Chapter 482: On This Journey to the Underworld to Recruit Old Troops (Part 2) [Two-in-One]
As is widely known.
Shen Tang has a group of literary scholars who are good at ruining their lord, and Kang Shi, who is "always losing at gambling," is the best among them. As a result, Shen Tang can't even drink water without getting a toothache, and he can't even catch a cold from a breeze. Let alone dream of getting rich overnight in a casino.
The only way to win against the house is by overturning the table!
It may be a pitfall, but it can turn the tide in crucial moments!
Upon hearing this, Chu Yao asked with delight, "Really?"
Kang Shi said, "Of course it's true!"
As long as the lord's life is tough enough, he can become a god!
While his scholarly ways weren't entirely passive and uncontrollable, they were nearly so. His current predicament perfectly met the conditions for activating these scholarly tactics, and the situation was so dire that he was on the verge of life or death. Rather than waiting to be killed, he might as well take a gamble.
Kang Shi said, "When the battle begins, we will join forces to launch a 'fight with our backs to the river' strategy, which will be ten times, or even several times, more effective than usual. With the bravery and skill of General Chu and General Zhao, and our advantageous position at Yonggu Pass, we may very well win!"
While the border barrier may be as fragile as paper, it can still play a role in alleviating the pressure on their own forces. Looking at the overall situation, the scales of victory are still heavily tipped in their favor. Kang Shi had already thought this through very clearly on his way here.
But what he didn't expect was—
"This won't do! We need to reconsider this matter carefully!"
Kang Shi hurriedly asked, "Why not? Is there a better way? We live on the frontier, and the separatist forces in the vicinity have no relationship with us. They will not send troops to help us. We can only rely on ourselves. If we don't do this, Yonggu Pass will surely fall."
Then I asked, "Have you considered the consequences?"
"Yao has naturally thought about it." At first, Chu Yao was also tempted by Kang Shi's plan, feeling a sense of hope after a period of uncertainty. However, he quickly thought of something that extinguished his rising joy like a bucket of cold water: "Your scholarly ways will affect the lord!"
Our lord is still in Shiwu's territory.
Her luck was already not very good—if it were really good, she wouldn't have picked up so many literary scholars with all sorts of different approaches to literature one after another—and now that Kang Shi is launching another "head-on attack," Chu Yao is really worried that her lord will be so unlucky as to stumble upon the enemy's lair, a fully armed, sharpened, and well-prepared lair... that would be ridiculous.
Chu Yao was unwilling to risk his lord's life.
"This—" Kang Shi calmed down upon hearing this.
A hint of worry crept into his brow. He was so preoccupied with figuring out how to deal with the crisis at Yonggu Pass that he completely neglected his lord. It wasn't that he didn't care about his lord, but rather that his lord was the most unlucky person he had ever met, and he subconsciously overlooked him.
Kang Shi sighed, "What should we do then?"
Chu Yao frowned and pondered for a long time, weighing the pros and cons.
Then Kang Shi gritted his teeth and said fiercely, "If Yonggu Pass is breached, our lord and the others will also be doomed. We have nowhere left to retreat. The only difference is whether we die sooner or later. We might as well take a gamble—gamble that she is the true emperor! Throughout history, which true emperor has ever had a smooth journey? Similarly, which one has ever died halfway through?"
Chu Yao said irritably, "You can gamble on anything?"
I've never seen a gambler more addicted than Kang Shi.
But thinking about his scholarly ways, it's quite frustrating; his scholarly ways are essentially gambling with his lord.
None of them are easy to deal with!
Kang Shi was not annoyed.
He laughed and said, "That's just how life is!"
You won't know how bright the future is until you take a gamble.
The outcome is uncertain, and the victor is yet to be determined!
If I lose the bet, I will pay with my life for my lord!
Looking at the inadequate border barrier, Chu Yao sighed heavily: "It's a last resort, only done as a last resort—"
"Don't use it unless absolutely necessary." Despite Kang Shi's nonchalant words, he was also afraid of gambling away his lord's life.
The atmosphere at Yonggu Pass was much more somber than before.
The patrolling soldiers all wore murderous intent, their eyes gleaming with a murderous light! The lights inside the main tent burned all night, with figures moving in and out, discussing how to deal with the battle. The generals surrounding the defending commander, Chu Jie, were all seasoned veterans with extensive combat experience.
