Dark Sand: My Players Are All Actors-Chapter 550 - 279 Ultimate Trial Pass!_3

General Han Fuyue no longer exhibited the initial fury that had crowned his brow, and spoke respectfully, "The success of the Northern Expedition was entirely dependent on everyone’s efforts to stabilize the rear, allowing this lowly general to focus on the battles at the front.

"So, the success of this expedition should primarily be credited to Prime Minister Qin.

"In the past, I have wronged Prime Minister Qin.

"Now, with the absence of war across the land, this general can finally lay down his armor and return to the fields."

General Han Fuyue indeed remained as modest as ever.

Chuge laughed heartily, "There’s no need for that, you never misjudged me before.

"And besides, for General Han to lay down his armor and return to the fields, it seems a bit premature, doesn’t it?"

General Han Fuyue was taken aback for a moment, "What does Prime Minister Qin mean? The Jin invaders have been pacified, the Sixteen States of Youyun have been reclaimed; the world is now a peaceful and prosperous place, heaven and earth are clear and bright. What else could a mere warrior like me do if not lay down his armor and return to the fields?"

Chuge smiled slightly, "General Han speaks amiss.

"Do warriors have nothing to do in a golden age of peace? They can still go a step further and don the yellow robe."

General Han Fuyue was shocked, "Prime Minister Qin, do not jest! I am loyal and devoted; how dare I commit such a great crime of treachery?"

Chuge laughed heartily again, "It’s just a joke, no harm, no harm."

In fact, the players present really did hope that General Han Fuyue would attempt a coup and seize the Qi Dynasty’s throne directly.

After all, it would be much better to have General Han Fuyue as Emperor than the bungling Emperor Gaozong of Qi.

But this was after all the real General Han Fuyue from history; he truly had no ambitions to betray his emperor, so they naturally couldn’t force him.

After enjoying a light drink, Chuge continued, "General Han, to say there are no more troubles across the land and to return to your fields might be a bit too optimistic.

"Do you still remember the lines of a certain poem you wrote? Seems like you haven’t yet accomplished everything written in it, have you?"

General Han Fuyue nodded, "Naturally, I remember.

"’The shame of Jingping unavenged, the servant’s wrath not yet quenched. I aim to start anew, to reclaim the old rivers and mountains, facing the sky.

"’But now the shame of Jingping has been avenged, the old lands have been reclaimed, even the Sixteen States of Youyun that neither Emperor Taizong nor Emperor Taizong managed to retrieve have been taken back.

"’All has been accomplished, right?’"

Chuge smiled slightly, "Isn’t there another line in there: ’Driving long chariots, stepping through Helan Mountain’s pass?’"

General Han Fuyue was stunned for a moment, "... Yes."

Chuge asked, "Where is Helan Mountain?"

General Han Fuyue fell silent for a moment, "In Xixia."

Chuge then asked, "There’s another line, ’With lofty ambition, one eats the flesh of the barbarians, laughs and drinks the blood of the Xiongnu in thirst.’ Where are the Xiongnu?"

General Han Fuyue replied, "They are... deep in the Desert North."

Chuge nodded, "Correct, the Northern Barbarians will rise before long."

In real history, the Northern Barbarians rose about forty years after General Han Fuyue’s death.

Even if General Han Fuyue hadn’t died unjustly at thirty-nine, it was unlikely that he would have lived to see the day when the Northern Barbarians truly rose to power.

But, he could prepare for a rainy day.

Organize the troops, continue to train the soldiers, and strengthen the martial force of the Great Qi, leaving behind more talented generals for future generations.

Even directly leading troops into the Desert North, and continuously striking at the currently nomadic Northern Barbarian tribes, could cut off their potential rise to power.

As for stepping through Helan Mountain and annihilating Xixia, it would be even more within reach.

General Han Fuyue couldn’t help but brim with spirited confidence, "Good! I’ll take Prime Minister Qin’s auspicious words! This lowly general shall certainly brave any danger and shirk no responsibility!"

He paused, then suddenly remembered a matter of utmost urgency.

Logically, this issue should always have been at the forefront of his mind, always a concern, but somehow, with the pressing matters of war at the front, he had forgotten.

Now, having returned to the capital and during the feast, he always felt something was missing, and at this moment he suddenly realized.

"Prime Minister Qin!

"Since my last return to the capital, I have not seen His Majesty.

"What is the current state of His Majesty?"

This matter had constantly weighed on General Han Fuyue’s heart, and it was clear that it tormented him not to ask.

Chuge looked at General Han Fuyue with a meaningful glance and asked, "Does General Han truly wish to know?"

General Han Fuyue nodded, "Of course! As a subject, how can I not care about His Majesty’s well-being?"

Chuge pondered for a moment, "Very well, then please accompany me."

The two left the banquet and rode a carriage into the imperial palace.

In a secluded palace hall, General Han Fuyue saw Emperor Gaozong of Qi lying on a bed with several young eunuchs attending to him.

His face still bore bruises, and he lay with eyes closed on the bed, his whole body swathed in bandages, appearing no different from a vegetative state, completely immobile.

General Han Fuyue couldn’t help but turn pale with shock, "His Majesty’s injuries are so severe?

"That envoy from Jin... such ruthless cruelty!

"It’s a pity that he is already dead; otherwise, I would absolutely tear him to pieces!"

Chuge coughed lightly, "Ahem, indeed an egregious crime. But rest assured, General Han, that envoy from Jin was beaten to death in court and his corpse displayed at the city gate. His Majesty died in loyal service to the country... oh no, he served until he was utterly exhausted."

General Han Fuyue frowned and after a careful observation said, "But why is there still blood seeping through His Majesty’s bandages?"

The incident with the Jin envoy had occurred before the Northern Expedition; by then, more than half a year had passed.

Why was Emperor Gaozong still bleeding?

Chuge fell silent for a moment, "This... the assassin the Jin sent to kill His Majesty was undoubtedly a martial arts master.

"Such masters often possess Inner Strength; a single strike might leave no external marks, yet cause serious internal injuries.

"Even though His Majesty has been resting quietly, such internal injuries are ultimately difficult to cure, hence the occasional seeping of blood."