Chapter 1450: Isn't Chief Yu worried? (Part 2) [Requesting monthly votes]
Zhai Le neither agreed to the request from the central branch nor refused.
He simply said, "I need to think about it some more."
The middle-aged scholar harbored doubts.
In his view, Zhai Le's decision to ally with Shen Tang was a terrible move. Any sane ruler would have chosen to remain on the sidelines, waiting for their rivals to weaken each other before stepping in to reap the benefits. They might even be able to take all the spoils and become the ultimate winner.
Zhai Le didn't do that; he dragged Qu Guo into doing a losing business.
One bad move can be disastrous, but timely correction can still lead to gains.
Having already offered up a "remedy for regret," Zhai Xiaofang still says she needs to "think about it some more"? No, what's there to think about? Once the central continent falls, Zhai Xiaofang's southeastern continent will also become Shen Youli's possession.
At that time, he will lose both his life and his fortune.
Not to mention their current status and power.
No matter how anxious and agitated the middle-aged scholar was, he knew that the more pressure he put on him, the more counterproductive it would be, so he had no choice but to reluctantly agree.
He gave Zhai Le three days to consider it.
He said earnestly, "King Zhai, you must be careful."
Zhai Le: "Of course."
How could he not be cautious?
Zhai Le rubbed his aching temples, his whole being radiating an undeniable weariness. If even a middle-aged scholar could see the problem at a glance, how could the civil and military officials of Qu Kingdom not see it? From the very beginning of the alliance, Zhai Le had faced immense pressure and opposition.
As time went on, this pressure grew.
Some of his confidants began to harbor resentment.
They don't understand, they don't get it!
What is the significance of Zhai Xiaofang getting involved in this mess?
"...Guilong, do you think what she said is true?"
As the general who commanded the warhorse, Zhai Le could clearly sense that the warhorse of Qu Kingdom was increasingly resisting him. Even among the common people, there was much discussion, with some questioning whether he was becoming incompetent and revealing his true nature. As the doubts grew, Zhai Le couldn't help but waver.
Is the claim that if unification is not achieved within a specified timeframe, the world will perish?
Yu Hai: "I don't know, there's no way to verify whether this is true or false."
Because there was no way to verify its authenticity, Zhai Le couldn't even offer an explanation. He had tentatively told his confidants the reason, but no one believed him. They could unconditionally trust Zhai Le, but they couldn't unconditionally trust Shen Tang, whom Zhai Le trusted. Even Shen Tang himself couldn't be sure of the truth—the firsthand information came from Yun Da, who was Shen Youli's enemy.
Who can guarantee this wasn't a malicious joke played by Wenda on his deathbed?
Who can guarantee that Shen Youli wasn't completely fooled?
This is absurd!
Zhai Le, who risked the lives of thousands of soldiers of Qu Kingdom based on secondhand information, was he not foolish and ignorant? War consumes not only money, food, and national resources, but also the lives of soldiers and officers! Zhai Le may be able to recover the lost money, food, and national resources through diligent governance, but what about those who lost their lives in this absurd war? Human life is only given to one person!
Zhai Le murmured, "I haven't been sleeping well lately."
"What did the imperial physician say?"
“Excessive worry and anxiety are a form of mental illness.” This state only occurred in the months following his cousin’s death. He couldn’t sleep for nights on end, and whenever he closed his eyes, he would fall into chaotic nightmares. “I dreamt that I was in a large tent, and everyone was staring at me blankly: my uncle, father, father-in-law, several cousins… and a few brothers who grew up with me… who had carried me out of a pile of corpses… They didn’t speak, but I knew what they wanted to ask. Why did we have to fight this battle? Was it absolutely necessary?”
Their brother's son could have lived.
To die in battle for the survival of the Qu Kingdom would be the greatest honor.
But what about dying for a war that could have been avoided?
What is its value?
What is the point?
"...No amount of explanation can change the fact that they are dressed in mourning clothes." For the first time, the ruthless general felt the weight of the accumulated lives, a weight that was almost unbearable for him.
A beating from the person in his dream would be better than a silent stare.
Yu Hai thought of the casualties among the soldiers since the start of the war, opened his mouth, wanting to comfort Zhai Le, but knew that this was not what Zhai Le needed.
“Even if those people from the central branch don’t try to persuade me, at this rate, I’ll eventually…” Zhai Le ultimately didn’t finish his sentence, as if speaking it would mean losing something. He gazed into the distance and murmured to himself, “When I was younger, I probably never imagined I would become like this…”
Where is even a trace of the youthful spirit in his heart?
Like a middle-aged man who has become emotionally numb from the struggles of life.
Yu Hai looked at his face: "It's not that bad."
Zhai Le, only in his thirties, jokingly calls himself a middle-aged old man. How are other, older people, supposed to make self-deprecating jokes? Should they be in their coffins?
The air fell silent for a long time.
Zhai Le sighed, "Let's write a letter to Shen Youli."
He only took in half of the middle-aged scholar's threatening words.
What do you mean by saying that rulers of fallen kingdoms rarely die a good death? Ha! Duke Wu Xian of Lu says he's living a good life, and Zhai Le isn't afraid of death either.
