Chapter 00082: Worrying is Useless, Better to Drink
# Worrying is Useless, Better to Drink
Chapter 82
Novel: After the Immortals Disappeared
Chapter 82: Worrying is Useless, Better to Drink
How many days had passed since He Chunhua had thrown himself wholeheartedly into his political career? How could he possibly miss such a golden opportunity to submit a memorial to the court and claim credit?
"If Father's memorial arrives first, it might be read and then suppressed. Once rumors start spreading, the memorial will be confirmed, and even if the court denies it, it won't matter."
"Why would it be suppressed?" He Lingchuan's thoughts turned, and suddenly he understood.
"Ah—you mean the court is wary of the situation and wants to keep it secret? That's not good. Our achievements will be swallowed up!"
The court was currently sending troops to attack the Grand Marshal, and the battle at Woling Pass had just ended.
The vast empire was leaking from all sides, and the court was exhausted from trying to plug the holes.
At this point, they probably didn't want to push the Governor of Xunzhou into rebellion, adding another powerful enemy to their list.
So, it was highly likely that the court would suppress what had happened in the Panlong Desert, keeping it secret.
This way, both the capital and the Governor of Xunzhou could breathe a sigh of relief.
But if that happened, the military merits He Chunhua had been dreaming of would likely vanish.
After taking such great risks and paying such a high price, how could he be willing to let it go?
Therefore, He Chunhua's strategy was to send someone to the capital to stir up the matter first.
Once rumors spread, even if the Governor of Xunzhou didn't want to rebel, he would have no choice!
The mutual suspicion between him and the court was already as thin as a sheet of paper.
It seemed He Chunhua had decided to tear it open himself.
Understanding this, He Lingchuan couldn't help but clap his hands: "Dad is amazing, still sharp as ever!"
He Yue lowered his head: "Once the rumors spread, our achievements will be confirmed. But the war in the northern region will reignite, and who knows how many lives it will consume? Or perhaps Nian Zanli will directly defect to the northern demon kingdom, and the Great Falcon will lose a province. None of this is good for the Great Falcon."
"So, the court suppressing our achievements is a good thing?"
"Perhaps the court plans to deal with the Grand Marshal first and then consider the issue of Xunzhou, tackling them one by one."
He Lingchuan laughed: "Nian Zanli isn't a wooden puppet, standing there foolishly waiting to be attacked. If he has rebellious intentions, he's like a powder keg. It's better to let it explode sooner rather than later, to minimize casualties."
As he spoke, he patted his younger brother on the back of the head.
"Sometimes, good intentions lead to bad outcomes."
He Yue sighed: "Let me tell you something else, but don't spread it."
He Lingchuan made a zipping motion over his lips: "Don't worry, no pillow talk is going to leak from me."
He was also a bit puzzled.
This younger brother of his was usually reserved and independent, not very close to him.
Why, after returning from the Panlong Desert, did He Yue seem to have grown closer?
Was it because he had helped He Yue deal with Nian Songyu?
He Yue instinctively glanced around: "A few days ago during dinner, Father asked me what I thought about the Grand Marshal's rebellion. I said it was treasonous."
He Lingchuan slurped a mouthful of almond tofu: "What's the problem?"
"That was just to placate Father," He Yue whispered.
"Actually, putting myself in his shoes, I think the Grand Marshal had his reasons. The King's handling of state affairs is somewhat frivolous. Take the northern demon kingdom, for example. I actually agree with the Grand Marshal."
"Oh?" He Lingchuan was surprised.
"You don't support defending our territory?"
"Who doesn't? But national policy should be based on reality, not just brute courage. Look at Panlong City—it's quite remarkable, holding out for thirty-two years after becoming an enclave. But its mother country was weak. No matter how hard Zhong Shengguang fought, the Western Luo Kingdom just lost the Panlong Wasteland again, and a few years later, it was gone too."
"The strong can be passionate, saying they will punish those who offend them no matter how far. But the weak must know how to weigh their options," He Yue said seriously.
"Our mother country is no longer the prosperous and powerful Great Falcon of the past. The Grand Marshal's efforts to pacify the northern kingdom allow the Great Falcon to focus on quelling internal strife."
He Lingchuan smiled: "You mean, we must secure the home front before dealing with external threats?"
He Yue nodded.
"Then what if the internal chaos can't be resolved? Separatism, floods, famine, rebels, border troubles—in the past ten years, we've only managed to handle disaster relief, and even that wasn't always successful. Thanks to Father, the Red Cliff Road in Qiansong County has been peaceful, but seven or eight years ago, it wasn't like this."
He Lingchuan continued: "The Grand Marshal didn't just rise to power today. He's been assisting the King in handling these troubles for a long time, but they haven't been properly resolved."
He Yue hesitated, then sighed.
He Lingchuan patted his shoulder: "It's fine to worry, but don't speak carelessly. Don't let a single word of what you said today leak out, or it could implicate Father and me!"
He Yue said irritably: "Of course, I'm not stupid."
"Liu Baobao is hosting a drinking party at the Acacia Pavilion tonight. Are you coming?"
"I can't drink."
Right, Madam Ying was very strict with this younger son.
At fourteen, he could discuss marriage, but he couldn't touch alcohol.
What a shame!
He Lingchuan wanted to say more, but his eyes darted around, and he grabbed a piece of red date cake: "I'm going to take a bath. We'll talk later."
Without waiting for He Yue's reply, he jumped out the window.
"Hey?" He Yue felt something was off as He Lingchuan disappeared too quickly.
A few moments later, several figures entered the room, led by Madam Ying.
She froze when she saw the table: "These are the pastries for the tea party guests, and they need to be sent out soon! Yue'er, if you wanted something to eat, why didn't you say so? I could have had someone prepare it and send it to you."
The pastries meant for ten people were almost gone.
Since when had her son become such a big eater?
He Yue: "..."
...
Back in his own courtyard, He Lingchuan patted his belly.
Six-tenths full, happy!
After having someone prepare hot water, he took a comfortable bath and drank a cup of warm milk.
Just as he was about to lie down for a nap, his gaze fell on the broken sword by the table.
Normally, this sword was kept in the study, but today he had subconsciously brought it over.
He casually drew the broken sword and gently stroked it.
Since leaving the illusion, the sword didn't seem as cold and sharp as before.
Its once-blinding edge no longer affected him.
Of course, this was only true for him.
He Yue had merely touched the blade lightly, not even reaching the edge, and had cut his finger.
He Lingchuan raised his finger, touching the edge and quickly pulling back.
He cherished his skin.
His finger was fine, completely intact.
Encouraged, He Lingchuan pressed his finger lightly against the blade.
Still no blood.
He pressed harder, leaving a dent in his fingertip, but still no broken skin.
It was as sharp as if it hadn't been sharpened.
He Lingchuan was overjoyed and swung the sword a few times.
Crack! A sandalwood table several feet away split in half.
This sword was uniquely different for him!
He Lingchuan couldn't put it down.
This lone soul had come to a different world, living a life of luxury and being surrounded by people, but everything was inherited from the original body, giving him an unreal sense of detachment.
Only this sword truly belonged to him, and no one else could touch it.
What a pity he didn't know its name.
A treasured sword should have a name.
Why hadn't Zhong Shengguang engraved its true name on the scabbard?
(End of Chapter)