Chapter 237: Awakening, Taking Down the Stronghold [Two-in-One]

If forums existed in this era, an anonymous post seeking help would probably appear right now, and Shen Tang has already thought of the content.

#Help! A tenth-rank Left Vice Minister swore allegiance to me, but I have no idea about the ceremony. Urgent!#

You only realize how little you know when you need it!

Shen Tang also regretted not paying more attention to this aspect.

In the end, I didn't know how to deal with it.

Did she simply accept the Martial Valor Tally from Gong Shuwu? Or did she place her hand on it and, in a rather childish manner, say, "I accept your allegiance"? Or perhaps, she reached out and helped Gong Shuwu up? After all, he was still a wounded soldier...

Shen Tang was torn between her inner thoughts and her own conscience.

In fact, they didn't hesitate for long.

"Alright, alright! I, Shen Tang, will never let you down!"

Shen Tang solemnly accepted the Martial Tiger Talisman presented by Gong Shuwu and bent down to help him up. Gong Shuwu also sat back down on the couch with the help of the assistance. He raised his palm and inhaled, and the Martial Tiger Talisman transformed back into pure martial energy, gradually peeling away and merging into his meridians.

As the martial energy dissipated, Shen Tang was left with a square seal the size of an infant's fist, with a blue dragon coiled on it.

The last time Shen Tang saw this azure dragon, it was only the length of a thumb. Perhaps it was just Shen Tang's imagination, but now it seemed slightly larger, and even the aura surrounding it was more intense than before. Upon closer inspection, one could faintly hear the roars of a dragon and the howls of a tiger.

Shen Tang said, "You gave it to me?"

“Yes, it is not appropriate for the seal to remain with Wu. I hope—” Gongshu Wu paused, his gaze sweeping over the seal, “I hope that my lord will not forget his original intention and can truly bring benefits to the people.”

His gaze toward the seal was complex.

There was relief, anticipation, reluctance, and worry... He didn't know whether his decision at this moment was right or wrong.

The old king of Xin appointed him as a "regent entrusted with the care of the young ruler," entrusting him with the task of escaping with the imperial seal, hoping he could help the descendants of Xin restore their kingdom... but this hope was far too slim. Gong Shuwu could only guarantee that the imperial seal would not fall into Zheng Qiao's hands.

Now, the Imperial Seal is entrusted to Shen Tang. If young Master Shen can protect the people of this region, or overthrow the Zheng Qiao court, Gong Shuwu can honestly say that he has done justice to the salary he received from the Xin Kingdom over the years. But looking at Shen Tang's still youthful face—

He developed a similar mindset to Qi Shan and the others.

Is it really right for me to burden such a simple and straightforward young man with responsibilities beyond his years?

But when she thought of Qi Shan and Chu Yao, those two unscrupulous and ruthless scholars, Gong Shuwu's words of advice swirled on her tongue several times before she finally swallowed them back. Shen Tang clenched her hands and said, "I will remember what you said today, Half Step."

Having completely handed over the Imperial Seal, Gong Shuwu felt as if the biggest weight had been lifted from his heart. His injuries had not yet fully healed, and after being unconscious for many days, waves of drowsiness washed over him as he spoke for a short while.

Noticing the weariness in Gong Shuwu's eyes, Shen Tang told him to rest and recuperate, tucked the blanket around him, and got up to leave the tent.

Before stepping out of the tent, she smiled faintly and clenched her fists.

The national seal, about the size of an infant's fist, rippled with waves. The jade-like texture transformed into a flowing gel, resembling a pale blue dragon, about the length of a thumb. It silently burrowed into the skin of the palm, seemingly being completely absorbed and flowing along the meridians into the dantian.

The moment it entered was like a drop of water falling into boiling oil.

Pearls and jade flew and splashed, rolling endlessly.

The commotion inside the Dan Mansion could only be described as a cataclysmic event, a deafening roar. Yet, Shen Tang remained composed, carefully instructing the soldiers standing at the tent entrance to take good care of Gong Shuwu and to inform her immediately of any problems.

The soldier replied, "Yes, sir!"

Shen Tang hadn't gone far when she saw two strategists standing against the wind. She changed direction and walked towards them.

They were still six or seven steps away from each other.

Qi Shan and Chu Yao bowed in unison.

They said in unison, "My lord."

Shen Tang: "..."

Although I knew two people were secretly pushing things along with Gong Shuwu, knowing it was one thing, and seeing them admit it was quite another. I don't know whether to feel sorry for Gong Shuwu or for myself...

Let's share the pain.

Shen Tang coughed twice, cleared his throat, and said to the two of them, "There are no outsiders here, so you can address each other as you normally would."

Having grown accustomed to being addressed as "Young Master Shen" and "Fifth Brother," Shen Tang was extremely uncomfortable with their sudden change in address. It was as unsettling as Pan Jinlian yelling at Wu Dalang to drink his medicine—it sent chills down his spine…

Neither of them declined.

