Chapter 145: Night Talk Between Ruler and Minister

The clamor after the Battle of Gaoping gradually settled as the night deepened.

In the Zhou army's main camp, aside from the regular footsteps of night patrols and the occasional muffled groans from the wounded soldiers' camp afar.

Most areas had fallen into a weary silence.

The cold light of the stars and moon fell, illuminating the remnants still uncleared on the battlefield.

It also illuminated the large tent in the central command that still had its lights lit.

When Chen Wen received the transmission from Chai Rong's attendant, he had just finished confirming the first batch of fallen soldiers' pension list with Zhang Cheng.

He dared not delay, straightened his attire, and followed the attendant through the heavily guarded outposts to arrive outside the central command's large tent.

After the report, Chen Wen lifted the curtain and entered.

Inside the tent was not the solemnity of a council; only a few oil lamps were lit, casting a dim, warm glow.

Chai Rong had already taken off his battle armor, changed into a plain crimson casual robe, and sat alone at a simple desk.

On the desk lay a jug of wine, two ceramic bowls, and some simple dried meat and fruit.

His face bore the relaxation after victory, yet a deep fatigue still lingered between his brows.

And there was a complex emotion, hard to put into words, as if a thousand‑jin burden had just been lifted.

"Wenzhong has come, sit."

Seeing Chen Wen, Chai Rong broke into a gentle smile and gestured to the seat opposite the desk.

His tone was as casual as greeting a close friend, not like summoning a subordinate.

"Thank you, Governor."

Chen Wen sat as bidden, his posture respectful yet unconstrained; he could feel that tonight's atmosphere differed from usual.

Chai Rong personally picked up the wine jug and filled Chen Wen's and his own ceramic bowls with clear liquor; the aroma spread through the tent.

"No need for formality—this is not a military council, just the two of us chatting casually."

He pushed one bowl toward Chen Wen, held the other himself, and watched the ripples sway in the bowl, silent for a moment.

"Wenzhong..."

He raised his head, his gaze deep, brimming with sincere openness.

"Had it not been for you, Chai Rong might already have become a desiccated bone on the Gaoping plains, and the Great Zhou... would likely be as perilous as a stack of eggs."

Chen Wen hastily lifted his bowl, composed himself, and said,

"Your words are too heavy, Governor!"

"I, your subordinate, merely did my duty; our victory rests entirely on your fearlessness in crisis, your personal bravery amid arrows and stones, your inspiration of the three armies, and the soldiers' willingness to die."

Chai Rong waved a hand, cutting him off, his tone tinged with emotion.

"No need for these formalities. You and I know the situation well."

"The right flank collapsed, morale scattered; if not for your Peaceful Army serving as a pillar in the stream, if not for you..."

He paused, his gaze piercing as he looked at Chen Wen.

"Among the myriad troops, breaking through in battle, erupting with such astonishing power, he turned the tide in one move; the consequences are unimaginable."

He did not ask Chen Wen what exactly that sudden burst of power was.

It seemed like an unspoken secret, and he simply continued.

"I have observed that in training troops, governing affairs, and facing battle, you excel; even rarer is this steadiness and loyalty."

"Since first meeting you at Jiao Tu Zhen, I knew you were no ordinary pond‑dweller. Looking back, I still underestimated you."

Chen Wen's heart stirred slightly; he set down his bowl and spoke in a low voice.

"I, a humble subordinate, have received the Governor's favor, been entrusted with authority, and his trust has grown."

"Without the Governor's patronage, where would I be today? I can only repay with utmost sincerity, unafraid of death."

"I trust you."

Chai Rong nodded, his tone utterly certain.

He tipped back his head and drained the bowl in one gulp, then promptly refilled it.

His gaze turned to the dark night beyond the tent, his voice growing distant.

"Wenzhong, do you know what I desire in my heart?"

Without waiting for Chen Wen's reply, he continued on his own.

"These past decades, I have witnessed too much with my own eyes."

"Warlord fiefdoms split the realm, ruler and subject distrust each other, martial men run rampant, the people are displaced..."

"Since Zhu Wen usurped the Tang, when has this realm ever known a day of peace?"

"The rise and fall of emperors is like child's play; today's sovereign sits on the throne, tomorrow he may be a prisoner."

"Ritual and music have collapsed, hearts are no longer ancient; this is no blessing for the world, nor the wish of all peoples!"

His voice gradually grew agitated, carrying a long‑suppressed frustration and anguish.

"I, Chai Rong, may lack talent, but I possess a heart full of fervent passion!"

