Chapter Ninety-One: A Stratagem of Retreat to Advance

Tang Chen signaled to Chu Junhan, then descended first, climbing down the rope; the child followed close behind.

“So it is Brother Chen. Come, have a seat inside.” Fang Meng forced out a smile. Ten years had passed since they had last met, and reunions with old friends were always a delight.

Tang Chen did not stand on ceremony. Taking Chu Junhan with him, he followed Fang Meng into the inner room.

“Why has Brother Fang chosen to live in seclusion here?” Tang Chen pressed his advantage the moment he entered, asking an obvious question as if he did not know the answer.

Fang Meng let out a heavy sigh, his tone steeped in the desolation of things he no longer wished to recall. “Do not mention it. The past is unbearable to look back on. But Brother Chen, I hear you are now a general of great renown. With such achievements, do you have a family?”

As he spoke, Fang Meng could not help glancing at Chu Junhan, who sat quietly to one side, and hinted with his eyes, “Could this be your son?”

Chu Junhan burst out laughing and nearly fell out of his chair.

Tang Chen was embarrassed, his face reddening as he said, “Brother Fang, this is my young master, Chu Junhan. Do not speak carelessly.”

“Oh?” Fang Meng suddenly understood. “I have heard that Young Master Chu is the reincarnation of the God of War, able to strike his target every time from a hundred paces. Truly, he is a man of outstanding bearing and extraordinary presence.”

Chu Junhan felt a little speechless. Did anyone still believe that sort of thing now?

The child rose from his seat and cupped his fists toward Fang Meng. “I am Chu Junhan. Greetings, Brother Fang. We have passed through here today and mean no disturbance. I hope you will forgive us.”

“If you can come here, I am already honored beyond measure. How could I speak of disturbance?” Fang Meng likewise stood and returned the salute, then frowned in puzzlement. “May I ask what brings Young Master Chu through this place?”

What business? To win you over, of course. But the method he had used last night was no longer workable; he would have to take another path.

Chu Junhan thought this to himself, then put on a righteous, indignant expression. “The old fox Ta Meng has colluded with the Kingdom of Ren Da and caused my army to suffer heavy losses. I am here, of course, to gather intelligence and avenge our humiliation.”

Perhaps stirred by Chu Junhan’s tone, Fang Meng also said indignantly, “I have heard of it. That crown prince of Ren Da is simply not human. He took your gift with one hand and sold you out with the other.”

There was an even more inhuman one: the emperor of Tianwu wanted to slaughter his own people.

But Chu Junhan did not say that. He only clasped his hands and said, “Brother Fang is a man of Liao, yet I must attack Liao. I am truly sorry.”

Fang Meng gave a cold snort. Liao had long since chilled him to the bone, and he had long harbored thoughts of defecting. “I have no ties whatsoever to Liao. Young Master Chu may do as he pleases.”

Seeing that there was a chance, Chu Junhan pressed his advantage. “I can see that Brother Fang is also a man of character. Why not join hands with me? I have heard that Brother Fang and the old fox Ta Meng have long-standing enmity.”

Fang Meng smiled bitterly and shook his head. “Though I have private grudges and can no longer stomach being a man of Liao, I…”

“I understand.” The child sighed, showing a look of regret for talent. “I understand, Brother Fang. A gentleman serves no second master in his life. Since you are unwilling, I will not force you.”

Fang Meng cast him a grateful look, and his appreciation for the young man before him deepened further.

Chu Junhan struck while the iron was hot and simply walked to the youth’s side, looking at him sincerely. “Brother Fang is living in seclusion here because you fear revenge from the old fox Ta Meng, am I right? In that case, I have a thousand elite iron cavalry here. I offer them to Brother Fang for your protection. Take it as my thanks for how you once looked after Brother Ziyun. What do you say?”

Fang Meng hurriedly waved his hands. “No, no. I have heard that the iron cavalry of the Chu army can match a hundred men apiece. Such a great gift is more than I deserve.”

Tang Chen was equally astonished on the side. Though he and Fang Meng had looked after each other as children in those years of war and chaos, this... was Junhan being too generous, wasn’t it?

Yet after a moment’s thought, Tang Chen let it go. Knowing Junhan’s way of doing things, he must have some deeper intention. As the old saying went, if you were reluctant to give up the bait, you could not catch the wolf.