Chapter 649: The Summoning
Chapter 649: The Summoning
September 25, 2017
In Luoyang City, the intense struggle between He Jin and Zhang Lang was unfolding.
Meanwhile, Lu HaiKong, the focal point of their conflict, was leisurely making tea with Xi ZhiCai.
Upon returning from Bing Province, this guy immediately found Lu HaiKong and gave Xi ZhiCai the Supplemental Restoration Pill.
This Near-Mythical Grade pill indeed lived up to its description, with a gentle effect. It wasn't the kind of pill that would instantly revive Xi ZhiCai with full health.
If it were that kind of pill, Lu HaiKong wouldn't dare to administer it to Xi ZhiCai lightly. After all, Xi ZhiCai's frail physique might not withstand such a potent supplement, and one wrong move could lead to unforeseen consequences.
Thanks to this pill, although Xi ZhiCai didn't experience significant improvement the day after taking it, his complexion did improve slightly. As time went on and he continued taking the medicine, its effects gradually emerged, and Xi ZhiCai's health began to improve day by day.
In just six or seven days, Xi ZhiCai's body had recovered to the level he was at before using the Postnatal Divine Sword Qi. Moreover, Xi ZhiCai felt his body continually strengthening, as if he would soon be as robust as an ordinary person.
Lu HaiKong seemed more delighted about this situation than Xi ZhiCai himself, who appeared rather nonchalant.
Xi ZhiCai didn't seem overly excited about his improving health, and Lu HaiKong could sense that Xi ZhiCai's attitude hadn't changed much from before. However, he couldn't be entirely sure, as Xi ZhiCai also seemed quite pleased.
This situation could only be interpreted as Lu HaiKong's overly anxious feelings, otherwise, how could Xi ZhiCai have such a contradictory mindset?
But in reality, it wasn't like that. Lu HaiKong was perceptive, and Xi ZhiCai was indeed delighted that Lu HaiKong had found the Supplemental Restoration Pill to save him. However, his joy stemmed from the fact that he had gained some extra time, which he had thought was almost up.
In other words, Xi ZhiCai now saw himself as a candle that was about to burn out, but with this pill, he had become a candle that could still burn for a while longer. He was well aware that while the pill might change the fate of others, for him, it merely extended his life for a period. However, at this moment, Xi ZhiCai had learned to suppress this negative mindset, at least not to Lu HaiKong.
Lu HaiKong hadn't noticed this, as he had been extremely busy recently.
After returning from Bing Province, he had been occupied with various tasks.
On one hand, he had to deal with the vast wealth brought back by the Tomb Raiders and arrange for its transportation. On the other hand, he had to manage the withdrawal of the troops and take advantage of the remaining time in Jizhou to recruit as much talent as possible.
Although Lu HaiKong had started working on these tasks early on, even with his efforts, he was still busy wrapping things up at this point.
With Xi ZhiCai's assistance and the absence of Tian Feng and Wang Jun, who was stationed in Bing Province, Lu HaiKong had been working tirelessly for five or six days. It was only today that he managed to settle things initially and take a break to have tea with Xi ZhiCai.
"You're doing well, your complexion has improved significantly. It won't be long before you're back to your lively self," Lu HaiKong said with satisfaction as he sipped his tea, gazing at Xi ZhiCai.
"It's all thanks to you finding that pill. Otherwise, my young master would probably still be bedridden," Da Fu, standing behind Xi ZhiCai, replied with a flushed face. Normally, he wouldn't interrupt Lu HaiKong and Xi ZhiCai's conversation, but seeing Xi ZhiCai's health improving, he couldn't contain his excitement.
"I told you I'd cure him!" Lu HaiKong didn't mind Da Fu's interruption at all.
Da Fu nodded excitedly, then quickly realized he had spoken out of turn. He apologized and retreated.
After Da Fu left, Lu HaiKong and Xi ZhiCai continued their tea, and their conversation shifted to Luoyang's situation.
Xi ZhiCai, who was in charge of intelligence, had already learned about the struggle between He Jin and Zhang Lang in Luoyang. Despite his recent health issues, Xi ZhiCai had kept a tight grip on intelligence matters, so he was promptly informed about the situation in Luoyang.
"It's normal for them to fight. One is an imperial relative, and the other is an eunuch. It would be strange if they didn't clash," Lu HaiKong said, unconcerned.
"Aren't you worried that Zhang Lang might lose the fight and you'll lose the position you desire?" Xi ZhiCai asked after taking a sip of tea.
"It won't come to that. With my military merits in suppressing the Yellow Turban Rebellion and the Emperor's trust in Zhang Lang, even if we face Zhang Jiao, we won't necessarily lose to He Jin," Lu HaiKong replied confidently.
