Chapter 261: Reunion [Two-in-One]
Shen Tang looked at Commandant Yang in surprise.
This made Commandant Yang's expression displeased.
He retorted, "What? You won't accept this favor from me?"
Shen Tang shook her head repeatedly: "No, no, I just thought... Commander Yang would never forgive me. After all, although I have a clear conscience about what happened before, I can understand why Commander Yang still hates me from our respective perspectives..."
Commander Yang was speechless at her words, his old face darkening: "Am I the kind of petty person who doesn't distinguish between gratitude and resentment and has no magnanimity?"
How could Shen Tang dare to say "yes"?
She said with a grin, "Of course not, Commandant Yang."
However, given Shen Tang's past record, Commander Yang didn't believe her nonsense. No matter how sweet her words were, he would only listen to them.
Although Commandant Yang brought it up, Shen Tang didn't intend for him to actually do it. Regardless of whether these "old friendships" were genuine or based on mutual benefit, Commandant Yang's power had waned, and he was now just an ordinary middle-aged man without any support.
If he were to actually swallow his pride and ask for help, what kind of treatment he would receive... well, it's hard to say...
Being turned away is actually a good thing.
How could one bear to be mocked and ridiculed, and then given something as a token of consolation?
Commander Yang had fallen into his current predicament because he was defending Xiaocheng. With that in mind, Shen Tang wouldn't let him get involved in such a dangerous situation.
She hasn't reached that point of desperation yet.
On the day of the farewell banquet.
Everyone continued drinking alcohol, while Shen Tang continued drinking tea.
In the midst of their revelry, Wu Xianmeng spoke heartfelt words to her, and even in front of everyone, instructed his valiant general Zhao Feng to help Shen Tang repay her debt of gratitude. Upon hearing this, the allied forces showered her with praise, such as "Our leader is so righteous."
All the glory and fame were taken by Wu Xianmeng.
Everyone praised him for doing so much for his brother, saying that even his own brothers couldn't do better. No one mentioned again that He Yin was a dangerous place. Although it was Shen Tang who asked for this, seeing Alliance Leader Wu Xian's smiling face, she smiled happily as well.
As for the inner self?
Gu Chi was forced to update his swear word library again.
The Allied soldiers were so drunk they were staggering.
Feeling she had drunk enough, Shen Tang got up to say goodbye.
He entered the tent and was about to lie down fully clothed.
He suddenly opened his eyes.
"Why isn't Xiaofang asleep yet, so late at night?"
Not only did they not sleep, they also threw stones at her tent?
Zhai Le didn't answer directly, but instead pulled her shoulder and said, "Come on, come on, Brother Chen, don't sleep anymore, let's go have a drink."
As Shen Tang was being pushed along by him, she was about to shout when Zhai Le covered her mouth. She could only whisper, "I want to sleep."
Zhai Le said, "You're still awake, aren't you?"
Shen Tang rolled her eyes: "If you don't bother me, will I stay awake?"
The so-called "drink with her" was just a way to get a free drink.
Shen Tang had already seen through this drunkard.
Zhai Le smiled shamelessly and did not refute.
Finally, the two climbed onto the roof of a house that hadn't been completely burned down. Zhai Le, who was prepared, handed over an empty wine flask without any hesitation. Shen Tang rolled her eyes and filled it for him.
Zhai Le took a satisfied sniff and exclaimed, "Good wine!"
Shen Tang teased him.
"What kind of wine would make you so attached to it?"
Zhai Le tilted his head back and took a big gulp, his expression one of savoring the taste.
After savoring the memory, his eyebrows drooped, and he shook his head with some regret, saying, "It's a pity, I don't know if I'll be able to drink it again in the future."
After saying that, he leaned back.
He lay on his back on the roof.
As long as he didn't look down and only gazed at the bright moon and clear sky, he truly had a somewhat illusory feeling of peace and tranquility. But he knew that no matter how serene and peaceful the night scene was, if he lowered his head to look at the ravaged inner city, he would instantly be pulled from the illusion and return to reality.
Shen Tang had no desire to lie down and look at the night view.
Clothes are hard to wash when they get dirty.
She leaned back, supporting herself with her hands, to admire the moonlight.
He asked Zhai Le, "So fast?"
Shen Tang had long known that Zhai Le was not one of his kind. He and his cousin Zhai Huan would eventually return to the Southeastern Shen Kingdom, but he never expected that day to come so soon. Given the current circumstances, their separation might be for life.
Zhai Le rested one hand behind his head and took a sip of wine.
With a satisfied half-closed gaze in his striking peach blossom eyes, he laughed heartily, "It's not that fast. If the Xiaocheng incident hadn't happened, my brother and I probably would have already set off back to Shen Kingdom."
As a martial artist with great courage, his injuries healed quickly. However, since Brother Shen had not yet established himself, it wouldn't be good for him and his cousin Zhai Huan to leave at this juncture, so they stayed to help out as much as they could. Now that Shen Tang was taking people to He Yin, he could go back with his cousin without worry.
only--
"After this parting, I don't know when we'll meet again."
