Politics, like life, was a never-ending process of falling out and making up. People formed alliances for profit and broke them for profit. Common interests could bring two sides together in an instant, yet those same interests could make them turn their blades on each other and fight to the death. Life was a trial by experience. Only after going through enough did one understand that there were fewer and fewer genuine things in this world-and precisely for that reason, one had to learn to cherish them. With enough experience, one learned to conceal one's loves and hates. Keeping joy and anger from showing on one's face was the most basic requirement for any politician.
Hu Xiaotian did not like Huo Ge. Though they had long since become sworn brothers, he still remembered how Huo Ge had joined forces with Xue Shengjing to plot against him when he came to Western Sichuan to celebrate Li Tianheng's birthday. But times had changed. Now, the person who seemed most worthy of trust was Huo Ge. Hu Xiaotian instinctively felt there was something hidden behind the Fragrant Kingdom's decision to send someone here.
Huo Ge was staying at the Xuanning Post Station this time. It was another place where Western Prefecture received distinguished guests, but the treatment was still different from what he had enjoyed on previous visits. In the past, he had always stayed directly at the Marshal's Residence. On the surface, the change seemed to have something to do with his wife not accompanying him, but in reality, it was a cold shoulder.
Huo Ge had keenly sensed the changes here. After arriving in Western Prefecture, he had wisely chosen to watch his words and actions. Apart from a single visit to Li Tianheng's Spirit Hall to pay his respects, he