They knew the terrain around Yonggu Pass like the back of their hand. They could point out where to set up camp and where to ambush troops with their eyes closed. But no matter how they plotted together, they were not optimistic about this battle, and a gloomy atmosphere hung over their tent.
For a time, people's hearts were unsettled.
Some of the younger ones even considered quitting.
He just didn't dare to say it, his eyes darting around.
They knew Chu Jie's temperament all too well.
They hate deserters the most; they'll kill someone if they disagree with them.
"Hey! Why are you all looking so long-faced?"
Chu Jie noticed their gloomy expressions.
Several veterans hesitated, then sighed.
Chu Jie thumped his chest loudly and said, "At worst, we'll die on the same day and in the same year. I'm willing to pave the way for you all in the Yellow Springs."
Registrar Yu interrupted him impatiently.
"Shut up! You're already talking about dying before the battle has even started!"
In his opinion, Chu Jie was the most unlucky one.
Chu Jie was so angry that he shut up.
“In my opinion, General Chu is right.” Zhao Feng echoed Chu Jie, speaking in a deep voice, “We have nowhere left to retreat to, and at worst we will die. Yes! We see no chance of winning this battle, and fighting means certain death. But think about it, will we live if we don’t fight? If we don’t fight this battle with our lives on the line, the common people within the pass will live a miserable life under the control of the Shiwu thugs, and our descendants will be enslaved.”
Zhao Feng's calm voice clearly reached everyone's ears and echoed in every corner of the main tent: "The men have died tragically, their homes are gone, and their wives and daughters have fallen into the hands of bandits, suffering endless humiliation. If we can reclaim our lost land in the short term, that will be fine, but what if the Ten Crows establish themselves here? Their descendants will be assimilated into the Ten Crows, forgetting their ancestors and even raising their swords to slaughter their own kind!"
"Everyone has their own ambitions, and I understand why you all want to retire. I imagine many of you have elderly parents and young children to support..."
Zhao Feng's words drew angry stares from the crowd.
“We respect the general for extending a helping hand in times of crisis, but the general’s words are rather harsh. If you were truly afraid of death, you would have sought a better position long ago. What power and wealth couldn’t you have obtained? Why would you have been stationed in this harsh and cold place for so many years, enduring the wind and sun?”
The man became more and more agitated as he spoke, veins bulging on his forehead, with an expression that said, "You can kill me, but you can't insult me."
Even the young man who had initially considered giving up hardened his gaze and calmed his mind: "Although we are not as strong as General Zhao, even a common man can shed blood when he is angry. It is our duty to defend our homeland and home, and there is no need to use this provocation."
"Yes, that actually looks down on us!"
Zhao Feng apologized in a good-natured manner.
He frankly admitted that he had misunderstood everyone, and that if he were lucky enough to survive the battle, he would drink three cups of wine as punishment to atone for his mistake.
In this way, the gloom in the main tent was dispelled.
"Report—"
Everyone was on edge.
The scouts ahead have spotted the Ten Crows troops!
We expect to arrive at Yonggu Pass in two days.
So fast!
For a moment, only the occasional crackling of the burning candlelight filled the tent, casting a solemn shadow on every face.
Under the national border barrier.
"Finally made it!"
The weary scholar abandoned his exhausted horse and, using the power of words, hurried on foot, finally arriving just before the war began. Looking at the border, even more fragile than when he left, the scholar tightened his pack, his brow furrowed.
"This is really bad..."
Should we stay and interfere, or leave?
Scholars preferred the latter.
There's not much I can do to help if I stay behind, unless some sucker is willing to open the national treasury, but Zheng Qiao would be that sucker.
Looking at the border barrier blocking his way, he chuckled and effortlessly created a gap large enough for one person to pass through without alerting the guards. All he needed to do next was climb over the city wall to return to Longwu County within the pass.
Under the cover of darkness, the scholar moved as if he were in an empty place.
Just as the scholar was about to lower his guard, a sword flashed from the darkness, narrowly missing his neck.
With a whoosh, he drew his sword to meet the attack.
The clanging sound of swords clashing was particularly clear in the darkness. The scholar, worried that the noise would attract the patrols and guards, decided to avoid trouble and quickly retreated a few steps. He waved his hand to block them with his literary energy and then turned to make a quick getaway.
The man replied, "Trying to escape!"
Several chains formed from condensed literary energy rose from the ground.
