Chapter 369 Consider the Consequences

Swish...

Wang Xuance turned his gaze to Cheng Huailiang and the others.

It's such an idiot not to tell me something this important!

If it's about marching and fighting, then it's due to a lack of intelligence.

It could very well lead to the complete annihilation of the army!

“Brother Xuan Ce.”

Cheng Huailiang awkwardly wiped the sweat from his brow: "Actually, this matter... this matter..."

Cheng Huailiang stammered and couldn't get a word out.

What the hell is this...?

The Imperial Academy soldiers are always calling him "Big Brother," but who remembers that Wei Shuyu was Qin Shandao's teacher?

"never mind."

Wang Xuance waved his hand.

There's no point in saying anything more now that things have come to this.

He turned his gaze to Wei Shuyu, his eyes gradually deepening...

"Dr. Wei, we were reckless this time."

Wang Xuance readily apologized, then changed the subject: "But I have a question, could you please enlighten me, Physician Wei?"

"May I ask, Dr. Wei..."

"Yesterday, you used your words to forcibly cancel Baekje's return gift?"

May I offer my guidance?

Wei Shuyu's expression shifted from sunny to cloudy, instantly turning cold.

"I haven't settled the score with you yet for scheming against Xiao Shandao..."

"You're asking me first?"

He stepped forward and shouted, "Who do you think you are? What are you to me?"

"this……"

Wang Xuance suddenly awoke with a start.

Cheng Huailiang and others come from powerful families, and their confrontation with Wei Shuyu is unrelated to them.

But I don't have much of a background...

"Dr. Wei, this matter..."

Emboldened by Wei Shuyu's imposing presence, Wang Xuance also became somewhat flustered.

"I can answer that too."

Wei Shuyu glanced at Qin Shandao and interrupted him directly: "If you have nothing to say, you will serve in the Ministry of Commerce for five years!"

"Without official rank, and of no standing!"

Everyone was stunned.

He quickly understood Wei Shuyu's intention...

Wang Xuance schemed against Qin Shandao, and Wei Shuyu was now planning to use the same tactics against him to settle scores with Qin Shandao.

And these conditions are pretty harsh!

Tang Dynasty officials were divided into nine ranks.

Officials of the ninth rank and below were subject to the rule of remaining within the palace.

Official positions beyond the ninth rank are considered outside the official ranks, and even outside the official ranks, there are different grades.

Those who are not of high rank... are equivalent to servants.

That's not all...

And that five-year period!

How many five-year periods does one have in a lifetime?

"Wei Shuyu, don't push your luck!"

Cheng Huailiang, being a man of honor, immediately stepped forward and said, "With Brother Xuan Ce's abilities, he'll be an official in a few years. Are you worthy of having him work for you?"

Whether he is worthy or not remains to be seen.

Wei Shuyu looked at Cheng Huailiang: "On the contrary, it's you..."

"Absolutely not worthy!"

"..."

Is this an insult?

I promise... I promise...

What kind of order is this?!

You can't beat them in a fight, and you can't win an argument with them.

Calling the parents didn't work either, damn it...

No solution!

Cheng Huailiang stared wide-eyed, frozen in place.

"Okay, I promise you!"

Just then, Wang Xuance readily agreed.

He was a smart man. This time he had offended Wei Shuyu. Given Wei Shuyu's position in the court, if he didn't resolve this matter, he would definitely find it difficult to move forward in the future.

Furthermore...

The Ministry of Commerce is thriving, and even a servant has a chance to rise in rank.

Luo Dan is the best example.

Despite being a nobody, who in Hu County or Chang'an dares to underestimate him now?

"OK……"

Wei Shuyu raised an eyebrow: "I won't make you sign a written agreement like some people do."

"Whether you stay or leave is entirely up to you..."

Go to hell.

What does "certain people" mean?

We learned our habit of putting things in writing from you!

The sons of military officers gritted their teeth in anger.

Wei Shuyu is so annoying, we have to get rid of him!

"Then why did Physician Wei do that?"

Wang Xuance's gaze grew increasingly profound; this time, he was gambling with his reputation.

He won the bet and became famous throughout Chang'an.

Lose the bet, five years as a servant!

The written agreement is completely unimportant.

