Fu Yuyuan hasn't returned from Qingzhou yet, so who will make a move?
Wei Tianze couldn't understand it.
But things had come to this point; the Fu family suspected him, and they also had leads on Wei Youtong. The truth could not be hidden forever.
When Wei Tianze heard that Fu Deqing had summoned him this morning, he knew it was about yesterday's events.
The only saving grace was that Fu Yu was far away in Qingzhou. Even if things were exposed, he would only have to deal with Fu Deqing, not Fu Yu—the friend he had known since his youth, who had fought alongside him for years and entrusted him with life and death.
With these thoughts in mind, Wei Tianze composed himself and tried his best to remain calm.
Hearing the sound of horses' hooves in the distance, he turned his horse around to look, but froze the moment he saw who it was.
Against the sunlight, it was difficult to see the person's face clearly, but he was upright, composed, and his demeanor was extremely familiar.
It's Fu Yu.
Chapter 73 Exposed
The drill ground was empty, and the warm early autumn breeze gently lifted the corners of our clothes.
The horse's hooves trod the hardened earth, the sound crisp yet slow. Fu Yu's expression was solemn and cold, and he did not bring a single attendant.
Wei Tianze had received news over the past few days that Fu Yu had gone to Qingzhou and had not yet returned. Seeing him suddenly now filled him with shock. He tried his best to remain calm, concealing his various emotions, and nimbly dismounted, clasping his hands in greeting, "General!" There was no response after he finished speaking. He looked up and met Fu Yu's eyes.
Majestic and sharp, looking down from above, yet showing no emotion whatsoever.
"Mount up and head over there." Fu Yu pointed to the woods beside the training ground.
Beside the woods is a high platform. Taking advantage of the hilly terrain, one can see the entire Donglin drill ground from there.
Wei Tianze agreed and followed him to the edge of the woods to dismount, and then ascended the high platform.
In the distance, the intermittent sound of cavalry hoofbeats could be heard, but here only a few soldiers remained on duty, as still as evergreen pines.
The atmosphere was eerily silent. Wei Tianze, standing beside Fu Yu, spoke first, "Has the general dealt with the matter in Qingzhou?"
Fu Yu nodded, his gaze sweeping across the training ground and over the soldiers training in the distance. After a long while, he turned to Wei Tianze. "We first met here, right? Your uncle organized a martial arts competition that time, and among your peers, you were the most outstanding. Your horsemanship and archery skills were excellent, and your instructors praised your exceptional talent." He paused, then sighed, "In the blink of an eye, so many years have passed."
The sound was slow, steady, and without any fluctuations.
Wei Tianze's pupils suddenly contracted, and his heart sank involuntarily.
Fu Yu wouldn't have the time to bring up old matters for no reason. In fact, given Fu Yu's usual cold and reserved nature, he wouldn't say such things without a reason. If he intentionally brought it up, there must be a reason.
He didn't look at Fu Yu's expression, his gaze fixed on the training ground, and he chuckled to himself. "The first time the general saw me was at this Donglin training ground, but the first time I saw the general was two years earlier. Back then... you hadn't been in the army for long," he subtly changed his form of address, adding a touch of familiarity with an old friend, "The old general was very strict, and you spent your days practicing riding and archery and reading military books, with little free time, so you probably didn't pay much attention to me. At that time, I thought, if the old general's son is so diligent, how can I slack off?"
Fu Yu glanced at him sideways. "I owe my current skill to my martial arts training since childhood. How old were you when you started training?"
"At the age of eight, I received guidance from veterans in the military camp."
From the side, Wei Tianze stared intently at the drill ground, his eyes never blinking.
Fu Yu's expression darkened slightly. He didn't inquire about his experiences before the age of eight, but only spoke of what happened afterward—
The two men followed Xu Kui to the battlefield for the first time, serving as scouts to gather intelligence. After fighting side by side, they stared blankly at the bloodstains on the ground. They rescued each other in times of crisis, rode across the battlefield, and drank together. They had known each other for more than ten years and fought in more than a hundred battles, large and small. Fu Yu's troops were mostly the best of Yongning's soldiers. Wei Tianze was exceptionally talented and made rapid progress. As Fu Yu's position rose, he was also promoted and given important responsibilities.
The past events accumulate like hills and peaks, countless in number.
The two boys were strong and spirited, and their personalities were quite compatible. They admired each other and were comrades-in-arms who had gone through thick and thin together, as well as friends who had grown together through trials.
Wei Tianze initially responded with a smile, but gradually fell silent, even revealing a sense of bewilderment.
