Mythical Three Kingdoms

Chapter 1036: Chapter 992: Different Heart

Just like how Chen Gong began to doubt his own worth, Cheng Yu also started to question his right and wrong while looking at the intelligence reports he received. However, unlike Chen Gong who had already started to waver, Cheng Yu, though doubtful, had not yet been shaken.

”From today, your provisions will be supplied by us.” Cheng Yu said to Hu Zhao and Yuan Tan’s Army’s Gao Gan in front of him.

”Thank you for your efforts in advance, Cheng Gong.” Gao Gan bowed slightly towards Cheng Yu and said, ”From now on, the three of us shall cooperate sincerely, watch over each other, and jointly defend the North.”

After a series of actions by Yuan Tan, Gao Gan was thoroughly disappointed in him. If Yuan Tan had been willing to honestly state his purpose, Gao Gan would not have felt the slightest anger and would have calmly handed over the power.

What truly disappointed Gao Gan was that Yuan Tan said nothing and just stripped everything from him through a series of apparent means. Now having lost more than half of Bingzhou, his so-called title of Regional Inspector was merely nominal.

Yuan Shao’s acknowledgment of his capability and loyalty was now nominal under the hands of his dear brother. He really didn’t know how to face Yuan Tan anymore. Was it really so difficult to at least give a prior warning?

Could he really seize the foundation left by his uncle for his own son? It’s not just about whether he had the capability, but having long enjoyed Yuan Shao’s blessings, he simply had no confidence in doing such a thing. For him, assisting his cousin to successfully take over his uncle’s foundation and once again prosper the Yuan Family was the most appropriate way.

Unfortunately, Yuan Tan didn’t even have the courage to inform him, and even had Chunyu Qiong and Jiangh Yiqu ready preparations against him, fearing he would be unwilling to hand over power in Bingzhou. At that moment, Gao Gan felt just one thing: exhausted.

Once seated in that position, must one really become estranged with former loved ones, treating them as enemies?

While Gao Gan was pondering all this, the handover of Bingzhou had already begun in an orderly manner. At the final handover, Gao Gan did not defy Yuan Tan’s orders. Although deeply disappointed, he still remembered Yuan Shao’s earnest teachings. In the current situation, if they did not unite, his uncle Yuan Shao’s lineage might face extinction.

Yet from that moment on, Gao Gan knew he could never restore the intimacy he once had with Yuan Tan when Yuan Shao was still alive. They could never sit down and speak openly again; he needed to prepare an escape route for himself.

Cheng Yu gave a strange glance at Gao Gan, wondering what he meant. But before he could think further, Gao Gan patted Guo Yuan beside him, and Guo Yuan, understanding his cue, bowed to Cheng Yu, ”Cheng Gong, may I ask how my uncle, Minister Zhong, has been recently?”

”Yuanchang?” A look of realization flashed in Cheng Yu’s eyes, his expression changing hardly at all, ”Yuanchang has recently been managing the livelihoods in Yongliang, previously initiating irrigation projects that benefited a million people, earning my master’s deep respect.”

Cheng Yu’s words essentially conveyed everything that needed to be told to Guo Yuan, who then lowered his head with a gleam of joy in his eyes.

[It makes sense, after all, if Gao Gan got treated like this right after Yuan Tan ascended, it’s hardly surprising that he would harbor resentment. In such a case, we barely need to act in Bingzhou. As long as Gao Gan relaxes, we can gradually penetrate and smoothly take over Bingzhou.] Cheng Yu slowly thought, [However, this matter still requires some patience, and must not be too obvious.]

Hu Zhao looked expressionlessly at the transaction between the two sides, aware of the meaning behind those few words, but said nothing, as he had already seen his disciple, Sima Yi, gesturing towards him.

”Teacher, long time no see.” Sima Yi smiled and bowed slightly to Hu Zhao, who was both a teacher and a friend to him.

”Not too long, really, Zhongda. How have your studies been?” Hu Zhao asked, a smile flashing in his eyes as he looked at Sima Yi.

”Only lacking practice now,” Sima Yi said with calm assurance.

”I also think you’re nearly ready to graduate, but Zhongda, don’t do anything that would trouble your teacher?” Hu Zhao nodded and then advised.

”Respecting teachers and valuing the way is naturally our virtue,” a gentle smile resembling Zhuge Liang’s appeared briefly on Sima Yi’s face before quickly reverting to his usual aloofness.

Hu Zhao glanced at Cheng Yu and Gao Gan, then looked back at Sima Yi, ”Don’t put me in a difficult position.”

”I won’t make things difficult for you. I know your aspirations, and no one will destroy them. Likewise, you must not disrupt our plans,” Sima Yi said calmly as he looked at Hu Zhao.

Hu Zhao looked at Sima Yi and sighed deeply, eventually compromising. He knew that his disciple, or rather this friend, would not compromise to anyone on certain matters, so he had to relent.

After that, Hu Zhao said nothing more; Sima Yi didn’t ask any further questions. From this moment, he had truly graduated, with no one there to guide anymore in times of difficulty, but likewise, no one to point fingers at his actions.

Cheng Yu also said nothing further, handing over provisions to Hu Zhao and not interacting with Guo Yuan and Gao Gan, and similarly, Gao Gan and the others did not disturb Cheng Yu. Everything proceeded here in an orderly manner.

In the chill wind as Cheng Yu looked back toward the North, he suddenly saw Chen Gong, who hadn’t appeared during this entire handover, once a strong ally, now had to stand in opposition.

[The next time I come, everything here will have its conclusion. Gongtai, even if you wish to retrace your steps, I will still ask the next time I return, hoping you can give a satisfactory answer.] As Cheng Yu gazed back to the North, his heart was filled with sighs, yet his eyes were firm.

”Cheng Zhongde is gone!” said Chen Gong silently from atop the city wall.

”If you don’t see them off, does it mean they can’t leave?” Hu Zhao rarely made a cold joke, ”For things we can’t decide, perhaps seeing them lightly could still make us friends.”

”We do not walk the same path, so we don’t work together!” Chen Gong retorted resolutely.

”We do not walk the same path, so we don’t work together, ah Gongtai, your heart is too small. In reality, myriad laws come from the same source and different paths lead to the same destination.” Hu Zhao said slowly, gazing at the departing Sima Yi, the self-proclaimed disciple who was actually an agemate friend. Were their dreams really the same? No, it should be said they were going in opposite directions!

”Then I’d rather walk the wrong path!” Chen Gong said with remarkable calm, ”Moreover, knowing right from wrong is uncertain now, the so-called ’different paths lead to the same destination,’ yet only the one standing on the topmost peak at the last moment can see that scene.”

”...” Hu Zhao remained silent. After all, Chen Gong was a top-tier strategist. Even though Hu Zhao had told him nothing and he was not part of the handover, he still guessed part of Cheng Yu’s intentions. (To be continued. If you enjoyed this work, welcome to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets on Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com for reading.)