Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

The little attendant was really petty.

When the strategist worked for Prince Changshou, he had come up with a scheme to frame Huang Song. Huang Song was probably furious about the blame that appeared out of nowhere. If Huang Song knew that he was the one who came up with the idea and instigated Prince Changshou, how could he not bear a grudge?

This was not taking refuge, but seeking death.

Although what he said was penetratingly harsh, his tone was somewhat cheerful and funny. One would think that he was not angry about the attendant’s pettiness.

The boy servant attending to his studies understood his master’s temper. He knew even better that he would not be mad at something like this. His master would even itch for a try.

He said, “Your astuteness and resourcefulness are unparalleled. If Mr. Huang is really as good as you describe him to be, he won’t blame you.”

The strategist smacked his lips and immediately entered the carriage. Leaning against the support, he spoke lazily, “Up to you.”

The boy servant attending to his studies replied with a smile, “Okay. We’ll head to Diyang District right away.”

The daily mockery between the master and servant (1

/1), completed.

The world today was unstable. The support from the people was already divided. Men of insight in the world did not have an optimistic view about the royal family of Dongqing or Prince Changshou. No matter who won, they could not make the chaotic world bright again. They did not have the ability to restore things to order, as well as broad-mindedness and magnanimity.

Since the Great Xia Dynasty, the world had been divided into five kingdoms which were founded very quickly. The distinguished personages could not even be called patriots.

Since the world was in chaos, a new world should be explored in order to let light shine upon the world again!

There was an untold number of people seeking fame and gain in this world. As long as some profits could be made, there would undoubtedly be people who chased after fame and riches.

Some wanted to assist a wise emperor in order to have a place in history and leave a good name for posterity.

The strategist was no exception.

Before Prince Changshou laid his true nature bare, he indeed had the looks of a wise Emperor. To put it bluntly, he was good at acting. Moreover, he was Prince Changshou of the royal family of Dongqing. He had a fertile and vast fief and a strong military force. He had a very strong and solid capital.

However, he was an impatient man. His acting skills were not perfect, so his flaws were exposed when he had not even acted for long.

Realizing his true colors, the strategist abhorred helping such a terrible person.

A fine fowl perched only on a fine tree and a virtuous minister served only a virtuous master.

He would work to the best of his ability if he could meet a master whom he could work with. If he met a master who was unsuitable for him, he would quit as soon as possible and find the right master.

At sunset, the carriage was heading towards Diyang District slowly.

He would like to see if the capable Huang Song was really capable and the breadth of mind that he had!

He cherished his life but he had an appetite for risk too. The boy servant attending to his studies knew his temperament well. Otherwise, he would not suggest going to Diyang District.

The more they headed north, the more refugees they encountered. The barren farmlands, the starving people and the dilapidated ruins attacked their eyes. However, the strategist had seen a lot of similar scenes. Furthermore, he had a cold personality, so he did not reveal any perplexed or pained facial expressions.

On the other hand, the boy servant was still innocent and kind. He felt extreme emotions upon seeing the dazed refugees and the crying and lost children.

However, he remembered his identity and did not give them food or money. He did not slow down.

Being in an unfamiliar place and in such a chaotic world, kindness could sometimes not be exchanged for gratitude, but perhaps might invite death instead.

In order to be safe, the boy servant exchanged the horse for a bony, old horse. He changed into some old clothes with many patches. The carriage which the strategist sat in was also replaced with a dusty, old carriage. It was just that the interior of the carriage was more comfortable and cleaner.

With such a combination, as long as they did not encounter refugees who were driven to desperation, they would probably be fine.

The strategist only raised his eyebrows at such an arrangement. He did not intervene.

The boy servant took care of him and had always done things in a reliable and thoughtful manner. In terms of laundry, cooking, sewing, driving and repairing carriages and surviving in the wild… As long as he had his attendant, he would not have to worry about having an uncomfortable life. Even if he was abandoned on a deserted island, he could live fairly comfortably.

“Sir, when do you think the world will become peaceful?”

The boy servant was not yet twenty. In addition to his small and chubby face, he looked even younger with his hair twisted in a knot.

The strategist answered without looking up, “I’m not a god. How am I supposed to know?”

The attendant replied, “But don’t you aspire to assist a wise emperor and help the commoners? The people you’ve chosen should be able to do all this.”

The strategist bought the boy from the starving refugees for just more than ten copper coins. He was originally just kind-hearted, but he did not expect the boy to have such a pure heart. The boy was very grateful towards people. The strategist simply raised him like he was his brother.

However, he seemed to have raised him too much, resulting in the boy having extra confidence and admiration towards him.

“Who knows… Perhaps a few years, perhaps decades. The world may still be chaotic when I die.”

An old horse was pulling the carriage, so they could not demand it to hurry. They could only travel slowly.

After traveling for a few days, the master and servant ordered large bowls of tea at a dilapidated teahouse. Some tea leaves were floating on the surface of the cloudy tea. It tasted quite strange, but the strategist drank it without frowning. Instead, the boy servant was complaining that his master was greatly inconvenienced.

Dressed in a low-key manner, the man and servant looked like people living in poverty.

As they were drinking tea, they heard someone talking about Fengyi County.

“… Have you heard that the damned Tsing Yi bastards have been chased out of Fengyi County…”

“Who did that? That’s awesome! I heard that the county chief of Fengyi County even wags his tail at the Tsing Yi Army, but someone has actually chased them out.”

“It’s said to be the district magistrate of Xiangyang District. His name is Liu Xi… I heard that Xiangyang District was also once the territory of the Tsing Yi Army, but the Emperor appointed Liu Xi as a district magistrate. Last year, he immediately beat up the bastards in Xiangyang District and even incorporated them into his own forces…”

The north had suffered because of the Tsing Yi Army and the Red Lotus Group. Many people had left their homelands and fled to the south.

Although the south was also at war, they had consideration for somebody else’s sensibilities. They were not as reckless and violent as the two gangs of bandits.

Coincidentally, there were also refugees who had fled from Fengyi County in the teahouse. Upon hearing the news about their hometown, they could not help but ask, “What… What about Chengan District? I’ve escaped from Chengan District. Have the Tsing Yi bastards there been beaten up too?”

The person who talked about the news said, “They have. Chengan District has also been taken back by District Magistrate Liu, Liu Xi.”

Upon hearing those words, the commoner was exultant, but he immediately walked back and forth, pacing with hesitation.

He had just managed to escape from Chengan District. Who knew what the future would be like?

If he went back rashly, he might even lose his life.

Someone saw through his thoughts and said, “Tsk. You’re hesitating. I want to go there and get a job. Unfortunately, my wife and mother won’t allow me to do so, saying that it’s very far away and it’ll be bad if something happens to me along the way. So, they stop me from going there…”

“Eh? Why? It’s pretty good to stay here…”

Although this was a poverty-stricken place, there were no war disasters. It was at most more remote, and people would have a tougher life.

Looking around, the person asked the crowd who was listening to the news, “Do you know what kind of a place Xiangyang District is?”

Everyone was puzzled. Xiangyang District was Xiangyang District. What else could it be?