Chapter 98: Shall We Go Together?

Chen Cong watched Li Ru’s retreating figure and suddenly felt as if he had truly forgotten something.

The poison expert...

With a slap to his forehead, he immediately gave chase.

“Uncle-in-law, truly, I have a small matter that needs your help right now.”

“Zi Ning, speak frankly.”

“Have you ever heard of Jia Xu, Jia Wenhe?”

Li Ru pondered briefly and said, “This man was originally an adviser to Li Jue. When Li Jue was ordered to cover the rear, he turned to befriend Zhang Ji. He usually speaks cautiously, only revealing a fraction of what he knows, never gaining a good reputation. How did you come to know his name, Zi Ning?”

Chen Cong’s heart stirred.

No wonder Jia Wenhe was truly untouchable by danger. When Li Jue camped at Hukou, the situation on the surface looked overwhelmingly favorable—they had every chance to win. Yet this fellow immediately turned and sided with Zhang Ji.

It was said that Zhang Ji, after being severely beaten by Dong Zhuo’s forces, became a marginal figure in the broken army.

And yet Jia Wenhe didn’t associate with anyone else, only with Zhang Ji, likely to avoid drawing attention to himself.

Damn, truly a master of survival.

“Hmph! You know Flying Bear Right Army Captain Cheng Zhuo, right, uncle? This man has a grudge with him. I just happen to be taking him back to settle a score for a brother,” Chen Cong blurted out casually.

Li Ru didn’t believe a single word.

But for such trivial matters, he didn’t bother to argue.

“Zi Ning, wait a moment. I will send someone to capture this man immediately.”

Chen Cong quickly waved his hand.

That old fox’s nose was sharper than a dog’s. If he caught wind of anything, he’d come back to wreak secret revenge on him—then there would be nowhere to hide his tears.

“If uncle knows where he is, perhaps we should go to his doorstep... and block him in?”

Li Ru paused in surprise, his expression somewhat bewildered.

Could it really be a grudge? Otherwise, why would Chen Wudi personally go after a seemingly feeble scholar with no strength?

“Enough. Follow me.”

A maid ran up to deliver a message.

“Master, the Grand Tutor invites you to dine.”

Chen Cong didn’t even turn his head. “Tell Lord Yue I’m not hungry.”

Li Ru’s suspicions deepened.

It seemed there was indeed a grudge...

...

...

“Old Jia, slacking off again?”

“Hahaha, Mr. Jia loves leaning against the pillar to sleep. Don’t disturb him.”

“Perhaps he’s just getting old. His daughter kicked him off the bed at night; otherwise, why would he be sleeping so much every day?”

The man was around fifty, standing over seven feet tall, of ordinary looks, wearing a grayish robe faded from repeated washing.

Leaning against the pillar outside the camp tent, his eyes were closed as if asleep.

When people passed by to greet or tease him, he didn’t open his eyes.

In truth, his fingers hidden under his sleeves were rapidly calculating and deducing.

In a moment, he had roughly predicted the current situation.

Including the engagement between the two armies at Hulao Pass near Luoyang, and the standoff at Mengjin Pass to the north.

He even factored in the extreme possibility of Chen Cong suddenly leading cavalry to raid Luoyang, an unpredictable move.

His final conclusion: Dong Zhuo’s days were numbered, though not imminently.

To be absolutely certain, he calculated three times, each result the same.

Then, brushing off nonexistent dust from his sleeves as if just waking, he stretched lazily, and opened his eyes with satisfaction.

“Jia Wenhe.”

Jia Xu turned toward the voice.

The early morning sun was a bit dazzling; looking against the light, he couldn’t see the visitor clearly, only two vague silhouettes.

As they approached and he saw clearly, his guard went up immediately.

It was the Court Physician Li Ru, accompanied by a strange man carrying a wooden box.

Their statuses were worlds apart, and they had exchanged few words, at most having met.

What good could come from them seeking him out in camp?

No kindness without an ulterior motive.

Moreover, the man carrying the box gave off a distinctly dangerous vibe at a glance.

His mind raced.

Jia Xu reached behind his waist, pressing on a piece of prepared cured cowhide, making a faint ‘gugu’ sound.

Then he greeted them with a somewhat embarrassed expression.

“Court Physician, please forgive me. This old man greedily ate croton seed this morning and now suffers unbearable stomach pain. I’ll be right back.”

Before Li Ru could speak, Chen Cong stepped forward.

“Why not let me accompany you, sir? That way, I can protect you closely, and if you cannot resolve it, I can assist.”

Even the sly Jia Xu was momentarily taken aback and said awkwardly, “Such a filthy matter—how could another help?”

Chen Cong grinned widely, “I’ll help you get it out.”

Jia Xu twitched his lips and gave a forced laugh. “After this brave man’s scare, my stomach feels much lighter. Pray tell, what orders do you have, Court Physician?”

Li Ru shook his head: “It is not I who seeks this, but I recommend him on behalf of Wenhe. This is Chen Cong, also known as Chen Zi Ning. I believe Wenhe has heard of him.”

Jia Xu was stunned.

His legs felt numb.

He cursed his parents for not giving him more legs, wishing he could run to the ends of the earth in one breath.

This was the downside of his cautious self-preservation and deliberate distance from power structures. All information had to be gleaned through indirect channels and calculations to reach conclusions.

And such intelligence often lagged behind reality.

He knew Chen Cong was Dong Zhuo’s grandson-in-law, but never imagined he would appear in Luoyang. And even if he appeared, why seek out a lowly, hopeless, fallen adviser like himself?

He had no desire whatsoever to get involved with this muscle-headed brute.

To be associated with such a fool who would ride crossbows into the city—how could he ever find peace again?

He’d have to sleep with one eye open, perhaps even one eye wouldn’t suffice.

“I confess that before meeting General Wudi, my heart is unsettled. I will prepare some wine and return shortly.”

Chen Cong took Jia Xu’s hand, his smile bright as sunshine.

“Why not come along?”

“My quarters are humble; it’s not proper to accompany me... I suppose.”

Jia Xu was already cursing silently.

He pitied the heavens. To seek stability, he concealed his talents and kept a low profile. Even when gathering intelligence, he did so indirectly, hiding in the broken Zhang Ji camp. How could he still be targeted?

Chen Cong, however, was inexplicably delighted!

Jia Xu, Jia Wenhe!

A top-tier schemer without a single flaw, masterful at survival.

His personality perfectly complemented Chen Cong’s—truly a partner sent from heaven.

From now on, he’d tie this old fox to his waistband.

When ready for battle, listen to him in reverse; when not, listen straight—invincible!

Thinking this, Chen Cong nearly laughed aloud, unintentionally gripping Jia Xu’s hand harder, causing him to grit his teeth.

“This time, I specially invite Mr. Wenhe to come along.”

Come along?

Not a chance!

The fate of the realm was still unsettled. Cao Cao was merely one of the eighteen warlords with a relatively bright future.

To wait until Cao Cao rose to power would mean countless fierce battles.

Who would comfortably sit in Guanzhong, watching the world’s storms pass, waiting for the dust to settle before pledging loyalty to the current hegemon?

With this in mind, Jia Xu smiled gently.

“I wish it were so, but I dare not accept. Please, general, release me for now. I will pack my belongings and then accompany you. Is that agreeable?”

Chen Cong smiled even more warmly, baring two rows of neat teeth.

“To be honest, it’s not very agreeable.”