ZenpaiTrans
patreon
World's First Traitor System (277)
🕑 Added 2024-08-30 17:00:03 +0000 UTCChapter 277 - A Conversation in Prison
One of the Embroidered Uniform Guards, hearing Hu Zongxian's request, turned without hesitation and went to fetch more lamp oil. The remaining guards who were tasked with overseeing the prisoner, looked at Hu Zongxian with a mix of apprehension and respect. Their gazes lingered on the densely written document spread across the table, a ten-thousand-word memorial.
"My apologies," Hu Zongxian said. "I've been rather verbose. But I'm nearly finished… This 'Defense Against False Accusations.' "
The guard who had gone to fetch the lamp oil suddenly returned, empty-handed. Ignoring Hu Zongxian, he whispered to the other guards. Hu Zongxian frowned. He didn't deliberately use his cultivation to eavesdrop. Otherwise, with his strength, the conversations of these Nascent Soul Realm guards wouldn't escape his notice. Still, he caught several key phrases: "Marquis Lu's instructions," "Allow passage," "Junior Grand Secretary’s envoy"…
Suddenly, all the guards left the cell!
Hu Zongxian was stunned, then shook his head with a bitter smile. This wasn't what he wanted. If possible, he only wished to await the Emperor’s decree, hoping it would clear his name and wash away the stain of his defeat.
“Governor Hu, I am Junior Grand Secretary Yan’s envoy, Vice Minister of Works Zhao Wenhua,” a man said upon entering the cell.
"This gentleman beside me, you can address him as Master Fan."
Hu Zongxian frowned. Pain flickered across his weathered face. The Yan faction! This was a stain on his reputation he might never be able to erase!
He, the Grand Coordinator of the Great Ming’s northern territories, wrongfully imprisoned, and the first to visit him were Yan Shifan’s lackeys – a corrupt official and an unknown merchant? What a pathetic state the Jiajing era had fallen into!
“Gentlemen,” he asked wearily, “what brings you here?”
Fan Li remained silent. He knew that Zhao Wenhua was Yan Shifan's true envoy. He wouldn't overstep his bounds.
“Governor Hu! Please listen carefully to what I’m about to say!” Zhao Wenhua’s face was flushed with excitement. He was in a good mood. Being entrusted with this task by the Junior Grand Secretary meant he had successfully climbed aboard the Yan faction's ship.
Spending a fortune at the Smoke and Waves Pleasure Barge a few days ago, purchasing Grand Secretary Yan Song's calligraphy – the character "Loyalty" – had indeed been worth it!
“Please speak,” Hu Zongxian nodded, his gaze lingering on Zhao Wenhua for a moment before shifting to Fan Li. He was curious.
This so-called Master Fan… He was certain he was meeting him for the first time, but a strange sense of familiarity lingered.
Fan Li also noticed Hu Zongxian’s reaction. Discreetly, he lowered his head, avoiding eye contact that might reveal his true identity.
“Junior Grand Secretary Yan said Governor Hu has been suffering in the imperial prison. He sent me to visit you and asks for your patience,” Zhao Wenhua said. “He’s doing everything in his power to rescue you. You will be released soon!”
Hu Zongxian was surprised. This was unexpected news. It seemed Yan Shifan was confident in his ability to secure his release!
Seeing that Hu Zongxian was intrigued, Zhao Wenhua, eager to please his master, continued, “Governor, you might not know this, but Junior Grand Secretary Yan has just finalized a major business deal with Duke Jin of the Great Chu!
Once the deal is completed, he will have access to countless resources. And you, Governor, are the key to making this deal a success.”
Hu Zongxian’s astonishment grew.
“This is unacceptable! The Great Ming and the Great Chu are enemies! Junior Grand Secretary Yan collaborating with Duke Jin, it would be a disaster, both for the nation and for his own reputation!”
“Please relay this message: Hu Zongxian would rather remain imprisoned! I urge the Junior Grand Secretary to abandon his plans. Conspiring with a tiger is folly!”
As he spoke, Hu Zongxian’s thoughts drifted to a certain individual…
Fan Li.
