Tang Yan's evidence was conclusive. Xu Chuan knew there was no reversing the tide, and sighed. "Lord Tang, in all my life, I have respected no one but the Left Chancellor.
"I respect the Left Chancellor because he treats worthy men with courtesy, possesses both courage and strategy, and harbors lofty ambitions!
"But compared with you, Lord Tang, the Left Chancellor falls somewhat short in both methods and scheming. If he possessed your talents, his grand ambitions of dominion could be fulfilled.
"I confess my guilt. I only beg you to spare the old and young of my Xu Family."
Seeing that Xu Chuan had already resigned himself to death, a sharp gleam flashed through Tang Yan's eyes, and he let out a long breath of relief inwardly. It seemed his earlier judgment had been correct...
He immediately said, "If you want your family to live, that is not impossible. But there are a few questions I hope you will answer truthfully, General Xu!"
"Please ask, Lord Tang. I will tell you everything I know."
"General Xu, surely your desire to join the Left Chancellor was not because he treats worthy men with courtesy? Does the current Crown Prince not do the same?" Tang Yan asked.
"Well..."
"Of Tingxiang's three great military families-the Kong Family, the Xu Family, and the Chu Family-the Kong Family stands head and shoulders above the rest in Tingxiang. Tingxiang, and even the Five Kingdoms on the frontier, recognize them as Tingxiang's foremost military commanders.
"You have always been kept beneath the Kong Family's army, with no chance to rise above them. You resent that. That is the first reason."
"General Xu, you have loved warfare all your life. I have long heard that one of your greatest aspirations is to help Tingxiang expand its territory.