Having spent over a decade in Qizhou during his childhood, he had long since settled there, his skills honed by the Fu family's military prowess. His friends and confidants were all under Yongning's command. He remembered every single thing Fu Yu mentioned—the fear of killing for the first time, the gratitude of being saved, the initial hesitation turning into entrusting each other with life and death. The bonds forged on the battlefield, forged with their lives, carried immense weight.
That is precisely what causes suffering.
...
As the sun rose higher, the two slender shadows grew shorter and shorter, amidst the ever-changing clouds.
Fu Yu stood with his hands behind his back, his clothes fluttering in the wind. "You've saved my life, many times."
“You saved me too—” Wei Tianze’s voice was a little hoarse, “many times.”
“When my father led troops, he always took the lead and never showed favoritism when appointing people. He valued you highly.”
"I know that I will always remember the old general's kindness."
Wei Tianze's head drooped at some point, his gaze fixed on the rough gravel below the platform, his hands clasped in his sleeves, a barely perceptible bitter smile playing on his lips. It was more than just favor. From a child with no particular skills to a capable deputy general, over the years, even when busy with military affairs, Fu Deqing would instruct veteran generals to look after him and offer guidance. The Fu family's care for him extended beyond military duties and the battlefield.
With his past memories stirred up, even Wei Tianze, with his deepest composure, could not help but be moved.
Fu Yu glanced at him. The young general, who was usually full of vigor and wit, was now silent and bowed his head, his proud demeanor gone.
His gaze was cold, and it was hard to tell whether it was disappointment, regret, or anger at being deceived and betrayed.
"Now that you know the Fu family has treated you well—" He paused, staring at Wei Tianze, "what is your explanation for yesterday's events?"
"What happened yesterday?"
“Yesterday, my wife went out of the city to attend a banquet, but was attacked on her way to Shili Peak and almost lost her life.”
"Such a thing has happened." Wei Tianze's voice rose slightly, as if someone lost in reminiscence had been startled awake, his back straightening instantly. After a moment's hesitation, he turned to meet Fu Yu's eyes, "Is the young mistress alright?"
"She is fine, and the assassin has been captured."
"That's good."
"The mastermind is called Chen San, a lame portly man." He stared into Wei Tianze's eyes, a hint of sharpness in his gaze. "Do you know him?"
Wei Tianze shook his head and smiled, "The general knows most of the people I know."
This is a denial.
But what's the use of denying it?
Fu Yu looked at his former trusted friend and smiled instead of getting angry. While Du Shuangxi's words might be considered unverified and insufficient as conclusive evidence, Wei Tianze's reaction to the past gave him absolute certainty. Whether it was a test or advice, he had made his point clear. Since Wei Tianze refused to confess, there was no need to consider their past relationship anymore.
He stepped back two paces, withdrawing from the mood of reminiscing, and returned to his dignified demeanor.
“Chen San’s mouth is indeed very tight. Even if I use all sorts of methods, he may not betray his master. But he is a living person, and there are many clues to follow about his daily activities. Tianze, I’m afraid I’ll have to ask you to stay in jail for a while.”
His attitude was professional and his voice was devoid of emotion.
Wei Tianze looked up, his face showing astonishment. "You suspect that I ordered this?"
"This is not the only matter. The previous leak of secrets in the capital and the assassination of Sun Meng by the Tatars must also be thoroughly investigated."
After saying that, Fu Yu gestured towards the distance.
Soon a simple carriage slowly drove up, and the driver, though dressed in plain clothes, was strong and burly.
"You are still my deputy general after all. It would be rather unseemly to use a prison cart for you."
Fu Yu didn't look at Wei Tianze again. He went straight down from the platform, summoned the shadowy figure, and mounted his horse. Before leaving, he said, "Everything is prepared in the prison, and there will be no torture. I hope you can understand and tell me yourself, instead of waiting for me to present you with irrefutable evidence." With that, he spurred his horse and galloped away, his back straight and resolute, his robes fluttering in the wind.
Wei Tianze was left standing on the high platform, his tense expression slightly relaxing.
The training ground was empty and deserted, except for this carriage waiting for him.
Knowing he couldn't escape, Wei Tianze watched Fu Yu's figure disappear into the distance before bowing and climbing into the carriage.
The curtains fell, the coachman urged the horse on, and he sat on the cold, hard wooden board, his previously strained expression finally crumbling.
With Fu Yu making these two matters public—the leak of secrets in the capital and the assassination of Sun Meng—he is clearly convinced that Fu Yu is behind it all.
The best strategy is to subdue the enemy without fighting, and to win hearts and minds. Fu Yu possesses the heroic and fierce spirit to single-handedly charge into enemy lines and slay generals, as well as the cunning and strategic mind to subdue the enemy without a fight and to make decisive moves with a smile. Today's meeting on the training ground, though ostensibly for reminiscing, is actually a means to win hearts and minds.