Their encounter by the mirror lake outside Yunzhou City… They had enjoyed their conversation, a shared understanding between kindred spirits.
“Ah… Governor Hu, please don’t speak so rashly. Junior Grand Secretary Yan’s strategies are far-reaching. He would never make a mistake. Your concerns are unfounded.”
Far-reaching strategies?
Hu Zongxian thought of the battle at Yunzhou City. Fan Li, capturing the city without shedding a single drop of blood, that was far-reaching strategy.
He suddenly felt a flicker of unease, a familiar sense of foreboding… Could it be… that this entire situation was orchestrated by Fan Li?
No, it seemed impossible. Fan Li held a high position in the Great Chu. He couldn't possibly risk coming to the Great Ming.
Or was he capable of controlling events within the Great Ming while residing in the Chu capital, Peng City?
A shiver ran down Hu Zongxian’s spine, a feeling even more unsettling than watching Wanli fall into the allied forces’ trap at Yunzhou.
Zhao Wenhua, oblivious to Hu Zongxian’s inner turmoil, continued singing Yan Shifan’s praises. And then, he revealed the Junior Grand Secretary's plan to retake Yunzhou City.
By the time Zhao Wenhua finished his explanation, Hu Zongxian’s face was in disbelief. They had lost a city, yet Yan Shifan didn’t seem concerned. But to secure a business deal, he was willing to go to such lengths to rescue him from prison?
“Governor, you must live! Once Junior Grand Secretary Yan convinces the Emperor, you will be reinstated. You will command the armies once more.
Yunzhou City… only you can retake it. The Junior Grand Secretary has promised to support you fully. There will be no interference from the Crown Prince, or Qiu Luan, or Zeng Xin! You will have absolute authority over the army!"
Zhao Wenhua finished speaking, waiting for Hu Zongxian’s expression of gratitude. He was eager to relay this success to Yan Shifan. But there was no reaction. Hu Zongxian remained silent, as if he were deaf and mute.
“Ahem.”
Zhao Wenhua looked at Fan Li beside him. “Master Fan, as Duke Jin's representative, wouldn't you like to say a few words?”
Hearing the words “Duke Jin,” Hu Zongxian’s head shot up.
Yan Shifan, conspiring with a tiger, had actually brought Fan Li’s envoy into the Great Ming’s imperial prison? Was there no law in this land?!
“Governor Hu, I am Fan Zhe, a representative of the Fan Clan Trading Company, responsible for all our business affairs in the Great Ming,” Fan Li said in a neutral tone.
“My master is indeed Duke Jin of the Great Chu. Please believe this: Duke Jin and Junior Grand Secretary Yan only wish to conduct business. They have no intention of harming the Great Ming."
Fan Li spoke calmly, but his gaze remained fixed on Hu Zongxian's face, analyzing his every reaction.
Disappointment, pain, confusion. A wave of complex emotions washed over Hu Zongxian's face before he suppressed them.
At this moment, Zhao Wenhua spoke up once more.
“Governor Hu, I’ve heard that after your imprisonment, the court confiscated all your assets. Once you retake Yunzhou City and help Junior Grand Secretary Yan and Duke Jin with their business venture, you will also be able to share in the profits. After all, you are the most suitable person to govern Yunzhou.”
Hearing this, Hu Zongxian slowly looked at Zhao Wenhua, who, assuming he had finally convinced the former governor, continued excitedly.
“You might not know this, but the Fan Clan Trading Company's new products are selling incredibly well across several nations. The profits are enormous! Once you are reinstated in Yunzhou City, you will receive a substantial sum every year. Compared to this, your confiscated assets are a mere pittance!”
Just then, an Embroidered Uniform Guard approached, whispering to Zhao Wenhua that it was time to leave.
“Very well, Governor. I’ve relayed Junior Grand Secretary Yan's message. Please endure these hardships for a few more days. Better days are ahead.”
Zhao Wenhua departed, and Fan Li silently followed.
Deep within the imperial prison, Hu Zongxian sat at the table, looking at the completed ten-thousand-word document – his “Defense Against False Accusations.”
His expression gradually turned numb. Slowly, with trembling hands, he picked up the document and tore it into shreds.
