C120. Back.

C120. Back.

Yuan Li began to suspect whether Chu Hechao had gone crazy. He smiled and patted Chu Hechao on the face several times, almost knocking him off the horse.

Chu Hechao didn't fight back, but when someone looked back at them, he suddenly grabbed Yuan Li's wrist, cleared his throat, and said sternly, "Alright, you've hit me enough, calm down."

He quickly lowered his voice, "Le Jun, give me some face out there."

Yuan Li smiled insincerely.

Because of Chu Hechao's annoying remark, Yuan Li didn't want to talk to him all day.

That night, Yuan Li decided that Chu Hechao's troublesome behavior needed to be corrected and his unruly nature needed to be disciplined.

The next morning, Yuan Li dragged him to the study, made him sit down and read the book, to wash his brain.

He put the Confucian classic "Spring and Autumn Annals" on the table and said sternly, "You have to finish reading this book in three days."

Chu Hechao was a smart person with exceptional memory. Yuan Li had been trying to utilize his abilities, but Chu Hechao refused to read more.

Yuan Li saw it as a waste.

Chu Hechao frowned, "Do I have to read it?"

Yuan Li bluntly refused, "Yes, you have to."

He explained to Chu Hechao, "Common people never get to see the 'look' of a book in their lifetime. You come from a noble family, have access to the Four Books and Five Classics, so you must read them."

Chu Hechao sighed, "But I have read 'Spring and Autumn' before."

"Then read it again," Yuan Li interrupted. "It's always good for you to read and learn more."

Unable to refuse, Chu Hechao reluctantly picked up the book and started reading.

Yuan Li made him read the book all day, whenever Chu Hechao tried to slack off, Yuan Li would frown at him. Chu Hechao had no choice but to finish half of the book, and surprisingly he could remember much of it.

Yuan Li was even more pleased and didn't want to waste his talent. He collected more books and calligraphy practice sheets, making Chu Hechao read and practice calligraphy, "You have great potential, you just lack education due to joining the military at a young age. But it's not too late to start now, complete these books and you'll be fine."

Chu Hechao felt a headache just looking at the books on the table and sighed, "My parents wanted me to study, but I never did. I didn't expect to fall into your hands in the end."

Yuan Li laughed. He didn't intend to exploit Chu Hechao but suggested, "Why don't we learn together?"

Chu Hechao wasn't very enthusiastic, "What's the benefit of learning all this?"

"There are many benefits," Yuan Li explained enthusiastically about the benefits of learning and reading, but before he could finish, Chu Hechao lazily pinched Yuan Li's chin and said, "Yuan Lejun, we're both mature adults, if you want me to do something, you have to offer me some benefits that interest me..."

His eyes were elusive, and Yuan Li understood what he meant.

"Alright," Yuan Li thought for a moment and said, "But I need to see how you behave first."

Chu Hechao stared at him blankly and then realized, he cursed and asked, "Do you know what I mean?"

Yuan Li replied, "Isn't it about sleeping?"

Chu Hechao swallowed hard, his mouth suddenly dry and his tongue tied in knots. He asked cautiously, "Are you willing?"

Yuan Li thought for a moment, "If you can read a book every day, complete what I teach you, then I will sleep with you."

As a young and virile general, there was nothing more tempting to Chu Hechao than these words.

Since he started sleeping with Chu Hechao, Yuan Li had maintained a good habit. They only indulged in such activities every two or three days, for a maximum of one hour, to avoid any physical harm and ensure good sleep quality.

While he slept soundly, Chu Hechao couldn't sleep at all.

Having experienced this pleasure, his mind was consumed by thoughts of it day and night, willing to die in Yuan Li's arms. However, Yuan Li was unwilling, leaving Chu Hechao more frustrated despite indulging in such activities.

The frustration led to more intensity each time they got intimate, with Chu Hechao being more aggressive, like a wild beast, demanding satisfaction with a fierce intensity.

But the more aggressive Chu Hechao became, the more Yuan Li feared and wanted to control the situation.

Yuan Li didn't dislike the activity itself, but every time he was with Chu Hechao, he felt a sense of dread, fearing things might go wrong. The feeling of losing control and trembling uncontrollably was too risky, making Yuan Li's head spin in dizziness. He couldn't tell if he was sinking deeper into pleasure or resisting it.

After Chu Hechao confirmed that he was telling the truth, he wiped his face, picked up the book, and continued reading. "Shall we start today then?"

Yuan Li blinked and nodded, "Yes."

Chu Hechao fell silent, his expression unusually focused.

Yuan Li spoke slowly, "Actually, we could start from tomorrow..."

Chu Hechao gestured for him not to speak, "Good, go out and play, don't disturb me while I read."

Yuan Li: "..."

*

As the cold began to settle in the capital, Li Li also received food and news from Youzhou.

Li Li was a grizzled man nearing fifty. His sharp eyes and muscular face exuded a fierce aura.