Zhai Le was not as rational as his cousin Zhai Huan.
He and Shen Tang had a life-or-death bond, fought side by side, and got along well. The sudden separation was truly painful.
He thought about it to and fro and couldn't sleep. He decided to get up and ask Brother Chen to have a drink with him so he could say goodbye properly.
Shen Tang couldn't answer Zhai Le's question either.
but--
"A bright moon shines on two idle souls in different places. As long as we live under the same sky, we will surely meet again." The slightly melancholic atmosphere made Shen Tang want to drink, but she worried that she would get drunk and cause trouble, so she forcibly suppressed it, saying, "Why should we be sad?"
Zhai Le thought it made sense, pointed to the bright moon, and declared, "Once my brother and I have pacified the southeast, I'll invite you to drink. I'll treat you, and we won't leave until we're drunk!"
Shen Tang was surprised to hear this. She had known Zhai Le for many days, and the latter did not usually show any sharp edge.
He's either passionate and naive or cheerful and energetic, always carrying the air of a boy who never grew up, but his words just now revealed his sharp edge!
Even if you lose the fight, you can't lose your spirit!
Shen Tang smiled and answered Zhai Le.
"Haha, then you'd better hurry up."
Zhai Le asked, puzzled, "Why?"
Shen Tang waved her small hand: "Because I want to pacify the four directions."
If you're going to brag, you have to brag big.
Pacifying the southeast is hardly enough.
Zhai Le didn't take her words seriously, but instead teased her with a troubled expression, "Brother Shen, you have lofty ambitions, I am ashamed to admit my inferiority! In that case, when we clash in the future, let's not hold back our past friendship! Let's fight a real battle!"
Before Shen Tang could reply, he frowned and muttered, "Sigh, I have to go back and cultivate in seclusion. I can't afford to lose badly."
He was no match for Brother Shen right now. Although his potential had not yet been fully realized, Brother Shen was also young and would grow just as much. If they really faced off, he would have almost no chance of winning. Shen Tang replied, "That's easy to discuss. I will definitely not hold back."
Zhai Le frowned for a moment, then burst into laughter again.
"Alright, let's encourage each other!"
Shen Tang readily gave him a high five.
"mutual encouragement!"
Without his cousin Zhai Huan by his side to limit his drinking, Zhai Le drank to his heart's content that night, eventually becoming completely drunk.
He clung to the pillar like a child, sobbing uncontrollably, crying, "Brother Shen, oh Brother Shen, what will I do without you? There's no wine left in the world that I can drink..."
Shen Tang, standing to one side: "..."
Why did you come all this way to say goodbye?
This guy just wants to get free drinks!
Finally, they dragged and pulled Zhai Le, along with the large section of pillar he was clinging to, back to the tent and handed him to the dark-faced Zhai Huan. Zhai Huan turned his face away, feeling rather ashamed; it was the first time he had ever seen his cousin so drunk.
Shen Tang said, "I'll return Xiao Fang to you."
Zhai Huan took over the reins of her good-for-nothing cousin.
With an unhappy expression, he said, "I'm sorry to trouble you, Master Shen."
"No trouble at all, Xiaofang is a person of strong character."
Shen Tang tried to speak up for Zhai Le, but Zhai Le was a hindrance, even clinging to a pillar and shouting, "Brother Shen, fill the wine flask!" This made Zhai Huan's face darken even further. Shen Tang saw that it was still not fully light, and, still smelling faintly of alcohol, went back to his tent to catch up on some sleep.
Zhai Le didn't wake up until noon after being hungover.
Shen Tang has almost finished packing her things.
Just as Gu Chi had feared, not all of the three or four thousand elderly, weak, women, and children were willing to leave their homes. In the end, only about eighteen hundred people were willing to leave their homeland, which had been reduced to ruins. Faced with this outcome, Shen Tang had no choice but to respect their choice.
Gather supplies and manpower.
We prepared to depart when the sun was high in the sky.
Zhai Le woke up from his drunken stupor and quickly washed up.
Alliance Leader Wu Xian and Gu Ren came to see him off in person. Whether it was sincere or not, Shen Tang accepted their kindness. He rode on the back of his flashy motorcycle, clasped his hands in greeting to the two men, and said, "May the green hills remain unchanged and the green waters flow forever. Brother Wu and Master Gu, we will meet again in the future."
Alliance Leader Wu Xian returned the greeting and said, "Farewell."
Gu Ren also said, "Goodbye."
Beside him was Shao Chong, who looked much thinner.
He suffered a lot in order to suppress the evil spirits within his body, but his overall spirit and energy were still good, and he even followed Gu Ren's example by clasping his hands in greeting.
"Goodbye!"
Shen Tang held the reins tied to the motorcycle's neck with one hand, controlling it to turn around, and waved his hand, saying, "Let's go!"
After walking for a while, we came to the fork in the road on the main road.
The Zhai brothers also formally bid farewell to Shen Tang.
Zhai Huan echoed Shen Tang's words, laughing heartily, "The green hills remain unchanged, the clear waters flow on forever. Brother Shen, until we meet again in the future!"
