Chapter 10 of 10

Chapter 10

15 min read3,639 words

Li Zhongyi lifted the thin blanket covering his body, got off the bed, and steadily stood in front of Old Master Zhao, clasping his hands and said, "May I ask if you are Old Master Zhao?"

"This young gentleman, your eyesight is quite good, it is indeed this old man," Old Master Zhao nodded slightly, confirming his identity.

"I have important matters to discuss..." As Li Zhongyi spoke, he deliberately glanced at Zhao Da, who was glaring at him like a tiger.

Old Master Zhao turned to look at Zhao Da and smiled as he explained to Li Zhongyi, "No need to worry, there are no outsiders here."

Noticing Zhao Da's unusual expression, Li Zhongyi couldn't help but sigh inwardly. This Old Master Zhao was truly formidable; a simple warm word was more valuable than countless treasures.

Li Zhongyi bowed deeply and said, "Without hiding from Old Master, I did not come from Liangzhou, and your lady is safe and sound."

"What did you say?" Even though Old Master Zhao had seen countless storms, he couldn't help but change his expression, his eyes suddenly emitting a terrifying cold light that could chill one's liver and gall.

"Clang." Seeing the situation turn bad, Zhao Da immediately drew his sword and placed it on Li Zhongyi's neck. If Li Zhongyi dared to make any move, he would surely be a dead man.

Li Zhongyi smiled faintly and said, "Zhang Ye, the Chancellor and Minister of Works, is about to take action against the Zhao family. If I didn't come, your entire family would be in grave danger..." He had no choice; stepping back half a step would mean falling into an abyss.

Old Master Zhao's face changed for a long moment, then he coldly snorted and said with disdain, "Young man, don't try to deceive me. Do you think I am easy to fool?"

Li Zhongyi smiled and said, "Old Master is too cautious. If I didn't have confidence, would I dare to come here to seek my own death?"

Old Master Zhao just stared at Li Zhongyi without responding, clearly not wanting to reveal his true thoughts and waiting for Li Zhongyi to reveal the truth.

"My name is Li Zhongyi, and my father is the imperial physician Li Gongda," Li Zhongyi calmly revealed his true identity. "I have come today not only for the Li family but also to save the Zhao family."

Old Master Zhao continued to stare at Li Zhongyi without speaking. Li Zhongyi understood that this old fox was waiting for him to reveal the "main dish" before taking action based on its weight.

Li Zhongyi chuckled softly and said, "Old Master, standing to talk, is this a special rule for receiving guests in the Zhao family?"

Old Master Zhao just looked at Li Zhongyi coldly, showing no intention of being polite, clearly adopting a stance of not acting until he saw the rabbit.

In history, when the ruler of Shu, Meng Chang, ordered the compilation of the "Shu Bencao," the powerful minister Zhang Ye, originally named Zhang Zhiye, wanted to monopolize power in the court and擅自调动军队攻击兼任六军诸卫副使（禁军副统帅）的赵廷隐。

Li Zhongyi thought, if it weren't for the detailed records in his family history, he wouldn't have dared to come to the Zhao residence to risk his life.

"Old Master, you must immediately send someone to inform Chancellor Zhao that someone may try to assassinate him," Li Zhongyi said calmly. "Additionally, there are traitors within the Xiarui Army under Chancellor Zhao's command who have been bought off by Zhang Ye."

Since Old Master Zhao was a cunning old fox, Li Zhongyi wasn't a pushover either. The information he provided was both overt and covert, waiting for the right price.

Li Zhongyi's words directly addressed Zhao Tingyin's life and safety. Even if Old Master Zhao was shrewd and experienced, he couldn't help but change his expression in alarm. He immediately ordered, "Zhao Da, quickly send someone to the palace gate to inform the guards near the eldest son to be on high alert."

Li Zhongyi thought, the first step had been successful; now it was a matter of whether the next transaction could proceed smoothly.

In Li Zhongyi's view, given Zhao Tingyin's pivotal role in the Zhao family, regardless of the reliability of the information, Old Master Zhao had no choice but to believe it and not be careless.

Zhao Da glared at Li Zhongyi with hatred, angrily retracting the blade from Li Zhongyi's neck. At this moment, Old Master Zhao issued another urgent order, "Have Zhao Er take the 'Jingwei' and change into plain clothes to protect the eldest son."

"Understood," Zhao Da responded, but he didn't move from Old Master Zhao's side. He loudly called out to Zhao Er, who had been guarding outside the door.

After Zhao Er left on his mission, Old Master Zhao coldly snorted at Li Zhongyi, "You do have some cleverness."

Although Old Master Zhao's attitude had slightly softened, Li Zhongyi didn't dare to be careless. He deliberately shrugged and said, "Old Master, your arrangements are commendable, but it seems you've overlooked a crucial point."

After the confrontation, Li Zhongyi had confirmed that Old Master Zhao was a thousand-year-old fox.

A cunning old fox like Old Master Zhao, for the safety of his family, would never forget the principle that without the gun, there is no voice.

Li Zhongyi deliberately said this to awaken Old Master Zhao's long-standing concerns or heartaches.

Old Master Zhao furrowed his brows and thought deeply, then suddenly looked up and ordered Zhao Da again, "Send someone to investigate the movements of the Kuangsheng Army."