What he cared about most was the Qu Kingdom left behind by his cousin.
...If the world-ending destruction is real, even unifying the Qu Kingdom within a set timeframe won't save it. If it's fake, he still has a sliver of hope of breaking even.
Just as Yu Hai was about to turn around to prepare the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone, he heard a familiar female voice from outside: "Say what you have to say to each other face to face."
Zhai Le immediately recognized the owner of the voice.
He smiled knowingly and said, "Young Pear has arrived just in time."
She didn't come earlier or later, but just when the central branch was trying to join forces with the southeast branch. Zhai Le would never believe she was just passing by. She was there specifically for this matter; either she had a spy planted near him, or she had a spy among the higher-ups of the central branch, otherwise, she couldn't have arrived so promptly.
Shen Youli only came to stop him?
Based on his understanding of Shen Youli, it probably wouldn't be that simple.
Zhai Le's smile held a hint of coldness.
Chen Huawu Tang climbed in through the window. She looked haggard from days of travel, her clothes wrinkled like dried plums. As soon as she entered, she went straight to the tea on the table, picked up the kettle, and took a big gulp, finally quenching her thirst.
"Speak, what do you want to say?"
Shen Tang plopped down on the table.
Seeing this, Zhai Le's lips twitched slightly, and the tense atmosphere in the room could no longer be maintained: "The Central Branch has offered a good deal."
Shen Tang wiped the moisture from the corner of her mouth with the back of her hand: "So?"
Zhai Ledao said, "Interest moves people's hearts."
Shen Tang: "Once the world is destroyed..."
How can you guarantee it's true?
"Even Xiaofang couldn't afford to gamble that it's fake, could she? I'm a bachelor, I'd rather die than be rid of it all. Can you be so carefree?" Shen Tang slammed her teacup on the table, her eyes filled with mockery. She retorted with the middle-aged scholar's words, "Even if it's not for yourself or for the Qu Kingdom, even if it's for your wife, children, family, and the legacy left by the late King Zhai Yuewen of the Qu Kingdom, please think twice!"
Although the Kingdom of Qu was annexed by the Kingdom of Kang, its land and people still exist.
But the world is truly destroyed, and even Zhai Le couldn't save this!
Hearing the middle-aged scholar's words from Shen Tang's mouth, not only Zhai Le but even Yu Hai became restless, and two auras secretly locked onto Shen Tang. She remained calm and composed, asking, "Xiao Fang, are you worried that the scholar is one of my men?"
Zhai Le pursed his lips and remained silent, his peach blossom eyes filled with murderous intent.
Shen Tang clapped his hands and laughed heartily.
She said, "Xiaofang, don't think of me as such a terrible person."
Zhai Le said softly, "You make me feel like a stranger."
Shen Tang retorted sarcastically, "Is Xiao Fang still as innocent as ever?"
Even the most naive and clueless college student will pick up the work vibe once they enter the workforce, let alone someone who's been working 007 for so many years.
“We’ve known each other for many years, and our friendship still exists. I can’t bring myself to betray myself.” Zhai Le lowered his eyelids, his once charming and romantic eyes losing their former brilliance. He avoided looking directly at Shen Tang and continued in a gentle tone, “Even if I am eventually persuaded by the Central Branch, I will not help them deal with you. At most, I will stand by and watch.”
Compared to the "Oath at Luoshui," this can be considered to have done everything possible.
Shen Tang didn't believe Zhai Le's nonsense at all.
The monarch, three parts drunk, acted so well it brought tears to the eyes. A monarch is just like a playboy! Doesn't she know what kind of person she is? Even Shen Youli herself doesn't believe she's wearing the identity of a monarch!
Zhai Le's words were merely a strategic retreat.
Shen Tang looked at him coldly.
Zhai Le also lost his gentle expression, his face hardening.
Just when Yu Hai thought the two were likely about to have a major falling out, the atmosphere miraculously eased. Shen Youli said, "In that case, how about we take a gamble? Zhai Xiaofang, do you dare?"
Zhai Le also asked, "What are we betting on?"
Shen Tang's eyes darkened as she approached Zhai Le step by step, her voice firm and resolute: "If the destruction of the world is a hoax, once the dust settles, you will reign as king in the southeast, and our two families will live in peace. In my lifetime, not a single soldier from Kang Kingdom will ever set foot on your Qu Kingdom's territory!"
"Is it the present-day Qu Kingdom?"
"It was the moment when the dust settled in the Kingdom of Qu." She acknowledged whatever territory it expanded during that period, and by how much!
Yu Hai couldn't help but secretly gasp.
This was indeed a huge gamble!
Shen Youli is skilled in both literature and martial arts, and she is not limited by any side effects. Who knows how long her lifespan will be? Her lifespan may be one hundred, two hundred, or three hundred years!
Zhai Le asked her, "Can you make that decision?"
The subtext is asking if Shen Tang can stop her group of confidants.
The road to unification had taken ninety-nine steps, just one more to achieve perfection, but the oath prevented them from taking another step. This obstacle wasn't limited to Shen Tang alone; it also affected the historical evaluations of countless ambitious civil and military officials. He knew this would cause an uproar.
