Chapter 471: Chapter 478: The Grace of Assistance
 

Han Yu halted and looked towards Yin Shi, “Vice General Yin, did you have a matter to discuss with me?”

Yin Shi glanced around and saw there were quite a few people. Without stating his purpose directly, he said, “This isn’t the place to talk, General Han, may I have a word with you aside?”

Han Yu glanced at Yin Shi a few times and, seeing the earnest expression on his face devoid of the usual hostility and jealous rage, but rather carrying a complexity, didn’t refuse Yin Shi’s request. For one thing, their interactions had been rather pleasant during this period, and besides, they were colleagues after all. Even if they didn’t get along in private, it wasn’t necessary to make a scene publicly. Moreover, Yin Shi seeking him out now was most likely concerning the just transpired events. Since Han Yu had already lent a hand to Yin Shi in the tent earlier, he naturally didn’t mind seeing it through to the end.

Seeing that Han Yu did not refuse, Yin Shi breathed a sigh of relief in his heart. He had been afraid that Han Yu wouldn’t give him face, after all, Han Yu was different from the others, he didn’t need to show him any courtesy on Liu Xiu’s account, and Han Yu wasn’t one to flatter indiscriminately. Ordinarily, he didn’t show much of a pleasant face to him, and it was only because of their recent mutual enemy that their relationship had thawed somewhat.

Yin Shi led Han Yu to his own tent, sent his confidants to stand guard at the entrance, and then flattered, “For General Han to come here, I am deeply grateful, and it brightens my humble dwelling.”

However, Han Yu was not buying what Yin Shi was selling, “Vice General Yin, please speak plainly if you have something to say. I am quite busy, and didn’t follow you here to hear these inconsequential words.”

Had it been before, Yin Shi would have become infuriated upon hearing Han Yu’s words, thinking Han Yu was too arrogant and self-important. But after the affair involving Liu Kuan, Yin Shi actually saw Han Yu’s temperament, though not likable, as having some merit. At the very least, he was straightforward and didn’t play double games, which was less vexing to guard against.

“General Han truly is a straightforward person. Then I won’t beat around the bush. First, I must thank General Han for your help today.”

As he spoke, Yin Shi respectfully bowed towards Han Yu. Given that Yin Shi was after all Liu Xiu’s brother-in-law and also a Vice General in the army, Han Yu naturally did not accept Yin Shi’s bow and stepped aside.

“Vice General Yin, what is the meaning of this?” While Han Yu was clear about why Yin Shi was acting in such a way, it is one thing to understand something but another to feign ignorance or insight as is appropriate. This too was an art in officialdom. Although Han Yu may come across as somewhat cold and unapproachable on the surface, it was a posture he was showing Liu Xiu, a self-protective stance, not an indication that he was truly aloof and naive about the ways of the world. Indeed, Han Yu’s application and grasp of personal interactions were no less adept than anyone else’s.

“General Han is a smart person, and you naturally understand my purpose. The assassination attempt on Liu Kuan and Chen Chu was indeed my doing. I cannot admit to it in front of everyone else because that would put My Lord in a difficult position and give those traitors a chance to criticize me. However, there’s no need for me to hide it from you, General Han.” Yin Shi was very clear in his heart that with Han Yu’s shrewdness, he would not have intervened without understanding the full story. The fact that he had spoken up in Liu Xiu’s tent earlier indicated that Han Yu must have guessed that he was behind it, which was why he had spoken in defense.

“I didn’t expect Vice General Yin to trust me so much. I am truly taken aback,” Han Yu said with an enigmatic smile curling at the corner of his mouth. He indeed hadn’t expected Yin Shi to admit it so directly, especially since Yin Shi had always been good at covert scheming, with many plans unable to be discussed openly.

“General Han need not doubt. I truly am grateful to you. Regardless of past grievances, we now stand on the same side with a common enemy. There’s no one I trust more than you. Besides, if it hadn’t been for your intervention just now, it wouldn’t be just me in trouble; My Lord would also have been in a difficult predicament.”

With the conversation having reached this point, it would be pointless for Han Yu to continue beating around the bush. At this moment, he finally became earnest, “Vice General Yin, forgive my bluntness, but your actions this time were truly reckless. If Liu Kuan has made it this far, he is not a simple man. Such assassination tactics are not clever. Had you succeeded, it might have been one thing, but now that you failed to strike him down, it will likely be even harder to catch them in the act. Instead, you have now placed My Lord in an unjust situation. Even if he wanted to act against them, it would be difficult because all the generals are watching. They don’t know the truth and will only side with what they see as just. My Lord can’t completely disregard everyone’s opinions.”

Yin Shi was, of course, aware of the reasoning behind Han Yu’s words and had considered it, “General Han, I understand what you’re saying, but with a formidable enemy before us, I can’t just allow two such traitors to lurk among us. It’s simply too dangerous. Moreover, what I hate most are traitors and spies. Thinking back, those classified messages were most likely leaked by them. Had it not been for your foresight, we might have suffered a defeat this time.”

Han Yu’s eyebrows lifted at Yin Shi’s vehement tone. He was quite certain that Liu Kuan and Chen Chu were traitors, but with such an attitude from Yin Shi, perhaps he had discovered something. After all, Yin Shi had previously had a good relationship with Liu Kuan and had dealings with Chen Chu. Given Yin Shi’s cleverness, it was possible that he had found something out.

“Even though there are rumors that Chen Chu and Liu Kuan are spies planted by the enemy among us, there is no evidence. Yet, Vice General Yin seems so certain that they are traitors. Did you discover something?” Han Yu asked, harboring doubts in his heart. Perhaps he could learn more from Yin Shi, making dealing with Chen Chu and Liu Kuan easier.

However, Yin Shi’s expression turned strange upon hearing this, “General Han, it’s no fun to be so secretive. Naturally, I have no evidence that Chen Chu and Liu Kuan are spies. Wasn’t it you who reported this information to My Lord? Otherwise, how would I know they are traitors?”

Han Yu was genuinely surprised this time. The implication of Yin Shi’s words made him feel somewhat unreal, “So what you’re saying, Vice General Yin, is that you determined Chen Chu and Liu Kuan to be traitors because you believed my words and not because you discovered something else?”

There was still some uncertainty in Han Yu’s words. When he had reported to Liu Xiu, Liu Xiu hadn’t entirely believed him, so he had only taken corresponding precautions—just in case. The situation wouldn’t have reached this point otherwise. It was, after all, because of Liu Xiu’s leniency. Deep down, he just wasn’t that convinced. Yet here was Yin Shi, who used to be his adversary, believing him so fully that upon his mere suspicion, he had taken it as fact and sent someone to assassinate them. That was somewhat fantastical, even for Han Yu—and it was rare for him to be surprised.