty-three years old."

Liang Xiao nodded. He had already guessed as much. However, hearing it from Huan Jun's own mouth was different. He just didn't expect Huan Jun to have become a general so young, making him no more than forty-something now, yet he looked so old.

"When the Wu King raised his army, I suggested that Wu had many foot soldiers, suitable for crossing dangerous terrain, while Han had many chariots and cavalry, suitable for flat land. To seize the empire, we should first occupy Luoyang, feed on the grain from Aocang, and control the mountain and river defenses, then issue orders to the feudal lords."

Liang Xiao was secretly surprised. This strategy was ruthless, almost a fatal blow. At the time, Emperor Jing of Han had just ascended the throne and, with an unstable foundation, adopted Chao Cuo's policy of reducing the power of the feudal lords, causing the feudal lords to be disloyal to the court. If Luoyang were controlled, the Han army could be blocked west of the Hangu Pass, and an alliance with the feudal lords east of the mountains could be formed. Even if they couldn't capture Guanzhong, they could still control half the empire, at least not suffer a complete defeat as they did later.

Huan Jun's insight showed that he was not just a brave warrior. No wonder Liu Ling traveled a thousand miles to invite him to Guangling.

"Why didn't the Wu King adopt your strategy, Master?"

"The old generals under the Wu King said I was too young and only suitable for leading charges, not for making major plans." Huan Jun smiled bitterly. "The Wu King adopted their strategy, was blocked by Liang, and had his supply lines cut by Zhou Yafu, leading to defeat in three months."

"These old generals, they misled everyone."

"No, it was because I was too young." Huan Jun shook his head. "I came from a humble background and became a general at a young age, but I didn't know how to be modest, and it was inevitable that others would look at me sideways. As the saying goes, 'Do not be the first to seize power, for you will surely suffer the consequences.' I am a prime example."

Liang Xiao frowned. Liu Ling said Huan Jun came from a family of generals, but Huan Jun said he came from a humble background, which didn't quite match. However, in his memory, there were no famous generals surnamed Huan in the early Western Han dynasty. Perhaps Liu Ling knew Huan Jun was listening and deliberately said something flattering.

"In the Han dynasty, military ranks were awarded based on military merit, but few from humble backgrounds achieved high ranks. There are two reasons: first, the battlefield is dangerous, and without exceptional talent, it is hard to survive a hundred battles. Second, the military is controlled by the nobility, and the achievements of those from humble backgrounds are often taken by the nobility."

Liang Xiao laughed helplessly. He began to understand Huan Jun's meaning. To achieve a high rank and become a general solely through one's own abilities was like a dream. He knew Huan Jun was telling the truth; it was difficult for those from humble backgrounds to become officials, let alone achieve a high rank. The famous general Li Guang fought all his life but never achieved a high rank, leaving behind the saying, "Feng Tang easily grows old, Li Guang finds it hard to achieve a high rank." Even if he had a talent for archery, could he compare to the flying general Li Guang?

To achieve a high rank and become a general through one's own abilities is extremely difficult. The best way to stand out is to rely on the nobility and become a guest in the Huainan Prince's palace. Even if the Huainan Prince did not end well, he could use the Huainan Prince's palace as a stepping stone and escape before the Huainan Prince raised his army. Even if he followed the Huainan Prince in rebellion and then surrendered to the court, it would still be a good choice.

To become an official, one must kill and set fire and then be recruited.

"Achieving a high rank through military merit is as difficult as ascending to heaven. Liu Ling is right; once you enter the Huainan Prince's palace, many things you originally dared not imagine will be within reach. Not to mention, you can at least have a warhorse and learn archery, which I cannot provide you."

Liang Xiao smiled and asked, "Is this the reason Master is considering it?"

Huan Jun nodded. "Entering the Huainan Prince's palace, I can also live without worry, no longer having to worry about making a living."

"Why didn't Master agree to Liu Ling on the spot?"

Huan Jun smiled, showing a hint of cunning. "This is the way to build a reputation. The Huainan Prince's palace is said to be full of talented people, and Liu Ling considers herself wise. If I can stump her, it will be greatly beneficial to you. In the future, no one will dare to look down on us, whether we enter the Huainan Prince's palace or not. Even if we don't enter, it will prevent Liu Ling from speaking ill of us and causing a rift."

Liang Xiao blinked. "Master, those old generals must have been blind. The Wu King's defeat was also due to fate."

"Alas—" Huan Jun sighed deeply, filled with melancholy.

...

In the western courtyard of the Hu family, where Liu Ling was staying, a new swing had been set up.

Liu Ling was still dressed as a man but was not as restrained as when she was at the Liang family. She sat on the swing, holding the very smooth leather ropes, swaying back and forth, her eyes as uncertain as the swing.

"Was what I said wrong?" Liu Ling tilted her head, her eyes filled with doubt, unable to understand. "Could it be that this little brat didn't dare to refuse openly and used this question to evade me? Humph, despicable thing, what true insight could he have?"

Thinking of Liang Xiao's smiling face, Liu Ling became furious, cursing several times, but her face unexpectedly turned red.

"Princess?" Lei Bei interrupted Liu Ling's thoughts, steadying the swing.

"What's the result?" Liu Ling quickly asked, trying to hide her confusion.

Lei Bei frowned, pointing to the water clock nearby, as if encountering the most unbelievable thing. "How can this be? No matter how high Qianqiu swings, the time for ten swings seems to be almost the same."

"Really?" Liu Ling exclaimed, her eyes brightening. "So, what the little brat said is correct?"

"I don't know if what he said is correct, but it certainly differs from our common knowledge."

"Hey!" Liu Ling clenched her fists tightly. "I didn't expect this cunning child to have some unique insights."

Lei Bei looked at Liu Ling in surprise, his eyes filled with concern.

At the Liang family, Liang Xiao, who was practicing archery, sneezed twice, his snot flying far. He rubbed his nose and muttered, "Who is talking about me behind my back? It's true that people fear fame and pigs fear fat. Too many people thinking about you isn't a good thing."

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