Chapter 1072: Civil and Military Affairs Reversed (Part 1) [Requesting Monthly Tickets]
Of course, this person cannot be Shen Tang.
Shen Tang immediately lodged a strong protest!
Why can't it be me?
In terms of vocabulary, who among you can compare to her? She had long disliked Wu Zhaode, but in the past, due to the diplomatic relations between the two countries and the popular saying of their "deep brotherly affection," she had to be insincere, always addressing him as "Brother Zhaode" whenever they met. Now that she had a legitimate opportunity to humiliate him, how could she let it pass?
Gu Chi: "..."
If the lord were to personally take the stage and hurl insults in front of over 100,000 soldiers from both armies, whether he performed at his normal level or beyond, he dared not imagine how Ju Lang would write about it, let alone how future generations would evaluate it.
No matter how high her literary and martial skills were, she couldn't suppress the "heat" brought by this passionate speech. The lord really didn't care about his reputation at all. Gu Chi took a deep breath and revealed a stiff fake smile, taking the opportunity to put pressure on others: "The lord should think about Qi Yuanliang, Luan Gongyi and Qin Gongsu. If they know that you don't care about your reputation, they might cause trouble."
Especially that scoundrel Qi Yuanliang.
He was the one who couldn't accept the Lord's various questionable actions.
"But they're all here, aren't they?" Qin Li and Luan Xin were alright; they wouldn't disrespect her for doing something outrageous. But Qi Shan was different. Shen Tang imagined Qi Shan's twisted, roaring face in a state of collapse, and couldn't help but shrink back.
At the same time, there was a sense of helplessness.
Among all the ministers, only Qi Shan still did not give up on the education of a gentleman.
Gu Chi gave a forced smile: "Oh, Wu Hui is still here."
No matter how lenient Chu Yao's educational methods are, he cannot allow his lord to engage in verbal battles. Verbal battles on the battlefield are always unpleasant to hear; some are polite, attacking the opponent's strength and character, while others are crude, dragging out their ancestors for eighteen generations, and no one, even relatives, can escape being insulted.
How can the Lord accept such humiliation?
Upon hearing Chu Yao's name, Shen Tang became dejected.
With a heavy heart, he handed the task over to Uncle Qian.
Qian Yong: "..."
Is this a plan to have Lao Qian (Old Qian) lead the charge?
He muttered to himself, but didn't voice his doubts on the battlefield, taking it as Shen Tang's affirmation of his martial prowess. He slightly tightened his flanks, urging his warhorse into battle. Duel wasn't Qian Yong's forte, but his strength had improved significantly over the years. He rarely had an evenly matched opponent to challenge him, and now he needed a thoroughly enjoyable battle to validate his achievements.
Gu Chi frowned: "Why did the master send Shuhe instead?"
Qian Yong was not an ordinary military general; he rarely engaged in duels.
Why did the Lord choose him?
Shen Tang replied matter-of-factly, "His insults are offensive."
Gu Chi: "..."
Shen Tang added, "His strength is also passable."
Despite not having achieved any notable military exploits in the past two years, Qian Yong is still one of the two generals of the Tian Shu Guard, second only to Grand General Chu Jie. While Chu Jie was engrossed in cultivation, he took charge of most of the Tian Shu Guard's affairs, and has received a considerable share of martial fortune in recent years.
Martial arts training is faster than usual.
In other words, Qian Yong's cultivation is not as diligent as it was in his younger days, but his cultivation speed is no less impressive. If an enemy is forced to break through his defenses by his verbal abuse and launch a sneak attack, with his strength, he would have more than enough to escape and defend himself. Verbal battles are Old Qian's forte, so he certainly won't disappoint her.
Gu Chi: "..."
Qian Yong, who leisurely stepped out of the fray: "..."
With the keen hearing of a martial artist, what difference was there between Shen Youli's whisper and her shouting in his ear? What did she mean by saying his strength was passable? What did she mean by saying he was insulting? Was this how a general of the Heavenly Pivot Guard should act? In just a few steps, Qian Yong had accumulated several bars of anger, and he was becoming increasingly annoyed with his enemy.
He was seething inside, but his face remained calm and composed.
He stroked his thick beard, his eyes half-closed, a look of utter disdain on his face, as if his enemies were mere chickens and dogs, utterly vulnerable. He mentally drafted a plan, then focused his energy in his dantian, gathering martial spirit in his throat, and unleashed a powerful sonic wave that surged towards the vanguard of the Gao Kingdom. The gust of wind whipped up a cloud of dust, catching the Gao Kingdom's foremost warriors completely off guard.
The neat formation was thrown into disarray by the attack.
"Wu Zhaode—"
Qian Yong immediately set his sights on Wu Xian.
Speaking of which, he and Wu Xian were of the same generation, and he knew some gossip that was unknown to outsiders. As a generous gossip lover, Qian Yong was never stingy with sharing. So, the content he shared this time included, but was not limited to—Wu Xian's father had wronged many women in his youth. These women of low status were taken into the household as Wu Xian's concubines, while those of higher status married into families of equal standing. After marriage, they maintained ties with their wives, and it was said that they even had several children whose biological fathers were disputed. Wu Xian's mother was also no saint.