And Fu Yu did indeed do it.
Wei Tianze smiled bitterly, put his hands on his forehead, and bowed his head.
After hearing that Fu Deqing had summoned him, he considered many ways to deal with the situation on his way, but he never expected that Fu Yu would be the one waiting for him. Unlike his ruthless and iron-fisted approach to others, Fu Yu did not reveal his weapons or sharpness. He never showed the slightest bit of ferocity, but used past events as a flexible sword to cut through his armor.
The sharpest thing in the world is not a sword, but warmth; it is all-pervasive and indestructible.
This applies to rulers and subjects, fathers and sons, brothers, and close friends alike.
Wei Tianze was well aware that he had revealed too many flaws on the high platform and was on the verge of defeat.
Having spent years infiltrating the Fu family, he was intimately familiar with the military intelligence under Yongning's command and the inner workings of the Fu family. Fu Yu and his son were both brave and resourceful men, not easily deceived. He knew when the secret was leaked in the capital that there would eventually be a moment when their weaknesses would be exposed, but he never expected that day to come so soon!
The carriage rumbled forward, and Wei Tianze remained silent for a long time before gradually becoming dejected.
...
When Fu Yu returned from the training ground, it was already late afternoon. After entering the mansion, he went straight to Xiyangzhai.
Inside the Xieyangzhai residence, things were quite lively at the moment. Fu Deming had brought his two sons to visit Fu Deqing. Fu Zhao, who hadn't gone to the academy today, sat there with them. Brothers, nephews, and nieces sat around in the courtyard, while Fu Deqing took out a rocking chair and reclined. The group drank tea and chatted, enjoying a very harmonious atmosphere. Fu Zhao had never been to a battlefield, much less to the borderlands. Knowing that his two cousins were stationed on the frontier year-round, he kept asking questions. He marveled at the hearsay that there were capable people there who could drive away tigers and wolves and kill enemies.
After Fu Yu went inside, the servant added a chair, and they sat down together.
After finishing the two pots of tea, the sun began to set. Fu Deqing saw Fu Yu give him a look and knew that the matter was settled. Seeing that his elder brother and nephew were about to leave, he said, "There is one more thing I would like to discuss with my elder brother and Zhang'er. Zhao'er, go with your third brother to Shou'an Hall first."
Fu Zhao obeyed and led his cousin ahead. Fu Deqing then sat up, leaning on his cane, and invited Fu Deming and Fu Zhang inside.
Fu Yuyi followed him inside.
After closing the door and shutting the windows, Fu Deqing's warm smile vanished. He said, "I have something very important to discuss with you, elder brother. You all know Wei Tianze, who is beside Xiuping. He fought on the battlefield and made great contributions. He even saved my and Xiuping's lives."
Wei Tianze had a close relationship with the Fu family, and he was able to pay his respects to Madam Fu alone, so Fu Deming and his son were naturally acquainted with him as well.
He nodded and asked, "Is it about him?"
Fu Deqing nodded. "When Xiuping went to the capital before, someone secretly leaked the information. Later, when fighting the Tatars, I went deep into enemy territory and arranged for Zhang'er to come and meet me. Do you remember?"
"Of course I remember. If it weren't for my mistake, my uncle wouldn't have been so badly injured."
Speaking of this matter, Fu Zhang still felt deeply guilty.
Fu Deqing smiled and waved his hand, saying, "It wasn't your mistake; someone interfered. I ordered Sun Meng to deliver the message, but he was assassinated and is hiding in a cave near where you were supposed to meet. Xiu Ping has already verified this. If there weren't any flaws, others might think that you killed him to cut off the message and didn't come to rescue him." His brows furrowed slightly, and seeing Fu Deming's expression change, he said, "Brother, you must understand now. This is an attempt to frame Zhang'er, making me mistakenly believe that Zhang'er deliberately put me in danger."
"Such intentions are truly malicious!" Fu Deming feared most the trouble arising from within the family and the rift between brothers, and angrily said, "Is it Wei Tianze again?"
Fu Deqing nodded, then glanced at Fu Yu and said, "Did you know that Wei Shi in the South Tower was nearly assassinated yesterday?"
Fu Deming was unaware of this and frowned, asking, "Someone attacked my Fu family?"
“Not only did they target the Wei family, but they also…” He paused, then sighed, “and dragged my sister-in-law into it.”
These words made Fu Deming's brow twitch.
The Fu family's current position and firm control over military and political power are due to the unity of its brothers and the concerted efforts of all the men in the household. Otherwise, if they were like other noble families, with internal power struggles, they would inevitably become demoralized and vulnerable to exploitation. That's why he severely punished anyone who tried to sow discord between the East and West Courtyards, and he would never allow his sons to have such thoughts.