Chapter 603: Chapter 78: Fanning the Flames, Time for Schemes
Du Fu’s mind was clearly not in this place.
He just followed Li Bai directly, heading toward the residence provided by the Gu Clan for them.
Du Fu kept observing the surroundings along the way.
Feeling the stability of Julu, his eyes grew increasingly complex, unable to hold back a sigh.
On his journey, he had truly seen far too many bitter social conflicts.
All of this starkly contrasted with Julu.
Making his concern for the country and the people uncontrollable.
Li Bai, after all, had been in Julu for some time and had become somewhat accustomed to it, even occasionally smiling and greeting the children they passed.
The two of them then left Yunshao Pavilion and headed towards the Gu Mansion.
As they approached the mansion’s gate, they suddenly saw a team of armored soldiers standing solemnly outside, their swords and spears glinting coldly in the twilight.
"What is this...?"
Du Fu suddenly stopped, unable to hide his astonishment, disbelief in his voice: "Who dares to station troops and display weapons before the Gu Mansion?"
Li Bai also furrowed his brows, his gaze sweeping over those soldiers, letting out a cold snort:
"Hmph, it must be that An Lushan coming again to ’pay respects’ to the illustrious ancestors of the Gu Clan."
His tone carried obvious sarcasm: "What this Hu’Er is doing is merely ’building a reputation’!"
"Intending to borrow the Gu Clan’s prestigious name to embellish his own facade."
Then, his expression softened slightly, adding knowingly and disdainfully: "Lord Gu had made it clear long ago: let him come and go as he pleases, there’s no need to bother. It’s just a hollow gesture, not worth mentioning."
Upon hearing this, Du Fu’s expression eased a little.
Observing the noticeably increased number of people compared to other places, he instantly felt an inexplicable aura of tension and murder.
Even though he had just become aware of this, he could ascertain.
As long as An Lushan dared to act recklessly.
The surrounding people would certainly rise up immediately, even if they only held their daily farming tools!
Thus, the two of them walked back to their residence.
But Du Fu’s mind was perpetually focused on the situation outside.
Until evening when he saw An Lushan leaving with his men.
His expression became increasingly complex.
Clearly, he had already learned quite a bit of information.
Meanwhile.
Outside Julu City, An Lushan rode on horseback, Shi Siming following closely, surrounded by dozens of attendants.
The amiable smile that was on An Lushan’s face vanished the moment he stepped out of the city gates, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes.
"These troublesome people of Hebei, they truly don’t know what’s good for them!"
His voice was deep, laced with unconcealed malice, and as he spoke, he couldn’t help but rein his horse and look back, his gaze sharp as a knife:
"I put in so much effort at the Gu ancestors’ tomb, but couldn’t even get a single favorable face in return!"
"Lord An, calm down." Shi Siming, nearby, was also grim-faced, advising in a low voice, "Recall the days of the late Han."
"Yuan Shao, Yuan Benchu, rooted himself in Hebei by cultivating his reputation like this."
"Clearly, today’s people of Hebei are already on guard, so there’s no need for Lord An to expend so much effort anymore."
"If you wish to emulate this strategy, it is not something that can be achieved in a day."
"Lord An... perhaps there’s no need to waste your energy here in vain."
An Lushan furrowed his brow, his gaze fixed on Shi Siming: "So... do we truly abandon Hebei?"
His voice lowered further, practically grinding out through his teeth, "Yang Guozhong, that bastard, slanders me daily in Chang’an, accusing me of rebellion!"
"Even the Gu Clan is starting to suspect... although His Majesty still trusts me a little, if this continues..."
He left the sentence unfinished, but its meaning was evident.
The seed of rebellion had long been sown in his heart.
It was the same in the original history.
Except he initially planned to rebel after Li Longji’s death, but the situation had forced his hand earlier.
Now, the situation he faced was even more severe.
The resistance in Hebei was too strong!
The sense of crisis An Lushan felt far exceeded what he had experienced in the original history.
He had long been scheming, how could he not leave a contingency plan?
"Lord An!" Shi Siming didn’t directly answer, instead, he stared intensely at him, "How much longer can we delay?"
An Lushan’s breathing grew heavier, and he remained silent as steel, as the air around seemed to stagnate under the pressure.
After a long silence, he finally let out a heavy sigh through his teeth.
Then, following a moment of suffocating silence.
He suddenly lifted his head, fierce light in his eyes, speaking decisively: "Tomorrow, return to Fan Yang!"
"Immediately send a fast rider, with an urgent message, to deliver my secret letter to Tubo!"...
.....
(Ps: Pleading for monthly votes, asking my brothers to support a bit more, the monthly votes are indeed a little scarce this month, begging my brothers for a little help, endless thanks from Yu!!!)
