The Splendor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 35 Recruitment
The night was as dark as ink, and a single oil lamp cast a very faint light.

Xiao Yi's resolute words echoed in the small house.

"The fragmented state will inevitably end and move towards unification, and the chaotic state of brutal killing will inevitably be replaced by order."

"Really?" Hua Nong asked. "How can you be so sure, my lord? I have never seen anyone else make such a statement, yet you speak as if you have witnessed it yourself."

"because……"

Xiao Yi closed his eyes, feeling very tired.

He racked his brains trying to recall the lines he had memorized to answer all sorts of questions. He vaguely realized that what moved the other person was that he had seen the prosperity that the other person longed for.

"The six directions are united in spirit, and the nine provinces are interconnected. This is the great principle of the Spring and Autumn Annals, and it is an unchanging truth of our Chinese nation for thousands of years."

Hua Nong's expression shifted, filled with joy and curiosity. She quickly asked, "Your words have cleared up the fog! But I wonder what you mean by 'Chinese nation'? Our dynasty was actually established by the Shatuo people..."

"The topic is too broad, and it's too late. Let's rest."

“Yes… then I will ask for your guidance again tomorrow morning.” Hua Nong reluctantly got up and said, “I have two inner rooms in my humble abode. Please make do with them, sir.”

"What about you?"

"I can spend the night in the outer room. I'm not sleepy yet and want to savor your words more."

Xiao Yi didn't stand on ceremony; he shared a room with Guo Zongyi and let Guo Xin have another room.

Each of the two rooms contained only a simple earthen bed. Hua Nong rummaged through the old but cleaned bedding that was prepared for the New Year and gave it to them.

Guo Xin was a little worried and whispered, "He won't betray us, will he?"

"No, go to sleep peacefully."

"I've changed your dressing first."

"Thank you very much."

"It's what Qingwen should do."

After finally getting her medication changed, Guo Xin went to the next room, and Xiao Yi finally lay down fully clothed.

Guo Zongyi covered him with a blanket, snuggled up to him, and couldn't help but say again, "You're amazing, you convinced him with just a few words."

"Just met someone on the same path."

"When no one's around, may I call you brother?"

"I'm about the same age as your third uncle."

“But you’re only a few years older than me. Uncle and Aunt can’t help it. Sometimes you protect me like a grandfather, but you look more like an older brother. I’ve always wanted an older brother…”

"As you wish."

Xiao Yi yawned and looked around. The oil lamp was still lit in the outer room. Through the crack in the door, he could see that Hua Nong was still awake, squinting at the paper, still reading today's notes.

He fell asleep very soon after.

After an unknown amount of time, just as all was quiet—

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

A violent banging on the door suddenly broke the silence of the night!

"Bullshit, open the door!"

Although Xiao Yi was fast asleep, he woke up quickly and sat up immediately. Guo Xin also rushed over right away, her clothes neat and her hair in a tidy bun, clearly indicating that she hadn't been asleep at all.

"Did he betray us?"

"No rush," Xiao Yi said. "I'll go take a look."

He picked up his sword, walked to the door, and peered through the crack in the door.

Hua Nong hurriedly stood up, looking at him with a questioning gaze, somewhat at a loss.

"An acquaintance?" Xiao Yi asked.

Hua Nong nodded.

Xiao Yi glanced at the table and said softly, "Put away the teacups."

"it is good."

Hua Nong quickly did as she was told, knocking over many objects in the process.

The urging from outside the door grew even more urgent.

"Don't be nervous, just relax," Xiao Yi said. "Open the door."

"it is good."

Hua Nong took a deep breath and exclaimed, "Is that Captain Zhao? He's here!"

As soon as the door opened, three armored soldiers carrying swords rushed in, the cold wind blowing in, the light from the lanterns dazzling the eyes.

"Damn it, I'm freezing to death."

"Squad leader, you know what, this shabby room of Pusbao feels colder than outside."

"Anyway, I'm too lazy to stay any longer." Captain Zhao rubbed his hands together and cursed, "Everyone's been transferred to hunt down fugitives. Stop slacking off here and get to work, Boss Sun wants to see you."

"What's the matter?"

"Go ask him yourself, I still have to patrol the streets!"

"Yes, yes, I'll go after I change my clothes."

Hua Nong was about to close the door when she said that.

Zhao, however, simply propped himself up with one hand and casually glanced around the room.

"Oh, you good-for-nothing, you actually have guests at your deserted stove? You never drink that three ounces of tea yourself, who are you bringing it out for today?"

His tone carried a familiar, teasing tone.

Xiao Yi frowned, worried that Hua Nong lacked quick wit and might not be able to handle the situation.

Hua Nong was indeed flustered, forcing a smile, unsure how to respond.

"I'm asking you." Team Leader Zhao was getting impatient.

"Please don't make fun of me, Captain. My brother-in-law came to visit, but we encountered a lockdown and had nowhere to go, so he had to make do for the night."

"brother in law?"

Upon hearing this, Captain Zhao turned and looked into the inner room.

Xiao Yi averted his gaze earlier, hiding in the shadows. "Perfect timing, we're short-handed on the city walls. Take him with you; consider him a night's labor."

"This……"

"Stop with the nonsense." Zhao's voice grew increasingly impatient. "Just take care of your relatives and don't let them run around causing trouble. I'm leaving."

"The team is walking slowly."

Xiao Yi peeked through the crack in the door again and saw that Captain Zhao was turning to leave, but then turned back.

