Chapter 1294: The Battle of CP (CP) Party [Seeking Monthly Tickets]
Please put yourself in Mei Meng's shoes when writing this congratulatory letter.
You can empathize with the other person instantly.
“…Foolish! If I were Mei Jinghe, I would never have stayed behind to cover the retreat while my lord escaped first.” He Xin had some understanding of Mei Meng, whom he had long admired, and knew that Mei Meng would look down on someone who would do such a thing. “The young men of Jiangdong are talented and capable, and it is possible that they will make a comeback. However, the morale of the Southwest Alliance is low. How can they compare to those ‘talented men of Jiangdong’? They are just petty people with their own agendas, and a comeback is impossible. The matter is already settled, so we might as well take this opportunity to emulate the Overlord.”
Escaping would only prolong his life; it's better to fight a final, glorious battle in adversity. At least he could salvage his reputation and earn a place in history with honor. Regardless of strength or talent, a single mention in history books of him "dying standing" surpasses the integrity of nine out of ten warlords. Besides, what lord would abandon his men to fight with their backs to the wall?
If the person who sent the congratulatory letter is like this...
He could have a heart attack on the spot!
That's what martyrs are like.
For the sake of righteousness, he was willing not only to sacrifice himself, but also to sacrifice his lord. The lord refused to be sacrificed, and one can only imagine how disappointed Mei Meng must have been.
Shen Tang said, "It is human nature to be greedy for life and afraid of death."
Rationally, the choice made by the ruler of Qi is understandable.
Having lost control of his body, He Xin asked casually, "If Your Majesty were the ruler of Qi, what would you choose?"
Shen Tang said, "Then it depends on the situation. If enduring a moment of humiliation can restore the sun and moon from darkness, then it's fine to endure it. But if we've already used up all our trump cards, and enduring is just prolonging our lives, then we must kill! Even in death, we must tear off the enemy's flesh and blood!"
After saying that, she gave herself a helpless, bitter smile.
"Oh dear, having too many ties really does make one timid and hesitant." This is who she is now, with a large family and business, and many things to consider. If it were before the founding of the People's Republic of China, she would only have one choice: "I still won't comment on that person."
Perhaps in the eyes of the King of Qi, her act of reluctantly letting Mei Meng stay behind was actually "enduring a moment of humiliation"?
"I thought the Lord would say that this day would never come."
He Shu was also aware of Shen Tang's past achievements.
"The ways of Heaven are unpredictable. I used to be young and impetuous, and I spoke without thinking." I didn't believe in the ways of Heaven before because I thought they were nonsense. Now I'm starting to believe them a little because this damn thing really exists!
He Shu: "What if the one who covers the rear is Qi Shan Chu Yao?"
The slight intoxication on Shen Tang's face was replaced by cold indifference and ruthlessness.
"There is no other choice, kill!"
He Shu, who usually had a rare expression, burst out laughing.
Chen Tang scratched his head in annoyance, revealing a hint of youthful arrogance: "Sigh, if you're not going to act up, then please spare me. Nobody's perfect; how can one be consistent in word and deed forever? Sometimes I do have double standards..."
If it doesn't involve Qi Shan and others, one should remain rational if possible, and only fight to the death if rationality fails. Once something goes wrong, forget about rationality for eighteen generations and fight to the death. For a monarch, this is hardly acceptable, but it unexpectedly aligns with human nature.
He Shu couldn't help but sarcastically remark, "If Qi Yuanliang and the others knew the Lord's intentions, they probably wouldn't be able to hide their true colors."
This kind of treatment is truly enviable.
Shen Tang looked away, embarrassed and awkward.
She was now terrified that He Shu would ask again, "If I were the one to cover the rear, what would my lord do?" That would give her a real headache.
Telling the truth won't work, and lying won't work either.
He Shu had no interest in competing for favors, nor did he intend to embarrass Shen Tang. A balance of power and restraint was the proper way for a ruler and his subject to interact; constant pressure would only backfire. He Shu didn't care about the emperor's favor; he cared more about whether his lord was a true ally.
Shen Tang said, "They know."
How could I not know?
He Shu's expression suddenly turned strange, and no one knew what he was thinking, but he kicked He Xin out again. Shen Tang noticed the subtle change in their auras as they switched places and knew that someone else had come forward: "Why did you go back if you weren't going to cause trouble? What did you say to offend him?"
He Xin rubbed the back of his neck.
The brothers' frequent switching of control also had its burdens. He Xin even considered using his literary avatar as a vessel to avoid being grabbed by the back of the neck and tossed around by his elder brother all the time: "It's alright, brother just misunderstood. Go back and reflect on your actions."
Shen Tang: "???"
What is He Shu missing?
It's nothing, just some gossip.
“Isn’t it because the position of the head of the inner court has been vacant for a long time, even my brother has…” He Xin hadn’t finished speaking when he saw the emperor step back. He was speechless at first, and then hurriedly explained, “No, no, Your Majesty, please don’t misunderstand. My brother has always been the same in his treatment of the lady.”
The three of them were doing quite well and had no intention of disrupting the balance.
He Xin said, "It is because the people have many misunderstandings about the Lord."
