Ye Chuan took a sip of wine and sighed. “An old general who has fought for his country all his life, constantly thinking about ‘loyalty’ and ‘dying in battle.’ What could he possibly be worried about before he passes away?”

 

These words almost made Li Xuanwu tear up.

 

Good kid!

 

Grandfather misunderstood you!

 

Although he’s a fool and his words can be harsh…

 

He’s definitely a good kid!

 

Li Xuanwu silently raised his cup, wanting to toast the young man, a newfound friend.

 

Old Master Xia, a bit dazed, glanced at Li Xuanwu, whose eyes were now slightly wet, and couldn’t help feeling a bit emotional.

 

He knew well enough about Li Xuanwu’s loyalty and bravery. They had shared decades of friendship…

 

“Come to think of it, the old man was foolish.”

 

Before Ye Chuan could finish his sentence, he suddenly continued with emotion, “You see, in our Great Xia, recent years have favored civil officials over military officers. Civil officials get a higher salary than generals! The old man fights battles, but his salary is only a few taels a month—he’s playing with his life, what a fool…”

 

Bang!

 

Li Xuanwu crushed his wine cup with his hand.

 

His face turned pale, and his lips twitched with anger.

 

That confirmed it.

 

He really was a fool.

 

Old Master Xia’s expression was awkward as well. It seemed like this comment was indirectly criticizing him too.

 

The guards behind Old Master Xia looked on, their eyes filled with hostility.

 

“Ahem…” Old Master Xia cleared his throat twice. “Young man, let’s talk about business. Could you share your brilliant idea?”

 

Ye Chuan’s eyes brightened. “So you’re agreeing to the deal I proposed?”

 

Old Master Xia smiled faintly. “If you really have a clever plan, it wouldn’t hurt to give it a try.”

 

Ye Chuan nodded. “Both of you, come closer.”

 

Seeing Ye Chuan act so mysteriously, both old men couldn’t help but become curious and leaned in.

 

“My brilliant idea is a poem.”

 

“All you have to do is recite this poem to the old general, and it will definitely reveal what’s on his mind.”

 

The two old men looked at each other, even more intrigued now, listening intently.

 

Ye Chuan cleared his throat, his face serious. He spoke each word with great care.

 

“Thousands of years of rivers and mountains, no heroes to be found, Sun…”

 

After just one line, he suddenly stopped and looked somewhat embarrassed. “Excuse me, but what’s the name of the old general?”

 

Li Xuanwu’s face turned ashen.

 

Old Master Xia, too, was at a loss for words.

 

This young man didn’t even know the general’s name and was boldly claiming that a single poem would bring someone back to life?

 

“The old general’s surname is Li, and his full name is Li Xuanwu. He holds the title ‘General of the Northern Defense.’”

 

“Oh, oh!” Ye Chuan nodded repeatedly, regaining his composure, and began again.

 

“Thousands of years of rivers and mountains, no heroes to be found, Li of the Northern Defense stands. Rain pavilions and song stages, all beauty swept away by the wind and rain! The slanting sun, the grass and trees, the common streets—people say the general once lived here. Remember those years, swords and iron horses, the might of a tiger swallowing a thousand miles!”

 

As he finished the first half of the poem, Li Xuanwu shuddered all over, his entire body trembling uncontrollably. His battle-worn face, though hardened by the years, was covered with tears.

 

Iron swords and horses, the might of a tiger swallowing a thousand miles…

 

What a “tiger swallowing a thousand miles”!

 

In his mind, images of a life spent galloping on the battlefield, cutting down enemies with his sword, flooded back.

 

The vast desert smoke, the brave warrior in a hundred battles, iron swords and horses, the might of a tiger swallowing a thousand miles!

 

This was what a true man should be like!

 

How thrilling!

 

How magnificent!

 

Ye Chuan didn’t notice Li Xuanwu’s change, and continued reciting the rest of the poem.

 

“Galloping across the battlefield, the wolves were defeated, but the Huns turned their gaze north. Forty-three years have passed, still remembered, the fires of war ahead! Can you bear to look back? At the shrine of the Huns, a flock of crows with the sound of the drum. Who dares ask, ‘Loyalty…’ Uh, Xuanwu, old and frail, can you still eat?’”

 

As the last line was spoken, Ye Chuan was thoroughly pleased with himself.

 

It was a perfect adaptation!

 

The original poem’s latter half didn’t quite fit, so Ye Chuan had made some adjustments, changing the names and places. It was perfect!

