Chapter 87: Intentionally Heartless

Shamelessness is not necessarily a bad thing; such people will stop at nothing to achieve their goals.

As for Liu Bang’s attempts at flattery, Yang Wenhao remained indifferent, offering no response.

Liu Bang was no fool. Seeing Yang Wenhao pay him no mind, he naturally refrained from further currying favor and making a fool of himself.

By the end of the banquet, Liu Bang was beaming with satisfaction.

He had never attended such a formal gathering before, and being invited by Lord Lü was already something worth boasting about.

In the days that followed, Liu Bang, realizing Yang Wenhao would not show him any favor, tactfully shifted his focus to befriending Yi Xiaochuan.

Yi Xiaochuan, fully aware of Liu Bang’s future accomplishments, readily agreed, and the two became sworn brothers.

At first, Yi Xiaochuan wanted to involve Yang Wenhao as well, but Yang Wenhao refused.

Sworn brotherhood with Liu Bang? Was he even worthy?

It wasn’t that Yang Wenhao looked down on Liu Bang; rather, he had already decided not to help Liu Bang become emperor. He intended to support someone else. There was no point in assisting someone whose place in history was already set.

For even without his intervention, Liu Bang was destined to become emperor.

So Yang Wenhao chose to guide another, perhaps the least ambitious of all—Yi Xiaochuan.

He understood people like Yi Xiaochuan all too well; they simply went with the flow, without grand ambitions, thinking only of how to return home each day.

Meeting Yang Wenhao here perhaps made his desire to go home a little weaker.

But his ultimate goal remained unchanged.

Yi Xiaochuan was clever enough. First, he became sworn brothers with Xiang Yu, the Hegemon-King of Western Chu, then with Liu Bang, the future founding emperor of Han.

It appeared to be a wise choice, but in truth, the only one who truly regarded Yi Xiaochuan as a brother was Xiang Yu.

Of all these men, Yi Xiaochuan was the hardest to sway. To make him aspire to the throne would require a complete transformation of his mindset, forcing him to change his very purpose.

Yang Wenhao pondered this, then shook his head. For now, nothing seemed capable of altering Yi Xiaochuan’s intentions.

As Yang Wenhao mused, a graceful figure knocked softly at the door. “Young Master, it’s time to eat.”

It was Lü Zhi. Yang Wenhao rose and opened the door.

As they walked, Yang Wenhao suddenly asked Lü Zhi, “Yesterday, people said Lord Lü was hosting a banquet to choose a son-in-law. What did Lord Lü say about that?”

“Ah.” Lü Zhi was momentarily taken aback, then replied, “Father seems to be considering it. He’s already preparing to select suitable candidates.”

“Oh.” Yang Wenhao nodded, his expression thoughtful as ever.

After speaking, Lü Zhi watched Yang Wenhao closely, but found him seemingly unconcerned, lost in other thoughts.

A decision took root in Yang Wenhao’s heart.

He would use Lü Su for this scheme.

After the meal, Yi Xiaochuan hurried to find Yang Wenhao.

“What is it?” Yang Wenhao asked, seeing Yi Xiaochuan so flustered.

Yi Xiaochuan looked around cautiously, closed the door, and rushed to Yang Wenhao’s side. “Are you really not going to swear brotherhood with Liu Bang, the future Emperor Gaozu of Han?”

Yang Wenhao shook his head. “Right now, you’re the only one who takes him seriously. If I wished, I could kill him with a single stroke, erasing Liu Bang, Emperor Gaozu of Han, from history forever.”

Hearing this, Yi Xiaochuan quickly grabbed Yang Wenhao’s hand. “Don’t—he can’t be killed! What if you’re wrong and we can’t go back?”

Yang Wenhao did not reply. He had no intention of returning anyway. In truth, there was no way back.

It was all a gentle lie.

“By the way, Liu Bang has his eye on the Lü family’s eldest daughter, Lü Zhi,” Yi Xiaochuan said. “You’re on good terms with her—why not help him out?”

Yang Wenhao shot Yi Xiaochuan a glance. “Why don’t you say it yourself? Do you think I have nothing better to do than meddle in things that bring me no benefit?”

His words struck at the heart of the matter. This was purely Yi Xiaochuan’s wishful thinking, believing it advantageous because he wanted to ingratiate himself with Liu Bang.

But Yang Wenhao was different. He not only refused to flatter Liu Bang, he even harbored thoughts of simply eliminating him.

Yi Xiaochuan hesitated. “I’ve noticed something.”

“What is it?” Yang Wenhao asked.

Yi Xiaochuan replied, “With my years of experience among women, it seems both Lü Zhi and Lü Su are interested in you.”

“You’re overthinking things,” Yang Wenhao shook his head. “Impossible.”

“Don’t be so sure,” Yi Xiaochuan said. “I’m a good judge of people.”

“Believe what you like. Do as you wish—I have no interest in meddling,” Yang Wenhao replied, then got up and left.

Yi Xiaochuan was left alone to ponder.

Yang Wenhao felt little about Yi Xiaochuan associating with Liu Bang.

However, Yi Xiaochuan idolized Liu Bang, never suspecting that Liu Bang might be using him.

According to Yi Xiaochuan, Liu Bang had even spoken ill of Yang Wenhao to him.

Yet, true to his nature, Yi Xiaochuan simply laughed it off, paying it no mind.

After all, just because Liu Bang would one day be Emperor Gaozu and founder of the Han Dynasty didn’t mean he could tarnish anyone’s reputation at will.

At the very least, Yang Wenhao was his fellow townsman.

When Yi Xiaochuan told Yang Wenhao about this, Yang Wenhao merely shook his head, disappointed with Yi Xiaochuan’s temperament.

A man who drifts with the current—such is Yi Xiaochuan.

In fact, Yi Xiaochuan was not without a chance to become emperor himself. On the contrary, if he wished, seizing the throne would not have been difficult.

Take Gao Yao, for example. He was granted the surname Zhao, and wielded immense power at court.

He once approached Yi Xiaochuan, proposing they work together to hold sway over the court.

Had Yi Xiaochuan expressed an interest in becoming emperor, Gao Yao would surely have agreed—on one condition: he would have to marry Gao Yao’s younger sister, Xiao Yue.

What was so unacceptable about that? Marry her, and he could become emperor of all China.

But Yi Xiaochuan refused. He declined to join forces with Gao Yao, wishing only to pursue his own dreams.

He had no interest in power or domination.

“No matter. He isn’t the only candidate,” Yang Wenhao thought to himself.

Thanks to Yi Xiaochuan’s actions, the Lü family’s financial situation improved noticeably.

As for marrying off his daughter, Lord Lü’s intentions were vague, but he truly did wish to see her wed.

One day, Lord Lü summoned Yang Wenhao.

Yang Wenhao was in the midst of training, preparing to break through his eighth barrier, when Lord Lü arrived, interrupting him before he could begin.

“Has Young Master Yang been comfortable in my house?” Lord Lü personally poured him a cup of tea.

Staring at the steaming cup on the table, Yang Wenhao fell silent, sensing what Lord Lü was about to say.

But he had no such intentions.

(End of chapter)