A young, unmarried, childless ruler with a group of loyal and even slavishly devoted ministers is bound to attract controversy. He Shu scoffs at the arranged marriages among the common people, but the emperor's outspoken favoritism certainly makes people wonder.
It even led to self-doubt.
Could it be that the Lord and his colleague did indeed have an affair?
But he just didn't realize it?
At the same time, there was an inexplicable resentment, always feeling that because they had something going on with the Lord, they would always be one step behind others.
Then he repented, regretting his petty thinking. Such speculation about his colleague was hardly the demeanor He Shu should have.
The more I think about it, the angrier I get, and the angrier I get, the more I think about it.
He simply kicked He Xin out and went to calm down.
After He Xin's stammering explanation, Shen Tang finally understood He Shu's subtle feelings just now, and said speechlessly, "I didn't expect that even someone who doesn't act could have such awkward thoughts..."
This is in stark contrast to her perception of He Shu.
He Xin wasn't a big drinker, and today he had drunk a bit too much. The alcohol was getting to him, and the frequent switching of control between the two brothers made him talk more than usual: "My thoughts differ from my brother's. If the Lord can really do this, it would be a good thing."
Favoring one's ministers is also a way to demonstrate the emperor's favor.
Since it works well, why not give it a try?
Shen Tang: "...Are you drunk?"
She couldn't help but look up at the sky.
He Xin leaned against a pillar and protested, "I'm not drunk."
He kept saying he wasn't drunk, but his speech was already becoming slurred.
He Shudao said, "Foolish! They are not worried about scarcity, but about inequality!"
He Xin's head spun even more; he clung to a pillar to keep from collapsing: "Brother, don't just come out and say things all the time..."
He Shudao said, "As long as you don't say anything inappropriate."
He Xin's throat spasmed, and he leaned against a pillar and dry heaved.
Shen Tang: "..."
She watched blankly as He Xin and He Shu argued louder and louder. Fortunately, Xiahou Yu came to bring hangover soup, which eased the awkward situation. Xiahou Yu didn't know that He Xin and He Shu were brothers; he just thought that He Shu had a bad temper when drunk and was acting crazy.
She shared this with the person in question, wanting to hear their opinion.
My Lord, do you have any clues?
The original Shen Tang: "..."
No, they are the same person. What's the point of asking her?
Just then, someone came to deliver the latest map.
Shen Tang looked up and thought, "What a coincidence!"
"I'm not drunk, I'm just a fan of antiquity."
The clerk, dressed in a neat, narrow-sleeved outfit, looked up at her, frowned, and said, "They're not big drinkers; they only have a small sip at most. So, it's only because I wasn't here that the two brothers revealed their true nature?"
"I didn't drink much. I guess I was dizzy from talking too much while trying to control my body," Shen Tang briefly explained the details of what had just happened.
“My lord, you needn’t pay them any mind.” The clerk wore a complex and strange expression, as if to say, “These two men are truly shameful.” “To put it bluntly, it’s just that they… cough cough, they have differing opinions…”
This happens all the time.
However, this time the matter has reached the person directly involved.
Shen Tang: "???"
The official explained: "Although it is related to the emperor's private affairs, it is fundamentally related to the political situation. I do not think the emperor is doing well as he is now. If a magnanimous king were to interfere in politics, it would easily cause unrest in the inner court. I believe that the emperor has a good relationship with his ministers, among whom there are many loyal and devoted individuals. Favoring them would be more conducive to stability."
Actually, you can still be favored even if you're not single.
A monarch's favoritism towards his ministers transcends ethical boundaries; not only the ministers themselves, but even their private quarters would consider it an honor...
Shen Tang was speechless with astonishment.
The official explained: "My husband has absolutely no intention of offending the emperor. All his thoughts and concerns are for the sake of the emperor and the country."
Shen Tang didn't show the anger that the clerk had worried about. She nodded: "I understand. To put it simply, He Shu is into no-CP (no romantic pairing) shipping. Whoever the lord favors is unfair to the one who isn't favored. He Xin is into NP (multiple partners) shipping, favoring his ministers to establish a more stable relationship of interests... I think these brothers' hobbies are a bit ahead of their time?"
No wonder He Shu was so vulnerable just now.
Clerk: "..."
Shen Tang said, "It's just a pity that I'm a pure love person."
Clerk: "Pure...pure love for the party?"
Shen Tang said, "Raise one that doesn't cost money."
Other conditions can be postponed, but this one cannot.
Clerk: "..."
Shen Tang studied the routes on the map for a while, then looked up at the clerk and abruptly asked, "What are you thinking?"
The clerk was taken aback: "Is this something that can be discussed?"
Shen Tang nodded: "I don't mind."
The clerk said, "I think Secretary Qi is very good."
If there's any potential, she'll definitely vote for her close friend Qi Shan.
Shen Tang: "...Yuanliang, I don't ship them."
She still prefers shipping younger men with older women.
Clerk: "..."
Before she could say anything more, her boss, Qin Li, arrived.
The clerk hurriedly bowed and withdrew, his back view looking somewhat rushed.
