Chapter 1039: Oh oh oh oh oh~ [Happy New Year's Eve]
[Hehe, what's this? Your father still has many tricks up his sleeve, Dawei, you'll learn them slowly.]
Zhao Feng waved his hand smugly, indicating that he should keep a low profile.
Zhao Wei lost control of her facial nerves.
Could the family's specialty that Father mentioned be nothing more than sarcasm and strange talk?
It's better to learn this skill from the strategist than from your father.
Zhao Feng took a bite of the piping hot skewer. After just a couple of chews, his eyes suddenly lit up. The tender meat, combined with the seasonings and perfect cooking time, was truly a delicacy. [Today's grilled meat is a treat! Young man, you have skill. If we weren't fighting, you should open a barbecue shop. I guarantee it would be packed with customers. If I have time, this general will definitely come and support you.]
Even a royal banquet couldn't compare to its deliciousness.
This barbecue-making skill has great potential.
The soldier had a shy yet generous appearance.
He frankly stated: "The arrival of the General would be a great honor for our humble abode."
Zhao Feng finished a skewer in a couple of bites, then flicked his finger, sending the bamboo skewer straight into the straw target, which was covered with hundreds of bamboo skewers arranged neatly and densely. Because of the frequent BBQs in front of the field, these bamboo skewers were reused, saving trouble.
[Haha, you're such a clever but stingy fellow. I, the general, said I was going to show my support, and you didn't even offer to host a dinner. You think you can just dismiss me with a simple 'it's an honor to have you here'?] Zhao Feng looked at the soldier and suddenly felt a pang of sadness, but he calmly masked it all.
Some people thought that after the war, they would build bridges, roads, farm, and make earthen beds.
But what if you open a barbecue shop?
Well, it's not bad, actually.
The soldier replied: "General, you have a huge appetite; this is just a small business."
Zhao Feng and a group of military officers were amused by these words.
[This kid's got a silver tongue, and he's pretty good at using double entendres. Tsk tsk tsk, he doesn't seem like someone Da Yi trained; he's more like one of my soldiers. Da Yi, are you going to part with him?]
[The answer was indeed brilliant, but also tricky.]
A large appetite can be a trait, or it can be a magnanimous heart. Since it's a small business, how could a magnanimous but greedy general bear to let the small business owner treat him? He'd probably have to close down before the shop even opens.
Many people were so amused that they laughed uproariously.
"No way, no way. Stop eyeing my people." Zhao Feng rejected his colleagues' attempts to poach his men, then jokingly teased the soldier, "You, you haven't even started your barbecue stall yet, and you're already calculating profits and losses?"
For a moment, the air was filled with a joyful and pleasant atmosphere.
It was hard to tell that this was a battlefield filled with the smoke of gunpowder.
Because Zhao Feng adopted a conservative tactic of closing the border and defending the territory, the Gao Kingdom's offensive was thwarted. Several attempts to change tactics failed to achieve significant results, leaving the commander frustrated and seething with anger—if the stalemate continued, he might become the scapegoat, bearing all the blame for the unfavorable outcome, and many of his colleagues would likely take advantage of his misfortune. Unfortunately, the attacking side faced a greater challenge than the defending side; the latter were determined to remain entrenched, and to defeat them, one had to break their shell as well!
Since it cannot be overcome from the outside...
The staff under his command were discussing countermeasures.
It would be better to start from within.
The Lord, now intrigued, asked: "How should we explain this?"
The man stroked his beard and pondered for a long time.
Zhao Dayi has always been a traitor. Despite following Shen Youli for years, he hasn't achieved any significant military merits, relying solely on his past achievements. Is his seclusion due to fear of us, or fear of revealing his true intentions? Is his reputation undeserved?
The commander looked disapproving and slightly disappointed.
The attempt to provoke Zhao Dayi was ineffective.
