Before the strategist could introduce him, General Lu laughed and said, "This must be Jiaren? I've heard my son mention you before, but it's only today that we meet for the first time."
Li Jiaren quickly stood up and performed the junior's greeting, "Greetings, Your Highness. I apologize for my unannounced visit."
General Lu helped him up and replied generously, "Jiaren, don't be like that. You and my son are close friends, and you've been helping him with many things and letters over the past six months. I'm so grateful to you."
After saying that, he asked Jiaren to sit down again and poured him tea by himself.
Jiaren stood up, bowed, and thanked him. After sitting down, he smiled and said, "I have been in the Southwest for half a year now. I have always wanted to come and visit Your Highness, but unfortunately I have been unable to do so. I could only postpone it until now."
"I wonder how Your Highness's health is?"
"Good, very good." General Lu downed his tea in one gulp and said, "Call me General. This title of Prince is bestowed by the Emperor. Actually, I'm just a roughneck who likes to fight and kill. If I were to use the title of Prince, I'm afraid the people in Xindu would gossip again."
"General, you are too kind. Your title of prince is the result of your solid military achievements. A hundred of those wealthy princes in Xindu who only know how to walk their birds and admire flowers are not as good as you!"
Jiaren's words were not just polite talk. During his time in the Southwest, he had learned about the rampant arrogance of the foreign tribes beyond the border and the hard work of the border guards. He was genuinely grateful and respectful.
People become shrewd with age.
General Lu and Military Advisor Shen could naturally tell whether Jiaren's words were sincere or flattering.
As a result, the two grew to like him even more.
General Lu even complained to his son, "That boy of mine deserves a beating! He knows such a talented young man like you, yet he didn't even say a word to the family. Otherwise, you could have chosen any of my daughters. Wouldn't the Lu family have gained another good son-in-law!"
Jiaren smiled and said, "Thank you for your high regard, General, but I already have a virtuous wife at home, and my eldest son has been born. I can only fail to live up to your kindness!"
The strategist Shen laughed and said, "Lord Li, please don't be offended. Our general is just like that. He wants to recruit any good man he sees into the army. Today, seeing such a handsome man as you, he actually wants to recruit you as his son-in-law!"
General Lu wasn't angry at all; he just laughed heartily.
Before long, the banquet from the backyard was delivered.
Jiaren's visit this time was not on official business, but a private visit.
Therefore, General Lu was accompanied by many people, and he didn't even invite his illegitimate son. Only Military Advisor Shen was present.
After the three of them had eaten about half their fill, they began to toast each other.
The Lu family had long resided in the southwest, and although they had people in the new capital and news was constantly being passed around, General Lu still asked a few more questions about the new capital.
After all, everyone in Tianwu knew that the Li family was a favorite of the emperor and enjoyed great favor.
They must know more.
Jiaren only talked about some new things in the new capital, and didn't say a word about the imperial court.
While pouring the wine, General Lu exchanged a glance with his strategist.
The strategist laughed and said, "Lord Li, our heir has written back many times, praising you and your family highly. Our general has always wanted to repay you, but hasn't had the chance."
"It's just that Lord Li is here today. I wonder if you've encountered any difficulties during your six months in office? If so, please tell us, and we will certainly help if we can."
Jiaren lowered his eyes, toying with the wine glass in his hand, his mind racing.
After testing him for so long, I've developed a bit more trust in General Lu.
That way, he can explain things more clearly.
Jiaren put down his wine glass and smiled, "Thank you, General, thank you, strategist. My small county town may be poor and have many problems, but I can still manage it."
"I heard a story before that I found very interesting, and I wanted to tell it to the old general and the strategist."
Both General Lu and Military Advisor Xu were surprised and didn't understand why he was telling a story.
But the two nodded, poured themselves drinks, and assumed a listening posture.
Jiaren laughed and said, "Actually, it's not a particularly magical story, it's just that one of the characters in the story is too absurd."
"There was once a city whose lord was reasonable and benevolent, and the people lived in peace. Protecting the city from the surrounding mountain bandits were two military families, the Zhao and Qian families, both of whom had made great contributions in battle and were praised by the people."
"The children from both families were fortunate to meet, and they studied and played together, just like brothers from different surnames."
Among them, the Zhao family had many sons, but only one daughter, who was doted on by all her family members and brothers.
“When they occasionally played together, this girl would come and go with her brothers, so she became familiar with all the Qian family boys…”
General Lu found the name familiar and looked at Military Advisor Shen, who frowned.
Jiaren seemed oblivious to their expressions, took a sip of wine, and continued, "Gradually, these young men and women grew up, studied for exams, and achieved their own successes."
"At this time, the city lord wanted to find a son-in-law for his daughter and took a liking to the young man from the Qian family. The Qian family was naturally willing, and the young man from the Qian family also agreed, so the engagement was arranged."
"Zhao's son was happy for Qian's son, but unintentionally, Zhao's son discovered that Qian's son had developed feelings for his sister, and that these feelings were becoming increasingly obvious."
"Unfortunately, the Zhao family's daughter and the city lord's daughter are best friends, and she is more than ten years older than the Qian family's son!"
"Therefore, the Zhao family boy reminded the Qian family boy to watch his words and actions, lest he cause trouble and harm himself and the Zhao family."
"The young man from the Qian family readily agreed, ostensibly inviting the city lord's daughter to play, but in reality, he only wanted to see the Zhao family's daughter. The Zhao family's daughter was clever and quickly discovered this, so she avoided seeing him."
The strategist's expression had completely changed, and General Lu finally guessed what was going on. He was about to speak angrily when the strategist grabbed his sleeve.
Li Jiaren smiled, poured himself a glass of wine, and continued.
"Later, the city lord wanted to set a date for the wedding, but the Qian family's son pretended to be sick and delayed. Not long after, the Zhao family's city defenses were repeatedly breached, and even the military rations were destroyed. The Zhao family investigated some clues and found that the person behind it was the Qian family's son."
"The Zhao family just doesn't know what the Qian family boy is planning. Does he want to force the Zhao family to marry their daughter to him as a concubine? Not to mention whether the city lord's daughter is willing or not, the Zhao family would rather die than suffer such humiliation."
"For the sake of the city's peace, the Zhao family did not expose the matter. However, the bandits began to invade again, and the Zhao family had to fight them with all their might. Any negligence could lead to unnecessary sacrifices or even the fall of the city."
"At this point, all the Zhao family wants is for the Qian family boy to curb his selfishness and absurdity and prioritize the greater good. Isn't that asking for too much?"
General Lu and Military Advisor Shen were at a loss for words.
Jiaren didn't expect them to say anything, and sneered, "Logically speaking, the Qian family boy made it clear from the beginning that he liked the Zhao family girl. Even though the two are more than ten years apart, the Zhao family would have refused properly and wouldn't have lost face."
"After all, it's only natural that a family with a daughter will attract many suitors."
"But what's despicable about the Qian family boy is that, not wanting to be disliked by the city lord, he agreed to marry the city lord's daughter, while secretly coveting the Zhao family's daughter!"
"Shouldn't this Qian family boy be strictly disciplined? If he's left to his own devices, he might cause unrest in the city."
"The most innocent are the Zhao family. They risked their lives to protect the city for many years, yet they not only had to endure humiliation, but were even resented by the city lord in the end. How unfair!"
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