Chapter 192: Chaos in Xiaocheng (Thirty-Two) [Two-in-One]

Qi Shan flatly refused: "No way!"

Shen Tang was stunned and asked, "Why not?"

She didn't expect Qi Shan to be the first to stand up and object.

Shen Tang thought his method was quite good.

Although we can't exploit the rebels' weaknesses, exploiting Zheng Qiao's weaknesses is just as effective. As long as we can incite Zheng Qiao and the King of Pigs to fight each other, resulting in either mutual destruction or the annihilation of one side, the common people's lives will be better than living under their rule, no matter how difficult it may be.

Since the situation is already beyond repair, we might as well completely muddy the waters!

Qi Shan was speechless because of her "naive and innocent" question. She held back for a long time until her face turned red.

What should he say?

Finally, he managed to stammer out, "The Imperial Seal is of paramount importance!"

Shen Tang said dejectedly, "It's just spreading rumors. As long as Zheng Qiao's side believes that the national seal is in Xiaocheng, it's not true."

Qi Shan immediately wore an expression that was hard to describe.

What could he possibly say?

Is the Xin State Seal really in Xiaocheng?

This isn't setting a trap for the rebel Zheng Qiao; it's digging a trap for herself, or rather, preparing her own coffin to rest in peace.

Qi Shan could only desperately hint: "If Zheng Qiao believes the rumors and really sends troops over, other forces within the territory will also be mobilized. At that time, it won't be as simple as Zheng Qiao and his brothers fighting amongst themselves; it might be a chaotic battle involving several or even a dozen forces..."

Shen Tang stroked her chin thoughtfully.

"Yuanliang's words make sense."

Qi Shan thought she had given up the idea and was about to secretly breathe a sigh of relief when she heard Shen Xiaolangjun say something surprising: "However—only when the water is muddy can you catch fish. If several or even a dozen teams are fighting, it might actually be a good thing, right?"

Qi Shan: "...You mean something good?"

Shen Tang said, "It is indeed a good thing."

If there's one thing that made her realize her biggest takeaway from her trip to Xiaocheng, it's probably what she just experienced—a stark realization of her own weakness and powerlessness. Because she had no influence, no strength, no manpower, no voice, and no backing, she was completely at the mercy of others in this chaotic world.

But what if she did?

Anyone she wants to protect, no one dares to touch them!

Strength is the key!

Trying to reason with people like Zheng Qiao and Zhi Wang from a moral high ground won't hurt them at all!

Only by having the power to threaten their lives and controlling their lifelines will they listen attentively and sincerely reflect on their actions.

Shen Tang's expression showed an unwavering determination.

She said, "Fortune favors the bold."

Although she said it with a smile, Qi Shan could tell that Young Master Shen was not joking; she was very, very serious!

Qi Shan opened his mouth, but couldn't utter a single word for a long time.

After waiting for a while without receiving a response, Shen Tang looked away, glanced around again, and suggested, "How about we hold a vote?"

Just as Zhai Le was about to express his opinion, Qi Shan grabbed his hand.

The latter was incredibly powerful.

He asked in a low voice, puzzled, "Mr. Qi???"

Qi Shan: "Young Master Zhai, please don't speak yet."

Shen Tang also noticed Qi Shan's unusual behavior and looked over.

Qi Shan took a deep breath, trying hard to hide the almost distorted expression on her face: "Young Master Shen, have you forgotten something?"

Shen Tang was puzzled: "What did I forget?"

She had forgotten many things—such as her memories from before she transmigrated, but she couldn't say that, and Qi's unfriendly expression clearly wasn't referring to those memories. Shen Tang frowned, pondering for a long time, but couldn't think of anything she'd forgotten. She shook her head: "I haven't forgotten anything—"

Wait, wait—

It seems she's forgotten something important.

Shen Tang's expression suddenly changed.

