As soon as the words were spoken, the silent court suddenly exploded like a drop of water falling into hot oil.
"Yes! General Zhao has been fighting for so many years. Surely his men have learned some skills by now?"
General Zhao was a brilliant commander. Early on, Zhao and Chu were enemies. Zhao sent troops many times, often with 100,000 soldiers against Chu's 200,000, using many clever tactics that left Chu unable to respond.
These battles earned General Zhao his title as the God of War.
But he was old now, with no one to pass on his skills.
In the Zhao court, people talked back and forth.
With no other choice, the King of Zhao issued an order to change the general temporarily.
General Yijan was still undercover as a merchant in Zhao at this time.
But now he had connected with Faron.
As soon as the king's decree was issued, the Zhai mansion already got the news.
Faron was furious and threw his teacup. Tea splashed near General Yijan's feet as he stepped in.
"Zi Heng!" Faron called, still angry but holding back when he saw Yijan.
"Your Highness, you have received the message from the palace, right?" Yijan asked calmly.
Faron had a thick beard and thick eyebrows, his anger rising. "These idiots! They want to send Zhong Xuewu to lead the army? That reckless man. He's skilled but can he really command troops? Ha!"
Yijan sat down quietly and listened to Faron vent his frustrations.
After Faron finished, Yijan spoke calmly, "Now the noble families have grown too strong. Unless absolutely necessary, they won't give up their power easily."
They fear losing any of their influence.
"If you don't fight harder, they won't let you go to the front. Since you expect General Zhong to lose this battle, maybe wait a bit longer."
Yijan and Faron knew each other because the Zhao nobility hated them both like thorns in their side.
Once, when Faron was almost assassinated, Yijan happened to be nearby on a boat and saved him. After nursing Faron back to health, they became close friends with shared ideas.
After returning to his mansion, Faron often invited Yijan to visit.
The emperor gave Yijan a prince's title from another family but kept him idle at home. He didn't have to attend court if he didn't want to.
When Wu country invaded, Faron also petitioned to lead the troops but was refused.
"I pity the soldiers," Faron said, knowing they would only be sent to die but powerless to help. The court officials could never understand how he felt.
Still, his anger finally calmed down.
---
Over in Wu country, Penn had arrived early and was now moving among officials and nobles.
Using the mooncakes and salted fish given by General Yves, he entered Wu disguised as a merchant.
These goods were the key to open the doors of officials and noble families. The mooncakes and salted fish were delicious, perfect for their banquets.
He met the homeowner while they were reciting poetry and painting.
This was Penn's strong suit. Using a poem about plum blossoms, he attracted the homeowner's attention and soon started receiving regular orders for pastries.
Although Wu had sent troops to war, the officials and noble families in the city lived mostly unchanged.
Penn mainly did business with nobles and officials, so he was not much affected.
The common people had passed the initial panic of conscription and life had settled.
Penn and General Yves could not contact each other for now. But Penn wasn't impatient. He calmly went about his work: running the shop, restocking, checking inventory, bookkeeping, and delivering goods.
He always accompanied the nobles to their homes when delivering.
One day, after finishing a delivery, his carriage suddenly came to a sharp stop on the way back.
"Boss, are you okay?"
The coachman quickly asked.
"What happened?"
Penn lifted the curtain.
"There's someone lying down in front!"
The coachman didn't dare get off at first. After hesitating for a moment, he said.
Penn was stunned, quickly got off the carriage, "Go check it out. Maybe someone got hit?"
The coachman was a bit scared. Seeing Penn get off with him, he finally stepped down.
They saw a person lying in front of the carriage, no visible injuries.
The coachman breathed out, "We didn't hit him."
"Boss, it's better not to get involved if it's nothing important," the coachman advised.
Penn bent down and checked the man's breathing, "Still alive."
Looking at the man's pale face and thin limbs.
"Get the water bottle from the carriage. Maybe he fainted from hunger?"
The man wore old, worn cotton clothes.
Penn wanted to give him water. The coachman saw he couldn't stop Penn, so he handed the bottle over.
After drinking, the man's breathing became steadier.
"Take him to the clinic!"
Though reluctant, the coachman obeyed Penn's order.
At the clinic, the doctor checked his pulse, "The patient is weak from not eating for a long time, that's why he fainted. Nothing serious."
The doctor gave a prescription to strengthen his body and asked Penn to pay.
The doctor then did acupuncture. The man on the bed slowly opened his eyes.
Still weak, Penn said, "You fainted on the road. We passed by and brought you here. The doctor says you fainted from hunger. Wait a bit, I'll get you something to eat."
The man had a messy beard. Hearing this, he quickly stood up and bowed to Penn.
"Thank you, sir, for saving me!"
Penn pressed the man's shoulder, "No need for thanks. Rest well first."
Just then, the coachman brought in a bowl.
It was buns and porridge bought from a breakfast stall next to the clinic.
The man swallowed nervously, his face behind the beard showing a bit of shame but also hope.
"Eat quickly!"
Penn said.
The man took the bowl, gulped down two big sips. Luckily, the porridge was not too hot since it had been sitting for a while, and the weather was cool.
Since the man was awake, had eaten, and the medicine was ready.
Penn said, "Since you're awake, we will leave now."
Penn didn't ask the man for money.
Because seeing him reminded Penn of the times when he traveled abroad and received kindness from strangers.
It was just a small favor. He wanted to pass on that kindness.
But when they reached the door and were about to leave, the man called out.
Penn turned around, the coachman looked annoyed.