stonecrandall Chapter 1032 Danger, Temptation, Han Xin's Choice?
Chapter 1032 Danger, Temptation, Han Xin's Choice?
Feng Gu's words echoed in his ears like the whispers of a devil. Returning to Dongjun, amassing military power, and observing the changing winds... this was indeed a path that seemed to offer self-preservation, and even a path that might lead to seizing greater power.
But this also means that he may be heading down a path of alienation from the kingdom Gao Yao has established, a path that could trigger civil war and cause immense suffering. Gao Yao has shown him immense kindness; would he really do something that could divide his kingdom at this time of suspected Gao Yao's impending doom?
But if not, must he really return to Xianyang, as Feng Gu predicted, and entrust his fate to a new ruler he doesn't know well, one who might be wary of him, gambling on a slim chance of mercy and tolerance? How much effort and life-or-death experience has Han Xin, from a destitute man scorned by others, had he endured to reach this point? Must he so easily give up everything, even at the risk of losing his life?
Inside the tent, the tallow torches crackled, their flickering light casting long and short shadows of Han Xin's tall and solitary figure onto the tent curtains, as if a manifestation of his intense inner struggle.
Feng Gu, the commander of his personal guards who had followed him in countless battles and whose body bore numerous scars from shielding him from arrows, had his heartfelt and even "treasonous" remonstrance thrown into a calm lake like a boulder, stirring up a tidal wave in his heart.
A deathly silence fell over the tent, broken only by the faint crackling of the torches and the heavy breathing of those around them. Han Xin's fingers unconsciously traced the cold bronze military tally on the table, still warm from the day's troop deployments, yet now it felt icy cold.
He wasn't unaware of Feng Gu's words. "When the birds are all gone, the good bow is put away; when the cunning rabbit is dead, the hunting dog is cooked." This is a bloody law that runs through history, a nightmare that every general whose achievements overshadow their lord cannot escape. He, Han Xin, rose from a commoner who suffered the humiliation of crawling between someone's legs to a powerful general wielding military power—all of this was truly thanks to King Gao Yao. Without Gao Yao's exceptional promotion and absolute trust, Han Xin would not be where he was today. He would always remember this kindness and patronage.
However, Feng Gu's words, like poisonous thorns, precisely pierced the deepest, most hidden corners of his heart, the places he least wanted to touch. The King's actions had become increasingly unpredictable lately, his authority growing ever stronger, especially the mysterious power of the "system," which instilled an invisible pressure in his ministers. In the Xianyang court, undercurrents were swirling, and the rumors of a purge of meritorious officials were not unfounded. Could Han Xin, with his outstanding military achievements and high prestige within the army, truly remain unscathed?
Time passed silently, seemingly an eternity. Finally, Han Xin slightly raised his head and let out a barely audible sigh. This sigh contained so much helplessness, resolve, and perhaps even a hint of barely perceptible sorrow. His gaze refocused, landing on Feng Gu, whose face was pale with tension.
"Feng Gu," Han Xin's voice was hoarse with a hint of weariness, "you have followed me for quite some time now, through wind and rain, through mountains of knives and seas of fire, risking your lives for me. Even if you have no merit, you have certainly worked hard."
He paused, then his tone became resolute: "From now on, take off your armor and retire to your hometown. I will have someone prepare 500,000 coins for you, enough for you to live a comfortable and secure life in your later years."
The Gaoyao Dynasty had already implemented a new monetary system. Five hundred thousand coins was an astronomical sum, enough to support a family of ten for generations. Han Xin's arrangement was undeniably generous; it was both a reward for Feng Gu's years of service and a way to silence him and save his life with this enormous wealth.
"General, what...what do you mean by this?" Upon hearing this, Feng Gu's face turned deathly pale. He looked up abruptly, his eyes filled with disbelief and intense resentment. "This humble general is not doing this for money! This humble general is doing this for you, for the countless brothers who follow you!"
Han Xin was unwilling to say anything more, nor did he want to hear any more words that might shake his resolve. He waved his hand dismissively, his tone carrying an undeniable authority: "No need for further words! You may leave now. That's all I have to say for today. What you say is what you hear, and you must not speak of it to a third person! Otherwise... even I cannot protect you!"
"General! You..." Feng Gu wanted to argue further.
"Feng Gu!" Han Xin suddenly raised his voice, interrupting him. His eyes were sharp as a hawk's, fixed intently on the other man. "Go, I'm tired!" He seemed to be speaking to Feng Gu, yet also to himself.
"My current status and position, my ability to display my talents and command thousands of troops, are all thanks to the King's trust! This favor is heavier than Mount Tai! If the King were to hesitate to kill me, what would Han Xin fear? To ask me to betray the King and do something disloyal and unjust, Han Xin... would never do it!"
His words resonated powerfully, echoing in the empty tent with an almost tragic resolve. This was both his final answer to Feng Gu and his ultimate suppression of his own inner turmoil.
However, seeing Han Xin's stubbornness, Feng Gu was extremely anxious. He suddenly knelt forward two steps, disregarding rank, his voice trembling with emotion: "General! How could I not know your unparalleled loyalty and righteousness? But even if you don't consider yourself, do you not even care about your family? Your wife and son, how innocent they are! If you... if you are gone, how can they protect themselves in this treacherous Xianyang?"
Seeing Han Xin's slight tremor, he knew he had hit the nail on the head. He immediately pressed his advantage, lowering his voice and speaking faster: "Moreover, General, you are involved in far more than just this! Guan Ying, Zhou Bo... how many generals follow your lead? They have followed you bravely to fight the enemy and make contributions to the country, and they have done nothing wrong! But once... once the court begins to purge, if you fall, they will be the next target! When the tree falls, the monkeys scatter; when the wall falls, everyone pushes it! At that time, I'm afraid few will be able to escape with their lives! General, think it over!"
These words, like the sharpest dagger, completely tore away the facade of tenderness, laying bare the bloody reality and the potential chain reaction before Han Xin. Family, generals... these were the ties Han Xin could not sever, the cornerstone of his power, but now they had become a death knell, suffocating him.
Finally, Han Xin's patience and rationality were broken by this last straw. The anger, fear, and humiliation he had been suppressing for so long instantly overwhelmed his defenses.