Chapter 18: After Achieving Greatness, Better to Talk About Love

Chapter 18: After Achieving Great Deeds, It's Better to Talk About Feelings

Hu Sheng was in an exceptionally good mood today; his usually reserved expression had softened. Feng Shaoping was also visibly smiling. Upon seeing Zhao An, he greeted him with familiar warmth, "The fruits from your home are quite excellent; Brother Hu must truly enjoy them."

"It's good that he likes them," Zhao An replied casually, yet his gaze never left Hu Sheng. Today, Hu Sheng was also dressed in black martial attire, but both the fabric of his clothes and the soft leather armor on his wrists and waist were brand new.

Seeing Hu Sheng like this, Zhao An unconsciously smiled, his peach-blossom eyes narrowing slightly, and he asked in a light, uplifted tone, "Is there something that has made you happy today, Young Master Hu?"

Hu Sheng's eyes held a unique sparkle, as if a wild grass pressed beneath a stone had finally pushed through the pressure above and sprouted anew. He looked at Zhao An, the corners of his lips curving into a pleasing arc. "Today, news came from the north: our army has achieved a great victory over the Xiongnu's left wing, annihilating twenty thousand and capturing forty thousand. Although we couldn’t pursue and eliminate the main Xiongnu forces, this great victory will bring several years of stability." Even though he wouldn't receive any official recognition, he felt genuinely happy about this major triumph.

"That truly is a cause for great celebration," Zhao An said, his eyes widening and his complexion flushing with excitement. Being able to live in a relatively stable era naturally brings peace of mind, and since this was something Hu Sheng cared about, Zhao An mostly felt happy because Hu Sheng was happy.

Hu Sheng had once told Zhao An about his background. Having just met today and sharing what should have been confidential information, Zhao An’s responses were always so straightforward that Hu Sheng didn’t even have time to feel any regret.

Feng Shaoping, as the third person present, suddenly felt the atmosphere was a bit strange. He had invited Brother Hu out with the intention of getting thoroughly drunk to celebrate this victory, yet Hu Sheng, who had done so much preliminary preparation and behind-the-scenes coordination for this great battle, was directing most of his attention toward Consort Li’s brother. This was indeed rather odd.

To make his presence felt, Feng Shaoping interrupted the intimate atmosphere between Hu Sheng and Zhao An, saying, "Let’s go to Ruyi Restaurant first. I’ve had them prepare the finest Pear Blossom White wine. Today, we won't call it a night until we're drunk."

Zhao An had been supplying strawberries to Ruyi Restaurant for a long time, but this was his first time dining there. Stepping on the creaking wooden stairs, he went up to the second floor, which was built with wooden planks. There were several rooms with names like "Clear Breeze," "Light Rain," "Falling Snow," and "Cool Moon." The corridor was adorned with elegant orchids and a few richly colored gold-and-blue landscape paintings—all the decor matched the antique charm people imagined.

The restaurant was decorated this way to cater to its guests' tastes. Compared to the merchants and laborers received on the first floor, those who could ascend to the second floor of Ruyi Restaurant in Changxi County were all intricately connected to official circles and were naturally scholars with a certain level of appreciation.

For example, as Zhao An passed by the door of the "Clear Breeze" room, he heard the sound of someone playing the pipa and singing, followed by light discussions about the imagery and meter of the lyrics, as well as comments that the entertainer’s pipa skills were not quite up to par.

These people with full bellies and time to spare saw poetry and composition as life’s pastimes, while many in Zhao Village were still weeding in the rice paddies, their feet soaked in muddy water, pulling out weeds one by one, just so the seedlings—already damaged by disaster earlier this year—could yield more grain.

Zhao An shifted his gaze from the private room door to the pedestrians outside the window. Not even seeing anyone who looked well-fed, many thoughts flashed through his mind.

"Young Master Zhao, what are you thinking about?" Hu Sheng was the first to notice his distraction and asked.

Zhao An wasn’t quite sure what he was thinking either, just feeling thoughtful. "Nothing much. It’s just been a long time since I’ve been to a restaurant, so I’m feeling a bit melancholic and reminiscing about life in the countryside—the hardships of farmers. Fortunately, times are relatively peaceful now. If chaos were to break out again, I truly wouldn’t know how to get by."

"Exactly. Keeping this peaceful era intact is largely thanks to Brother Hu," Feng Shaoping interjected again, somewhat awkwardly, before Hu Sheng could respond.

But with this interruption, Zhao An stopped dwelling on it and asked curiously, "From what Young Master Feng means, it sounds like Young Master Hu contributed significantly to the northern campaign."

Feng Shaoping looked somewhat carried away. He glanced at Hu Sheng and, seeing no objection, said with a knowing smile, "Does Young Master Zhao really want to know? Why not ask Brother Hu yourself and have him explain it to you."