 

Just as he basked in his own cleverness, Ye Chuan took a glance at the two old men and was startled.

 

Old Master Xia sat there, dazed, his face full of shock.

 

The white-bearded old man, however, was an emotional wreck, tears streaming down his face uncontrollably.

 

Ye Chuan couldn’t help but feel impressed.

 

The poetry of Xin Qiji, truly, one word—excellent!

 

“Xuanwu, old and frail, can you still eat…”

 

“Xuanwu, old and frail, can you still eat!”

 

“Good! Thrilling! Absolutely thrilling! Hahaha…”

 

Li Xuanwu, his face drenched in tears, suddenly grew excited. He lifted a whole jug of wine and downed it in one go!

 

Old Master Xia also muttered the poem under his breath twice, his eyes shining as he looked at Ye Chuan. “I didn’t expect you to have such great talent!”

 

Ye Chuan felt a bit embarrassed. After all, he was just borrowing someone else’s work, so he humbly smiled. “You flatter me, Old Master. I was just lucky, it came to me by chance.”

 

The two old men, seeing Ye Chuan’s modesty and composure despite his obvious brilliance, couldn’t help but feel admiration. Not only was he talented, but so young and already so composed—rare indeed!

 

“However, young man, I have one question I don’t quite understand, and I would like to ask you.” Old Master Xia’s tone was now much more respectful, and even his guards behind him looked stunned.

 

“I dare not, please, ask away.” Ye Chuan responded with an air of calm humility.

 

“The ‘forty-three years’ part is rather hard to understand,” Old Master Xia frowned. “As far as I know, if we count from when the old general first went to battle, it should be forty-six years. But if we count from when he first earned his military merit, it should be forty-two years. So where does the ‘forty-three years’ come from?”

 

Before Ye Chuan could respond, Li Xuanwu suddenly trembled violently again.

 

It turned out that the Emperor remembered everything, and remembered it so clearly!

 

Feeling deeply moved, Li Xuanwu was filled with guilt and wanted to slap himself.

 

He immediately stood up, almost instinctively calling out, “Your…”

 

Just as he was about to speak, Old Master Xia shot him a warning look, and Li Xuanwu froze, quickly changing his words with a sheepish smile. “The remaining wine should not go to waste. Let’s divide it among us!”

 

He quickly poured wine for the other two.

 

Ye Chuan didn’t suspect anything but did find the old general’s behavior a bit odd.

 

Meanwhile, the guards behind Old Master Xia almost burst out laughing.

 

They always say that old men are like children, and it seemed to be true.

 

The old general, who had once dared to show the Emperor disrespect, was now so moved, almost like a child!

 

The bond between the Emperor and the old general truly went beyond the ordinary!

 

Old Master Xia, ignoring the general, smiled at Ye Chuan. “Young man, could you explain?”

 

Ye Chuan smiled awkwardly. “Oh, it’s nothing, I just made a mistake! You can take it as forty-six years or forty-two years, whichever you prefer, haha…”

 

Old Master Xia’s expression instantly turned complicated, his lips twitching.

 

It was so casual!

 

“Gentlemen, so, how about the deal? Shall we proceed?” Ye Chuan didn’t forget the main matter at hand and gently reminded them.

 

Old Master Xia immediately laughed heartily. “Lin Zhao, bring the silver!”

 

The guard behind him quickly stepped forward and respectfully handed over a stack of silver notes.

 

“Little brother, this should be enough to be worth a thousand taels of gold. You can exchange it at any bank in the capital,” Old Master Xia said with a smile. “We’re settled now.”

 

Ye Chuan’s eyes brightened as he quickly reached for the money.

 

The first pot of gold was easy to earn!

 

“Hold on!”

 

Li Xuanwu suddenly spoke up, stopping him. “Old Master Xia, why are we settling the deal so quickly? Why does this poem belong to you?”

 

Old Master Xia froze for a moment, narrowing his eyes. “Old fool, are you challenging me?”

 

“What challenge?” Li Xuanwu gritted his teeth. “This poem was originally mine!”

 

Of course! It was about me! Who else would it belong to?

 

Old Master Xia was so furious that his teeth ground together. “I paid first, so it’s mine now!”

 

“Ridiculous! Who doesn’t have money!”

 

Li Xuanwu refused to back down, grabbing Ye Chuan’s hand and standing up. “Come on, young man, let’s go collect our money!”