If provocation worked, our side would have repeatedly challenged Zhao Feng, each time with increasingly offensive insults, until he was enraged and tricked into leaving the city to fight. The problem is, this method didn't work. Zhao Feng's patience far exceeded expectations; he wouldn't fall for it easily.
The man said, "This isn't a provocation."
Commander: [Could this be an attempt to sow discord? That's not a good idea either.]
Although the Tianhai faction disliked Zhao Feng, there was one thing they had to admit: Zhao Feng was a general that every lord liked. He was hardworking, quiet, and loyal.
As long as he doesn't treat you too badly, you don't need to worry about him betraying you.
Shen Youli is younger than Wu Zhaode, but in terms of interpersonal skills and judgment of people, the former far surpasses the latter. Their subordinates suggested a scheme to sow discord between Shen Tang and Zhao Feng, but this proved very difficult.
Zhao Feng and his entire family were carefully protected.
Using hostages as leverage won't work either.
The man remained unhurried and gestured for his commander to come closer.
The commander was also intrigued.
After a brief whispered conversation, the commander's eyes gradually lit up.
Since Zhao Feng's resolve is unwavering, they will remain still. But are all those around Zhao Feng truly upright gentlemen? Are they all selfless, unambitious, and of noble character? Zhao Feng has accomplished little under Shen Tang, yet he holds the position of Grand General of the Jade Balance Guard. Is there truly no one who objects? Even the slightest hint of discontent will create a rift!
This is not impossible.
Soldiers often only recognize their superiors.
For example, a soldier obeys his squad leader, a squad leader recognizes his platoon leader, and a platoon leader recognizes his centurion. To put it simply, when a mission comes up, the centurion only communicates with the platoon leader, regardless of how the platoon leader communicates with the squad leader, and certainly not bypassing the platoon leader to communicate with the squad leader. A squad leader may respect his platoon leader, but not necessarily the centurion.
As a commander-in-chief, Zhao Feng was naturally no exception.
Therefore, no matter how much he loved his soldiers like his own children, it was impossible for him to be familiar with all the soldiers, squad leaders, platoon leaders, and centurions.
Instead of directly pressuring Zhao Feng, it's better to amplify the resentment and jealousy in these people's hearts and use them to put pressure on Zhao Feng. Even if Zhao Feng still refuses to go into battle, our objective will have been achieved.
The abacus was a good idea, but it failed at the very first step.
Because Gu Chi is still recuperating at the He Yin camp.
She looks even thinner now.
The newly made fox fur cloak draped over his body made him seem to sink into it. With his eyelids slightly lowered, he appeared as a gentle, harmless, and frail scholar. Only those who met him directly would know that he was anything but gentle, harmless, and frail.
[Cough cough cough—It's all been dealt with.]
Gu Chi weakly waved his hand.
The undercover agents, who hadn't even had a chance to play their role, have already been brought to justice.
"Wait—" Before the dozen or so people had been taken very far, Gu Chi spoke again softly, "Drag them a little further away before killing them. Don't let the smell of blood reach this weak patient of mine, cough cough, I can't stand it..."
The saying "A wise man keeps away from the kitchen" applies here as well; one should not witness the slaughter of living creatures, lest one develop unnecessary compassion.
On this day, Gu Chirou strolled around the military camp in a weak and unassuming manner.
Dozens of newly recruited soldiers in the camp disappeared without a trace.
Gu Chi wrapped his fox fur cloak tighter around himself, his brows and eyes filled with sorrow.
Patients need a quiet environment to recuperate.
Across from him, Cui Xiao twirled the handle of his sword-wielding fan, placed a piece without hesitation, and laughed, "The Imperial Censor's tent is already the most secluded place in the entire camp. Isn't that quiet enough?"
Gu Chi sighed, "The place is quiet, but people's hearts are not."
