Chapter 95 Channels for Promotion
"A real man should not think of serving his country, but instead think of taking his own life!"
Gao Huan flicked his sleeve and angrily rebuked, "You say your only ambition is to die on the battlefield and sacrifice your life to serve your country. But which country are you serving? You've stood against the emperor! Under heaven, all land belongs to the king; on the shores of the earth, all people are his subjects! The Grand Tutor was personally appointed by His Majesty. Why doesn't General Zhang serve the country, follow the Grand Tutor, reside in the vast palace of the world, stand in the rightful place of the world, and walk the great path of the world!"
Zhang Xiao stood upright, ashamed, and tears streamed down his face. Wiping away his tears, he said, "Your words have enlightened me. I understand now and am willing to serve the Grand Tutor and repay the country."
After he finished speaking, he knelt down on one knee.
Guan Zhiwei helped him up with both hands, looking like a wise ruler: "General Zhang is able to admit his mistakes and correct them, which is a great virtue."
The tension in the atmosphere vanished instantly, and everyone was happy again.
Wei Fuzhi glanced at him, inwardly admiring him. He thought, "Look at how well this guy, who's been studying since childhood, has arranged things." Even if he himself were to hold two books and study diligently, he couldn't have come up with such a brilliant way to present himself—first stating that he wasn't a fickle or disloyal person, and then conveniently expressing that he was neither greedy nor lewd, and that he possessed excellent moral character.
I should have done the sword-to-neck thing back then.
Oh dear, you only realize how little you know when you need it!
While wiping away his tears, Zhang Xiao said to Wei Fuzhi, "We come from the same place, so I'll have to trouble you to take good care of me in the future."
Wei Fuzhi said with a strange look, "I should be the one asking you to take care of me. Tell me what books you read so I can catch up."
Zhang Xiao looked puzzled, but still gave a list of books.
The battle was won without bloodshed, and Yunzhong County was captured. Guan Zhiwei felt that the greatest credit belonged to Yuan Chizheng, so he did not kill him, and even thought of using one bait to catch more fish.
Unfortunately, this tactic didn't work. The others were all from aristocratic families, connected by connections and networks, and they wouldn't budge. Seeing Yuan Chi's dejected expression, she shoved him into a corner again.
"Yuan Qiuhe has so many sons, how about sending two more to be killed?" Guan Zhiwei tried to perform a ritual, but failed.
Yuan Qiuhe sent generals to fight again, and they were all generals; not a single one was a relative.
She had no choice but to abandon her opportunistic ambitions and begin to seriously confront the enemy. After occupying Yunzhong County, she established it as her base.
She was going to be fighting in various places, and to prevent her territory from being taken away, she needed to leave a general to guard the city. She would definitely take Zhang Xiao with her.
Gao Huan quickly recommended Zhi Junyuan, saying, "General Zhi became famous at a young age and followed his father in battles. He is a rare talent for military command!"
"Are you aware that rumors are circulating that I sexually assaulted my subordinates?"
She didn't just defile her subordinates. From the highest officials to the emperor, no man could escape her clutches; the capital had become her den of debauchery.
It is said that in order to retaliate against Guan Zhiwei's act of serving the emperor to punish the disobedient, the Yuan family portrayed her as a treacherous minister who was a demon incarnate, who held the emperor hostage to command the feudal lords and committed all sorts of evil deeds.
In order to proclaim to the world how miserable His Majesty was, he wrote one short article after another, which he had heard about from who-knows-where. The content of those articles was less a record of His Majesty's miserable condition and more like erotic fiction.
This makes one wonder if these people had designs on the emperor, which is why they wrote down every detail so meticulously.
There's also the captured Yuan Chizheng, ha, this was mentioned incidentally. A treacherous and powerful minister forced a noble young master to endure whipping, binding, and being on horseback.
“…” Gao Huan felt a slight chill on the tip of his tongue. “I’m not really sure about that.”
