eurekapd Chapter 573 Han Xin 3
Chapter 573 Han Xin 3
"Brothers," Lin Xi suppressed his excitement and said calmly to Fan Kuai and Lu Wan, "Everyone has their own ambitions. Perhaps this Han Xin is beyond our ability to judge by ordinary standards. Let's not let such things spoil our mood. I'll treat you two to a drink to dispel any bad luck."
Fan Kuai was still feeling frustrated, but upon hearing that there was wine to drink, he temporarily put Han Xin out of his mind. Lu Wan nodded in agreement.
The three returned to the tavern. Lin Xi ordered wine and dishes, and she and Fan Lu drank and chatted, their conversation still revolving around their worries about Liu Ji's illness and their reflections on the current situation, as if the incident at the market had never happened. But Lin Xi's thoughts had already drifted to that lonely figure walking out of the city.
After several rounds of drinks, Lin Xi excused himself, saying there was business at his business, and left the tavern. He immediately summoned a trusted confidant and whispered an urgent order: "Go and find out where Han Xin is staying, his usual whereabouts, and who he associates with. Remember, observe from a distance, do not disturb him, and do not let him notice! Go now!"
The attendants obeyed the order and silently disappeared into the streets and alleys.
Over the next two days, Lin Xi maintained normal social interactions while anxiously awaiting news about Han Xin.
In the following days, Lin Xi secretly sent people to inquire about Han Xin's whereabouts. The reports largely matched the rumors: Han Xin, a native of Huaiyin, had lost his parents at a young age and his family had fallen on hard times; he lived as a guest in the home of a distant village headman outside the city, where he was often looked down upon; he was well-versed in military strategy and tactics; he had applied for a minor official position in the county government, but was rejected because no one could recommend him and his speech was described as "empty and arrogant." He enjoyed fishing by the river outside the city in his spare time.
“Possessing strategic acumen, yet trapped in the struggle for survival…” Lin Xi mused. He became increasingly certain that this was the person the princess was looking for. That day’s “humiliation of crawling between someone’s legs” was not cowardice, but an extreme confidence in his own worth, a confidence so great that he disdained to compete with street ruffians for a moment’s gain, a confidence so great that he could endure humiliations unimaginable to ordinary people, just waiting for the opportunity to truly realize his ambitions.
Timing... Lin Xi felt that perhaps he could create this opportunity.
He chose an afternoon, carrying a pot of fine wine and a few exquisite dishes, and once again came to the river outside the city. Sure enough, Han Xin was sitting in his usual spot, fishing. His fish basket was still empty, and his gaze was still fixed on the distance, his expression focused, as if he were pondering some important matter of state.
Lin Xi didn't immediately step forward, but instead paused and observed for a moment from a short distance away. Han Xin's composure blended strangely with the surrounding natural environment, as if he belonged to a wider world, rather than this small riverside in Pei County.
"Han, what a refined taste." Lin Xi then stepped forward and greeted him gently.
Han Xin turned his head at the sound of her voice, and when he saw Lin Xi, a faint look of surprise flashed in his eyes, which quickly returned to normal. He stood up, cupped his hands in a respectful gesture, and asked in a manner that was neither humble nor arrogant, "Mr. Lin, is there something you need?" His demeanor remained aloof.
Lin Xi sat down without being invited, opened the wine pot, and the rich aroma of the wine immediately filled the air: "The market was rushed that day, and we didn't have time to talk in depth. Today, I've prepared a small cup of wine, hoping to make friends with you, sir."
Han Xin's expression remained indifferent: "I am but a humble scholar, and I dare not presume to presume upon such a position." He did not show the slightest enthusiasm despite Lin Xi's earlier intervention.
Lin Xi was not offended and poured himself a cup of wine: "Why should a brave man belittle himself? The day I saw you remain calm and composed in the face of humiliation, I knew you were no ordinary man. Have you not heard that a good merchant hides his wealth as if he were poor, and a virtuous gentleman appears foolish?"
