Plotting with You: The Forensic Scientist in Ancient Times!-Chapter 383 - 382: Unable to Hold Back the Fire

The rune led those few people to the back kitchen and then returned.

"Where is Prince Yi?" Lu Qing looked outside, seemingly not seeing anyone coming over.

The rune, looking awkward, replied, "Master, Prince Yi said... there’s no need for so many people inside the fortress, and it’s inconvenient to coordinate when his people are mixed with the Third Prince’s people, so it’s better to leave his people outside, ambushing in the secret places mentioned by the True Castle Master Jiang Hong earlier. When support is needed inside the fortress, it would be easier to form an encirclement.

So... he will return once he settles his troops and men."

Lu Qing remained silent, seemingly not surprised by Lu Zhang’s actions, merely pausing briefly in thought, then nodded and waved to the dust-covered rune to go and rest.

He was able to keep calm, but Lu Yan didn’t have such poise. When the rune was present, he maintained a semblance of the Third Prince’s dignity for appearances’ sake. But once the rune had left, and since most of the troops in the courtyard were his, he couldn’t suppress his anger any longer.

"I think all these years by his maternal grandfather’s side, he hasn’t learned anything other than to speak beautifully!" Lu Yan grumbled angrily, approaching Lu Qing and pointing outside the courtyard as if Lu Zhang were standing just outside the high wall, "What’s all this about it being inconvenient to coordinate when mixed together? And such nonsense about it being easy to form an encirclement!

He’s just afraid of bringing all his people in, with the three of us all here, and who would command whom? It would be awkward for everyone!

If he were in charge, I definitely wouldn’t be convinced. If I were given command, he wouldn’t be happy either, so ultimately, you brother would have to take charge.

That’s why he figured this all out and orchestrated such a farce!

All these years, he still has the same problem, always thinking that others have heads only for appearance, and only he has something inside his head!"

Lu Qing looked at Lu Yan somewhat helplessly, finding his straightforward yet indelicate expression amusing.

"But you must admit that your second brother’s considerations are indeed reasonable," he said in an especially calm tone to Lu Yan, "From his position, it would indeed be difficult for him; leaving his men outside to provide support isn’t a bad idea either."

"Hmph, he wants both the credit and the prestige, but I refuse to let him have it all!" Lu Yan snorted coldly and said to Lu Qing, "Brother, you know, since I was young, I’ve never liked reading those military strategy books.

Even if you made me drill at the training ground the whole day, I wouldn’t feel tired, only invigorated. But seeing those densely packed small words on the military books gives me a splitting headache.

So, I am courageous but not strategic. I’m aware of this; I don’t need anyone else to tell me. I accept this myself!

So no matter what Prince Yi is thinking, I’ll leave my men to you, brother, to command during this period."

While speaking, he handed the waist card that the rune had just returned back to Lu Qing.

Lu Qing did not reach out to take it but solemnly shook his head: "This is not appropriate."

"There’s nothing inappropriate," Lu Yan insisted stubbornly, "I may not be smart, but I’m not a fool either. Brother, if you had any schemes or selfish motives towards me, during these days, I wouldn’t be completely unaware.

The sincerity and honest interactions from brother during this time, I’ve heard and remembered in my heart.

If, by today, I still had to guard against my brother, how would I be any different from Lu Zhang!

As brothers, we shouldn’t act coy or put on a pretense. I have no patience for that!

This waist card is for you to take. Once everything here is settled, won’t I just ask you to return it to me?"

With that said, he forcefully stuffed the waist card into Lu Qing’s arms, giving him no chance to refuse, and then loudly addressed his soldiers in front of him, "During this period, Prince Xiaoyao’s orders are my orders, and Prince Xiaoyao’s instructions are my instructions!

If any of you disobey Prince Xiaoyao, it means disobeying my instructions!

Do you understand?"

The soldiers immediately raised their voices in unison: "Understood!"

For a moment, the echoes of their responses resounded loudly within the surrounding high walls, carrying a kind of muffled resonance.

Zhu Yu silently observed all of this from the side, finding Lu Yan quite interesting, contrary to the rumors about his explosive temper and a propensity to fight at the slightest disagreement.

Although he was also titled a One-character King, he rarely used his title "Prince Xuan," preferring instead the title of Great General given to him when Emperor Jin granted him military authority.

At his age, becoming a Great General and holding a position second only to veteran generals like General Cao and General Situ, who were renowned for their military achievements, is indeed commendable.

But these honors, compared to the noble bloodline of a Prince and the prestige of a Prince’s title, are still insignificant.

From Lu Yan’s preferences, it’s not difficult to see that he isn’t someone who is intoxicated by titles, but prefers to speak with strength.

For someone like him, to gain his cooperation, you indeed have to earn his respect first.

Judging by Lu Yan’s actions, Lu Qing must have achieved this.

Lu Zhang entered from outside amidst the loud responses of the soldiers.

With the volume of those voices, it would have been difficult for Lu Zhang not to hear.

But when he walked in from outside, his expression looked as if there hadn’t been any noise at all in the courtyard, quietly, as if he hadn’t heard anything.

"Have the Second Prince’s troops been settled?" Lu Qing asked when he saw him coming in, still holding the waist card Lu Yan had just stuffed to him.

Despite trying his best to control it, Lu Zhang couldn’t help but glance several times at the waist card in Lu Qing’s hand, as if trying to confirm whether it was indeed Lu Yan’s token.

Upon realizing it was what he thought it was, he quickly averted his gaze, looking as if he had been scalded by the token, and smiled awkwardly, nodding: "Thank you, brother, for your concern. Following Jiang Hong’s suggested locations, I’ve had them hide.

The number of people I brought out this time isn’t many, and there’s a large force from the Third Prince here, sufficient for deployment. If I brought my people in, it would only cause chaos.

Rather than that, it’s better to let them be useful outside, to flexibly respond to any needs."

"Second Prince’s considerations are indeed thorough." Lu Qing smiled and nodded, calling the Fu Lu over and instructing, "Find some dark-colored cloaks in the fortress and send them to the Second Prince’s men.

Being hidden outside, they mustn’t reveal themselves, and with the heavy night dew, adding another layer is good."

While speaking, he unobtrusively brushed his sleeve.

The Fu Lu saw this, understood the intent, responded, and quickly walked out.