Having resolved a worry that had been weighing on his mind, Qi Qi's mood improved considerably.
Gu Siyan is really something. This cannon fodder's predetermined fate, and it's already over? That'll be another nineteen years...
Qi Qi did the math and figured he would be thirty-three by then.
Since that's the case, Qi Qi decided to visit Chen Dianji. It had been many years since they last met, so it was time to catch up.
...
Who knew that Luoyang Academy was indeed a place that stumped a group of talented scholars from all over the world... Can anyone tell Qi Qi why he has been climbing this mountain for so long and still hasn't arrived?
Do the people on the mountain never come down? But if they don't come down, how would they know about current events?
After a long and tiring climb, he arrived at the mountain gate and introduced himself. Chen Dianji, whom he hadn't seen in a long time—no, now Vice Dean Chen, or Teacher Chen Huailin—came to greet him. Upon seeing him, Chen Huailin exclaimed, "You rascal, it's been so long, but you haven't changed at all."
Qi Qi thought to himself, "Is this a new line to compliment someone for being short?"
After exchanging pleasantries, Chen Huailin pulled him inside, saying, "The academy is still under construction and is a bit simple. Please don't mind."
Qi Qi looked at him closely and found that the once refined middle-aged man seemed to have been revitalized. His vigorous vitality made him look much younger, and it seemed that teaching was the profession he truly loved.
For him, this was much better than spending his days idly in the library; it was meaningful.
Qi Qi came to scout ahead, without bringing Qi Defu and the others, only bringing two of his own men. Chen Huailin walked along, introducing the academy with a rather proud tone, and then chatting about the events of the past few years.
Halfway through the introduction, he turned his head mysteriously and said, "Laibao, besides you, there is another guest in the academy today. Can you guess who he is?"
Qi Qi: "...Gu Siyan?"
Chen Huailin glanced at him: "That's strange. Didn't you just arrive in Luoyang? How did you know he was here too..."
His expression changed: "You've really broken away from the imperial court?"
Qi Qi: "Really!"
Sure enough! This teacher-student relationship is nothing compared to Gu Siyan's!
Chen Huailin calmed down and apologized: "Don't blame me, Laibao. I made it clear to you in the letter that the Zhenbei Army is the inevitable force of the times, and the court... is doomed. I know about your relationship with the Ninth Prince, and I was a little nervous for a moment."
Qi Qi waved his hand: "I know this, otherwise I wouldn't associate with you."
Chen Huailin knew this too: "In that case, come on, I'll take you to meet him. Weren't you two quite close before? Let's catch up."
Qi Qi immediately shook his head: "No, no, he's a very busy man, let's just walk alone."
"Not busy these days," a voice interjected from the side.
Qi Qi turned around and saw Gu Siyan standing to the side with his arms crossed, his eyes mocking.
Qi Qi immediately became obedient: "Brother Si Yan."
Chen Huailin glanced at each of them, exchanged a few looks, then clapped his hands and laughed, "Hey, so you've already met, hahaha, what a coincidence."
Gu Siyan: "It is quite a coincidence. I took a look in the main study of the academy just now and found that the names of two honorary gentlemen were very familiar."
His eyes were burning with desire, as if he had discovered that his friend among the enemy was actually a spy, giving him a feeling of being in Cao Cao's camp but having his heart in Han.
Qi Qi touched his nose: "How should I explain this...?"
Wait a minute, rather than finding a new investor in advance, doesn't this kind of thing—secretly cultivating an enemy because you dislike the imperial court—sound more righteous?
Although pretending to be shameless is actually a bit shameless, but...
Qi Qi immediately declared righteously, "That's right! The people have suffered under that dog of an emperor, Yongping, for too long. The rise and fall of the nation is the responsibility of every citizen. Although I am a eunuch, my father and I are very righteous!"
Chen Huailin was moved: "Lai Bao!"
Gu Siyan was also surprised. No wonder Qi Defu was a good person when they were at the horse farm. He originally thought it was all Lai Bao's doing, but he didn't expect that Qi Defu himself would have this awareness. He immediately said, "I misunderstood Master Qi. It seems that I should find time to visit him at the shop after I go down the mountain to thank him for his previous care."
"Wait, in the shop? What shop? What visit?"
Chen Huailin asked in confusion, then glanced at the guilty-looking Qi Qi. There was nothing he didn't understand. He laughed and scolded, "You little eunuch."
After successfully meeting up with his online friend, and having lunch with the dean and others in the afternoon, Qi Qi declined offers to stay overnight and went down the mountain with Gu Siyan.
During the journey, Gu Siyan decisively extended an olive branch, inviting him to work together, but Qi Qi decisively refused.
Gu Siyan did not insist, but from that time on, he came to the store more and more often.
Even the shrewd Qi Defu, who already knew his identity, couldn't help but suspect: "You've been living here for three meals a day? Do you have some kind of treasure? You're coming so often... Are you being paid?"
Qi Qi was extremely guilty: "Of course I accepted it! Even close brothers keep clear accounts! I'll take every single penny!"
Although Gu Siyan never gave money, he always gave gifts—all sorts of small gifts, gold and silver treasures, and all kinds of rare trinkets, all of which Qi Qi loved.
Another month passed in this entanglement, and Gu Siyan was about to return to Youdu. Soon, he would lead his troops to the royal territory within the pass, intending to seize the city and allow more Zhenbei Army troops to enter.
The Zhenbei Army is short of soldiers and even more so of strategists. Judging from his expression, he must have gained a lot in Luoyang this time. The Zhenbei Army's power is growing stronger and stronger, to the point that Qi Qi can now hear the rebellious slogans he previously gave to Gu Siyan from outside.
Gu Siyan had a beautiful woman in his heart, but he still had to leave. However, before leaving, he came to the shop one more time, this time bringing a bouquet of fresh lotus flowers for Qi Qi.
"The borderlands are bitterly cold, so I won't take you there. Next spring, I will lead my army to Luoyang. At that time, will you still be willing to come to my side... and become my subordinate?"
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