For an unknown nobody to make a living in Chang'an, their reputation absolutely cannot be ruined.

"The matter between the Tang Dynasty and Baekje..."

Wei Shuyu thought for a moment and replied, "The Tang Dynasty agrees, Baekje agrees, but you disagree?"

"Dr. Wei, please take this seriously!"

“When foreign countries travel thousands of miles to pay homage, the Tang Dynasty cancels their return gifts, which will leave foreign countries with the impression of being barbaric and domineering.”

"This is extremely detrimental to the Tang Dynasty's rule over foreign lands."

Wang Xuance's voice gradually rose, becoming deep and impassioned.

Perhaps because of his youth, he lacks the composure of a middle-aged person, but instead possesses a sharp edge.

"Well said."

Wei Shuyu nodded in agreement: "But the reason behind it..."

Wei Shuyu paused.

He glanced at the sons of military officers, then slowly uttered four words...

"I cannot disclose that information!"

Grass!

Who are you trying to fool with that answer?

Damn it...

Cheng Huailiang and the others were so angry they almost ground their teeth to powder.

Wang Xuance also frowned.

If it involved state secrets, he really couldn't ask further questions.

"Then let me ask you a different question..."

"Our Great Tang Dynasty is a land of etiquette, yet we have done such a thing. Won't we be laughed at if word gets out?" Wang Xuance, though of low status, spoke with a questioning tone.

"presumptuous!"

Wei Shuyu suddenly rebuked, "What kind of behavior are you referring to?"

Before you say or do anything, you must first consider your own position!

"Never forget that you are a citizen of the Tang Dynasty!"

The sons of military officers remained silent in fear.

In the past, Wei Shuyu was just a scoundrel.

This was the first time they had ever seen Wei Shuyu lose his temper.

"I'm looking at this from the perspective of the Tang Dynasty!"

Wang Xuance remained unfazed by Wei Shuyu's reprimand.

He seemed to grow more determined with each setback, stepping forward to stand facing Wei Shuyu...

"May I ask, Dr. Wei..."

"The reason why our Great Tang Dynasty was able to welcome the tributes of various countries is precisely because our Great Tang Dynasty is a land of etiquette."

What is etiquette?

"That is the reputation accumulated by sages throughout the ages."

"After this incident, other countries are very likely to develop fear and alienation towards our Great Tang..."

"When the grand spectacle of all nations paying homage is gone, Wei Langzhong will be a sinner for all time!"

Wang Xuance is so fierce.

The sons of military officers were also horrified.

They never imagined that insulting someone would be more exciting than fighting.

"A sinner for all time?"

Wei Shuyu was stunned.

Now he finally understood why Wei Zheng had punished him three times.

It's okay to put a hat on someone.

To arbitrarily label someone is nothing but slander!

If he had been more narrow-minded, Wang Xuance would never have seen the sun rise tomorrow.

You're wrong.

Wei Shuyu's expression was somewhat solemn: "The reason why our Great Tang Dynasty can welcome the tribute of various countries is only because our Great Tang Dynasty is stronger than them!"

Um?

Wei Shuyu's momentum seemed to have weakened.

An incredulous thought arose in the minds of the sons of military officers.

Could it be...

Has the time come to take down Wei Shuyu?

“I am naturally aware of that.”

Wang Xuance lived up to expectations, took a big step forward, and raised his voice, saying, "But a strong country must also have the demeanor of a strong country. Taking advantage of others will only sow the seeds of future disaster."

"If one day..."

"With the Tang Dynasty weak and foreign tribes powerful, your actions could be the final straw that breaks the Tang Dynasty's back!"

"At that time, the Tang Dynasty will have no one to support or help it."

How should this situation be resolved?

"When everyone brings up the root of the trouble, that will be the time when you, Wei Shuyu, will be infamous for eternity..."

That was well done!

The sons of military officers were all shocked.

Putting aside Wang Xuance's identity, just his aura, his image, and his resounding words...

Even Lao Wei has to step aside when he comes!

"I might have missed something..."

Wei Shuyu's expression also turned cold: "Besides considering your position before saying or doing anything, you also need to..."

Wei Shuyu stepped forward and walked up to the other person.

*Smack*

Wei Shuyu slapped him across the face.

"Think carefully about the consequences!"