So focused on the Xin Kingdom's Imperial Seal, she forgot that she also possessed an Imperial Seal of unknown ownership. Although she had no idea why she had the Imperial Seal or where it was, its existence was undeniable, as evidenced by Lin Feng's ability to store "spiritual energy of heaven and earth" in a woman's body.

As a bound orange artifact that can only be obtained upon death, the allure of the Imperial Seal is undeniable. Countless forces covet it, and a single misstep could cost you your life.

Including herself, Xiaocheng really does possess a national seal!!!

Qi Shan was both amused and exasperated when she saw that she had remembered.

The imperial seal is such an important item; which ruler wouldn't carry it with them at all times? They'd probably take it out and polish it three times a day. But Young Master Shen is different; he doesn't even remember having one.

Zhai Huan and his brother, along with Commander Yang, were completely baffled.

But that's their secret.

They didn't confess voluntarily, and I didn't want to pry.

Seeing the subtle changes in the expressions between Qi Shan and Shen Tang, Commander Yang knew that Shen Yishi's earlier suggestion of "using someone else's strength against them" had failed, and the glimmer of hope that had ignited in his heart was extinguished once again.

But Shen Tang still insisted on her own opinion.

Her heart was pounding. She licked her dry lips and said, "Okay, I forgot about that, but it's not important. I feel like we can still try the method we just discussed. It will definitely save Xiaocheng from crisis!"

"Youli, you—" Qishan was really anxious this time.

Shen Tang raised her hand, signaling him not to speak.

He countered, "Besides what I've said, is there any more effective way right now? I know that whether it's Yuanliang or Wuhui, you are both renowned scholars who have been around for a long time, and you certainly have a more comprehensive understanding of the situation than I do. But you must know—even a skilled cook can't cook without rice! No matter how brilliant a scholar is, or how formidable a warrior is, when facing an army of thousands or tens of thousands, all that's left is to suffer defeat and die in regret."

Shen Tang tries to persuade Qi Shan to let him take the risk.

"Our goal is to save the people of Xiaocheng! If we can borrow troops to save Xiaocheng, we will! The problem is that we can't borrow any right now, and we don't know where to borrow them! A distant water can't solve an immediate fire! We lack manpower and time, but Zheng Qiao has no shortage of resources."

Qi Shan: "Even risk your own life?"

Shen Tang: "If I were someone who feared death, I would be far away right now, taking my people and my fortune and fleeing far away. Anyway, the people in Xiaocheng have no blood relation to me, and their lives or deaths have nothing to do with me, Shen Youli!"

Qi Shan: "..."

Shen Tang said, "Yuanliang... I don't want to put the cart before the horse."

If it were only for self-preservation, she could live in seclusion deep in the mountains, and even without engaging in production, farming, or labor, she wouldn't starve. She wouldn't see how Zheng Qiao or the Pig King fought amongst themselves, how many people they killed, or what the plight of their subjects was like!

Since her initial intention was to do everything in her power to avert the tragedy she witnessed, then taking some risks was worthwhile.

Isn't that right?

Qi Shan: "..."

The first time, I couldn't go against Shen Tang's wishes.

His intuition told him that this wouldn't be the last time.

"That's too risky, Yuri."

"Nothing in this world is without risk. If you're unlucky, you might get a toothache from drinking cold water or choke on a meal."

Luckily, justice prevailed, and 10,000 defeated 420,000!

Qi Shan could only sigh and shake his head with a smile.

"Alright, we'll do as you say."

Shen Tang's eyes suddenly lit up: "Really?"

She thought it would take a while.

Qi Shan said, "Fortune favors the bold, and taking risks is only natural—as long as I don't let you die in front of me..."

Shen Tang's smile vanished, and she teased, "Wow, Yuan Liang is quite charming when he speaks human language..." You know, Qi Shan is really good at betraying teammates; she's been betrayed more than once!

If favorability could be quantified, she would probably have already raised this "guiding NPC's" favorability value to over 90!

