Tang Dynasty Bandits

Chapter 240 High fives as an oath
Zhu Wen was a suspicious man.

Even though Qi Luoyu's plan to infiltrate the Grass Army was quite meticulous, he would still suspect Qi Luoyu and test him.

Being suspicious also means being overthinking and worrying.

Even though Li Tiao and his son had lost all external support and were trapped like turtles in a jar, Zhu Wen was still worried about what unexpected situations might occur during the general attack on Guangzhou.

"Act leniently on the enemy, but strictly on the enemy." From a strategic perspective, Shang Rang is a highly capable general, and restoring him to his post would ultimately be beneficial for the crucial Battle of Guangzhou.

Zhu Wen kept Qi Luoyu's secret and did not reveal her true identity to anyone else.

A few days later, Qi Luoyu announced that he had found the key to curing the strange poison that Shi Pu had given him.

After prescribing medicine and administering acupuncture, Shang Rang was cured of his illness.

Shang Rang was quite grateful to Zhu Wen, but Zhuo Ying was not necessarily so.

Zhu Wen previously helped Zhuoying because it was beneficial to the Cao army's situation, and this time he helped Shang Rang for the same reason. Zhuoying's personal relationship with Zhu Wen was far from enough to make him make a judgment that disregarded the overall situation.

Qi Luoyu left several disciples in the army. In recent days, some of the soldiers have also been learning medicine from Qi Luoyu.

According to the Qiluo language, it is sufficient to cope with the situation unless an extinction-level epidemic occurs.

Zhu Wen was not a man who always kept his word.

However, Qi Luoyu has not caused any real harm to the Cao army these days; on the contrary, he has saved many lives.

Coupled with his respect for Qi Kerang and Kou Qianzhi, Zhu Wen decided to keep his promise and let her leave.

"You are an unlikable woman, with a terrible personality, willful and self-centered." When they parted, Zhu Wen said frankly, "But your father and Marshal Kou are the kind of people I wanted to be when I was a child."

"I know," Qi Luoyu replied politely, "Your personality is also terrible."

Zhu Wen did not take offense.

Actually, Tian Jun was also quite willful, but now that I think about it, she was much cuter than Qi Luoyu.

"Finally, I have one more question: what exactly is your relationship with Junmei?"

Since we're letting her go, we should naturally ask her all the questions we want to ask.

Qi Luoyu said calmly, "Among my close friends, there are two who have never secretly felt proud because of my appearance. They are Uncle Kou's younger sister and A-Jun."

The daughter of a high-ranking military governor, of noble status, with parents who were both famous beauties, was covered with unsightly dark blue freckles.

While this might avoid harassment from unwanted suitors, it inevitably made the women who were her friends secretly gloat.

With Qi Luoyu's intelligence, how could he not see through the girls' thoughts?

"You're not telling her the truth because she likes to drink?"

“That’s right.” Qi Luoyu’s answer was as brief as ever.

Zhu Wen nodded. Tian Jun was kind-hearted, but once she was drunk, he couldn't expect her to keep a secret.

Qi Luoyu added, "Ajun is a rare good girl, and you have let her down."

Zhu Wen could not help but remain silent.

The suggestion to separate came from Tian Jun, but he did not try to persuade her to stay.

Zhu Wen felt there was no need to tell Qi Luoyu about the matter of Xingxiang.

Giving up a devoted girl for someone who isn't even around might seem like a foolish and stubborn act to many.

In Qi Luoyu's opinion, the most crucial factor in Tian Jun and Zhu Wen's breakup was Duan Hongyan.

Tian Jun isn't truly stupid, but she's a very emotional person and can't act for long periods of time, nor can she control her emotions consistently. Even if she becomes smarter in the future, she won't be able to change that.

If Tian Jun doesn't leave, Duan Hongyan will definitely escalate her efforts and use every means to sabotage the relationship between Tian Jun and Zhu Wen. Given Tian Jun's personality, it will be difficult for her to outmaneuver Duan Hongyan. Even with constant vigilance, Duan Hongyan will always find a way to break through.

As Tian Jun's best friend, Qi Luoyu witnessed Zhu Wen almost losing control and attacking Duan Hongyan, which made her have a very bad impression of Duan Hongyan.