Both before and after marriage, he had a love interest who was deeply in love with him. Wu Xian was disliked by his father because of suspicion about his bloodline. If Wu Xian didn't look seven or eight parts like his biological father, they might have had to do a blood test to prove kinship. Even with overwhelming evidence, he still couldn't win his father's favor.
In the end, it caused a rift between the Wu brothers.
Wu Xian killed 30% of his son's body.
Wu Xian's mother was so angered by him that she died of depression.
So, as the saying goes, dragons beget dragons, phoenixes beget phoenixes, and a rat's son knows how to dig a hole. Wu Xian is definitely his father's biological son. The father caused his son to quarrel with his brothers, have marital discord, and live in unrest at home. The son has also followed in his father's footsteps.
Qian Yong even dug up the old almanac of Wu Xian's father buying an official position.
He had a history of corruption before he bought his official position.
After criticizing Wu Xian for his corrupt upbringing and the resulting misbehavior, Qian Yong went on to dig up the dark history of Wu Xian's ancestors. He revealed that the so-called Tianhai Wu clan, tracing back five generations, actually originated as stable boys. They were only granted the surname Wu and freed from slavery after achieving merit with their master, not as the ancestors currently recognized in the Wu clan genealogy. Qian Yong's sarcasm only intensified when discussing this.
The ancestors that the Wu family is now affiliated with are of great importance.
Did the true Wu clan members know that their ancestor had an extra child?
The gossip was so extensive that it left their own people speechless.
Shen Tang stared in disbelief: "Wait, where did Uncle Qian hear all this news? Does he eavesdrop on other people's conversations all the time?"
Wu Xian was furious and ready to launch a sneak attack.
Qian Yong continued rambling on and on.
He doesn't swear, nor does he create gossip; he's merely a gossip carrier, yet the power he wields is unmatched by ordinary cursing. Like striking a snake at its vital point, Qian Yong, whose ancestors were once wealthy, knew how much people like Wu Xian valued their lineage and background.
"Uncle Qian!"
Qian Yong's revelation did indeed hit Wu Xian where it hurt.
Without even looking, Wu Xian knew that the officials of Gao were scrutinizing him with strange eyes, wondering how much of Qian Shuhe's words were true and how much was false. Were Wu's ancestors just shameless acquaintances? Had his biological father bought his official position through bribery? Compared to that, the fact that his father and son had been at odds with each other and that his spouses were enemies was just a trivial matter...
Below, the officials from Tianhai exchanged glances.
A hint of disdain flashed in their eyes.
Wu Xian's father had heard about Qian Yong's story, and could confirm its truth, but he had never heard about the Wu family's origins before. Years ago, the Wu family migrated to Tianhai and always claimed to be a collateral branch of a large Wu clan in another region when interacting with local families. Because of the distance, no one bothered to verify this.
The Wu family settled down in Tianhai from then on.
I thought they were a legitimate branch of a prominent family, but it turns out they were imposters; their ancestors were grooms who had escaped slavery.
The group couldn't help but sneer inwardly.
Over the years, they had wondered why Wu Xian, once so wise, brave, and chivalrous, had changed so much. It turns out he didn't change; rather, his true colors were revealed. His very origins were questionable, which explains why he did such foolish things!
Wu Xian had no choice but to give a wink to his trusted confidant.
Although no one was whispering, who knew what they were thinking? Even if this flaw was nothing to him now, Wu Xian had been proud of his family background all his life. He never thought that in middle age he would be stripped bare by outsiders, and the face of his ancestors for eighteen generations would be torn off and trampled underfoot. How could he swallow this insult?
"Uncle, rest assured! Your nephew will immediately remove the old thief's head and give it to you as a tiger cub, and use his mouth as a snack with your wine!"
The trusted general immediately charged out of the formation.
"Insolence!" A powerful roar erupted from his mouth, and a majestic phantom of a tiger appeared behind him, roaring in fury: "You scoundrel, you spread rumors and slander my master. Only your blood can wash away this humiliation! Wash your neck clean and prepare to die!"
After saying that, he leaped gracefully into the air.
A ten-foot-tall tiger galloped from afar, catching the man squarely. The tiger was agile, its forelegs powerful; with a slight push off the ground, it left a yellow-white afterimage in the air, pouncing towards Qian Yong's face. The enemy general raised his hand, conjuring a long spear.
The sharp spearhead held a faint purple hue.
The spear tip pierced the air currents as the tiger charged with all its might.
Qian Yong sneered, "Coming to die? Perfect!"
He rode his warhorse to meet them.
As the two weapons clashed, sparks flew in all directions, reflected in their pupils. Qian Yong appeared effortless, while the enemy general from Gao State was aggressive. The latter's expression was ferocious as he strained, veins bulging on his forehead, his muscles seemingly about to burst his fully fitted armor.
