He Zhen Wei slightly narrowed his eyes. This brat has never known what is admitting defeat, and belonged to the type that will continue fighting despite repeated setbacks and not someone that would suffer in defeat. “What happened, why don’t you tell your old man. Although unable to beat you in a fight, in other aspects, you’re still lacking too much.”
Towards this bit, He Shi Hai actually very much acknowledged, thus having today’s matter recounted.
He Zhen Wei was shocked. Last time, when this brat fought with Jin Qinwang, in his eyes, deep in Jin Qinwang’s bones, perhaps there was a kind of wildness like his son. However, today, he just completely changed his style. Towards He Shi Hai’s situation, there wasn’t anyone that understood better than the He family. It’s not that they’ve never thought of using Li Hong Yuan’s method to restrain him, just the disparity was a bit big. As the saying goes, strong brute force can defeat ten, that’s why this method was simply useless, yet unexpectedly, Jin Qinwang was able to achieve it. Then recalling Jin Qinwang’s words, and this stupid son of his that just knew about fighting and killing, he kept feeling that Jin Qinwang perhaps………………
“What else did Jin Qinwang say to you?” He Zhen Wei seamlessly asked.
“What else?” He Shi Hai scratched his head, “At the end, he seemingly also said something, what was it again? It seemed to be quite important too, let me carefully think, oh, I remember now. Jin Qinwang said: Let General He return to the northeastern border town as soon as possible.”
When He Shi Hai finished saying this, he finally realized in hindsight, how was this just ‘quite important’, this was clearly very important.
He may have all this thoughts used on martial arts, but it didn’t mean that he really was stupid. He Shi Hai immediately put away his dispirited look, carrying a bit of solemness, “Father………”
“You bastard, if I didn’t say anything, are you just going to have such an important matter tossed to the back of your head?” He Zhen Wei once again wanted to slap him to death.
If not for having some special circumstances, Jin Qinwang wouldn’t say such a thing for no reason.
He Shi Hai this while also didn’t have the confidence to retort his old man, “Who knew that at that time Jin Qinwang would say this kind of thing. For me to be able to recall right now is already not bad. If switched with any other time, it’d be strange if I can remember.”
“You even have reason?” If it’s really just easily discovering this brat’s weakness after exchanging moves once, and when exchanging blows the second time, just able to successfully restrain, and moreover, let this bastard maintain a clear head accordingly, also adding on this last line, then He Zhen Wei will have to completely revaluate Jin Qinwang’s character.
“Father, I’ve been like this since birth, unable to change.”
“Unable to change? Today, didn’t Jin Qinwang just help you change?”
He Shi Hai choked, unable to respond.
He Zhen Wei coldly sneered, “What, took a blow? Know that you’re not Jin Qinwang’s opponent, so in the future, all won’t look for him anymore? This way is the best. In the future, you better obediently stay put for me, and don’t stir up trouble.”
“Who said I won’t go anymore? I will definitely be able to find a way to break through.” He Shi Hai stuck out his neck and said.
“Just you?” He Zhen Wei had him scanned from head to toe with a disdainful look.
“Just me!” He Shi Hai reignited that fiery fighting spirit again.
“This isn’t something that can just be said with the mouth.” He Zhen Wei turned his head, yet on his face was an unprecedented look of solemness.
He Zhen Wei went to look for his mother and wife. Right now, they were the best candidates to consult countermeasures with. After all, back at the border town, many things, they’d all participated in, and the soldiers below also all very much respected.
Seeing his complexion, the pair instantly knew that it wasn’t a small matter, and thus became solemn.
He Zhen Wei also didn’t hide or conceal, explaining the matter to them in detail, including his own guesses, “………..Right now, to suddenly reveal himself to us, it’s nothing more than two kinds of situation. One, it’s just purely being concerned for Qi Yuan’s safety, having his own channels, knowing that the northeastern borders afraid will encounter trouble, or two, want to rope us in to be used by him. After all, Jin Qinwang, at least on the surface, has no power and influence, but he was also his Majesty’s most beloved son. Under normal circumstances, even if unable to come first, he can still contend against Kang Qinwang and Rui Qinwang. That’s why, in this matter, there certainly must be a reason why he can’t be open, perhaps needing to be prepared to seize the throne by military force. As for letting me return to the border town, there should be elements of the first case mixed in.”