"Xi Zhi Cai put down his teacup, 'Do you have that much confidence in Zhang Lang? Don't forget, Zhang Lang's opponent isn't just a simple He Jin!'
Lu Hai Kong was stunned for a moment, but quickly understood what Xi Zhi Cai meant.
How did this General He Jin get his position? It wasn't just because of his sister, the Empress, who held power in the harem.
That Empress He wasn't simple at all. She rose from the lowest-ranking maid to the position of Empress, and although there was some influence from her son's status, the Han Lingdi also favored her greatly.
Zhang Lang could speak well of Lu Hai Kong to the Han Lingdi, cultivating the Emperor's goodwill towards him, but Empress He could also badmouth Lu Hai Kong to the Han Lingdi, damaging his image in the Emperor's mind.
And that's just one part of it. Lu Hai Kong had also seen the proposal for rewards that Xin Ping had sent over earlier, and he clearly understood what He Jin meant by promoting Huangfu Song while suppressing Lu Hai Kong. It was to curry favor with the court and the officials close to Huangfu Song, and together they would suppress Lu Hai Kong. With this double pressure, Zhang Lang might really be crushed by He Jin and his allies.
Lu Hai Kong narrowed his eyes, 'It seems that the situation in Luoyang is far more complex than I expected.'
'However, with my merits in suppressing the Yellow Turban Rebellion, even if Zhang Lang can't hold on, at most I'll just maintain the status quo, right?' Lu Hai Kong didn't seem too worried.
In fact, even if Lu Hai Kong were given the position of Governor of Bing Province, his focus for the next few years would still be on the three counties of Northern Fortress City and the upcoming construction of the foreign city. So, maintaining the status quo wasn't a big deal for Lu Hai Kong.
It was clear that while Lu Hai Kong aimed for the position of Governor, he had also prepared for the worst-case scenario. After all, if he didn't get the promotion, his development in Bing Province would definitely be restricted, and the court, or rather He Jin, would surely arrange for someone to keep an eye on him in Bing Province.
'That's true. Now that you have military merits, they can only lower the level of your rewards. They wouldn't dare to do anything too extreme to you.' Xi Zhi Cai seemed to have a different opinion, but he still subconsciously kept it to himself.
However, after spending so much time with Xi Zhi Cai, Lu Hai Kong had become more sensitive. Seeing Xi Zhi Cai's reaction, he immediately sensed his friend's state of mind.
Lu Hai Kong didn't say anything about this, as this wasn't the first time it had happened. He was already used to it, and he also understood that Xi Zhi Cai kept quiet when he felt he could handle the situation. If it was something Lu Hai Kong couldn't handle, like with Zhang Jiao, Xi Zhi Cai would directly step in, even at the risk of his life, to help Lu Hai Kong.
As Xi Zhi Cai remained silent, the conversation about Luoyang came to an end.
After spending half a day with Xi Zhi Cai, Lu Hai Kong, before leaving, handed over the little panda he had raised to Xi Zhi Cai.
It was strange; this little panda had always shown affection only to Lu Hai Kong, ignoring everyone else. But when Lu Hai Kong gave it to Xi Zhi Cai, it immediately displayed affection for him.
Not only the little panda, but also the wolf that Xi Zhi Cai had raised like a pig, both showed affection for Xi Zhi Cai. It was as if Xi Zhi Cai had some hidden talent for animal affinity. Lu Hai Kong found this very interesting and wondered if he could get something else for Xi Zhi Cai to try, but of course, Xi Zhi Cai would need the time and energy for it.
Not long after Lu Hai Kong had some free time to meet with Xi Zhi Cai, an official order from Luoyang arrived.
It wasn't a reward, as that would take more time. Instead, it was a military order, instructing the Ji Province army to return to their original location after the war, and not to stay in Ji Province any longer.
The court's finances had been tight for several months since the Yellow Turban Rebellion, and now that the rebellion was almost suppressed, the court was ready to disband this legion. After all, the logistics for these Ji Province legions during the war were provided by the court.
Even before the war ended, the big shots at the court had been pushing for this, and now that it was over, they were eager to resolve this financial strain.
Lu Hai Kong didn't have much to say about this. He had been waiting for this military order, and his preparations to return to Bing Province were already in place. He could leave at any time, and with the court's order, he would take his army and go.
However, what Lu Hai Kong didn't expect was that, along with the military order, the court had also brought an imperial edict.
This edict was issued by Han Lingdi, and its content was simple: the Emperor was very interested in this man and wanted to meet him, so he ordered Lu Hai Kong to come to the capital...
(End of Chapter)
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