With the Blade

Chapter 291: Chapter 242: The Scholar

"So this is the reason why Brother Qian has come to Dengzhou?"

In Dengzhou City, located in the northwest direction of Songzhou, a young man in wide robes and large sleeves was entertaining Qian Yu, who had come from afar.

"Brother Qian, it’s not just me saying this, although Du Chengfeng perhaps did not really kill your son, Jia Wen, Mr. Jia was ultimately killed by him... Looking back, Mr. Jia had almost completed everything, and the golden age for us scholars was almost upon us, but it was all ruined because of that wicked villain Du Chengfeng."

As he spoke, the young man’s face showed signs of resentment.

"Even if for Mr. Jia’s sake, it’s necessary to kill that wicked villain! What do you say, Brother Qian?"

"I... alas."

The elderly Qian Yu could only drink and sigh.

In theory, what the other party said was correct, especially without even mentioning the Prime Minister Jia Wen, merely focusing on the cause of his son’s death, he should indeed continue to investigate—however, Qian Yu was no fool. After considering the cause and effect a bit, he was already aware of the truth.

The killer of his son was none other than that mentally unstable monk Jing’an, a former retainer of the Prime Minister’s Mansion.

Given the influence of the Prime Minister’s Mansion in those days, there should have been no issues with intelligence. If there were any, it would only be with the person reporting this intelligence—and knowing that the killer wasn’t Du Chengfeng, with Qian Yu’s experience, how could he not know where the problem lay?

Clearly, he had been blinded by the death of his son at that time, focusing only on killing the murderer without seeing through such a crude lie.

However, this wasn’t because that monk Jing’an was particularly deceptive.

Rather than saying he believed the monk Jing’an’s lies, it would be more accurate to say he believed the retainer of the Prime Minister’s Mansion. Moreover, since Prime Minister Jia Wen hadn’t questioned anything, naturally, he would also believe—yet, considering Prime Minister Jia Wen’s grasp over people’s minds, did he truly not see through the monk’s problematic claims?

Maybe he saw through them, maybe he didn’t.

Or perhaps, none of it mattered to Prime Minister Jia Wen, who was pursuing greater goals.

"Let’s drink, let’s drink."

After a few cups of wine, the elderly appearance on Qian Yu’s face grew more pronounced.

The murderer of his son had long died, and he was already too tired to seek vengeance for his old employer. In this state of despair, some traces of a deathly aura had begun to show on his elderly face.

But the survival instinct of his body wouldn’t allow him to commit suicide, and he couldn’t find any reason to do so. Hence, in this haze, he could only come to nearby Dengzhou, hang under the old colleagues, and casually earn a salary to live out his remaining life.

Speaking of these old colleagues, one could indeed say they were remarkable. Unlike him who was bent on revenge, his colleague Zhao Jinfan, upon receiving the news of Jia Wen’s death, immediately disappeared from the public eye, gathering strength secretly. And after so much time had passed, Zhao Jinfan had amassed such significant power in Dengzhou that he played the role of military governor at his fingertips.

Essentially, the official system of Southern Chen itself had issues. When the Taizu of Southern Chen conquered the world, there wasn’t much research into official systems and territories, and after the establishment of Southern Chen, these defects continued to this day. These issues that weren’t resolved in the past were even less likely to be resolved subsequently, as once consumed, who would willingly spit them out.

However, this also provided opportunities for the remnants of Jia Wen’s followers, such as Zhao Jinfan, who, despite being disgraced, was not apprehended by the military governor of Dengzhou, making it impossible for anyone to touch him.

"So, we’re not truly left with nothing."

Unlike the dispirited look of Qian Yu, the young face of Zhao Jinfan still carried the enthusiasm and vigor.

"Even if we have to, we’ll do it like the predecessors, one more time. The predecessors overturned the Chu and established Dayu; those Chu were fiercer than Southern Chen, yet they were still toppled... Facing a weaker Southern Chen now, can’t we accomplish what the predecessors did?"

With a cup of wine downed, Zhao Jinfan’s face showed more blood vigor. freewёbnoνel.com

"We can do it! We definitely can do it! Don’t you agree, Brother Qian?"

"I..."

Qian Yu sighed deeply.

At this moment, he saw a trace of his younger self in Zhao Jinfan.

Yes, during his youth, he was like that too, full of knowledge, confident and believing he could change the unjust world... But when it came to doing it, he realized there were so many troubles, so many hardships ahead.

This was why he chose to follow Jia Wen; he might not be able to achieve it himself, but he believed by following the Prime Minister, what he wished to see might really come true.

But the Prime Minister, in the end, was still... lacking a bit.

"Fine."

With this thought, Qian Yu simply raised his cup towards Zhao Jinfan. fгeewebnovёl.com

After all, at his age, he didn’t have many years left to live, and even if it was for his younger self, he could do a little.

"It will all depend on you, my young friend."

"With Brother Qian’s help, I feel emboldened, like a tiger gaining wings!"

Zhao Jinfan also raised his cup to celebrate this precious addition.

Indeed, it was worth celebrating; for attracting Qian Yu, he had racked his brains for seven days — initially, he intended to disguise himself as Qian Yu’s son. After all, being of similar age, treating with respect for elders could easily evoke a protective sentiment.

But upon further consideration, he chose not to take such an aggressive approach and instead dressed like Qian Yu in his youth, addressing each other as colleagues, full regard towards the father’s loss, wishing this elder not to die in vain on his turf.

Fortunately, his plan finally worked, and the old man was truly moved and chose to stay in Dengzhou, following him to plot great endeavors.

Although manipulating an elder this way was somewhat excessive, as long as his power could grow, it was all worthwhile.

Right now, he simply had too few people under him, everyone willing to sincerely join was welcome.

"Oh? So you’re saying even I am welcome?"

Just as Zhao Jinfan was about to further elaborate on his ambitious vision, a person resembling a swordsman of the Jianghu sat beside the wine table.

"That’s great. I see you’re in need of a leader, so why not let me take that role."