However, unlike the Zhang Family, the Chen Family was greatly implicated two years ago in the military disaster, because the family had secretly harbored the bloodline of the Wenren Family and was destroyed by the Yan Army.

Although the Chen Family was not completely annihilated, the remaining descendants had to separate from the main ancestral line and disperse.

This time, Chen Daole came to Ying Capital City with his mother and a servant, to visit Zhang Yiqing, a former friend. In fact, it was also a form of seeking refuge.

Zhang Yiqing proved to be a true friend, not looking down on him because his former friend’s family had fallen, and took the initiative to invite him to this elegant pavilion for a reunion.

"Brother Daole, have some fish. This is cod from the Wang River. There’s an abundance in the snow plains, but very few in the Wang River. It’s extremely hard to catch, and once the river freezes over, you won’t be able to eat it even if you want to."

Chen Daole picked up a piece of fish with his chopsticks, placed it in his mouth, nodded, and said:

"It is indeed delicious."

Zhang Yiqing drank some wine, showing a hint of wildness, and said, "How could it not be delicious? This year’s fish in the Wang River is much fatter than in previous years. Do you know why, Brother Daole?"

Chen Daole shook his head.

Zhang Yiqing answered his own question, "It’s because they’ve been fed on flesh and blood. With tens of thousands of corpses lying in the Wang River after two great battles, how could the fish not be fat?"

Chen Daole nodded, smiled, and said, "In that case, I must eat a few more bites. In the future, I doubt I would ever eat it again, nor do I want to."

Saying this, Chen Daole picked up his chopsticks to get more fish.

Zhang Yiqing was slightly stunned, then nodded and said, "It’s good that Brother Daole can see through this."

Chen Daole, knowing his friend was offering advice, put down his chopsticks, picked up a wine cup, and clinked it with Zhang Yiqing,

and said:

"Brother Yiqing, I can let go, and I can see clearly. After all, people need to eat."

Zhang Yiqing had a drink, quietly put down the cup.

Chen Daole gently pushed away the hand of a maid, took the wine pot himself, and poured the wine, saying:

"The power of the Yan people is vast. Earlier, when the family was at a loss, I indeed placed my hopes on the Situ Family to raise the banner of Jin land;

After all, to say something that might have been taboo back then, no matter who ended up in charge, whether it was the Wenren Family, the Helian Family, the Situ Family, or even Emperor Jin;

In the end, it should still be us Jin people making the decisions.

Unfortunately, the Situ Family suffered such a calamity, and in the end, the Three Jin lands all fell into the hands of the Yan people, alas."

"Brother Daole, why does it sound as if you still have some resentment?"

"Of course there is resentment. Being in a situation where we are like fish on the chopping block, it can only be blamed on us Jin people for seeking it out ourselves.

Now, even though it is said that Qian and Chu keep a watchful eye on the border, hoping to stir up some trouble, it doesn’t have much impact on the grand scheme of things for the Yan people.

The Yan people implement the imperial examination, recruit Jin scholars into the court, open favor orders, and appoint Jin people as officials. Although many official positions often have a Yan as the primary official with a Jin as the deputy, it can be seen that the Yan people want to assimilate our Jin land and our Jin people into their fold.

And because of this, even when someone unfurls the banner of restoring the Jin land’s Jiangshan from time to time, it’s nothing more than bandits or rogues creating a fuss with little real impact.

Seeing through all this, I decided to bring my mother here. Since I don’t have the courage to refuse the Yan grain, I’ll bow for the sake of survival."

"Brother Daole, there’s no need for such words. As they say, good birds choose trees to nest in. As a descendant of the Chen Family, your family’s standing is right here. Once my father can recommend you, you can become an official. Right now, outside of Ying Capital City, the people of our Jin land do not live well. If Brother Daole has a chance to serve elsewhere, you can do more for the people of the Three Jin."

"Thank you for your care, Brother Yiqing."

"We are like brothers; there’s no need for such distancing words."

"Yes, it is I who overthought. Come, I shall drink a cup as a self-punishment!"

"Let’s drink together!"

Afterwards, the two didn’t discuss official matters any further. Instead, they began to talk about romance and chivalry in this setting.

However, it was romance belonging to the past.

As they talked, both men’s eyes unknowingly became somewhat moist and reddened.

At this moment,

Chen Daole stood up,

and said:

"Brother Yiqing, my mother is still at the inn. I really can’t return too late and worry her."

"Naturally, naturally. After all, we will have the chance to meet again in the future. Oh, by the way, Brother Daole, this sword is a gift for you;

now that Brother Daole is a renowned sword in its sheath, surely, a day will come when it unsheathes its blade!"

"I will forever remember Brother Yiqing’s kindness!"

After bidding farewell,

Chen Daole left the elegant pavilion,

first standing on the road for a while, waking up from the wine with the help of the cold wind.

Then,

he paid attention to his surroundings, and walked forward directly,

immediately,

changing to several different paths,

and finally entered a small house.

After closing the door, Chen Daole knocked four times, and the sound of bowstrings being released immediately followed from inside the house. Evidently, as soon as he entered, several crossbows had been aimed at him through the paper windows.

"Creak..."

The door of the room was pushed open,

and out walked a man with an iron mask.

Seeing this man, Chen Daole did not salute, but calmly said:

"I have now settled in, what should I do next?"

The masked man replied:

"For now, don’t do anything. Over the past year, the number of major Jin families willing to support us has dwindled. Now that you have a government position, you should cherish it, saving it for future use."