"Imperial Eunuch," Yu Huatian's sharp voice berated, "Xu Gong, how dare you make such demands of the King of Chu!"
"I have always heard that the King of Chu values wise men, but it seems that is merely a rumor. It appears he is a hypocrite who only seeks fame," Xu Gong retorted, neither servile nor overbearing.
"Back in the day, even the sage Confucius, wise as he was, had unworthy descendants like you. It seems some things are not set in stone," Yu Huatian pressed coldly. "Mark my words, you will all squander your family fortunes. Why not follow me? We dare to do what others do not, we dare to apprehend those others would not."
"Such boastful words," Xu Gong exclaimed, almost slamming his fist on the table. He recalled how even the most powerful rulers treated Confucius with courtesy during his travels. Now, he was being reprimanded by Yu Huatian.
"Is this how the King of Chu treats his subordinates? Does the King of Chu truly have no regard for propriety? I am truly astonished!" Xu Gong taunted icily. "Since that is the case, I shall not linger. I request that the King of Chu dispatch a contingent to escort me back to Jiangxia. The rest is none of your concern!"
At this point, Ye Feng began to doubt. This man seemed so loyal to the Sun family, and presented himself as a disciple of the sage. How could he be involved in such actions? Had the records been mistaken?
"I wonder, sir, how you came to be here, and why you cannot return?" Ye Feng asked with a smile. "Surely you are not incapable of dealing with those Yellow Turban rebels?"
Xu Gong cleared his throat and spoke slowly, "Of course not. I am known as the 'Little Mengchang.' It is simply that my retainers fled and abandoned me, a disgrace to my scholarly standing. Please rest assured, King of Chu, this is a favor I owe you!"
"A favor?" Ye Feng observed coldly. "And what can you offer me? Do not expect me to send my generals back to Jiangxia for a mere promise. My generals all have important duties."
"What does the King of Chu desire?" Xu Gong gritted his teeth and asked. Everyone knew Xu Gong's reputation in the Three Kingdoms era, yet this Ye Feng was stubbornly refusing to yield.
"If you can give me nothing, then I have no need to risk the lives of my brothers to escort you," Ye Feng said, taking a few steps away. He then turned back and added, "You look down on everyone, believing them to be mere servants. But they are all my brothers."
"My lord, Yu Huatian truly chose the right person. This life is yours, my lord!"
Yu Huatian knelt on the ground, but Ye Feng, with both hands, helped him rise. "What are you doing? Get up quickly. I have told you long ago, we are all brothers."
Yu Huatian silently wiped the tears from his eyes with his sleeve. He, an incomplete man, was not only treated as less than human by others, but now Ye Feng considered him a brother. He felt an overwhelming urge to repay this kindness with his life.
Though Ye Feng knew that Yu Huatian and the others he had summoned were loyal to him, this display was primarily for Xu Gong's benefit.
Sympathy for one's own kind arises easily. If he showed no reaction, what kind of person would he be?
"You audacious wretch, Yu Huatian! To call the King of Chu brother? What kind of creature are you?" Xu Gong roared, furious. Ye Feng was the King of Chu, enfeoffed by Emperor Ling. As for Yu Huatian, he wasn't even fit to carry Ye Feng's shoes. At least, that was Xu Gong's opinion.
"King of Chu, please reconsider. If you two are brothers, where does that leave His Majesty? Where does that leave the imperial clan? It is an utter disgrace." Xu Gong pleaded earnestly.
"When I say he is my brother, then he is. I do not need you to meddle," Ye Feng replied coldly, though in his mind, he was beginning to grasp why Xu Gong had ordered the assassination of Sun Ce. Could he be a royalist, like Lu Zhi? Perhaps his journey to Jiangxia, ostensibly due to court edicts, was actually to monitor the prominent families of Eastern Wu. He had only acted when he discovered the Sun family's troubles. Ye Feng mused that even a sinking ship might have three thousand nails. No wonder Cao Cao could control the emperor to command the lords. As for the Imperial Seal, it was still with Emperor Ling. Ye Feng couldn't be sure if Sun Jian would still meet his end at the hands of these people at this time.
"Since you disdain to associate with us, sir, you may make your own arrangements. We shall depart first. Perhaps we shall meet again!" Ye Feng spurred his horse, and his army began to move in a grand procession.
Xu Gong stood alone, stunned, watching Ye Feng's receding figure. This was not how he had imagined it. Surely there should have been more persuasion, a "three visits to the thatched cottage." He recalled that even the Yellow Turbans had been a threat to him, let alone the current situation. Ye Feng was his lifeline. Realizing this, Xu Gong hurried after Ye Feng, shouting, "King of Chu, wait! Wait for me!"
Ye Feng heard him clearly but remained unmoved. Diao Chan placed a hand on his shoulder and whispered, "My lord, I have never seen you like this. It seems you are truly tired of that penniless beggar. Let me be the villain and kill him, so you won't have to worry. Will you allow it?"