Cui Xiao is unique. Nominally, he is a supervising censor under Gu Chi's Censorate, but his actual power is roughly equivalent to that of the Censor-in-Chief, the second-in-command of the Censorate. His scholarly approach allows him to minimize his presence, while Gu Chi is adept at reading people's minds.
Besides Shen Tang, Gu Chi was the second person who could notice him.
Throughout the years since the founding of the Kang Kingdom, Gu Chi has consistently held a central position in the court, commanding the Censorate, while Cui Xiao has been overseeing local affairs. One operates openly, the other covertly, making them a formidable duo. The skill's effect is that several major purges since the founding of the dynasty have been related to these two.
After waking up, Gu Chi was supposed to return to the capital, Fengluo, but due to the war in Heyin and his own situation, he had to stay. In Fengluo, with Qin Li in charge and Liao Jia, who rarely intervened, assisting, there wasn't much of a problem, except that several groups of people had died…
They are mostly spies from the Northern Desert, the High Kingdom, and the Southwest.
Why did you have to provoke Liao Jia?
As long as a person has desires, they will be manipulated by him.
Even their own lord couldn't escape this clutch.
Cui Xiao and Gu Chi played chess to pass the time while chatting about the current situation. The air inside the tent was quiet and peaceful.
They enjoyed themselves, but General Gao was in a very bad mood. Misfortunes never come singly; one bad thing after another happened.
First, the plan was leaked, and the informant was brought to justice.
Later, King Wu Xian decided to personally lead the expedition.
If Wu Xian were to personally lead the campaign, he would be the first to be held accountable, even if it were just a few innocuous questions. It would still make him a laughingstock. In addition, the initial order to attack and ambush He Yin was forged, and he, as the commander-in-chief, was completely unaware and carried it out meticulously. Wu Xian probably harbors resentment.
He originally intended to conquer He Yin to atone for his crimes.
Now it's all gone.
A personal expedition is not a trip that can be taken at a moment's notice. Gao Guo is planning a full-scale war this time, and is working intensively to procure military supplies and recruit soldiers. The preliminary preparations will take a considerable amount of time. Wu Xian, taking advantage of the national mourning, has also accelerated the pace of the campaign.
Gu Chi said: [It is said that on the day Wu Zhaode set off for his campaign, he personally went to the Queen's mausoleum to bid farewell to his wife and children, causing the heavens and earth to send down strange phenomena such as red phoenixes weeping and magpies crying mournfully. All who witnessed this were moved, lamenting the deep love between the couple, saying that the white-haired had sent off the black-haired. We, who are at this critical juncture and have started a war with the Gao Kingdom, are utterly wicked.]
Cui Xiao pursed his lips: [A master of acting.]
Gu Chi smiled and said, "I think this is quite a good play. People always prefer joy to sorrow, and they'd much rather see a middle-aged man who has lost his wife and children but remains deeply devoted and loyal, rather than a mean and ungrateful old man. A tragedy like 'clouds disperse over Gaotang, mirror shattered, hairpin broken' is far less appealing than a happy ending. Besides, the dead can't speak or defend themselves."
Even the late queen and her two sons could not prove it was fake.
How things are in a relationship is not up to Wu Xian to decide.
The late Queen Gao and her two sons are now mere pawns in Wu Xian's hands, manipulated at will. The more the world knows that this young couple supported each other through thick and thin, the more moved they will be by their love, and the more they will despise the opportunistic Kang Kingdom.
This move has indeed greatly boosted morale within the Gaoguo organization.
Speaking of plays, Cui Xiao thought of something.
[Didn't the censor say he was going to write a response to Gao Guo?]
Gu Chidao: [Finished writing.]
It was completed a long time ago, and it has been polished and refined several times.
He sighed helplessly, "The artist hasn't even started painting yet."
There's still no news from Qishan.
Cui Xiao knew Gu Chi's private hobby; [the Five Elements Lacking Morality] was a well-known figure in Kangguo, known to everyone. Kindly, he said, [If the painter is unavailable, I, Cui, can also paint.]