"Is this all the magnanimity Wu Zhaode has?" Qian Yong clicked his tongue in surprise. How come young people these days are all so hot-tempered, ready to fight at the drop of a hat? It's not worth it. "If what I said is all false, why would you be so angry as to kill me to silence me?"
General Gao Guowu remained unmoved by Qian Yong's provocation.
"Wu Zhaode is acting out of a guilty conscience."
Qian Yong deliberately raised his voice.
The sonic boom that erupted at close range forced the general back, while simultaneously amplifying the questioning voice throughout the armies of both nations. The general dodged in time and escaped the attack, but his expression grew even angrier. Taking advantage of the general's close approach, Qian Yong lowered his voice and whispered something to him.
"If you're so capable, come and curse me. Are you mute or have no mouth?"
He had dug up Wu Xian's dirt on his own merits, so if the other party was capable, they could also dig up dirt on Shen Youli. He could hear it all and see if there was anything new. Unfortunately, the other party didn't understand his hint and instead turned ashen with hatred: "Shut up!"
"burn one's boats!"
As the words fell, a powerful burst of martial energy erupted from the man's body, and a beam of light, like a blade cleaving the sky, slammed towards Qian Yong. Qian Yong had been on guard, but when the dust settled, he saw a crack several meters wide in the ground where the light blade had cleaved, and his lips twitched violently: "These young people nowadays..."
She has a really bad temper.
In the past, which military general would fight to the death right from the start?
Shouldn't we always test the waters first?
Qian Yong had intended to stall for time to warm up, but since they weren't going to appreciate it, he decided to let it go: "I'll take your head."
The military officer hadn't even heard what Qian Yong said; his eyes suddenly widened, his pupils reflecting a burly, expressionless face with a thick beard. The ordinary officer who had been fighting him to a standstill just moments before now possessed an aura a hundredfold stronger!
boom--
As this aura erupted abnormally, Gao Guowu's limbs stiffened for a moment, unable to make any movement to resist, as a deadly white light magnified before his eyes, occupying his entire field of vision.
Shen Tang and Gu Chi expressed their true feelings at the same time.
"How cunning, Old Qian/Uncle Qian."
Qian Yong's move perfectly illustrates what it means to play dumb to outsmart someone.
To outsiders, he was of average strength and had no special aura. At first glance, he was just an ordinary military general. In addition, Qian Yong had neglected his physique in recent years, making him stand out among a group of military generals. Those who did not know him would only think that he was a tall, fat, and greasy military general who was just there to make up the numbers.
What is the reality?
Qian Yong had been working hard to remain in hiding all these years.
They deliberately concealed their true strength.
Not only that, he also developed a method to briefly explode one's aura to enhance their imposing presence, creating an illusion far exceeding their actual strength. Caught off guard and stunned, the enemy, caught between life and death, has no time to distinguish truth from falsehood and is prone to making wrong judgments. Most generals, given the opportunity, can decide life and death in an instant. Qian Yong's two-pronged approach ensures that he can outwit and kill any enemy he encounters.
Qian Yong did indeed achieve this.
That military officer died a very unjust death.
At this moment, both armies were silent.
Qian Yong's sudden outburst did indeed scare many outsiders who were unaware of the truth. He stood beside the corpses of the defeated, glanced down at the severed heads at his feet, and then looked in the direction of Gao Guozhong's army. Then he made a bold and shocking move.
He lifted his foot and returned the severed head intact.
In an instant, the three armies of the Gao Kingdom were in an uproar.
The morale of the three armies was visibly churning violently, demonstrating just how humiliating Qian Yong's kick was, so much so that Shen Tang couldn't help but roar, "Qian Shuhe, what are you doing?"
Qian Yong said, "Of course it's for revenge."
He spoke with complete naturalness.
He then sneered, "If it weren't for some old grudges and feuds, how would I know so much about the Wu family's trivial and insignificant affairs? Wu Zhaode, consider this head returned to your ancestors!"
Shen Tang: "..."
Qian Yong kept it a secret quite well; he himself was completely unaware.
It's normal that Shen Tang didn't know, because those were grudges from the previous generation. Qian Yong's family's decline was related to the Wu family, and their ancestors were also involved. As a younger generation, Qian Yong didn't actually harbor that much hatred; kicking the head back was purely his way of humiliating Wu Xian.
That's all.
Wu Xian stared at the head, so badly disfigured that it was almost unrecognizable, and in his rage, he smashed the armrest. This trusted general was from a collateral branch of the family; by relation, he should have called Wu Xian "uncle." Young, talented, and loyal, he had been betrayed by that old bastard Qian Yong. How could Wu Xian not hate him?
"I implore the Imperial Advisor to intervene."
The Imperial Advisor watched the farce unfolding on the battlefield with indifference: "Aren't you going to take a look?"
＿|￣|●
I listened to a three-hour lecture on the history of the Communist Party of China today... It felt like I was back in college.
(End of this chapter)
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