"I'm telling you, you're such a pushover."

"What...what happened?"

"Think carefully! What time is it now? Something big has happened in the capital. The higher-ups are mowing down the grass one crop after another. You'd better put in some effort, put in some effort. Whether you pass or not depends on this one hurdle. I won't say you'll be transferred back to your original position, but at least you'll take my place. With you in such a state, how will we face the old chief after we die? Damn it, take a piss and look at yourself in the mirror. What do you look like? Even if you're just a fart, you should still have some breath."

After giving a long, exasperated scolding, Captain Zhao, rubbing his hands in the cold, turned and walked out, muttering to himself as he went.

"Damn it, he's nothing..."

The night wind blew into the dilapidated house through the door, but Hua Nong did not close the door for a long time.

Xiao Yi stepped out of the shadows and looked at the middle-aged man's back, which seemed somewhat lonely as he faced the wind and snow alone. He raised his hand and silently wiped away his tears.

The two stood there, silent.

After a while, Hua Nong sniffed, wiped his face, turned around, and saw Xiao Yi looking at him. He put on a flattering smile.

As for his hardships and helplessness, there's not much to mention.

"My lord, I didn't mean to leave the tea leaves behind. I was just really too nervous."

"I know."

"They want me to take my brother-in-law to the city wall. Don't worry, I'll go find a neighbor for help. Why don't you stay until dawn?"

Xiao Yi pondered for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Do you want to make a name for yourself and achieve great things?"

Hua Nong was taken aback, nodded subconsciously, and then shook her head vigorously.

"Does my lord not believe me? Though I am useless, I have never thought of betraying my lord for personal gain! I am only worried that if I do not go to the city wall, they will come again..."

“That’s not what I meant.” Xiao Yi stepped forward, looked directly into Hua Nong’s eyes, and asked, “Do you know Guo Wei, the General Guo?”

"I know, I have long admired the name of General Guo Jieshuai."

"Alright, I won't lie to you. I've heard that Commander Guo is strict in governing his troops, considerate of his soldiers, and comforts the local people. He is very popular with the people of Hebei and is a pillar of the nation. That's why I'm going out of the city this time with the intention of visiting Yedu."

At this point, Xiao Yi paused.

He could have learned from Li Tao and Li Fang's shrewdness and tested them with feigned innocence, but after thinking it over, he simply decided to speak frankly.

"We previously discussed going with the flow, so let me tell you what that flow is. The current emperor arbitrarily kills his heirs, implicates the innocent, appoints treacherous officials, and distrusts border generals. The people are disunited, and this situation is unlikely to last. I wish to follow the opportune moment and join Lord Guo to achieve great things, but I am trapped in the city and need the help of ambitious people. If you trust my judgment, are you willing to follow me and gamble on a future, a chance to bring peace to the world and leave your mark on history?"

Xiao Yi seemed to have gone mad, recklessly spouting these wild and unfounded words without considering whether Hua Nong could accept them.

He had no time to test or probe any further.

To persuade Hua Nong, the only option is tonight; one must show her sincerity.

"despair."

The bolt in Hua Nong's hand fell to the ground.

The room fell into a deathly silence, broken only by the occasional soft crackling of the oil lamp wick popping.

Xiao Yi did not urge him, but used calmness and certainty as his persuasive power.

They stood in silence for a long time.

Hua Nong took a heavy breath, her voice hoarse.

"My lord, I..."

His throat tightened, and he couldn't get the rest of his words out for a while.

"My lord...you...how dare you say such things to me? I was merely..."

"Because I understand."

Xiao Yi looked around the house and seemed to see his former residence, which was desolate and impoverished.

He could not forget the resentment and longing he felt when he lived in that cramped space.

At the time, he always thought that if someone let him be the protagonist instead of a stunt double, he would definitely do it without hesitation.

Without hesitation, regardless of how many resources the other party has.

At this moment, he was certain that he was giving Hua Nong what she longed for.

"You may seem troubled, but you have unwavering determination. You're complacent with the status quo, but you know it shouldn't be this way. You call yourself useless, but you're not resigned to it. You're not useless; you have ambition, which is why you never give up on your studies and want to find a path..."

Xiao Yi stopped speaking.

Hua Nong couldn't help but burst into tears.

At first, she just shed tears, but then she squatted on the ground, hugged her head and cried, her voice gradually becoming a wail.

A grown man suddenly burst into tears.

Xiao Yi just stood there, letting him cry for a while, before finally raising his hand to pat his shoulder.

“Hua Nong, I originally came here to bribe you and get you to open the city gate, but after arriving I found that you are different.”

"I'm sorry to my wife and children! I'm sorry to my grandfather! I'm nothing!"

"Then come north with me and let them see that you are a true man, unlike those muddle-headed, cowardly cowards. If the world is not right, we will turn it around. The world has been divided for decades, and it is time to change the world!"

"hiss--"

Hua Nong took a deep sniff.

He raised his head, his eyes red, his chest heaving violently.

Finally, he gritted his teeth so hard that his jaw trembled slightly.

"it is good!"

Hua Nong sniffled again, and almost jumped to her feet.

He bowed to Xiao Yi solemnly and slowly, his voice still trembling, yet revealing an unprecedented resolve.

"Your words are truly enlightening. Though I am foolish and dull, I am willing to serve you with utmost loyalty! From now on, I will follow you and work together to achieve great things!"

(End of this chapter)