They fired a barrage of shots at him.
The scholar thought to himself that he was unlucky to have run into a fellow scholar.
When he's rich, he's not afraid of anyone, not even the Emperor himself.
When you're broke, it's like a tiger fallen into the plains being bullied by dogs, or a dragon stranded in shallow waters being mocked by shrimp—you're just too unlucky.
"Wait!"
The scholar dodged the attack, leaped to a higher position, bowed to his opponent, and attempted to communicate: "I am not a bad person!"
"You come from beyond the pass; if you want to cross, just come tomorrow. Coming to smuggle yourself across in the dead of night, is that not being a bad person?"
Kang Shi had not expected to have this gain.
He came to familiarize himself with the terrain of Yonggu Pass.
He was trying to figure out where to set up his formation to maximize his benefits, but before he'd taken two steps, he sensed a very faint, unfamiliar fluctuation of spiritual energy in the air, so he followed it. Heh, he'd actually caught a weak newbie.
They reacted quickly.
They could dodge even the most unexpected sneak attacks.
It's clear he's a seasoned veteran who's been around the block.
The scholar retorted, "With the Yonggu Pass facing imminent danger, how could we open it and allow passage? I had no other choice..."
Upon hearing this, Kang Shi put down his sword.
Question: "How do you know about this?"
The scholar smiled wryly: "To be honest, I actually came here after receiving the news, hoping to make preparations as soon as possible. But judging from what you've said, someone has already taken the next step. In that case, there's no need for me to make this trip."
"Whether this is true or not, we'll have to see the commander-in-chief to find out."
Kang Shi had no intention of letting this person go.
Anyone acting suspiciously should be arrested first.
The scholar raised an eyebrow, then reluctantly sheathed his sword: "Fine!"
His quick agreement surprised Kang Shi.
"Come with me."
On the way, the scholar showed no intention of running away.
Kang Shi then inquired a couple of times: "Why did you leave the pass, sir?"
The scholar did not hide anything: "I was asked to do this by a friend."
What is the matter you entrust to me?
"Naturally, it is for the sake of the lives and deaths of the common people within the pass."
Kang Shi paused, looked at the scholar, seemingly doubting the truth of his words, while the scholar looked at him frankly.
The scholar countered, "You don't believe me, sir?"
“It’s not that I don’t believe you, it’s just that your strength…” Kang Shi didn’t explain himself too clearly, leaving the meaning to himself.
The scholar's lips twitched slightly, but he didn't get angry or feel looked down upon; in fact, he was already used to it.
"Don't judge a book by its cover." Yes, he admitted that his literary talent was inferior to the man before him, but that didn't mean he could look down on him. Believe it or not, he'd throw all the gold in his bundle at Kang Shi's face and show him who was truly first-rate.
Kang Shi apologized: "It was my rudeness."
He then asked, "May I ask who entrusted this task?"
If it were true, there would be no flaws.
If it's fake, it will naturally be full of mistakes and omissions.
The scholar betrayed his savior without hesitation.
Judging by the time, the other party is probably already on his way to the underworld, so saying it won't affect him much, and might even salvage some of his reputation. Ever since Yan Xingning followed Zheng Qiao, his reputation has been declining rapidly, almost to the point of being rotten to the core.
He said, "I was entrusted by my benefactor Yan Xingning to help him make some arrangements in Shiwu in order to save the crumbling edifice."
Kang Shi was astonished upon hearing the name "Yan Xingning".
He asked instinctively, "Which Yan Xingning?"
The scholar said, "Let us feast in peace and prosperity."
Kang Shi stopped and, by the moonlight, saw the scholar's face clearly. After a long while, he said, "Yan Xingning is my friend."
Scholar: "...May I ask who you are, sir?"
Kang Shi said, "My name is Kang Shi, and my courtesy name is Jishou."
The scholar vaguely remembered him and asked, "Kang Silang?"
Kang Shi nodded: "Yes."
Scholar: "..."
Kang Shi asked, "Does the gentleman recognize me?"
The scholar shook his head and said, "I don't know him, but Xingning mentioned before that he has a friend who has terrible luck at gambling and likes to gamble heavily, he says he's Kang Silang. If I ever become so poor that I can't even afford to eat, I can extort some money from this person, it's a sure thing."
Kang Shi: "..."
The scholar looked at Kang Shi's attire; it was indeed exquisite and dignified, understated yet luxurious, the standard of a distinguished family.
