Desperados Attack - Chapter 66 - The Hermit

Han Lan had no interest in vying for the throne, nor did he want to invite trouble for himself. This was why he encouraged his father.

“Father, I mean no other intention. You are like a king who doesn’t act, but when you do, it astonishes everyone. Although our national strength is not as great as others, if you take it a bit more seriously, uniting the world wouldn’t be difficult!”

Saying that Han Lan had no self-interest would be wrong, for he knew his father was practically an incompetent ruler, and his four brothers were no better, always hiding under protection.

He criticized them with words that were both gentle and biting, unlike anything one would expect from a carefree wanderer.

They must have known what he was implying, but they indeed said nothing.

“Good!”

King Xuanhui was exceedingly pleased and rewarded Han Lan with a hundred taels of gold.

While each person had their strengths in literature, in military affairs, Han Lan was unmatched.

After this event, Han Lan led the troops to battle.

Regardless of whether the King of Han knew Han Lan truly had ambitions, he entrusted Han Lan with half of Han’s military power.

Thinking about this, Han Lan felt that much of his ambitions were already achieved. He rememebered his grandfather, Marquis Zhao of Han, who was the foundation of Han, and during his reign had employed the chancellor Shen Buhai, giving him the opportunity to implement “Shen Buhai’s Reforms.”

Shen Buhai, a wise man of the ages, received the discerning recognition of Marquis Zhao of Han.

Shen Buhai’s Reforms certainly strengthened the sparse national power of Han to some extent.

However, these reforms only lasted for fifteen years, as they were not continued after Shen Buhai and Marquis Zhao of Han passed away.

Now, with military power in hand, Han Lan yearned for a strategist like Shen Buhai.

And fate granted him this chance with the appearance of Mohuoluoja.

But in this life, he was not called Mohuoluoja; his name was Liuchuan.

Facing the eastern Wei forces, Han Lan led his twenty-thousand-strong army in an aggressive strike. After successfully blocking Wei, he felt quite melancholic.

A general such as him is rare in history, and a commander rarer still.

Han Lan was indeed an exceptional talent, yet he had no confidant.

Night.

He sat alone on the hill behind, steeped in melancholy. Perhaps because it was so late and quiet, he suddenly heard the sound of snoring from the deep forest.

“Who? Who’s there?”

Startled, Han Lan jumped. At such a quiet hour, he had expected solitude, not another presence, especially fearing that this person might be an enemy.

“Who discusses the great affairs of the world with me? Hoo, hoo, hoo…” The rhythmic snoring noise came from atop a tree.

“World? Affairs of the world, brother, who are you?”

Han Lan stood up and looked toward the treetops, yet he couldn’t identify which tree it was.

“This general, you’re quite overbearing, aren’t you?”

“Me? Overbearing?”

“I was just sleeping here, and you woke me up without apologizing. Don’t you think that’s quite overbearing?”

Hearing this, Han Lan felt a bit embarrassed. He clasped his hands and said, “Please don’t blame me, sir. I am merely a warrior, and I hope…”

“Well, never mind that!”

Following the voice, a person gracefully descended from the highest tree under the moonlight.

“A deity?”

Han Lan had never seen someone descend from the sky before. Even though the person came down from a tree, it was still startling.

“Ha, a deity? People always speak well of them, but how many can really become one?”

Han Lan sensed something extraordinary in his words. He clasped his hands and asked, “May I ask who you are?”

“I’m just a mere name that isn’t worth mentioning. I suggest you leave soon, as there are many beasts in this dense forest that eat people.”

This person was Liuchuan.

After speaking, Liuchuan turned to leave. After taking just two steps away, he heard Han Lan say, “Many in the world are oppressed by hardships; if they could become immortals, who would choose to remain dust of this mundane world?”

“Hmm? And who are you?”

Liuchuan sat with his legs crossed and said, “I’ve changed my mind. I don’t want to leave. I’d like to have a chat with you. Would you mind?”

Han Lan was overjoyed, quickly stepping forward until he was in front of Liuchuan, and knelt down on the ground.

He clasped his hands and said, “Might I know your name, sir?”

Han Lan assumed that the person before him was the reclusive sage he had been searching for, so he didn’t want to miss this opportunity.

“My name is Liuchuan, courtesy name Tu Yuan-from one place, heading to another.”

“Oh, Brother Tu Yuan, my name is Han Lan, the fourth young master of the King of Han.”

“Oh? Are you Han Xiaozhi, known to the world?”

“Indeed!”

Han Lan stood up and said, “Brother Tu Yuan, your speech reveals exceptional talent in governing a nation. To be honest, my grandfather, Marquis Han, along with Prime Minister Shen Buhai, achieved some success in reforms. Sadly, heaven was envious of their talent; over the years, my father has been muddleheaded. I have no desire to assume the role, yet my four brothers are all indulgent. If I don’t take on this responsibility, the country will fall, and the people will suffer!”

Hearing this, Liuchuan clapped his hands and exclaimed, “Truly a ruler and commander for the ages.”

Seeing Liuchuan’s willingness to connect with him, Han Lan was about to speak when Liuchuan continued, “I, Liuchuan, fancy myself a great bird soaring in the nine heavens. To be honest, I have been invited by the King of Chu and the King of Qi, but they were too petty. Otherwise, I would rather stay recluse than offer a plan to those I do not favor.”

Han Lan clasped his hands and said, “I am determined to reform yet lack the requisite talent. Now that I’ve met Mr. Liuchuan, would you be willing to join me in this great endeavor?”

Liuchuan let out a hearty laugh and said, “I shall ask you one thing. If your answer pleases me, I will gladly serve you as my lord, making it only natural.”

“Please, go ahead!”

Han Lan was anxious. How could he not be, with this opportunity in front of him? Failing to seize it could mean the end of the nation.

“I ask you, how do you wish to reform? Should I have full authority to plan, there’s a risk it might not align with your intentions. I fear you’ll struggle to voice your discontent later.”

Han Lan thought Liuchuan was reluctant to help, so he quickly replied, “There’s no need to say that. You are a talent as great as a kunpeng. A mere lift of your wings can gather the stars from the sky, and your mighty call can swallow the heavens and spit out the moon. Why would I reject your advice? Moreover, a reform only requires expanding national strength and improving the people’s lives. I have no further demands. Please, don’t decline.”

Liuchuan chuckled and said, “I don’t know if you flatter me or not, but let me tell you this: everything you’ve said is correct. Secondly, you need to realize that the world is divided into seven parts, with additional small states. Rather than saying Han is one of the Seven Heroes, it might be better to say Han is one of the smaller states…”

“How does that manifest anything?”

“We just need to see ourselves clearly to understand where the gaps lie.”

“Where do they lie?”