Chapter 234: To Protect One Is to Protect the Northwest

Feng City, the moon high in the sky, lights still burned in the central military tent.

Huo Jiang finished handling the day's military reports, leaving one copy which he tossed in front of Mu Nan Zhao.

"Take a look."

Mu Nan Zhao picked it up, but after only glancing at it twice he put it back on the table, clearly already knowing.

Huo Jiang wasn't surprised either, wearing an expression of eager anticipation for the drama to grow even bigger.

"Your arrangements this time have indeed been thwarted by Boss Gu again."

"They would rather work nonstop to finish the job just to return to Huachi Du Cun—what does that show?"

"It shows that your little tricks have already been seen through by Boss Gu."

"You think locking them up in Dependents Village counts as protection? In the end, as far as they're concerned, it's just the same as before—so I'll give you four words: self‑important."

Mu Nan Zhao initially just kept a cold silent face, but after a while he even let out a cold chuckle.

When he finally heard it all, he lifted his eyes to Huo Jiang, his gaze no longer able to hide his resentment.

"How many times have you even seen Gu Xixi?"

"Don't act like you know her well."

Huo Jiang saw Mu Nan Zhao's reaction and knew he had hit the mark.

After all, in this person's record, the only time they've made someone vomit blood from anger.

Even if Mount Tai collapsed before him, he would remain as calm as a stroll in a leisurely courtyard, never letting his inner turmoil show on his face.

But after he fell into hardship and came to Xi Bei, things changed.

The few times his emotions showed, they all had to do with Gu Xixi.

Huo Jiang looked at Mu Nan Zhao, felt amused inwardly, restrained his smile, and feigned regret, saying, "Actually, I can really understand why you're like this."

"As brothers, if you'd consulted me beforehand on a few points, it wouldn't have come to this."

Mu Nan Zhao naturally wasn't so easily hooked; he gave a cold, sideways glance and said, "I have no time for idle chatter."

"I hear the tea stalls inside the city gate gather a lot of gossipy men and women; a general going there would surely find a kindred spirit."

Huo Jiang cursed inwardly, "Damn stubborn bastard."

He continued patiently, "The last time I returned to the capital, I knew you'd never touched a woman; although you were childhood sweethearts with that He family girl, you never got close to her."

"Back then you were still young, so it's excusable."

"We haven't seen each other in years—surely you're not still a novice, are you?"

Mu Nan Zhao: "……"

Huo Jiang saw his reaction, already laughing inwardly, he took a deep breath and held it, still keeping a straight face as he spoke:

"Since you left the Mu clan's main house, even the servants in the manor are just guards and errand boys."

Huo Jiang clicked his tongue in difficulty, furrowed his brows, and said, "You've hardly interacted with any young ladies, you're not young anymore and still unmarried—no wonder you don't understand women."

Mu Nan Zhao stared straight at Huo Jiang.

But this time his eyes held no anger; instead he calmly lifted his teacup, slightly raising his left hand.

"Go on, continue."

Huo Jiang thought he had finally yielded, secretly pleased, and said, "Women think differently from us men; sometimes you may not grasp what they care about, but you should try to understand."

"Only after you understand will you truly know how to handle this matter from her perspective."

"No matter how hard you think, it's useless."

"What you end up doing isn't necessarily what they want."

Mu Nan Zhao calmly sipped his tea and asked, "You only have your sister‑in‑law as a woman, and no concubines, right?"

He set down his teacup, gave a light sigh, seeming disappointed, and said, "I suppose your experience isn't much richer than mine; tomorrow I'll still go ask someone else for a more reliable answer."

Huo Jiang immediately became unhappy, "Nonsense!"

"I've been married to your sister‑in‑law for twelve years, the kids are grown—my experience far outweighs yours!"

Mu Nan Zhao didn't respond, looking indifferent and unwilling to keep listening.

Huo Jiang stroked his beard and glared, "How can you still not believe me?"

"Ha! Never mind your sister‑in‑law—before I even got engaged to her, when I was younger I didn't have this much facial hair, and in the capital I used to ride my horse to the sloping bridge, where the red‑sleeved beauties would beckon!"

"Besides, I was also a regular at the capital's Mingxiao Ward back then, and my flirtatiousness was no less than that of you literary types."

Mingxiao Ward, one of the capital's most famous music academies.

There were the most beautiful women, the finest song and dance, music, and wine.

Nobles and officials, scholars and literati gathered there, spending lavishly; many of the poems, lyrics, and songs sung in the streets originated from Mingxiao Ward.

"I didn't realize it, but Lao Huo, you were quite the flirtatious youngster back then."

Mu Nan Zhao smiled and nodded, as if in approval.

Huo Jiang said dismissively, "Back then you were just a little brat playing hide‑and‑seek at home."

Mu Nan Zhao's face turned cold: "I never played hide‑and‑seek."

After becoming a teacher in Huachi Du Cun and watching the children play, he only then realized he had hardly had a childhood at all.

Other kids played in the water, dug dirt, flew kites, and climbed trees.

He studied, practiced martial arts, and listened to the Mu family elders discuss politics…

When the past came up, Huo Jiang's interest in talking flared, he wanted to teach a few more moves, but then he saw Mu Nan Zhao stand up.

"What are you doing? I haven't finished speaking yet!"

Mu Nan Zhao glanced back calmly and said, "He Jinghui sent word—five days ago his people safely escorted your sister‑in‑law into the Xi Bei border mountains; she should be arriving soon."

"When I finally meet your sister‑in‑law, I'll be sure to tell her what a dashing, handsome, suave gentleman you were before your wedding."

Huo Jiang's smile froze, he was stunned like a wooden chicken.

Mu Nan Zhao still felt it wasn't enough; he sighed helplessly and muttered to himself, "Are the red sleeves throughout the building beckoning?"

Just how many sleeves are there, really piquing one's curiosity.

I suppose your sister-in-law must have the ability to get to the bottom of it.

He picked up his washing things and strolled out.

Huo Jiang bellowed, "Mu Nan Zhao! If you dare do this, I—I!"

I'll tie you up and send you to a brothel, find ten girls to deflower you!

I eye Gu Xixi coldly; she's no worse than my own virtuous wife.

Once you've defiled yourself in a brothel, you'll never see Gu Xixi glance at you again in this lifetime!!

Mu Nan Zhao heard it outside the account, his teeth clenched.

A virtuous wife?

She's clearly the famous Hedong Lion of the capital's ladies' circle!

Otherwise, how could a dignified general be driven to such desperation as to blurt out such a foolish scheme?

By the time Mu Nan Zhao finished washing up and returned, Huo Jiang had calmed down and was writing at his desk.

Hearing the movement, he spoke without looking up, "The new county magistrate of Qing Tian County you recommended is indeed useful."

Wherever his measures have been implemented, prices and grain prices have remained stable to this day.

Mu Nan Zhao's expression remained calm: "War and contention are our business."

The common folk are innocent; at the very least we must ensure they live in peace.

Huo Jiang lifted his head, "In the game of the world, when two sides clash, losing a few pieces is perfectly normal."

The Mu Nan Zhao I knew used to say that.

Why has he changed now?

He stroked his beard and said, "Wait, don't speak; let me guess."

Are you doing this to protect one person, and incidentally protect all the people of Xi Bei?