Guan Zhiwei held up a finger and wagged it. "I can't let anyone suspect that I have bad taste. Zhijun Yuan can handle things."
Gao Huan retorted, "I can hold my own too."
Guan Zhiwei looked him over and said, "Your body is a little weak."
"..."
Guan Zhiwei ultimately decided to let the Zhai brothers guard the city. Both were skilled in both civil and military affairs and had some management ability. They were better than Zhi Junyuan, who, although capable in battle, was still quite inexperienced in management.
A good knife should be used where it is most needed; with his abilities, he should be used on the battlefield.
Gao Huan felt extremely unhappy at the thought of having to face him every day, but he put on a beautiful smile and said that the lord's arrangement was brilliant.
Looking at his expression, Guan Zhiwei felt that he was up to no good, so she said, "Don't always reject Zhi Junyuan like that. Look, Wei Fuzhi and Zhang Xiao are together, and the two Zhai brothers are together. You and Zhi Junyuan are both from Yingzhou. It would be so lonely if you didn't stick together."
Gao Huan immediately replied with composure, "Impartiality and impartiality are the way of the king. I believe that establishing factions is not as good as demonstrating integrity and righteousness. I am wholeheartedly devoted to serving the Grand Tutor and have no desire to form cliques for personal gain."
Very well, they've started praising themselves and belittling others again.
Guan Zhiwei said with a toothache, "I'm advising you to be nicer to Zhijun Yuan, not just because I'm on his side, but because I'm afraid you'll secretly kill him. I'm also afraid that if you push him too far, he'll punch you to death. Even though you won't die, it's such a waste to waste your life here. You might as well help me with the work and work yourself to death."
Gao Huan smiled and said, "Grand Tutor, rest assured, I will never harm a pillar of the court at this time."
Once the Grand Tutor ascends the throne, there will be no need for military generals anymore, ha.
He stepped out of the tent and ran right into Zhi Junyuan.
Zhi Junyuan was dressed in a dark robe, covered by gleaming silver armor. The armor featured a ferocious beast on the front, broad shoulders with layers of shoulder armor, but no protection at the elbows, and wrists adorned with ferocious beast-patterned silver armor. A red cloak billowed down his back, tied tightly with intertwined red ropes at his waist, the armor plates hugging his hips and waist, creating a bulge in the front. Every step he took made a creaking sound, exuding a powerful and imposing aura.
Gao Huan couldn't wear heavy armor, and even the sleeves for both civil and military affairs were barely enough. Feeling a pang of jealousy, he sneered, "It's getting cold, so wear more pants. Don't let your path to promotion freeze."
Zhi Junyuan looked puzzled: "What is Si Lang talking about?"
Gao Huan gave a fake smile and said, "I didn't say anything, just showing concern for my colleague." Then he left.
Zhi Junyuan stood there and sneezed twice before going inside to see Guan Zhiwei. His cavalry scout squad had brought back a message.
"Grand Tutor, ahead is the battle between the Hong clan and the Yuan clan in Xuzhou. The Yuan clan has recaptured Xincheng, and Xincheng... is in a terrible state."
“Xincheng is located between Xuzhou and Yuanshi. The original governor of Xincheng was Hong Ze, who was killed by the Yuan family. The Yuan family has occupied the city for more than ten years.”
"During this fierce battle between the two sides, the Yuan clan feared that the people in the city would be thinking of Hongze, so they took action in advance and massacred the people in the city."
"After the two sides fought, the Yuan clan was no match for the army led by Hong Feng, and the city fell. After entering the city, Hong Feng rewarded his soldiers and did not sheath his sword for a day, and then massacred them again."
"Now, the Yuan clan has recaptured the new city. After entering the city, they massacred people again. There are probably no civilians left in the city now."
Zhi Junyuan thought of Yingzhou, his eyebrows furrowed and his lips pressed tightly together.
Guan Zhiwei remained expressionless, only saying, "Give the order to prepare for war."
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