A flicker of emotion crossed Han Xin's eyes, but he still refused the wine.
Lin Xi continued, "Although I am a merchant, I have read a few books and seen some of the world. Judging from your bearing, you must be a man of great ambition. It is a pity that you are trapped in Pei County now."
Han Xin finally spoke, his tone tinged with self-mockery: "Great ambition? I am but a poor scholar, suffering from hunger all day long. What great ambition can I speak of?"
"You are too modest, brave warrior." Lin Xi's gaze sharpened. "That day, you endured the humiliation of crawling between someone's legs. How could you be truly incompetent? If you did not possess great wisdom and strategy, and firmly believe that you will one day soar to the heavens, why would you suffer such humiliation? What you endured was not for a meal, but for the future to command thousands of troops!"
Han Xin's body jolted, and he abruptly looked up at Lin Xi. This was the first time someone had so bluntly and accurately struck at his core! For many years, all his forbearance, all his hard work, and all his ambitions had been buried deep in his heart, misunderstood by everyone, and only seen as arrogance and a laughing stock.
At this moment, his thoughts were laid bare! The stagnant calm in his eyes was finally shattered, revealing an uncontrollable shock.
For the first time, Han Xin looked up and stared directly at Lin Xi. After sizing her up for a moment, Han Xin smiled, but his eyes were cold: "A merchant? Your gait is steady, and your knuckles are thick, which is the result of years of wielding a sword. Merchants don't have hands like that."
Lin Xi was startled, but remained outwardly calm: "Hero Han has a good eye. I did practice martial arts in my early years, and although I later went into business, I haven't completely lost my skills."
"You sent those people who have been spying on me lately, didn't you? What is your purpose?" Han Xin asked directly. He disliked beating around the bush and hated being spied on.
Lin Xi was truly stunned. He thought he had concealed himself very well, but he hadn't expected Han Xin to have already noticed. This man's vigilance far exceeded his expectations.
"Don't be surprised," Han Xin said calmly. "Martial artists are most sensitive to gazes. You have no murderous intent, so I didn't point it out."
Lin Xi smiled, this time a genuine smile: "Since that's the case, I won't beat around the bush. I do have something to discuss with you, Brother Han. Would you be willing to come to my humble abode for a chat?"
Han Xin shook his head: "Speak here if you have something to say. I still need to practice my sword." He refused decisively, unwilling to get involved with others easily.
Lin Xi wasn't offended; on the contrary, he appreciated this frankness even more. He took out a bamboo scroll from his robes: "This is a fragment of Sun Tzu's Art of War that I obtained by chance; it's said to contain chapters that have never been passed down..."
Han Xin's eyes lit up instantly. Lin Xi chuckled inwardly; the princess's intelligence was indeed accurate—Han Xin's obsession with military strategy surpassed everything else.
“However,” Lin Xi put the bamboo slips away, “this is not the place for studying. My humble abode has wine and meat, as well as many more military books in my collection.”
Han Xin hesitated for a moment, but finally succumbed to the allure of military strategy and nodded: "Lead the way." His tone remained concise.
Lin Xi's residence is located on the west side of Pei County. From the outside, it looks no different from an ordinary house, but the interior is a completely different world. The study is filled with bamboo slips and bound books, many of which are military strategies and political treatises.
"The Sima Fa, the Wu Zi, the Wei Liao Zi..." Han Xin flipped through them one by one, his eyes gleaming with an unusual light. "I have never seen these versions anywhere else."
"Sit down." Lin Xi poured two glasses of wine. "Brother Han, what are your thoughts on the current situation?"
Han Xin put down the bamboo slips, straightened his back, and said with focused confidence: "Qin has already destroyed Han, Zhao, Yan, and Chu. Only Qi and Wei have not yet surrendered, but it is only a matter of time. The world will be at peace."