Li Zhongyi clapped his hands and laughed, "High, Old Master is truly high. Zhang Ye is not a fool; if the assassination fails, he will surely tear off his mask and use force."

Old Master Zhao indeed had a major heartache, and it had been a long time!

Because the ruler Meng Chang was always worried about the rebellion of the army leaders, the highest military position in Later Shu, "Judging the Six Armies and the Various Guards," was never assigned to anyone.

Even though Zhao Tingyin became the deputy commander of the Six Armies and the Various Guards, it was only a nominal title. The command of the imperial guards was dispersed among the various military commanders.

Additionally, although Zhao Tingyin still held the military power in the five states of Baoning, it was far from being as strong as Zhang Ye, who controlled the heavy troops in Chengdu.

In history, when Zhang Ye's assassination attempt on Zhao Tingyin failed, it raised the Zhao family's high alert. Later, Zhang Ye deliberately incited a military rebellion to try to destroy the Zhao residence, but he found it empty.

"How did you know such confidential information, young master of the Li family?"

The situation was dire, and it concerned the safety of the entire Zhao family. Old Master Zhao could no longer pretend to be cold and indifferent to Li Zhongyi.

Li Zhongyi secretly sighed with relief. As long as the old fox asked for details, it meant he acknowledged the reality of needing Li Zhongyi's help.

"Ah, it's a long story. I've been out for quite some time and am very thirsty," Li Zhongyi now took on an air of importance, trying to pressure Old Master Zhao.

"Oh, sit down, bring some tea," Old Master Zhao's tone was very calm, and his hospitality was somewhat lacking.

Li Zhongyi understood that even though Old Master Zhao was in a difficult position, he still wouldn't give up his dignity as the father of a chancellor.

However, Li Zhongyi didn't care about these minor details. After all, he also needed help, and having a seat in front of Old Master Zhao was a significant step forward.

After both parties were seated, Zhao Da personally served the tea, glaring at Li Zhongyi.

Li Zhongyi ignored Zhao Da's cold stare, picked up the teacup, took a small sip, and frowned, "Good Emei Snow Bud, but adding so much ginger and garlic ruins the tea's delicate flavor."

Old Master Zhao thought Li Zhongyi was deliberately finding fault, but he was not too concerned.

Zhao Da, who was serving by his side, was so angry he could have exploded. He wished he could kill the insolent young man right there.

When Li Zhongyi put down his teacup, Old Master Zhao slowly said, "You are quite resourceful, managing to escape from the heavily guarded prison." Clearly, he already knew that the Li family was in trouble.

Li Zhongyi understood that Old Master Zhao was warning him not to overstep his bounds. If he didn't, many people who had protected Li Zhongyi would also suffer, even losing their heads.

This level of threat didn't faze Li Zhongyi. His family was already in deep trouble, and they were about to lose their heads. Apart from fighting to save themselves, they had no other way out!

"Ha, to be honest, Old Master, your family's apparent prosperity and wealth are actually fraught with danger, and the signs of decline are already evident," Li Zhongyi pressed forward step by step.

He wasn't just talking off the top of his head. The family history clearly recorded that even if Zhao Tingyin escaped Zhang Ye's assassination, he was soon stripped of his military power and exiled from Chengdu, dying of illness on the way.

"You despicable brat, keep playing games, but be careful not to fall into my hands!" Zhao Da was furious, eager to know who the traitor was in the Xiarui Army under his master's command.

"It's just a few people," Old Master Zhao maintained a calm demeanor, as if he already knew the truth about the traitor.

If someone unfamiliar with the situation were present, they might have lost their trump card and been misled by Old Master Zhao's fishing tactics.

Li Zhongyi secretly laughed. Old man, keep pretending, let's see who gives in first.

"Oh, since Old Master already knows the truth, I won't disturb you further. I'll take my leave." Li Zhongyi suddenly stood up, bowed to Old Master Zhao, and turned to leave.

"Brat, you dare?" Zhao Da, who had been holding back, finally burst out, drawing his sword and pointing it at Li Zhongyi's nose, cursing loudly.

"Brother Dahe, it's not that I don't want to help, but..." Old Master Zhao adopted a compassionate stance, sighing deeply to the sky but not trying to retain Li Zhongyi.

If Li Zhongyi hadn't spent so many years in leadership circles and seen so many breathtaking scenes, he might have been intimidated by Old Master Zhao.

Unfortunately, since Li Zhongyi already knew the bottom line, Old Master Zhao's flawless act only made him admire but not fall for it.

In a narrow path, the brave win. Who blinks first, who loses!

Seeing Li Zhongyi walking faster and about to leave the room, Zhao Da couldn't help but roar, "Leave your head behind before you go!"

Li Zhongyi didn't stop, throwing out a sentence that almost choked Zhao Da, "If I don't leave the Zhao residence by the fourth hour of noon, someone will inform Chancellor Zhang Ye that something has changed..."

"Heh, trying to scare me? Not a chance. I have nothing to lose, let's see who is more anxious," Li Zhongyi had already made up his mind. Facing the powerful Zhao family, even though he was actually very afraid, he had to act as if he was fearless and willing to fight to the death.

As the old saying goes, a barefoot person has nothing to fear from someone in shoes.

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