The three officers, including Commandant Yang, who failed to join the group chat: "..."

Shen Tang snapped out of her daze, realizing there were outsiders present. Her expression turned awkward for a moment, and she tried to play dumb to gloss over what had just happened. Thankfully, none of the three pressed for details.

Qi Shan casually diverted everyone's attention: "Admittedly, You Li's method is good, but have you thought about how you're going to get the message to Zheng Qiao? We don't have much time left."

Xiaocheng won't last long. We must bring Zheng Qiao's troops over before Xiaocheng is completely destroyed, or there might be a glimmer of hope!

Conversely, all planning is meaningless.

Shen Tang asked, "How do you usually transmit urgent military reports?"

After all, it's an unscientific world, and it's never short of unscientific methods. It's impossible to still "honestly" use the 800-mile express delivery method, right?

Zhai Ledao said, "Messenger, beacon fire."

Shen Tang: "..."

He's surprisingly honest.

If a messenger is to be dispatched, firstly, the messenger must be strong enough to withstand the arduous journey day and night; secondly, the messenger must have some status, otherwise the message will not even reach Zheng Qiao's ears. The only one present who meets these criteria is Commandant Yang, and everyone tacitly looks at him.

Commander Yang was taken aback for a moment, then realized what was happening.

He said, "In that case, I will do it—"

Zhai Huan shook her head: "You can't do it."

The identity requirements were met, but as the only tenth-rank Zuo Shuzhang, and also the backbone and anchor of hundreds of soldiers, if Yang Duwei left, the already low morale of the soldiers would continue to decline, eventually turning them into a disorganized mess.

Neither the brothers nor the two Shen brothers could win over the people, and Yang Duwei's subordinates didn't seem very reliable either...

Zhai Huan also expressed his concerns: "Furthermore, even if Commandant Yang goes, will Zheng Qiao definitely see him and believe him?"

They don't even consider Sibao County a threat.

Not to mention the military personnel stationed in Sibao County.

The rank of Left Vice Minister (十级左庶长) held little appeal for Zheng Qiao.

Zhai Le: "Then use beacon fires?"

Zhai Huan then asked, "Are beacon fires so easy to borrow?"

Before the message could be sent out through the beacon fires, they would expose themselves and attract the rebels' full-scale encirclement and suppression; this approach was not feasible.

Once again, the situation has reached a stalemate.

Just when they were at their wits' end, Qi Shan said, "I have a solution."

Everyone's eyes immediately turned to him.

Qi Shan didn't say it explicitly, only saying, "We must enter the city first."

Go into the city to find someone!

Gong Shuwu!

Perhaps the last hope lies with him.

Just as Qi Shan and the others were discussing who would stay behind and who would enter the city, Chu Yao and Gong Shuwu went straight to the prefectural government.

Prefect Yan Cheng fled, but the prefectural government was not abandoned.

Even after nightfall, the lights remained on.

While rebel troops besieged the city, some residents continued their lives as usual, largely unaffected. For example, the gatekeeper of the prefectural government office was deserted; not a single person passed by for half a day.

He felt sleepy and yawned out of boredom.

Just as I was about to find a place to rest for a while, I vaguely heard footsteps approaching, and a figure blocked the candlelight reflected from the lantern.

The gatekeeper looked up and saw that the visitors were two men. One had gray hair and a slender build, dressed in the very standard attire of a scholar, while the other was tall and strong with taut muscles, looking like a martial arts expert.

The gatekeeper asked, "What brings you here?"

Chu Yao: "Looking for someone."

The gatekeeper waved his hand dismissively: "The person you're looking for isn't here. Don't come near here unless you're sure you'll lose your life."

Despite such offense, Chu Yao showed no displeasure and laughed, "I have a plan to defend the city and save lives, and I'll find someone to present it to you. Young man, do you really think there's no one in your manor whom I'm looking for?"

Upon hearing this, the gatekeeper's drowsiness vanished instantly.

