Chapter 40: Old Enemies Meet Again

  Ye Xuan looked southward, but only saw the river winding like a ribbon, without seeing its beginning or end. Looking westward in the distance, he saw the imperial capital's grandeur, with high pavilions and multi-story buildings, bordering the sky.

  Ye Xuan couldn't help but sink into deep thought amidst his praise. He thought, when the first ancestor emperor founded the country and established its capital here, how prosperous state affairs were!

  However, the current situation is declining, and the court politics are in chaos. I'm afraid that this great imperial capital will inevitably suffer a disaster! As he thought about it, he let out a long sigh: "What a pity! What a pity!"

  Sun Yu and Chen Fei were puzzled as to why their elder brother kept sighing "What a pity!" Just as they were about to ask him, another clear sigh came from behind them: "What a pity! What a pity!"

  The three of them hastily turned around, only to see a person standing behind them. He was in his early twenties, dressed simply and not very tall, but with piercing eyes that made him look quite spirited. He had a smile on his face as he gazed at the tourists he had startled.

  Ye Xuan was very interested in this person, smiled and bowed, asking: "May I ask what Mr. is sorry about?"

  The man immediately returned the courtesy and asked in response: "May I ask, sir, what is it that you regret?"

  "It's a pity for something that is worth pitying." Ye Xuan replied.

  "I also regret what you regret, sir." The man replied.

  At this moment, both of them burst out laughing and re-greeted each other. After introducing themselves, who is this person?

  Ye Xuan may still be unaware that this person is his future arch-nemesis, Cao De. Perhaps neither of them thought that after the fall of the Xi Ning Empire, they would almost fight for a lifetime, but that's a story for later.

  ……

  Cao De lived in the imperial capital. His father Cao Ru was the adopted son of eunuch Cao Xian.

  Cao was exceptionally cautious and skilled in politics. At the age of 16, he entered officialdom and rose to become the Chancellor of Nancheng within three years.

  Nanchen Prefecture had jurisdiction over more than ten counties, and many officials were corrupt. After Cao took office, he strictly rectified the situation, and his governance was outstanding. However, during his tenure, he offended many powerful people in the imperial court. To avoid disaster, Cao resigned from his position as a local administrator with real responsibilities and went to the capital city to serve as a Gentleman of the Imperial Secretariat.

  However, the position of Yi Lang was an idle official, although it belonged to the imperial palace guard system in name, but actually had no specific tasks. Cao De often took sick leave to return home to read books and hunt. In the capital city, he also mostly socialized with friends, toured and admired mountains and rivers. He wasn't a person who was content with idleness, but rather was quietly observing and waiting for an opportunity to rise.

  He has just been appointed as the Colonel of the Imperial Guards, but facing the precarious political situation, he does not have the heart to sit in his office, and instead continues to climb high and gaze far, touring and admiring the mountains and waters, relieving his worries.

  Now he has come to Hebei to visit the heroic tomb, worshiping the iron-blooded general Ye Wei of Xining. When he arrived at this place, he saw that Ye Xuanyi and his three companions were handsome and extraordinary, and he was somewhat taken notice. As soon as Ye Xuanyi let out a sigh of "what a pity", he had already understood his mind and deeply sympathized with him, so he decided to get acquainted with him.

  Thus, the above scene was played out. Ye Xuan and Cao De, who were six years older than him, had a friendship and hatred intertwined for decades from then on.

  At this time it was already afternoon, Ye Xuan and his two brothers accompanied Cao De down the mountain. That evening, Cao De set up a banquet at home to entertain the three newly acquainted friends.

  At this time, Cao finally learned that Ye Xuan was still a heroic descendant, the grandson of Ye Long, the war god Xining, and the son of Ye Wei, the iron-blooded general.

  This made Cao De look at Ye Xuan with new eyes. He then introduced the general situation and inside information of the political situation in the capital, and talked about his own ambitions and plans, which benefited Ye Xuan greatly as he had never had the opportunity to enter the imperial city before. Ye Xuan also poured out the depression in his heart. The two men with great talent and ambition both felt a sense of regret for not meeting earlier.

  ……

  Ye Xuan slowly opened his eyes, and at this time, his thoughts slowly came back to him. At this moment, Ye Xuan's ears heard: "Report to the general, Huang Jiajun Wang Shu has come to visit; requesting an audience with the general. He is currently waiting in the main hall of the mansion!" The voice of a servant reporting from the entrance was heard.

  "Oh," Upon hearing this, Ye Xuan's body which had originally sat up suddenly lay back down again. "He specifically wants to see me? He's giving me face? What a joke! If he wants to see me, do I have to let him? When has anyone under Huang He ever had such a big attitude?"

  The guard was stunned for a moment, what identity Wang Shu had, that was Huang He's first general! Moreover, it was secretly coming to this place, and actually came to visit in person, saying "please see" his own general. It really gave the Ye family a big face! His own general didn't take it seriously at all! Thinking about it, he couldn't help but look at the general with admiration, thinking that his general was awesome!

  "Go tell Wang Shu, I'm waiting for him here, ask him to come over." Ye Xuan said lazily. Sent to the door, haha, this kind of opportunity won't be missed!

  The guard hesitated for a moment, but didn't move. After all, this wasn't a trivial matter. He stammered: "But..."

  "Go quickly!"

  At this moment, Zhuge Yu in the front hall could only smile wryly and continue to entertain Wang Shu.

  The conversation between the two was aimless and lacking in substance; both people could see that the other was already very impatient, but they couldn't stop due to face-saving. Even Wang Shu felt extremely depressed. He had come here secretly, and visiting Ye Xuan was an even bigger secret, yet the Ye family's people didn't have any awareness of this!

  There are seven or eight servants working on one side, and the master has not been seen yet. With so many people coming and going, how can we ensure that the news will not be leaked?

  Finally, the guard who had gone to report the news rushed in. "Where is the general? Why hasn't he come yet?" Zhuge Yu asked with a hint of anger, seeing that only one person had arrived.

  The guard said in a low voice: "General said, General Gong said..." He glanced at Zhuge Yu's expression and didn't dare to say it out loud.

  "The general said... he is waiting in the small courtyard, please ask Master Wang to move his carriage and go there for a meeting." After finishing this sentence, the guard was already sweating profusely, hanging his head down and not daring to lift it up again. Their own general was really too rude.

  Zhuge Yu immediately understood what was going on and felt delighted, but he still had to pretend to be serious. He apologized and bowed slightly to Wang Shu: "General Wang, please wait a moment, I'll go and persuade the general." After finishing speaking, he stood up and prepared to leave.

  "Slow!" Wang Shu stood up, "Hehe, sir don't bother, I should be the one to visit you, it's only proper for me to come and request an audience with the general. Thank you for receiving me just now."

  Wang Shu knew that this was a warning shot from Ye Xuan, although he felt extremely stifled in his heart. However, as the saying goes, "a barefooted person is not afraid of wearing shoes." When dealing with someone like Ye Xuan, Wang Shu could only maintain his usual warm and friendly smile on his face.

  "Huh? Haha, General Wang is too polite, indeed a magnanimous person. Zhuge Yu's face dramatically changed again: "Little Li, what are you still dazing about? Hurry up and escort General Wang! Don't dare to be slow!"