Shen Tang said, "Goodbye."
The two then bid farewell to Qi Shan and the others one by one.
They whipped their horses and galloped off in another direction. Their figures grew smaller and smaller until they disappeared into the dense forests and mountains.
Shen Tang sighed and turned to look at Qi Shan and the others.
"Let's go too!"
"Yes, my lord."
Because there were more than 1,800 elderly, weak, women and children in the middle of the group, the marching speed was not fast. Fortunately, the nearby rebels had already withdrawn from Sibao County, and there was also Zhao Feng's own thousand private troops.
With this lineup, they wouldn't be afraid of bandits who tried to ambush them on the road.
Occasionally, you can hear the piglets grunting.
Yes, the piglets haven't finished eating yet.
Shen Tang smiled and said, "I'll raise a few more when I have the chance."
On a good day, they slaughter the animal and add some oil to the meat.
Qi Shan said with a dark face, "Does the lord still want to raise him?"
Shen Tang wore a "I'm proud to raise pigs" expression: "What's wrong with raising pigs? Can people live without eating rice or meat?"
Qi Shan: "..."
He is not against raising pigs.
He opposed Shen Tang personally castrating the pig.
Where the blade passed, not a single egg remained...
Would people believe this if it got out?
Gu Chi: "..."
Because the team was too strong and had too many people, they could only choose to walk on the main roads, resting every two hours to eat some dry rations to replenish their strength.
At this time of year, Shen Tang would quietly disappear for a while, filling the empty bamboo basket with flatbread...
They carried limited supplies.
Save where you can.
If you encounter other refugees on the road, you can take them along if they are willing—however, very few of them stay when they hear that they are going to Heyin. Firstly, the journey is long, and secondly, the area is chaotic.
The desolate and bleak scenery along the way greatly displeased Shen Tang.
This went on for more than half a month, with people traveling and stopping intermittently.
"Once we cross this boundary marker, we will leave Sibao County." Chu Yao looked back from his horse, filled with emotion. Unknowingly, he had lived in Sibao County for five or six years, and had been confined there for five or six years. He had also spent the darkest period of his life there.
As long as he could leave Sibao County, his life would be free from this suffocating imprisonment—Chu Yao firmly believed that one day he would spread his wings and break free from the invisible shackles!
And it happens today!
Shen Tang glanced at the golden crow hanging high above her head.
He said, "Let's all stop and rest for a bit."
She doesn't force herself to walk fast, as long as conditions allow.
She felt her buttocks were very sore even while riding the motorcycle, let alone ordinary people and soldiers who walked on foot, with countless blisters popping on their feet. There was a stream nearby, which was perfect for replenishing her fluids.
Zhao Feng sent word to his soldiers to go down and settle the people.
The remaining few people huddled together, calculating how many more days it would take to reach the River Governor's office, and also plotting how to take over the position.
As mentioned before, the people of Heyin are known for their fierce and ruthless nature; they are basically all villains, even Alliance Leader Wu Xian finds them troublesome. The options are either to use grain to bribe them into surrendering, or to use a large army to wipe them out and terrify them!
Neither of these two paths is feasible for Shen Tang.
This is what Qi Shan and the others have been worrying about these past few days.
Recruiting soldiers along the way?
A group of inexperienced people encountering ruthless bandits—what chance do they have? In the end, they'll just waste money, resources, and energy—it's not advisable.
Finally, a consensus was reached.
Military strategy dictates: "Search for supplies from the enemy."
Why don't they just follow suit and learn to do it?
[Using the enemy to their advantage]
They gradually erode the enemy's strength to expand themselves, and then seize control in one fell swoop.
Zhao Feng had no objection to this.
Killing bandits is something he excels at; it's his old profession.
Even half of his more than a thousand private retainers had once been bandits, but he subdued and took them all under his control.
Shen Tang chewed on a flatbread and said, "That's feasible."
The situation in Heyin is chaotic and the power struggles are fierce. Shen Tang, who was parachuted in, wants to get a share of the pie. If she doesn't have a strong enough fist and enough manpower, how can the local tyrants submit to her?
One must be strong to forge iron.
She then asked, "Where do we begin?"
Shen Tang has always been a man of action; once she says she'll do something, she does it.
Lately, I've been either on the road or on my way to travel.
She was so bored she felt stiff as a board.
Qi Shan rolled up the map.
"No rush, we can figure it out on the way."
It's not that he doesn't want to finalize a plan now.
The situation on He Yin's side is really unclear.
You only find out the specific situation when you arrive at the destination.
Shen Tang brushed away the crumbs from the pancake.
After eating and drinking my fill, I'm ready to close my eyes and rest for a while.
Just then, she heard Lin Feng running over at full speed and said, "My lord, my lord, someone has been pulled out of the water."
It's not uncommon to pull people out of the water.
With frequent battles everywhere, the enemy had no time to bury the bodies; they either threw them anywhere or into the water.
Lin Feng had seen a lot along the way.
This time, the reason for such surprise was that the person pulled from the water was alive!
(End of this chapter)
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