Qi Shan asked, "Has Banbu confessed?"

Shen Tang nodded and said, "Mm."

Hearing Shen Tang admit it himself, Qi Shan and the other person finally breathed a sigh of relief. As the saying goes, "Man proposes, God disposes." Even though the two of them were very well prepared and had calculated every aspect, they still could not guarantee that Gong Shuwu would really hand over the imperial seal and completely submit to the emperor.

Although the imperial seal would be nothing more than icing on the cake for Shen Tang, who already possessed it, if it fell into the hands of others, it would be like raising a tiger that would cause endless trouble! If one could obtain the imperial seal, one should try to keep it in one's own hands!

A genuine smile appeared on Chu Yao's face.

He said, "That's excellent, excellent!"

No one knows what a good day it is, but not long after Gong Shuwu woke up, the soldiers who were taking care of Yang Duwei also brought good news - Yang Duwei, who had been seriously injured and unconscious since the end of the Battle of Xiaocheng, had finally woken up!

Shen Tang: "..."

Her feet seemed rooted to the spot, and she remained motionless.

It's not that I don't want to visit, it's just—

Shen Tang pointed to her face and quietly asked Qi Shan and Chu Yao, "Yuan Liang, Wu Hui, if I go, will he hit me?"

Qi Shan said expressionlessly, "He's already crippled."

Chu Yao said, "It won't hurt Wu Lang."

Shen Tang: "..."

That's what she said, but she was still a little scared.

That's not right either—

Rather than being cowardly, it's more accurate to say "unable to bear it."

Because she couldn't bear to look at Commandant Yang's current appearance.

What is the other person's mindset?

Is it dejection and discouragement? Is it utter despair?

Was he contemplating suicide out of rage? Or was he going insane?

When she retorted to Gu Chi earlier, she did so without hesitation and with a clear conscience, but when it came to actually facing him, her mindset was different.

Shen Tang hesitated: "How about you—"

Before she could finish speaking, Qi Shan took a step back.

Chu Yao smiled as gently as a saint, but his words extinguished Shen Tang's last hope—the matter of Commandant Yang must be resolved by the one who tied the knot! Whether it was rescuing people through a duel or robbing tax silver, Shen Tang was the leader and the main person in charge!

Shen Tang: "..."

She moved over step by step.

Whether you cower or stick your neck out, you'll still get stabbed!

Let the storm rage on!

Shen Tang took a deep breath, raised her hand and lifted the tent where Commandant Yang was recuperating. Her eyes were stunned when she saw the tent.

In the imagined scenario, Commander Yang would wake up to find himself crippled, but the scene of him going berserk, wildly swinging and hitting things didn't happen. The camp was still neat and clean, only the air was filled with the strong aroma of boiled herbs.

Just as he was about to turn back, he heard Yang Duwei's hoarse and weak voice from inside the tent: "Since you're here, why don't you come in?"

Shen Tang: "..."

She steeled herself and went inside.

Yang Duwei's tent was arranged the same as Gong Shuwu's, only the person sitting on the sickbed was different. Looking at Yang Duwei, who had become several sizes thinner and looked haggard and sickly in just half a month, surrounded by a heavy atmosphere of death, Shen Tang was speechless for a moment.

His expression was too calm.

Commandant Yang asked, "Did you intercept the tax revenue?"

Shen Tang: "..."

He still remembers it.

During his time in a coma due to severe injuries, his dreams were chaotic and disordered, but only the scene of intercepting the tax silver that night was clear. The burly man with a thick beard transformed into the short, androgynous Shen Tang, who repeatedly praised this righteous man for his chivalrous heart.

In short, he was furious!

Shen Tang readily admitted, "Yes, I did it."

Commander Yang clenched his fist on the bedding.

Shen Tang shamelessly said, "But I also saved you, and I fought to the death for Xiaocheng. Can't that be considered an equal exchange of merits and demerits..."

Commander Yang almost laughed out of anger at Shen Tang.

He said, "How can you expect to offset merits and demerits like that?"

Shen Tang, seemingly unfazed, wore an expression that said, "I have it right here," which made Commander Yang's forehead veins throb and his blood pressure soar.

Seeing that Commandant Yang was on the verge of exploding, Shen Tang thought he was losing control and going berserk. But he simply closed his eyes to avoid seeing it, his expression switching back and forth between ferocity and calm.

Shen Tang was puzzled.

Suppressing his burning anger, Commandant Yang said in a gruff tone, "Enough, enough, it's just that I'm not as skilled as you!"

The matter was thus dropped.

Shen Tang: "???"

Surprisingly—

Are we just going to let this slide?

Shen Tang's inner thoughts were written all over his face, which made Commander Yang even angrier. He gritted his teeth at the hateful young man and said, "Now that things have come to this, do you really think you'll return the stolen money?"

She replied, "Absolutely not."

Whatever ends up in her hands is naturally hers.

