Chapter 7073 Everyone Has One Thing in Themselves

Chapter 7073 Everyone Has Something in Common
Liu Tong was quite clever and actually understood what Wu Anjun meant, but she didn't press him for details. Liu Tong had vaguely heard someone mention the sacrificial ceremony for the deceased, but because she found it troublesome, she tried to delete it after learning about it. After all, it's better not to know something than to know it.

It was then that Liu Tong clearly realized that ignorance can sometimes be a good thing, at least ignorance can sometimes be quite enjoyable.

Therefore, after realizing the hidden meaning in Wu'an Jun's lines, Liu Tong thought for a moment but decided not to press the matter. Why bother knowing everything? Knowing everything isn't a good thing, right?

"In short, Chen Zichuan is extremely powerful, right?" Liu Tong summarized succinctly.

"That's about right," Han Xin nodded and said.

"Okay, Si Niang, put the Marquis of Huaiyin back into the Imperial Seal and seal him away. Make sure he doesn't come out for a while!" Liu Tong turned to Si Niang and called out. Han Xin was stunned for a moment, then turned around and prepared to run to the underground palace to bring out a stand-in to appease Liu Tong. Although he didn't know what he had done wrong, arguing with a woman was pointless. Having died once at the hands of a woman, Han Xin didn't want to get entangled with her at all.

However, even though Han Xin turned into a beam of light and ran away, he still couldn't escape Weiyang Palace. The moment the beam of light rushed towards the palace gate, the distance seemed to stretch infinitely, and it was finally sucked into the jade seal. Then, Si Niang went up and punched twice, completing the seal.

"Is this also considered a seal?" Bai Qi, with a piece of raw fish between his fingers, asked Si Niang in a somewhat silent tone. Shouldn't a seal be a complex etching pattern that seals the imperial seal? What is this?
"Anyway, the Marquis of Huaiyin won't be out for at least seven days!" Si Niang said proudly. Knocking him out is a kind of seal, right? Since the Marquis of Huaiyin definitely can't get out, why can't it be considered a seal?

"Alright, if this counts as a seal, then I've certainly seen something new." Bai Qi said with a hint of exasperation. This guy just knocks you out with a few punches, doesn't he?

“Sigh, Marquis Huaiyin can be really…” Liu Tong sighed and pushed the seafood that could be eaten raw in front of him to Lord Wu’an, which was also a way of appeasing the other party. He said that he didn’t really want to deal with the two gods, but because Han Xin’s political awareness was zero, it was better to seal him away in order to avoid being dragged down in the next few days.

"What?" Bai Qi didn't actually realize there was a problem. Although his political skills weren't exactly negative, they were practically zero. So he really didn't realize what it meant when the Marquis of Huaiyin directly refuted him after being provoked.

"Don't you realize the problem either?" Liu Tong said wearily. So both of these strategists are brainless and have zero points in politics, huh?

"Is there a problem?" Bai Qi asked, somewhat puzzled, while holding the Arctic surf clam.

"If there's no problem, why didn't you speak up before?" Liu Tong asked with some doubt. "After all, General Huangfu didn't just mention the Marquis of Huaiyin before, he also mentioned you."

“I’ve heard a lot of these kinds of things during the Warring States period, so I don’t feel anything about them anymore,” Bai Qi said matter-of-factly. “The most exciting thing I heard back then was what Xi Wu said. He said that I was just a nobody, and that I was lucky by the heavens. If we were to fight head-on, he would definitely be able to twist my head off.”

"Are you very vengeful?" Liu Tong asked cautiously.

"I don't hold grudges. After Xi Wu finished speaking, I had him dragged out and beheaded," Bai Qi said calmly, leaving Liu Tong speechless.

However, Liu Tong's judgment was not wrong. Bai Qi actually held a grudge about this matter. This was the only time in his life that Bai Qi had tried to persuade others to surrender, but he was humiliated by Xi Wu. After that, Bai Qi never tried to persuade others to surrender again. He killed everyone he encountered, regardless of whether they were famous generals or not. As long as they faced Bai Qi, they would become nameless passersby!