Zhao An actually had the same idea, so he looked at Hu Sheng expectantly. "Can you tell me?"

"Let’s take our seats first," Hu Sheng said as the three arrived at the door of the private room labeled "Glowworm Light." He led the way inside, adding, "Once we’re seated, I’ll explain it to you slowly."

Feng Shaoping, following closely behind, was a bit puzzled. He had brought it up jokingly and hadn’t expected Hu Sheng to seriously intend to explain it to Zhao An.

Hu Sheng poured a cup of Pear Blossom White wine, brought it to his nose for a sniff, took a sip, and smiled handsomely at Zhao An. "Actually, there’s not much to say about how this battle was won. It was just a long-term plan laid out over several years. We used the lesser tribes long suppressed by the Xiongnu as spies and insiders, then set traps in advance on the routes the Xiongnu troops had to take. With several times their numbers, we were able to achieve an overwhelming victory."

As for mobilizing a large force, he owed thanks to his elder brother—on one hand, for trusting his strategies, and on the other, for being deeply concerned about his own safety.

The fact that General Shang Xiqing would assign heavy troops to guard him was also part of Hu Sheng’s plan. But these behind-the-scenes dealings, he did not elaborate on to Zhao An.

Even what he did say were things he would never normally share with others. For instance, using smugglers to bribe the lesser tribes with tea and salt, spreading the method of fermenting liquor from cow and goat milk across the grasslands, and then bribing favorite slaves in the households of Xiongnu nobles with silk and exquisite jewelry to lure the royal court aristocracy into indulging in drinking.

"What? Don't tell me you think I’m full of cunning schemes, Young Master Zhao?" Hu Sheng teased, noticing Zhao An’s prolonged silence.

Zhao An immediately retorted, "How could that be? I truly admire your ability to secure victory from a thousand miles away, Young Master Hu."

Hu Sheng took another sip of wine, his smile turning somewhat uninhibited. "To ensure the success of these strategies, there’s actually a small trick. Do you know what it is?" After saying this, he picked up a piece of chicken slices with egg white and placed it in Zhao An’s bowl, noticing he hadn’t touched his chopsticks yet.

Zhao An’s gaze followed Hu Sheng’s movements as if mesmerized. He ate the food Hu Sheng had served him and earnestly asked, "What small trick?"

"Of course, it’s because those who work for me have been beaten into submission by me. Even though I’ve been away from the north for so long, they still don’t dare disobey my commands." Hu Sheng burst into laughter after saying this, as if joking yet also stating a fact.

Seeing that his emotions were genuinely joyful and his blue eyes shining brightly, Zhao An decided not to overanalyze whether there was deeper meaning in his words. After hesitating for a long time, he finally voiced what had been buried in his heart for ages: "Young Master Hu, your martial skills are so impressive. Could you teach me? Actually, I wanted to ask last time, but you left in such a hurry that I didn’t get the chance."

Hu Sheng hadn’t expected Zhao An to bring this up. He was taken aback for a moment, suddenly thinking that Zhao An’s slender and supple build would indeed be well-suited for martial arts. But judging by Zhao An’s expectant expression, his intentions clearly went beyond just learning martial arts.

So why had he invited him to drink when they met on the street today? Was it just because he was in an exceptionally good mood?

Hu Sheng suddenly began to question whether his rationality was still intact. From the first time he saw this person, he found his appearance and temperament outstanding. In subsequent interactions, he felt that his personality was so open and warm that it was hard to resist.

Since the north had already achieved a great victory, fulfilling the ambition he’d held since childhood, perhaps it was time to consider personal matters. After this major triumph, Shang Xiqing would undoubtedly face a series of issues with the imperial court. Even if he found time amidst his busy schedule to deal with him, worst case, he could take his people to Nanyue Country or out to sea—there would always be a place to stand firm. In this moment, it was as if he and Zhao An shared a certain understanding.

Having made up his mind, Hu Sheng unconsciously moved closer to Zhao An. "Of course, I can teach you martial arts. But my ability to defeat many people largely relies on a natural talent for strength. My actual martial skills are quite rudimentary—I hope you won’t mind."

"I don’t mind," Zhao An said, his smile practically spilling over with delight. "It’s still early. Why not come to my home? You could teach me a few moves."

As they spoke, the two walked out of the private room side by side. Their voices could be heard in the corridor: "Can you ride a horse? I have a few fast horses stabled at Ruyi Restaurant. We can ride to your home together."

Then Zhao An’s voice: "I’ve learned before, but it’s been a long time."

Left alone at the table, Feng Shaoping finally realized his superfluous position. Having been married and fathered children himself, he suddenly understood the nature of the intimate atmosphere between Zhao An and Hu Sheng.

[Author's Note]

Readers passing by, please add to your collections~