Gu Chi: [...]
He could only make excuses to decline.
Cui Xiao only knew that he wrote novels, novels with fresh and pure love themes, but he didn't know that this purity was a gift from God. The storybook he was about to write was very exciting and unsuitable for children.
"Colleagues knowing he writes fiction" and "Colleagues knowing he writes about Liu Bei" are two different concepts. It's like asking whether taking a dump or taking a dump in public is the same thing. Even someone as thick-skinned as Gu Chi wouldn't dare to be so audacious. Qi Shan is also a colleague, but Qi Shan used to be a master of the "Avoiding Fire Diagram," so in a sense, they're in the same profession.
Since we've all been involved in pornography, we don't need to be particular about whether it's painting or writing.
Things progressed quickly.
An urgent letter was delivered from the northern desert battlefield to Heyin.
Squeeze the envelope; it's very thick.
Gu Chi's head started throbbing just thinking about his master's incessant chatter, even before he saw the text. He took a deep breath! Warning: Nonsense ahead! Gu Chi abruptly opened the scroll.
The scene that caught his eye was striking.
Gu Chi swiftly closed the scroll.
Inside the tent, everyone was quiet, as if they were in a mourning hall.
Zhao Wei stammered, "Was it just now—"
Gu Chi interrupted her: "No, there's nothing at all!"
Everyone: "..."
His face was filled with disbelief.
Standing confidently behind Gu Chi, he fell silent upon seeing the large expanse of wheat-colored skin revealed by the half-closed scroll. His fan and sword stopped waving, and he silently took a step back. Previously, rumors circulated in the court that Gu Chi and General Bai Su's interactions had crossed the line between men and women. He had wondered how the two had gotten together, as they always addressed each other as "Gu Yatai" and "General Bai"...
They didn't even use slightly affectionate nicknames for each other.
Standing together, their auras were clearly distinct.
In folk parlance, this is called a contrast.
Cui Xiao reluctantly believed it.
It is now certain that the rumors are false!
Gu Wangchao has a collection of "Longyang Avoidance of Fire" paintings!
Cui Xiao did not hide his true feelings.
Gu Chi's face turned pale and then dark as he listened.
He had already cursed Qi Shan to the bone in his heart!
After years of not leaving the mountain, he comes out and paints so nakedly and directly, unlike his previous hazy and concealed style. It's too vulgar!
The frontline military situation was contained within more than twenty fire avoidance maps.
Gu Chi gritted his teeth and secretly pulled it out.
What I initially thought was a military map turned out to be an ink-stained handprint, accompanied by the caption: "See that handprint? Wangchao, I'm about to slap it across Wu Zhaode's face!"
The information revealed in the words made Gu Chi forget the misunderstanding from earlier.
First, Wu Xian was fully prepared to lead the expedition, less than a day's journey from He Yin. Then, Shen Youli rushed over in a flurry. But unexpectedly, Qi Shan arrived even earlier than the other two.
Gu Chi, upon receiving the message: "..."
He walked through the camp, wrapped in a fox fur cloak and carrying a sword.
He walked with a brisk pace, showing no signs of weakness.
"Pray for—Yuan—Liang—"
As soon as Qi Shan got off the carriage, she saw Gu Chi approaching with a sword.
He instinctively held his sword horizontally in front of him.
Even a fool could guess what Gu Chi was angry about.
He glared at Qi Shan, but failed to notice the woman who disembarked after Qi Shan, whose eyes lit up with admiration. The woman also didn't notice a gaze that was equally fixed on her.
Cui Xiao looked at Cui Hui.
Cui Hui looked at the pond.
Gu Chi glared angrily at Qi Shan.
Qi Shan gave a half-smile: "Is the drawing bad?"
︿(￣︶￣)︿
Happy Chinese New Year's Eve 2024! ヽ(°▽°)ノ
(End of this chapter)
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