Kang Shi, suppressing the bulging veins on his forehead, angrily said, "Yan Xingning... how could this scoundrel say such nonsense?"
Do I look like a sucker?
He even encouraged strangers to extort money from him?
"This doesn't sound like something he would say..."
Kang Shi believed he understood his friend quite well.
The scholar coughed lightly, his expression somewhat unusual: "This is certainly not like him, but he did say that."
Kang Shi had money but always lost at gambling, and he was indeed short of money. If there was a legitimate way to make money, why didn't he do it?
"...What did he send you to Shiwu for?"
He decided to skip the topic of extortion.
I made up my mind that I would never gamble with this person.
The scholar casually remarked, "It was nothing much. I simply helped him obtain a map of the Ten Crows' defenses. It would be even better if we could find a way to incite infighting among the princes of the Ten Crows' royal court. Although there were some setbacks along the way, fortunately—I did not fail in my mission."
However, it's unclear how effective it will be.
Conflicts also need time to develop.
Upon hearing this, Kang Shi, though not entirely dispelling his doubts, changed his attitude. If what this person said was true, he really couldn't afford to be disrespectful. To do so would surely alienate people. He would take him back and question him further.
Kang Shi changed the subject and asked about Yan An's recent situation.
Since the last time Kang Shi met Yan An's incarnation and they had a fight, he hasn't received any news from the other party.
The scholar said, "Him... tsk, I'm afraid he's not doing well."
Kang Shi: "Assisting a tyrant is indeed a difficult task."
He knew Yan An wasn't the kind of person to aid and abet evil, but he genuinely couldn't understand the other party's intentions. Did Xing Ning really think he could use their brotherhood to completely calm down and tame Zheng Qiao, this runaway wild horse?
They're likely to get trampled to death.
Kang Shi tried to persuade him again and again, but Yan An was as stubborn as a donkey; once he got angry, not even a few oxen could pull him back.
The scholar shook his head: "If it were just difficult, that would be fine. What I'm afraid of is that he's already asking Meng Po for soup..."
Kang Shi was struck dumb, frozen in place.
"What!"
The scholar said, "If nothing unexpected happens, he should already be dead."
Kang Shi was stunned by the news, his body swaying slightly. He blinked hard, seemingly struggling to process this sudden and devastating news. Seeing Kang Shi's reaction, the scholar knew that Kang Shi was truly a friend of Yan'an.
He sighed, "Please accept my condolences."
No one could stop this man's death. Because he was killed not by someone else, but by himself; how could anyone stop him?
The scholar said, "To die for the Way is not a bad end."
At least I left without regrets.
This is something that countless literary figures have sought but could not obtain.
Kang Shi's eyes reddened, and something seemed to be stuck in his throat; he remained silent for a long time. He had a premonition that this day would come, but he didn't expect it to come so soon, so quickly that it caught him completely off guard—
Is there truly no more Yan Xingning in the world?
Because of his scholarly ways, Kang Shi had very few friends, and Yan Xingning was the most special one. The two met when they were young and impulsive. They had arguments and conflicts, but more often they sought out like-minded people and appreciated each other.
They once rode side by side, vowing to sweep away all injustices in the world.
How did he die?
Seeing this, the scholar wisely refrained from speaking again.
Upon entering the military camp and seeing Kang Shi coming and going freely, he asked, "Sir, are you serving under the garrison commander Chu Jie?"
Kang Shi shook his head: "My lord, the Prefect of Longwu, received news that Yonggu Pass was in trouble, so he brought people to provide assistance."
Scholar: "The Prefect of Longwu? Previously served as the Prefect of Heyin?"
"Yes, sir, do you recognize our lord?"
The scholar shook his head: "I don't recognize him, but—"
His expression turned strange for a moment.
He added, "Xingning is extremely fond of this young prefect, praising him highly and recommending him to me several times. I wonder what this Mr. Shen is like?"
Tangmei(っ°Д°;)っ: Danger! ! !
I originally planned to finish the rest of the story, but I realized—well, there's just no way I can finish it all. I'll save it for tomorrow. Hehehe, if no one steals the monthly ticket rankings, I should be number one, it's been a long time!
P.S.: Strange, my title was clearly "Going to the netherworld to recruit old subordinates", so why was "this" swallowed up?
(End of this chapter)
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