In reality, how could they possibly be just passersby? The generals of the six states facing Bai Qi each commanded hundreds of thousands of troops. Even if the rulers of those states were all idiots, it's impossible that all the commanders of those hundreds of thousands of troops were useless. They were simply unlucky to encounter Bai Qi and became nameless passersby.

"After that, I remember Lord Pingyuan said something similar, and so-and-so from Chu, I think, also said something. Anyway, during the Warring States period, I heard many people say the same thing. Later, many people thought that those who died by my hand were all nobodys." Bai Qi said with a hint of sarcasm. "But when I asked them to fight against me, they refused, so there was nothing I could do."

Liu Tong looked at Bai Qi speechlessly. So you're this vengeful? Fine, only an idiot would fight you. If you lose a fight with someone else, you might not die, but if you lose a fight with you, you'll not only die, but you'll also be put on the pillar of shame. Decades of hard work will all be wiped out in one day. Only someone with a screw loose would fight you!

"So I'm quite used to other people talking trash," Bai Qi concluded. "Because I only hear them talking trash before the battle, and not after the battle."

Liu Tong pushed some of the seafood in front of Si Niang towards Bai Qi, signaling Bai Qi to stop talking and hurry up and eat. What's there to say? What's there to say? What is your status and position? In this world, no, in the annals of history, who has ever cursed you after fighting with you?
Let alone the people you've fought, the countries you've fought are likely to have split in two. In that situation, who would still have the mind to criticize you? How would they even do it?
"In short, lock up the Marquis of Huaiyin first." Liu Tong changed the subject fiercely, while Xin Xianying, who had escorted Huangfu Song back, looked at the dinner party with a subtle expression as one person was missing.

"Xianying, sit here. It just so happens that the Marquis of Huaiyin has passed away, so you can take his place," Liu Tong said, pointing to the empty seat left by Han Xin and inviting Xin Xianying to sit down.

"Your Highness, do you really not need me to go to Zhaoyang Palace?" Xin Xianying asked with some doubt before taking her seat.

Upon hearing this, Liu Tong waved his hand and said, "No need. What would it mean if you went? The Grand Commandant and I are uncle and nephew. It's easier to talk when we're family. If you go and relay the message, it might cause trouble. We'll deal with it later. This matter is not important to me. Just do what you need to do."

Upon hearing this, Xin Xianying's expression became increasingly subtle, but she didn't say anything. She picked up an unused chopstick and took out a crystal-clear dumpling. To be honest, even after following Liu Tong for several years, Xin Xianying had never seen half of the dishes on this table before.

"How is it? Delicious, right?" Liu Tong smiled, and before Xin Xianying could answer, he said with a touch of emotion, "To be honest, all of this is the result of your master's efforts. It is truly remarkable."

On the other side, Huangfu Song and Kou Feng entered the carriage and headed to Zhaoyang Palace again. At this moment, Kou Feng had countless things he wanted to say, but in the end, he did not open his mouth. Huangfu Song also understood what his grandson-in-law wanted to ask, but he did not explain.

Inside Zhaoyang Palace, Liu Bei was directing Guan Yu to cut meat, shouting for wine and dishes to be served, and ordering plenty of things like deep-sea fat pigs. He was in a rather unrestrained manner.

Just then, Guo Jia, who was quite tipsy, received the message. His previously hazy eyes quickly cleared, and he immediately sent a telepathic message to Liu Bei and Chen Xi.

"My lord, Zichuan, the Grand General and the Marquis of Shangxiang have bid farewell to Her Highness the Princess and are on their way to Zhaoyang Palace." Guo Jia said with some urgency. He was in charge of intelligence. Although Guo Jia did not inform Chen Xi and Liu Bei when Huangfu Song and Kou Feng went to Weiyang Palace, he knew that Huangfu Song would either choose Liu Bei and Chen Xi or ignore the matter. Going to Weiyang Palace could only be because of Kou Feng.

However, Kou Feng's status was rather special. Before the death of the Grand Princess of Yiyang, Kou Feng was a legitimate member of the imperial family. Therefore, even if he wanted to pay homage to Liu Bei and present a petition urging him to ascend the throne, it would have been perfectly reasonable for him to go to the Grand Princess of Wannian's side first, both legally and in terms of relationships.

After all, people with different identities will inevitably take different paths. Being a member of the clan means that internal communication is more appropriate than speaking out publicly.

