THE HIDDEN TRAITOR

If everyone loved Zhu Su's leadership and worshiped him as if he was the incarnation of a god, then it was not the case with Yan San. Yan San labeled Zhu Su as a leader who was not only unfair, but also ungrateful and unappreciative.

"Doesn't he know, who has traced Lady Hu's whereabouts painstakingly when the traitor Wu Qi took the Lady away?! I tried my best to organize the army, to look for both of them day and night, and I haven't enough sleep because of this! But His Highness forgets my hard work, he still likes Wu Qi and reappoints him to be Chief Commander! Wu Qi, who betrays him, is instead given an honorary title, while I, who is loyal to him, is penalized, and he even lowers my title! His Highness is unfair, and also does favoritism! Such a shame for me to be placed as his subordinate!"

Yet Yan San was very good at pretending. He still appeared like a loyal and obedient soldier. He still carried out Zhu Su's orders respectfully, with facial expressions and gestures that were totally unsuspicious, that was why Zhu Su still considered him as a good subordinate. Moreover, Zhu Su was basically an indifferent and neglectful person. So, only Yan San's own family knew his disobedience, and his grudge still remained unconcealed.

But, if Xiang Yugong could not know Yan San's dislike of Zhu Su, then he did not deserve to be Head of Dong Chang.

After Zhu Di sent him to investigate Zhu Su regarding Tang Sai'er's rebellion, Xiang Yugong promptly approached Yan San. It was autumn at that time. Everything was so peaceful and serene, the out-of-work San Hu Wei was lazing around. Yan San was sitting in front of the gate eating tea and cakes when Xiang Yugong approached him.

"Hi, Commander Yan, long time no see!" Xiang Yugong greeted him kindly.

Yan San stood up, looked at the smiling Xiang Yugong in confusion. "Who are you?"

"You forget me? I am Xiang Yugong. We have ever met at the inauguration of Forbidden City, do you remember?"

"Inauguration of Forbidden City…" Yan San kept thinking. He was indeed invited to accompany Zhu Su as he was the Deputy Commander of San Hu Wei. During the inauguration of Forbidden City in Beijing (Now Shuntian had changed its name to Beijing), the atmosphere was too frenetic. Everyone was having fun and chatting with anyone they did not recognize. Yan San did not remember anyone he had met at all in such a hilarious situation.

Xiang Yugong took advantage of the festivities of the party. He was sure that Yan San must have forgotten with the people he met. He did not remember whether he ever chatted with Yan San or not, either. He just pretended as though he recognized Yan San in order to facilitate his investigation.

"Commander Yan must have forgotten me because as the Chief Commander of San Hu Wei of Zhou Fan Wang Guo, then you should meet with so many people!"

"Hey! Don't talk such nonsense! I'm not the Chief Commander anymore!"

"Ah, why? So far I know that you are the Chief Commander of the Zhou Fan Wang Guo's San Hu Wei?..."

"It is in the past, not now..."

Xiang Yugong laughed in his mind. The opening led to the part he preferred. "Why?"

"His Highness has reappointed Wu Qi as Chief Commander."

"But you are an expert in military? And you are also older than Wu Qi, how come you aren't chosen as Chief Commander?"

"Too long to tell!" Yan San growled. This topic touched on the dislike buried inside his heart.

Xiang Yugong looked at him deeply. "Brother Yan, it seems that this problem makes you so upset. I can see it through your eyes. Even though you try to look cheerful as if nothing wrong has happened, you are actually devastated and frustrated. If you don't immediately release it, it will cause stress and illness, Bro! "

The look in Xiang Yugong's eyes seemed to be very empathetic. Basically very disturbed by this matter, Yan San automatically began to confide his complaints.

"Wu Qi that bastard, even though he is a traitor, but he is very favored by His Highness! Wu Qi has run away with Lady Hu, it means that he has performed a very despicable action by taking Fan Wang's wife away, he should be sentenced to death, right? But His Highness still appoints him as Chief Commander! How come such a thing can happen?! I think, His Highness has been jinxed by Wu Qi. Wu Qi comes from Yunnan, a suburb and isolated area, he is also a Bai, you know, the barbarous tribesmen are usually skillful in such things! He must have done something awful and terrible to His Highness while His Highness is still in Yunnan. So in spite of any bad things Wu Qi have ever committed, His Highness will still like him and appreciate him!..."

Xiang Yugong made a thoughtful expression. "Or perhaps, basically His Highness likes uncommon people. Didn't he recruit many cult members, including Bai Lian Jiao, to become the members of his Team of Wellbeing?"

"Well, you say it."

"Can it be that; by recruiting those people, Zhou Wang is actually plotting something forbidden? For example, to rebel against the Emperor..."

"Huh?! No way!"

Xiang Yugong gasped. To his surprise, Yan San refuted.

"Oh... well?... Why not..." Going beyond his expectations, Xiang Yugong was confused in composing words and he thus stuttered.

"His Highness is a naïve person. He doesn't know how to do politics, so he can act recklessly and carelessly. But for all I know, he has no tendency to rebel. Let alone rebel, he is even a clumsy in politics!"

Xiang Yugong originally thought that Yan San, who held grudge against Zhu Su, would be willing to reveal the secrets of Zhu Su's rebellion. Zhou Wang has always been protected by everyone. In the past, it was Yu Xi's people who protected him, now the subordinate who hates him even protects him! Looks like there is a very powerful Guardian God who keeps protecting him?...

I don't believe it! I am the Head of Dong Chang chosen directly by His Majesty the Emperor, even God can't hide everything from me! I might fail in the past, but now my abilities have got much more progress than before! So, this time I must succeed!

"Brother Yan. It's very interesting to chat with you. I've made a correct guess then, I have immediately become interested in you since our first meeting. We can really become close friends!"

Since then, Xiang Yugong made Yan San's acquaintance actively.