She felt that Duan Hongyan's behavior at the time was half-hearted. But a cunning woman wouldn't let a man succeed so quickly, so after struggling for a while, Duan Hongyan slammed her knee into Zhu Wen's stomach.

To a large extent, Ziro's view is correct.

However, Zhu Wen knew Duan Hongyan earlier than he knew Tian Jun, and they were fellow disciples, so they had developed a considerable goodwill towards each other. If Qi Luoyu were to say that Duan Hongyan was not, she would only be seen as trying to sow discord between them.

Tian Jun's graceful departure, making herself a permanent mark on Zhu Wen's heart, also cut off Duan Hongyan's chance of winning over Zhu Wen. This was the rational approach.

But as Tian Jun's good friend, Qi Luoyu always felt somewhat indignant on her behalf.

"Even the six stars of the Southern Dipper under your father's command are no match for you." Zhu Wen changed the subject: "Does Commander Xue not value you because you dislike the battlefield?"

"Medicine and swordsmanship are things I enjoy," Qi Luoyu said calmly. "I didn't study medicine to save the world; I just find the mysteries of the human body fascinating."

Although not as carefree and adorable as Tian Jun, Qi Luoyu is also a free spirit.

Despite their contrasting appearances and personalities, the two became friends.

"If it's a major battle concerning the survival of the Taining Army, you will definitely be sent into battle." Zhu Wen revealed a playful smile: "The day we reunite shouldn't be too far away."

"Hopefully, after that, Xue Shuai can put down the burden he carries and no longer have to live such a tiring life."

Zhu Wen was not a threat; he genuinely hoped to serve as a minister alongside a virtuous gentleman like Qi Kerang.

In Zhu Wen's view, Qi Kerang's blind loyalty to the court was a meaningless burden.

But Zikran had the pride of being one of the four commanders, and to get him to serve the rebels, they had to defeat him completely.

"Next time, I will fight you fair and square."

Qi Luoyu's expression was solemn.

She essentially admitted that her attempt to assassinate Zhu Wen was not entirely aboveboard.

As the daughter of Commander Xue, Qi Luoyu disdained associating with a despicable person like Gao Yan, who allowed his army to rape, plunder, and burn and kill civilians, even more so than the Jie Hu.

Zhu Wen nodded.

He suddenly realized that this woman wasn't so unpleasant after all.

Human wisdom and courage should be displayed on the battlefield. Both sides should go all out to compete for victory. The victor will certainly feel proud, but if the loser does not betray his principles, he will still be honored and will earn the respect of the victor.

Zhu Wen once hated the bandit king Wang Jian to the bone and wanted to tear him to pieces.

However, in the Battle of Muling Pass, Wang Jian fought to the death to defend Yan Shuai's main camp in order not to betray Yan Shuai's kindness, and his bravery almost gave his own life. This shocked Zhu Wen and made him lose most of his dislike for Wang Jian.

Some might say that war sheds far more blood than ordinary conspiracies.
For example, Emperor Gaozu of Jin, Sima Yi, believed that years of war had caused immense suffering and death. Rather than seizing the country through military force, he thought it better to usurp the throne and change the government through intrigue.

However, the Jin Dynasty seized power by taking advantage of an orphan and a widow, which caused resentment among the people. Although it was a newly established state, many people harbored thoughts of rebellion. Later, the War of the Eight Princes depleted the Han army's elite forces, leading to the invasion of the Five Barbarian Tribes and causing even more bloodshed.

Zhu Wen would not deny the existence of conspiracies, after all, war is never without them.

But he always believed that only by winning the world through a hundred battles could the world be kept stable for a long time.

"Then I'll be waiting to meet you again on the battlefield!"

After saying this, Zhu Wen raised his hand, signaling Qi Luoyu to give him a high five as a pledge.

Qi Luoyu was stunned for a moment, then struck Zhu Wen with her fair, translucent hand, producing a loud and clear sound.

She turned around decisively, leaped onto the horse, her purple robes fluttering, shouted "Giddy up!" and disappeared into the vast mountains.

(End of this chapter)