Upon hearing Chu Hechao and Yuan Li's reasons for not coming to the capital, he coldly snorted, unsurprised, "I knew these two wouldn't come to the capital easily."

His trusted aide, Wang Chun, worriedly said, "Their reasons are flawless. Chu Hechao was appointed as the Grand General by the late emperor, entrusted with defending the northern borders against external threats. As for Yuan Li, the widespread snow disaster in the north has kept him occupied with post-disaster reconstruction, making it understandable for him to stay in the province."

Li Li sneered, "The emperor's authority isn't as effective as it used to be."

His remark silenced those around him.

Li Li didn't mind; he sighed, "North of the Yellow River, they may have already united."

One of his subordinates asked in confusion, "Why do you say that, sir?"

"These three provinces, Chu Hechao and Yuan Li, have control over Youzhou and Bingzhou," Li Li stroked his beard, "Recently, Wu Shanshi from Jizhou recommended Yuan Li as the governor of Bingzhou. If Wu Shanshi is willing to do such a thing, they must be in cahoots. And to challenge this alliance, who else but me?"

His words caused a commotion, with someone panicking, "If these three provinces unite, how can we resist?"

Li Li's expression darkened.

Having been in power for only three years, he had already fallen deep into the trappings of power, reveling in the fear and awe the officials held for him. Upon learning of Chu Hechao conquering Bingzhou, he had a bad feeling. And when Wu Shanshi recommended Yuan Li as the governor of Bingzhou, that feeling reached its peak.

If these three united, it would be a formidable force. Li Li needed to find a way to break their alliance, or he would be the one who suffered.

After pondering for a moment, Li Li said slowly, "Send someone to Jizhou with rewards, see if we can win over Wu Shanshi by offering him everything he desires. Tell him that if he is willing to assist me, I am willing to share the rule of the land with him."

Wang Chun exclaimed, "Sir?!"

Li Li raised his hand to silence him, "My mind is made up. Wu Shanshi is ambitious and eager for glory. Offering him half the kingdom as a gesture of goodwill may sway him. However, he has clever people under him. My reputation is already tarnished, so it's possible he will reject my offer and malign me to boost his own reputation."

He chuckled suddenly, "These people, one more hypocritical than the next. They value their reputation more than life itself, yet each has a fragile heart. When they're in my position, they'll also be swayed. They may claim to be loyal ministers to the emperor, but when facing death, they'll fear, forgetting the importance of reputation. They care for reputation, but I do not. True power lies in my hands, everything else is mere facade... Wu Shanshi's eagerness is his weakness. I don't expect him to take my side, but at least make Chu Hechao and Yuan Li suspect that Wu Shanshi has aligned with me. To make Wu Shanshi speechless, he must accept my offerings. Do you understand?"

His subordinates nodded thoughtfully, "Sir, are you suggesting pacifying without warfare?"

"Exactly," Li Li said calmly, "But that alone won't suffice. I need to take more precautions, attract more allies... Quickly, summon General Yan Wei!"

*

Yuan Li and Chu Hechao spent a month touring Bingzhou, visiting the administrative centers of the nine counties and strengthening the defenses of Bingzhou's garrison. They also checked on the progress of Bingzhou's conscription.

Yuan Li specifically instructed Guan Zhihuai and Xinzhou to train the troops according to his requirements. They had witnessed the bravery of the troops from Youzhou firsthand, so they had no reason to refuse. They promised Yuan Li that they would train the troops according to his methods, aiming to transform the one hundred thousand soldiers of Bingzhou into elite warriors.

In early December, as the weather grew colder, they finally returned to Youzhou.

Upon their return, the first snow of the year fell, covering the outside world in a blanket of silver in just one hour.

Back at the Prince Chu's Mansion, Yuan Li had the heated kang bed lit. They prepared a broth, slaughtered a sheep, and enjoyed a satisfying hotpot meal with Chu Hechao.

Halfway through the meal, they were sweating profusely and had to take off some of their clothes to cool down before continuing to eat comfortably.

With the addition of Sichuan pepper in the hotpot, Yuan Li exclaimed, "Delicious! Hotpot in winter is the most enjoyable!"

Chu Hechao, with his bare arms and sweat beads glistening, remarked, "This heated kang bed in the room is too hot."

Although Yuan Li was also feeling the heat, he maintained a calm demeanor, "Where did all the books you read in the past month go? A calm mind brings coolness. Just think about the contents of the books, and you'll feel refreshed."

Chu Hechao chuckled, "I've read them all on you."

Yuan Li looked at him speechlessly, then picked up a piece of food with his chopsticks. However, he accidentally picked up a Sichuan pepper, causing his lips to turn red and his tongue to tingle, desperately searching for water.

Seeing Yuan Li's distress, Chu Hechao couldn't help but smirk, and leaned in to kiss him, soothing his mouth with a sweep of his tongue.

As Yuan Li prepared to depart, his tongue felt numb and foreign, as if it no longer belonged to him.