Even now, Liu Yu, Liu Ai, and Liu Zhang have all received the news, but none of them have come to help. This is not because Liu Yu and Liu Ai do not support Liu Bei, but because their procedures are completely different from those of others. Therefore, their absence at this time is the best form of tacit agreement.

Therefore, Guo Jia did not report when Huangfu Song and Kou Feng went to Weiyang Palace, but when Huangfu Song and Kou Feng came to Zhaoyang Hall after leaving Weiyang Palace, Guo Jia had to report.

After all, we can't really let Huangfu Song and Kou Feng come in like the Jiangdong and Yuan families did; that would be a problem!
Huangfu Song was not a feudal lord, and Kou Feng was not just the ruler of Kunwu. The status of these two within the Han court was far higher than that of feudal lords outside the system.

"Having come from Weiyang Palace, it seems you've bid farewell to the princess," Liu Bei replied calmly. Chen Xi, upon hearing this, naturally looked at Liu Bei, because normally Liu Bei shouldn't be so perceptive. His perceptiveness could only mean that he had rehearsed this long ago.

Seeing Chen Xi's gaze, Liu Bei chuckled twice but said nothing. Even if such a thing was a spur-of-the-moment decision, one should still consider the possible consequences beforehand. It couldn't just be a whim. What a joke! Liu Bei wasn't crazy.

"Let Yun Chang and Gong You go to greet the General and the Marquis of Shangxiang. In this situation, it's not appropriate for Zi Chuan and me to go and greet them ourselves." Liu Bei glanced sideways at the situation of the two from Jiangdong and the two from the Yuan family. Some things were indeed unnecessary, so it was better for him and Chen Xi not to go and greet them directly.

"How about I go with General Guan to greet them?" Chen Xi said very seriously.

Chen Xi did not suggest that Li You and Guan Yu go to greet Huangfu Song. Normally, if Sun Qian were not in Chang'an, it would be fine for Li You, as the second-in-command of the civil officials, to go and greet him. However, since Sun Qian was in Chang'an, it would be somewhat irregular for Li You to go and greet him. Moreover, Sun Qian was considered to be in a semi-military position, making him more suitable to greet the general. In addition, Li You and Huangfu Song actually had some conflicts.

Even though Li You and Huangfu Song can cooperate quite well, there are indeed deep conflicts between them. However, both of them are willing to put aside their personal grudges for the sake of the country.

"Zichuan, you should just give up. What kind of prime minister goes out to greet the general? It's only proper for him to do so if he returns in triumph, but in this situation, it's not suitable for you." Liu Bei said this very sincerely, which, in a way, revealed his plans for Chen Xi.

"Moreover, if Gongyou goes to pick him up, it will make something clear." Liu Bei said with a sigh. Chen Xi didn't say anything more after hearing this. Although he had always felt that it was not good to put Sun Qian in the public eye, thinking about it, Sun Qian could withstand the wind and sun now.

Afterwards, Guan Yu and Sun Qian received a message from Liu Bei, exchanged a glance, straightened their clothes, got up and went out to greet Huangfu Song. Well, Kou Feng was just an extra. If Kou Jun were still alive, uh, if Kou Jun could still be alive, then when Zhou Yu's first wave arrived, there would be no need for such caution. They could just walk in, pick a seat, and Liu Bei wouldn't be able to say anything.

Neither Guan Yu nor Sun Qian objected to welcoming Huangfu Song. After all, it was Huangfu Song. Even though Guan Yu and Huangfu Song had conflicting views on the Yellow Turban Rebellion, Guan Yu absolutely recognized Huangfu Song's beliefs, loyalty, abilities, and qualifications.

Sun Qian, who went out with Guan Yu, was somewhat embarrassed. He really hadn't expected that he and Guan Yu would be the ones to pick up Huangfu Song. Shouldn't this job be given to Li You?

However, since Liu Bei had already chosen Sun Qian, Sun Qian naturally couldn't say anything. He got up and went with Guan Yu, and was greeted with great courtesy. He went directly down the steps and waited in the wind and snow.