Shen Tang declared resolutely: "Kangguo, I can!"
Her decisiveness and composure made Zhai Le's expression slightly somber.
Shen Tang then changed the subject: "But the destruction of the world is real. Zhai Xiaofang, I want you to surrender and become the Duke of Qu of my Kang Kingdom!"
Given Zhai Le's inherently unyielding nature, Shen Tang, after consolidating her power in the central continent, will likely still have to fight him to determine the victor, a process that could drag on for two or three years. Since she's going to gamble, she'll gamble big: she wants Zhai Le to surrender immediately!
Zhai Le: "It was indeed a high-stakes gamble."
They disperse because of profit, and they unite because of profit.
The "benefits" offered by Shen Tang were more appealing than those offered by the middle section of the society.
“I’m not as idle as those people in the central branch. I want an answer now, whether you want to gamble or not.” Shen Tang raised his hand, showing his palm.
How Zhai Le explains things to others and how she faces future historical evaluations is her business, not hers.
The relentless pressure made Zhai Le's eyelids twitch.
"good!"
He felt the pounding in his chest, his peach blossom eyes gazing at Shen Tang's raised palm for a long time before they clasped hands in a vow!
The two men struck each other with their palms, the sound echoing in the air.
His eyes reddened slightly as he smiled brightly, "Why wouldn't I dare!"
Only after Shen Tang left did Zhai Le's right palm slowly calm down from its trembling. He regulated his erratic breathing: "Quickly send someone to the Queen and the Crown Princess to check if anything is amiss..."
Yu Hai: "You suspect that she initially planned to..."
"You think she can't do it?"
Shen Youli might not be able to do it, but Shen Guozhu definitely could.
Yu Hai: "..."
He inappropriately recalled an old acquaintance of Shen Tang's, someone he'd heard had formed a bond with her when she was twelve. "One is influenced by one's company," he thought. How pure could a ruler be, if he could use a heartless scoundrel like Qi Yuanliang so readily?
He said, "I'll send someone to investigate."
There's actually no need to investigate.
Because the relevant information was delivered to me almost immediately.
During her hunt, the Queen discovered blood dripping from a tree. She ordered her men to climb the tree and investigate, where they found a perfectly preserved monkey skin. This couldn't have been done by a wild animal; it must have been planted by someone with malicious intent.
Zhai Le stared silently at the skin on the ground.
Years ago, her daughter had a chance encounter with Shen Tang and mistook her for an ape.
Do we even need to guess who did this?
There were no unusual developments on the Queen's side.
Zhai Le remained silent and ordered someone to take the skin and burn it.
"She's a complete stranger now."
Yu Hai said, "Perhaps you never truly understood her."
Zhai Le: "..."
Guilong is good in every way, except that his mouth is poisoned, making people suspect that Yu Hai might accidentally lick it and poison himself to death.
Zhai Le made Yu Hai decline the offer from the central branch of the agency.
The Chinese envoys, having returned empty-handed, were furious.
"Is Zhai Xiaofang out of her mind? What was she thinking?" The group nearly coughed up blood. They just couldn't understand how a seemingly sure-fire negotiation could have failed. Zhai Le was clearly persuaded! They couldn't understand it, not even if they racked their brains!
Yes, physically speaking, his brain was lost.
On their way back, they passed through a canyon that was where they met their end.
Ignoring the mess on the ground, Shen Tang endured the surging martial energy in her chest and abdomen and squatted down by the river to wash the bloodstains from her hands.
"My lord, here you go."
Tan Ting, who was standing to one side, handed her a handkerchief to wipe her hands.
There were some experts among these bastards, and their strength was not weak. As an avatar, her actions were restricted, and she couldn't risk her life. If it weren't for Tan Ting secretly helping her by adding some substance, she probably would have been in an even worse situation. She swallowed the metallic taste in her throat and said, "Thank you for your hard work on this trip."
Tan Ting straightened up: "What is your next step, Master?"
"The southeast is temporarily stable, and the northeast is no threat..." Shen Tang unleashed a surge of martial energy from her palm, burning the handkerchief to ashes. Her eyes flashed fiercely as she said, "Let's see how the central region escapes this time!"
If the King of Hell wants someone to die at midnight, he'll wash their neck at 2 AM!
Tan Ting gazed towards the central region: "Good!"
Yu Hai received the news of the envoy's interception and killing the next day, and knew very well that this was Shen Tang's "sowing discord," which completely severed the possibility of short-term cooperation between the Central Branch and the Southeast Branch.
It was also confirmed that Shen Tang had indeed planted someone among the higher-ups of the Central Branch, and this person was most likely infiltrated into the delegation. Without this person's inside help, it would have been difficult for her, as the incarnation, to act so cleanly.
"This gamble is going to be a loss..." Zhai Xiaofang was far less ruthless than this one. Yu Hai went down into the cellar and sighed as he looked at the ice coffin carved from thick ice bricks. "...That wretched Zhai Xiaofang, you agreed so quickly, wasting a good hand of mine..."
|ω`)
I'm going to sweep the tombs tomorrow, so I'll go to bed early.
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