“Never thought that there was actually another one hidden. The capital’s waters are even muddier than expected.” He Old Madam sighed.
“Then, what should we do now? Our He family has never participated in these things, should we prevent Shi Hai from going in the future…………..”
“No, if Jin Qinwang really has the intention of training Shi Hai, then that is just equal to saving Shi Hai’s life. We can’t, because of our certain guesses, just ruin Shi Hai’s opportunity. It’s best if we can come in contact with Jin Qinwang, and learn his precise purpose.” They although weren’t brainless, but when it comes to the twist and turns of sinister schemes and machinations, they were still far from those scholars.
“Afraid it won’t be possible. Jin Qinwang’s power that’s operating in the dark, others haven’t detected in the slightest. It’s more than enough to show his meticulousness, so he won’t easily come in contact with military generals. Even for Shi Hai, it’s all Shi Hai voluntarily sticking to him on his own, and even a stupid one that has obtained his Majesty’s permission, thus coming in contact………….”
Thinking to here, the three of them were all alarmed by the thought. If these really were all plotted by Jin Qinwang…………
“This mind sure is deep, even having long eyed our He family.”
“Towards this kind of person, one really is quite powerless. If he really wants to rope us in, perhaps even without us nodding, he’ll just be able to achieve his goal.”
“That’s why, towards this kind of person, we’re completely lost for what to do, and can only ‘treat the moves with calmness[1]‘, either countering every move when time comes, or directly get led by the nose?”
“Is there other ways?”
“Tomorrow, there will be a banquet in the manor. The invitations have also been sent to the various princes’ manors. Jin Qinwang Manor perhaps will have some indication.”
Because they were completely on the defense, they indeed weren’t able to do anything, and couldn’t come up with any conclusions either.
The next day, the He family held a banquet. For the most part, the various princes all didn’t attend, but sent gifts instead. Because of various guesses, towards the things sent by Jin Qinwang Manor, they particularly cared about. At a glance, it was rather plain with nothing unusual about it, more or less the same as the other manors’ gifts, but after careful contemplation, they still discovered some clues. The meaning was just one: swiftly return. Of course, this was under the premise of having the words brought back by He Shi Hai the day before, else one definitely won’t think of this.
“Looks like, something really will happen. Tomorrow, I will request a decree to return to the northeastern border town. That brat, I won’t take with me, just taking old fourth.” He Zhen Wei made the decision.
“I’ll go with you.” Madam He immediately said without a second thought.
“This time, since I had you all brought back, then naturally have no intention of letting you all go back, especially now, after learning that something big might happen at the borders, how can I possibly let you all go back? That’s why, madam, this time, you need to listen to me.” He Zhen Wei was firm in front of his wife for once.
“You worry about us, but we similarly worry about you.”
He Zhen Wei smiled, “Starting from fifty years ago, guarding the northeastern borders have just been the He family men’s destiny. However, this time, since we obtained news in advance, we at least won’t be caught unprepared. In Jin Qinwang’s hands, perhaps there’s even more important information, just right now isn’t convenient. After leaving the capital, perhaps he will contact me. As such, regardless of how big of a matter, the northeastern border town will all be able to avert danger. That’s why, you should listen to me.”
Madam He closed her eyes, no longer saying anything. A stream of tears rolled down from the corner of her eye, but she hurriedly wiped it away. When she opened her eyes again, she was full of determination, “Husband, don’t worry, I will definitely protect our family, waiting for the day to be reunited. If unable to, then once I properly arrange everything, I will go find you.”
(T/N: The last line heavily implies that if he can’t come back alive, she will follow him to the grave. The implications are more obvious in chinese.)
He Zhen Wei forcibly smiled, grasping her hand, “Okay.”
He Old Madam sat to the side in silence, shortly after closing her eyes, removing the prayer beads on her wrist, quickly pushing the beads one by one.
The next day, He Zhen Wei sure enough submitted a memorandum, his words sincere, nothing more than considering for the sake of Qi Yuan, requesting to return to the borders.
Le Cheng Emperor was moved, granting the request.
[1] 以静制动 – This phrase comes from Su Tzu’s ‘Art of War’, roughly meaning, to calmly face chaotic situations, and if the enemy doesn’t move, I don’t move, quietly watching for changes.