"I do not wish to be merely a regional warlord's military governor, nor to see the Chinese lands forever sink into barbarian dust and internal chaos!"

"I desire to sweep aside the heroes, drive back the Khitan to the north, reestablish unity, and end this chaotic age!"

"Let the people of the realm live in peace and prosperity, let the ancestral altars and mountains and rivers be passed down in order!"

He suddenly turned his head, his gaze like a torch, fixed firmly on Chen Wen.

That gaze brimmed with undisguised ambition and an immense weight of responsibility.

"This path is destined to be arduous, lined with thorns, strong enemies encircling, and the interior far from monolithic."

"Bian Liang breeds suspicion, the various garrisons watch and wait, the Khitan eye us hungrily..."

"I need like‑minded comrades, I need ministers who can be entrusted with life and death and who can jointly plan this great undertaking!"

Speaking to this point, he leaned slightly forward across the table, his voice low and full of power, saying each word and sentence.

"Wenzhong, should the day come when I truly hold authority and clear the world, I will surely not disappoint you!"

"I wish to govern this world together with you!"

"Jointly govern the world!"

"These four words, like a thunderclap, exploded in Chen Wen's ears!"

"Even though his nature was steady, at this moment his heart and soul could not help but be greatly shaken!"

"This was no longer a simple promise of office and favor, but almost equivalent to an oath!"

"This is the highest expectation and trust a sovereign can bestow upon a subject!"

"Inside the tent, a moment of silent stillness passed, only the occasional soft crackle of the lampflower breaking the quiet."

"Chen Wen could clearly see the genuine sincerity and fervor in Chai Rong's eyes, without any pretense."

"He took a deep breath, suppressed the surging tide of his heart, rose from his seat, and stepped back a step."

"Then he solemnly adjusted his robes, faced Chai Rong, bowed deeply, touching the ground."

"His voice was not loud, yet it carried a firmness as resolute as cutting nails and iron, as if he were making an oath:"

"\"If the lord treats me as a man of the state, I will surely repay him as a man of the state! \""

"\"The lord wishes to end the chaotic age and restore clarity to the world; this is indeed the grand and righteous path! \""

"\"I, your humble servant, am lacking in talent, yet I wish to follow the lord, offering the service of a dog or horse, and exerting all my strength as his right and left arms! \""

"\"Even if faced with mountains of knives and seas of fire, I would die a hundred times without regret! \""

"\"Such words of joint governance, I, your humble servant, dare not accept! \""

"\"But if the lord places his trust in me, allowing me to serve as a vanguard for the people of this world, to strike out an era of peace and prosperity, that would be Chen Wen's lifelong wish! \""

"He did not speak with any flowery rhetoric."

"But the decisiveness and conviction in his words were stronger than any oath."

"Chai Rong watched Chen Wen bow deeply, and a flicker of emotion passed through his eyes."

"He himself rose, went around the table, came before Chen Wen, and with both hands helped him up."

"\"Good! Good! Good! \""

"He uttered the word \"good\" three times, then firmly patted Chen Wen's arm."

"\"Having heard these words from Wenzhong, my heart is greatly comforted! Greatly comforted! \""

"The two reseated themselves, and the atmosphere inside the tent became more harmonious and intimate."

"They no longer discussed the weighty affairs of the world, but turned to talk about postwar arrangements and the development of Chan Prefecture."

"They even chatted about some amusing military anecdotes."

"Bowl after bowl of wine was served, and their conversation grew ever more congenial."

"Only when the moon sank westward did Chen Wen take his leave."

"Stepping out of the grand tent, the cool midnight breeze brushed his face, clearing his somewhat heated, wine‑fuddled mind considerably."

"He glanced back at the tent, its lights still burning, and knew clearly in his heart."

"Tonight's sovereign‑subject night talk was not merely a reward and enticement, but also a collision of souls and a binding of convictions."

"Chai Rong gave him a vision of incomparable grandeur and a weighty trust."

"And he, in turn, clearly expressed his follow‑through and resolve."

"A road more vast and tumultuous, yet also more perilous and unpredictable, had already unfolded beneath his feet."

"When sovereign and minister are of one heart, their profit can cut through gold."

"But will this 'gold' be used to cut down enemies, or will it one day face other trials?"

"Chen Wen did not know, but he understood that from this moment on, his fate and Chai Rong's were intertwined."

"They had become more tightly bound together. He lifted his gaze to the vast starry sky, his eyes firm."

"No matter what the road ahead holds, he must stay true to his original heart and forge forward."