Qin Li said in surprise, "It's rare to see her so reckless."
Drawing is a meticulous task, and Qin Li couldn't do everything himself. Skilled painters were extremely rare in the army, so most of the time he would just sketch a rough outline. However, the southwest was mountainous and watery, with complex mountain and waterway layouts, so ambiguity was unacceptable; therefore, he had to be specially recruited. The fact that a civil official went to the battlefield was also unexpected. The He brothers were initially reluctant, but they couldn't persuade the official to agree.
The clerks were mostly in the logistics area, which was relatively safe.
She usually dealt with Qin Li quite frequently, and in her impression, this lady was prudent and mature. Why was she acting so out of character today?
Shen Tang said, "The CP shipping has reached right up to the actual couple."
Qin Li hadn't known what "Xipi" meant before, but after spending more time with his lord, he understood the meaning of certain terms. He shook his head and said, "Luckily, my lord has a good nature and allowed her to be so mischievous..."
If it were someone else, they would have been charged with a serious offense of disrespect.
"It can't be called nonsense, but it has indeed affected the court." As she spoke, Shen Tang thought of the ruler of Qi. Some of his actions were hard to describe, but his handling of matters within the inner court was unexpectedly in line with the interests of those in power. "Others just didn't have the chance to speak out. It's alright now, but I will have to consider it once the world is at peace."
Shen Tang went through everyone around her.
She was surprised to find that someone could meet her demanding criteria.
Qin Li asked in surprise, "My lord?"
There was a touch of heartache and reluctance.
When has the Lord ever wronged her because of the situation? Never before, so why is it that now that she holds a high position of power, she does?
Shen Tang changed the subject and asked, "How is Mei Meng?"
Qin Li had no choice but to follow the topic and say, "A cornered beast's struggle."
The remaining soldiers were forced into a treacherous valley. The mountains there were complex and intertwined, and there were no food supplies. Breaking out would require an enormous amount of physical and mental exertion. In her current condition, she couldn't do it.
Shen Tang said, "I wonder if she regrets it."
When Mei Meng contacted Lü Jue, Lü Jue also took the opportunity to reply to her message, which was nothing more than an attempt to recruit her to surrender.
If we had surrendered then, we could have ended things with dignity.
Mei Meng naturally did not agree.
She arranged a better "place" for herself and the king.
However, as the one being manipulated, the Queen of Qi was deeply moved and agitated upon learning of Mei Meng's plan. She looked at Mei Meng in disbelief and whispered, "Jing He, do you...do you know what you're saying?"
I was filled with disbelief!
I don't believe Mei Meng's suggestion to send her to her death!
Yes, they're sending them to their deaths!
Surrounded by the allied forces of Kangguo, Mei Meng schemed and plotted for the retreat of her other allies, but her own plan was to stay and fight to the death! What did fighting to the death mean? It meant certain death!
For a moment, she wondered who Mei Meng was truly loyal to!
Of course I know.
"I see you don't understand!" The King of Qi trembled with rage, his breathing rapid, his muscles taut with fury, like a caged beast driven mad. His eyes were bloodshot. "As a subject, shouldn't you be loyal to your sovereign?"
Mei Meng's eyes remained calm: "Your Majesty, I will accompany you."
Why? Why?!
The King of Qi had these three words on his mind.
She couldn't understand why.
Mei Meng firmly told herself that her loyalty was as clear as day and night, while giving others a way to live and leaving herself to die!
Isn't true loyalty about helping her break through and escape?
Unexpectedly, beneath Mei Meng's calm surface lay a chillingly obsessive and agitated state: "Because it's pointless! Escaping would only offer temporary survival. The unification of the southwest by Kang is inevitable. Rather than surrendering with our hands bound, we'd rather fight to the death, down to the last man!"
What's the point? Are we just sending ourselves to our deaths?
She couldn't understand how fighting to the death, even to the last soldier, was more meaningful than surrendering with hands bound. Why was she so certain that escaping was merely a matter of survival? A comeback was always possible! Mei Mengdao said, "[You are the ruler! That is the meaning! Even without Gu Ren's benevolence, Zheng Qiao's infamy, or Wu Xian's good fortune, you should at least possess the spirit of a hero! Life is but a fleeting moment!]"
The King of Qi was stunned by her madness.
After the initial calm, I only felt that Mei Meng was absurd and terrifying.
[Just...life?]
This is her life, how can it be just two words?
Mei Meng: [If history records your name in the future, and if there's even a single line praising your integrity and courage, then it will have been worthwhile—leaving aside everything else, at least you were the first true female ruler to die. Future women will remember your noble character!]
Even when you lose, there are different ways to lose gracefully and ugly.
Losing to the winner is not shameful.
|ω`)
I was pretty frugal this Singles' Day; my biggest expenses were two large bags of cat food and a new automatic litter box. With the cashback from the coupons, the second-generation litter box was pretty good value, much cheaper than the first generation. Besides the things for my cat roommate, I also bought myself a complete set of laser tag tickets for the game "JX3," a yellow plush toy, two pairs of decorative plush toys, and enough treats to show off for over a month. Hmm _(:з」∠)_
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