Of course, it didn't take long. Just as Guan Yu and Sun Qian reached the foot of the steps, Huangfu Song's carriage appeared in sight with a flash of light. It then slowly stopped in front of Guan Yu and Sun Qian. Kou Feng got out of the carriage first, without letting the coachman help Huangfu Song. He reached out and helped Huangfu Song out of the carriage himself before bowing to Guan Yu and Sun Qian.

"Greetings, General. Prince Jin is in the warm pavilion and invites you in." Sun Qian gestured for him to enter, while Guan Yu stood aside, helping Huangfu Song clear away the wind and snow.

"Thank you both for your trouble." Huangfu Song returned the half-bow with Guan Yu and Sun Qian. He already knew in his heart that what Liu Tong had played for him was probably not fake at all, and that Liu Bei really had no intention of ascending the throne. This was a test. It's just that Liu Bei's status was too high. After this test, no one dared to bet that Liu Bei was just testing them.

"No need for that, General, please." Guan Yu led the way, and Sun Qian gestured for him to proceed before leading Huangfu Song up the steps.

This gesture evoked some emotions in Huangfu Song. Compared to the previous era, he was receiving unprecedented respect in this era, an era in which he was nearing old age and becoming useless. He could sense that Guan Yu, who was leading the way, and Sun Qian, who was now offering him a token gesture of support, were both genuinely sincere.

"Speaking of which, I don't think I've actually met Doctor Sun more than a few times," Huangfu Song said with a smile, looking at Sun Qian beside him.

"General, you are fighting for the country abroad, while I am building roads in the country. We are both unable to return home for many years, so how can we have the opportunity to meet? However, many of the retired veterans in my construction team often tell me about your great reputation." Sun Qian said with some emotion. Of course, the latter part was not pure flattery, but many veterans had indeed followed Huangfu Song and would talk about their days following Huangfu Song.

After all, compared to the days when he was fighting the Kushans with Guan Yu on the Ganges, well, eight out of ten of Sun Qian's men had such experiences, so they had to come up with something different. Therefore, the veterans who had served under Huangfu Song had more to talk about, and naturally, Sun Qian heard quite a few stories about them.

"It's already a miracle that those old soldiers didn't curse me as an old man. The fact that they can still talk about the past is not my achievement, Huangfu Song's achievement, but Chen Zichuan's achievement." Huangfu Song stroked his beard and said with a smile, without any intention of taking credit. "In fact, if we really want to talk about it, what merit do I have in this matter? I just led them into battle and did not arrange a suitable way out for them."

"However, many veterans in my construction team are still very grateful to you," Sun Qian said with a touch of emotion. "After all, everyone was struggling to survive back then. Following the General at least guaranteed our survival. In that era, living well was a pure luxury."

Hearing this, Huangfu Song did not refute it. In his era, the limit of what could be done was to survive. As for anything else, don't count on it.

"Since Dr. Sun has mentioned this, I have just remembered something." Huangfu Song chuckled twice, changing the subject. He felt that since he had finally met Sun Qian, he should indeed ask for some benefits.

"General, please speak." Sun Qian's heart skipped a beat upon hearing this.

"If Doctor Sun has any spare construction teams, please repair the roads in my hometown of Anding. I don't need to repair all the roads, just repair the roads in the prefecture, counties, and towns. If possible, it would be even better if the roads could be connected to the Northwest Corridor." Huangfu Song casually stated his needs.

Upon hearing this, Sun Qian pursed his lips and remained silent, having gained a complete and accurate understanding of his current identity. All the guys he encountered who could talk to him initially engaged in pleasant conversations about local customs and culture, reminiscing about past experiences. However, once they became somewhat familiar, the conversation would quickly devolve into, "Hey buddy, take a look at the situation in my hometown. Help me fix it. If you can put it on the main road, that would be best. I'll kowtow to you twice!"

Sun Qian was speechless at this rhetoric. The governor used this rhetoric, the ministers used this rhetoric, and now that he's a general, he's still using this rhetoric. Can't you guys be human?

I, Sun Qian, am indeed in charge of road planning and construction, but you can't use me as a wish-granting machine. You keep asking me to help build a four-lane road for my hometown, preferably connecting it to the main road. I heard there are three horizontal and five vertical roads, can it pass through my hometown?

　Please participate in the event and vote for Chen Xi! She finally made it to the second round...

　　(End of this chapter)