Chapter 54: A Long Conversation, the Grand Scheme Set

“Teacher, is there a way to break the curse?” Chu Junhan’s large, inquisitive eyes gazed at Cen Song with longing.

“Tianqing Kingdom…” the old man muttered, dipping his finger in tea and drawing a line atop the three circles. “If one day the Emperor of Tianwu decides to wipe out your Chu clan and forces you into rebellion, Liaozhou would be your best route of retreat.”

“But two-thirds of Liaozhou is under the control of the Liao overlord. If the Chu clan breaks away from Tianqing, with no supplies from the rear, we would surely lose in a prolonged war with Liao! Teacher, do you have a cunning plan—and would you lend me your strength?”

Cen Song gave a teasing smile, looking at the child: “With such words, did you come out of the womb already plotting rebellion?”

The child before him was barely over five years old, yet already possessed such thoughts—astonishing, truly astonishing!

“Yes. Since my previous life, I’ve wanted to rebel. Now is the age of chaos; heroes rise by their own merit,” the child replied earnestly, without the slightest hint of concealment.

“If Liao is taken, the Chu clan will have no worries in the rear and can launch a full assault on Tianqing. But the first pass of Liao is easy to defend and hard to attack, which is why Father has never succeeded. I hope Teacher will grant me a clever plan.” With that, the child bowed again.

Cen Song let out a hearty laugh, stroking his goatee. “I see now. From the moment you met me, you’ve been scheming against me.”

“Your student would not dare!” Chu Junhan lowered his head and clasped his hands respectfully.

Cen Song felt both affection and delight for this remarkably clever and polite child. Even if a blade were pressed to his throat, it would be done with gentle courtesy.

“I wouldn’t call it a brilliant stratagem, but I do have a plan that could help your father take the first pass of Liao.” The old man spoke, pointing to the largest circle, his finger still wet with tea.

The child stepped closer, tiptoeing to see, his face full of confusion. “Teacher, do you mean to approach from the east, through Rendaguo? But Rendaguo and Liao are separated by the Amu River, and the two nations have always been friendly. If we take the water route through Rendaguo, the Chu cavalry is not skilled at sailing, and Rendaguo may not grant passage.”

“I never said the Chu army should take that route. What I meant was…” Cen Song pointed meaningfully at the large circle.

Before Cen Song finished, Chu Junhan shivered with excitement and asked, “Teacher, do you mean to have Rendaguo attack? How difficult would that be?”

The old man gave a knowing smile, took a letter from a stack of books, one left unopened for ages and casually tossed in a corner, now a bit damp.

Chu Junhan looked at the envelope handed to him, bewildered. Was this supposed to be the legendary clever plan—a slightly moldy letter?

“Open it,” the old man urged, stroking his beard.

Chu Junhan obeyed, slowly unsealing the envelope, and poured out its contents—a fragment of cowhide parchment, no bigger than a palm.

“Teacher, this seems to be a fragment of a map?”

Cen Song remained calm, opening his folding fan and waving it. “Yes, the treasure map of the Great Kang Dynasty.”

At these words, Chu Junhan nearly lost his balance; even the parchment in his hand felt heavy. “Teacher, such a precious thing—how could it be tossed aside so casually? I’ve heard that whoever claims the treasure can pacify the realm.”

“It’s only a remnant, nothing truly precious. But you can use it as a bargaining chip to persuade Rendaguo to attack Liao’s border.”