He snapped back to reality with a start.

He hurriedly said, "Wait—you said you wanted to offer a plan?"

Chu Yao: "Yes."

The gatekeeper was skeptical and said, "Do you have any proof? Don't think I'm being difficult. It's just that the prefecture has changed hands. If you don't have real skills and are just trying to fool people and gain some benefits, your lives will be in danger once you step through this threshold."

Those who put them in won't benefit themselves either.

The gatekeeper dared not take the risk.

Chu Yao smiled.

He took off the Wenxin Huaban hanging from his waist and deliberately showed off the rank on it. The gatekeeper of the prefecture could read a few characters, and when the four big characters "Second Rank, Upper Middle" came into view, it was a huge visual shock to him, and he almost lost his footing.

He stammered, wishing he could grab the hand of his savior.

"Please wait a moment, gentlemen. I will go in and inform them."

He had met many literary figures and scholars.

But this is the first time in my life that I've ever achieved "second-rank upper-middle grade"!

Gong Shuwu, who was about to take out the Martial Courage Tiger Tally: "..."

He chuckled, "The gentleman is still the most useful." Compared to a second-rank upper-middle official, a ninth-grade fifth-level doctor is much rarer.

Chu Yao slowly and methodically put Wen Xinhua's signature back on the wall.

He laughed and said, "Ordinary people wouldn't understand."

The strength of a literary scholar is not determined by their literary rank.

The title "Second Grade Upper Middle" is just a way to fool laymen.

Gong Shuwu: "Sir, there is no need for such humility."

In the blink of an eye, he heard a series of hurried, hurried footsteps approaching them. The gatekeeper from before led the way, bringing out a young man with an extremely serious expression. The moment Gong Shuwu recognized the young man, he froze on the spot.

His tiger-like eyes widened, and his hands, hanging at his sides, trembled slightly and clenched involuntarily. Only in this way could he suppress the sudden outpouring of intense emotions. These changes naturally could not be hidden from Chu Yao: "Half-step?"

It took two calls to bring Gong Shuwu, who had been lost in thought, back to reality.

"I...I'm fine..."

Gong Shuwu barely managed to suppress the strange feeling welling up inside him.

Fortunately, the visibility was poor at this time, otherwise Chu Yao would have seen that Gong Shuwu's eyes were already moist, with red veins spreading, and his emotions were very strange. His gaze was fixed on the boy, not blinking for a moment, as if he was afraid that if he blinked, the boy would disappear.

Nothing wrong?

How could he be unharmed?!

He never dreamed he would have the chance to see a member of the Gong clan again, especially one of his close blood relatives! Yes, the young man striding towards him was none other than the son of his elder brother, Gong Shuwu—

Gong Cheng!

Gong Yunchi!

Gong Shuwu carefully examined Gong Cheng.

He thought to himself: Yun Chi has become much thinner.

When his gaze fell upon the tattoo on the boy's face, a tattoo signifying an exiled criminal, his heart ached unbearably—Yun Chi should have been the most dazzling and promising member of the Gong family this generation, but instead…

An indescribable bitterness spread through my heart.

Gong Cheng didn't recognize the tall, strong martial artist before him as his beloved second uncle, Gong Wen. His entire attention was focused on Chu Yao. He had been so startled by the gatekeeper's report that he spilled his tea and rushed out to greet him without a second thought.

He calmed his rapid breathing and composed himself, greeted Chu Yao and the other man, and then asked, "Which righteous man offered this plan?"

Chu Yao: "It's me."

(へ╬)

1. A battle between over 10,000 and over 420,000: The Battle of Kunyang, the ultimate showdown between the chosen one of the planes and the transmigrator.

P.S.: I'm wondering if it's because the Word document is over 700 pages, typing is incredibly slow, and copying is also laggy. I'm thinking of opening a new document. The Empress's document had 3,000-4,000 pages and it was fine. Is it because computers only need replacing after three or four years of use?