"Ah, how does my beauty know I am weary of that man? You are truly my confidante. However, he cannot die yet, as he still has some use," Ye Feng mused. He stroked Diao Chan's shoulder with one hand while firmly reining in his horse, Wuzhui, which continued at a leisurely pace.
"A penniless scholar like him, how can he keep up with your Wuzhui horse? Let us slow down, or your plan might be ruined!" Diao Chan giggled, covering her mouth.
"With such a thoughtful beauty, what does it matter if all plans go awry? You are truly a virtuous wife," Ye Feng teased Diao Chan playfully, gently pulling on the reins. Wuzhui's speed visibly slowed.
Meanwhile, Xu Gong was sweating profusely, paying no mind to anything else. Only the instinct for survival propelled him forward.
"Who is it? Don't you see I'm busy?" Xu Gong turned, annoyed, spotting a slender hand on his shoulder. Just as he was about to erupt, he noticed the person riding a horse ahead and his expression immediately changed.
"May I ask, young general, which hero are you? Could you give me a ride? Upon my return to Jiangxia, I shall bestow a generous reward!" Xu Gong exclaimed with delight. The person behind him offered no response.
"I never thought Mr. Xu would be in such dire straits." Hearing a familiar voice, Xu Gong's spirits soared. He turned and saw Yu Huatian.
"Sir, were you serious just now? I can put in a good word for you, but what about the remuneration!" Yu Huatian rubbed his fingers together, smiling at Xu Gong.
Xu Gong guessed that Yu Huatian had never seen anything valuable and just wanted to get rid of him quickly, then have him lead him to Ye Feng. Without hesitation, he looked up.
"I possess a bronze wine vessel, bestowed by Emperor Ling, which I can give to you!"
Seeing Yu Huatian unmoved, Xu Gong took a deep breath and continued.
"I have a jade elephant from Hotan..."
"I still own a mansion in Jiangxia..."
"I also have countless beautiful concubines..."
"..."
Despite Xu Gong's pleading, Yu Huatian remained silent. Finally, he could bear it no longer and roared, "Just tell me what you want!"
Yu Huatian seriously examined his fingers while on horseback, casually remarking, "Only children make choices. Why can't I have it all!"
At that moment, Xu Gong felt as if struck by lightning. How could anyone demand things this way? He had spent half his life accumulating these possessions. This Yu Huatian was truly going too far!
"If you insist on this, are you not afraid I will tell the King of Chu everything? You had better consider the consequences!" Xu Gong stared at the blisters on his feet, then hastily brought up Ye Feng's name, hoping to pressure Yu Huatian. Yu Huatian, intending to toy with Xu Gong, feigned panic.
"Then what does sir desire? Just say it!" Yu Huatian asked with a smile, a hint of coldness in his eyes.
"Simple. Take me to the King of Chu. If the King of Chu agrees to send someone to escort me to Jiangxia, I want you to lead the way. You will be handsomely rewarded," Xu Gong said without hesitation. "If he refuses, I will report you fiercely, and you'll be in serious trouble."
"Does sir not remember that you are a follower of the sage? How can you do such a thing? Are you not afraid of the sage's wrath?" Yu Huatian asked nonchalantly.
"'The Master said, choose that which is beneficial and employ it,'" Xu Gong bowed as he mounted his horse, but due to his exhaustion, he couldn't sit properly for a while.
"Come, you lie down here."
A captain heard this and saw Yu Huatian's troubled expression. Gritting his teeth, he lay down on the ground. Xu Gong, with his plump body, climbed onto him and said with a smile, "I am ready. Please be careful."
Yu Huatian remained silent and drove his horse madly. Midway, he said coldly, "Sir, you are quite the showman today. You not only insult me but also the King of Chu's brother. Are you not afraid the King of Chu will be furious?"
"The King of Chu was enfeoffed by His Majesty. His brothers are not even born yet, where do these brothers come from? Are you people worthy?" Xu Gong sneered.
Yu Huatian did not want to add another enemy to the already embattled Ye Feng. However, Xu Gong's unbridled insolence left him no choice. He said coldly, "Hold on tight, sir. If there is an accident, you will be injured or worse."
"What do you want!" Xu Gong's heart pounded, and he hastily asked.
"Doesn't sir owe me any benefit?" Yu Huatian scoffed.
"Fine, what do you want? I'll give you anything!" Xu Gong quickly agreed.
"I want the Sun family to submit to the King of Chu and pay tribute annually. Do you think you can accomplish that?" Yu Huatian smiled coldly, proposing an impossible demand.
"You?" Xu Gong suppressed his anger and softened his tone slightly. "Don't push your luck too far!"
Yu Huatian yanked the reins, causing the horse to rear up, throwing Xu Gong off. He landed face-first in the dirt.
"If sir refuses, then I am powerless. However, there are many wild dogs in this area, so be careful not to lose your life!" Yu Huatian said with a smirk.
The cold wind howled, accompanied by the sounds of barking and howling, causing Xu Gong to tremble uncontrollably.