Shen Tang only cared about one thing—

Why didn't Commandant Yang ask about his Danfu Martial Courage?

For a martial artist who had once risen to the eleventh rank of Right Vice Minister, losing his prized power was a far more painful event than the collapse of the heavens and the earth. Yang Duwei's reaction was strange! Shen Tang stood still, watching Yang Duwei with concern.

Commandant Yang was initially puzzled.

His heart ached whenever he saw this hateful young man, but when he met Shen Tang's gaze, he understood. His eyes reddened slightly, and he suppressed a sob, mocking himself: "My family is gone, my parents are gone, my wife and children are gone... I'm all alone. Does my strength even matter anymore?"

Shen Tang remained silent.

The air inside the tent was thick with silent grief.

She didn't know what to say.

He said dryly, "Please accept my condolences..."

Regardless of any past conflicts, or what kind of person or how he acted, at this moment he was simply a pitiful man who had lost his blood relatives and was all alone. It seemed to be an inescapable fate for him, a fate he could not escape in this world and this era.

Shen Tang left the camp in a daze.

His expression remained the same, but the overwhelming depression and melancholy in his heart truly tormented Gu Chi, who possessed the flawed "scholarly way." That bitterness and helplessness even affected his taste buds; whatever he ate tasted bitter.

Gu Chi: "..."

It's better to put up with Shen Tang's chatter!

Fortunately—

This state of unease didn't last long, quickly dispelled by serious business. Looking at the assembled leaders of various factions, Shen Tang muttered to himself, "As expected, office workers have no right to wallow in sentimentality." This meeting also signified that the first battle was about to begin.

The new leader, Wu Xian, remains at the top.

Unlike last time, Shen Tang moved out of the corner and finally didn't have to keep staring at the back of the guy in front of her.

The allied forces were there to quell the rebel army of the King of Pigs, not for a self-funded vacation; the amount of provisions they consumed each day was considerable. The rebels in Xiaocheng remained inactive, but they couldn't afford to delay any longer, and after a few days, they decided to launch a preemptive strike!

This is exactly what everyone is looking for.

When the new leader, Wu Xianyi, was proposed, no one objected.

As for the deployment arrangements, they had already been discussed and finalized several times, and everyone had no objections. However, a few malicious gazes swept over Shen Tang—

Shen Tang got drunk and nearly ruined the blood oath ceremony, even making a boastful claim. Although no one mentioned it, they were all secretly waiting to see him make a fool of himself.

The new leader, Wu Xianyi, issued a series of orders.

Finally, it was Shen Tang's turn.

He confirmed with Shen Tang several times.

"Does Lord Shen really intend to fight the first battle?"

Shen Tang's smile was gentle yet firm.

"Yes, but I wonder what Alliance Leader Wu's considerations are?"

Although she didn't remember what she did while drunk, such big gossip would naturally be spread to her ears in detail.

"May you have great military success and a victorious campaign. Our two families—" Wu Xian didn't answer directly, but pointed to Shen Tang, then to himself, and said with a smile, "are like comrades-in-arms and brothers."

"I will do my utmost to live up to Brother Wu's trust."

For a moment, the expressions of the people under the tent were all different.

He secretly thought that Shen Tang was a man who knew how to seize an opportunity to strike.

So, the title was changed from "Alliance Leader Wu" to "Brother Wu"?

Some people despised it, some laughed at it, and some were indifferent.

Shen Tang took in their expressions and simply smiled it off.

The real show is just beginning.

The army will set up camp and break through the fortress before dawn tomorrow.

We must be on high alert this night, lest the rebels launch a night attack.

As it turned out, their worries were unnecessary.

The rebellion in Xiaocheng appeared calm on the surface, but in reality, deep currents ran deep. The old general's subordinates knew this best, and the increasingly harsh wording of the secret letters made the air feel suffocating.

No one dared to run into the line of fire at this moment.

The old general has only started to bide his time in recent years. Before, he was a ruthless and decisive man; anyone who crossed him would often lose half their life. Even in these times when everyone is on edge, there is one person whose style is completely different.

Needless to say, this person is Gongxi Chou.

I've been staying home to recover from my injury and haven't been able to see anyone.

Even the trusted confidant sent by the old general to visit him was turned away twice, causing the soldiers to gossip and become restless.

As for Gongxi Chou himself?

In private, however, he gets up early and goes to bed early, and is quite content with his leisure time.

Morning drills, midday meditation, evening marbles...

Where is the majestic and awe-inspiring figure who once fought against many on the battlefield?

The subordinates tried to persuade him, but were ignored.

That evening.

Gong Xiqiu awoke from his meditation.

He was told that his godfather's trusted confidant had been waiting for him for a long time.

The adoptive father's confidant said, "Our lord has prepared a banquet to invite the young general."

Gong Xichou frowned: "Why did you ask me to come to such a boring occasion?"

Was he a singer or a dancer in the past?

(End of this chapter)