Ashina Suwu answered with great candor, "It started four years ago... that would be two years before Prince An arrived at the Liangzhou military camp. It continued until Prince An solved the Liangzhou military camp case."
Xiao Jue still wore a faint smile at the corners of his mouth, but his eyes held no trace of amusement. He spoke each word deliberately, "I've been unable to even hold chopsticks since being released from prison six years ago... If the Khan wishes to see what my handwriting looks like now, I can attempt to write something. However, having not held a brush for years, the result would likely be unsightly. I hope the Khan won't laugh."
Xiao Jin Yu's brow furrowed slightly. Chu Chu also looked toward Xiao Jue's pale, slender hands resting on the wheelchair armrests. These hands, though possessing sensation, trembled unconsciously with limited mobility, betraying the turmoil beneath Xiao Jue's calm expression.
Due to Xiao Jin Yu's health condition, Chu Chu had pestered Ye Qian Qiu to learn some medical knowledge over the past two years. Carefully examining Xiao Jue's body restrained in the wheelchair by a belt, she could understand most of the situation. Although Xiao Jue's injury was at the second lumbar vertebra, treatment had come far too late - delayed for a year in prison followed by several years of suffering after release. Even his originally intact upper body had been affected. While he now appeared somewhat better in complexion, this body would completely collapse with just a little more damage.
Even Xue Ming, who had been staring fixedly at Jing Yi, now gazed blankly at Xiao Jue.
Looking at Xiao Jue in this state, Ashina Suwu instead revealed a genuinely heartfelt smile. His unfathomable eyes overflowed with relieved joy as he slapped the table and stood up, "Just as I said! Even if the Prince of Wu Commandery were destitute and desperate, he would never devise such an immoral, despicable method to make money!"
☆ ☆ 114 Manhan Banquet (6) ☆ ☆
Everyone's attention suddenly focused on the papers in Jing Yi's hand. Xiao Jin Yu extended his hand, and Jing Yi obediently handed the stack of papers to him.
Chu Chu leaned close to Xiao Jin Yu's side. Before she could finish reading one page, her eyes widened like large bells. Yet Xiao Jin Yu expressionlessly read through all twenty-plus pages meticulously without missing a single one. Ashina Suwu had been watching Xiao Jin Yu's expression closely, noticing that the man showed neither anger nor confusion. Instead, his jade-cold face revealed dawning comprehension.
Xiao Jin Yu handed the stack of papers back to Jing Yi and looked calmly at Ashina Suwu, "Has the Khan come to ask me to catch adulterers?"
Ashina Suwu waved his hand, "Ashina Turo has already been executed on the spot by my father. My father was so enraged by him that it killed him, otherwise I could have had a few more peaceful years... Ashina Turo was the kind of person whose head was less clever than his backside. Even if he had ten backsides combined, he couldn't have conceived such a wicked scheme that would leave descendants cut off."
Xiao Jin Yu nodded slightly. He had no objection to Ashina Suwu calling this a wicked scheme that would leave descendants cut off.
Just from these letters written to Ashina Turo, it was clear that this act of colluding with the enemy wasn't as simple as betraying the country for personal gain. Rather, both sides were discussing how to conduct battles. Almost every letter discussed when, by which side, and where a battle should be initiated. They had even predetermined the outcome - who would win or lose, to what extent, and what benefits each side would gain from the battle.In simple terms, it was a scheme where commanders from both sides strategized on paper for mutual benefit, while their unsuspecting soldiers acted out the charade with their lives—all to ensure perpetual warfare. The reckless Ashina Turo could maintain battle records rivaling those of the valiant Ashina Suwu, while the conspirator in the imperial court embezzled ample funds from military provisions and equipment day after day.
From the final few letters, Ashina Turo breached the agreement by allowing his subordinates to provocatively challenge the Han army, adopting an unyielding stance. The court conspirator issued an ultimatum: if Ashina Turo showed no genuine remorse, the Han army would retaliate decisively.
Subsequent events—Ashina Turo’s crushing defeat and punishment, replaced by Ashina Suwu confronting the imperial forces—proved that Ashina Turo ultimately failed to overpower the influential figure in the court.
Such a deal was a hundred times more despicable than outright treason.
Xiao Jin Yu remained as still as a deep pond. "Has the Khan come to find the mastermind?"
Ashina Suwu waved his hand dismissively. "Why would I seek him? My tent has been cleansed. How filthy your house has become is none of my concern." His gaze darkened as it swept over Xiao Jue’s furrowed brow. "It’s just that I’ve lost interest in fighting the Central Plains people for now. I hope your emperor, considering the traitors within his own ranks, will postpone this war for a few years—until we’re both willing and able to engage in a proper battle. That way, no one can accuse me of exploiting chaos to claim an unearned victory."
Though Ashina Suwu claimed disinterest, Xiao Jin Yu knew better: it wasn’t lack of interest but temporary exhaustion.
The conspiracy involved numerous Turkic generals. Given Ashina Suwu’s temperament, he would inevitably purge them all. After such devastating losses, facing major tribes from the west and north, even if he desired war, he lacked the capacity to fight on all fronts.
Xiao Jin Yu quietly turned his gaze to the documents still held by Jing Yi. "Then why present this evidence to His Majesty through kidnapping Minister Xue and such elaborate means?"
Ashina Suwu continued staring intently at the pale-lipped Xiao Jue. "Those who call themselves kings or emperors are half-blind. Even the Turks know that Prince An possesses the sharpest eyes in the Han court—missing no villain, misjudging no good man."
Chu Chu secretly glanced at Xiao Jin Yu’s eyes. They indeed shone like morning stars, yet their brilliance was unsettling, as if they could pierce into the deepest recesses of one’s soul, illuminating the darkest corners until no scheme or secret remained hidden.
At this moment, Xiao Jin Yu resembled a cold-blooded hunter scrutinizing his prey. Chu Chu far preferred his gaze when it fell upon her—like freshly steamed custard buns, warm on the outside, scalding within, sweet and tender...
Xiao Jue had no mind to ponder the beauty of Xiao Jin Yu’s eyes. He understood better than anyone that while Ashina Suwu’s words sounded negotiable, given his knowledge of this wolf-like man, if Xiao Jin Yu refused involvement, Ashina Suwu would not hesitate to deliver those letters directly to the emperor.
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