Chapter 620: The Pacification of Sibao County (Twenty-Two) [I Have a Fever]
Xun Ding had never seen such a grand display in his life.
However, his skin had thickened day by day since he ran away from home and started living his own life, and after being tortured by a despicable person like Gong Xi Chou, his skin thickness and defensive ability were incomparable to those of his youth: "Why are you looking at me like that?"
Qiu Cheng did not speak directly.
Instead, he spoke up to remind the other person to speak.
"Our lord has discerning eyes, appreciating you all and treating you with the respect due to national heroes. In that case, you should repay him as national heroes..."
Xun Ding: "..."
He thought he had thick skin.
Little did I know that the person in front of me was the ancestor.
Xun Ding raised his hand to stop him from continuing, and said, "Stop, stop, stop—ultimately, what you have to do with me is just a business deal. Since it's a business deal, it's naturally a matter of mutual consent and a transaction between the parties, and there's no such thing as a personal relationship. I've been doing this business for many years, and I've always adhered to the principle of doing only what I'm paid for. That military officer below is beyond my ability to deal with, and the money that Qiu Gong gave me is far from enough to make me risk my life, let alone talk about being a national hero. Therefore, there's no need to mention it anymore."
The contract clearly states what Xun Ding should do, what he should do, what he should say, and even what position he should stand in.
He does his job.
No, I won't do anything outside my job description.
He readily admitted that he was not as skilled as others.
In the past, he could have argued back, but Gong Xi Chou wasn't one to indulge people, and the more stubborn he was, the worse he got beaten up. Now, Xun Ding had completely become indifferent and could calmly deal with these people whose talents were unreasonable—why should he, a mere ordinary person, compete with those who seemed to have been given special privileges by the heavens? Shen Tang was one of them.
Since that's the case—
Why couldn't he cherish his life?
Furthermore, as an extra item included in Gongxi Chou's "one for one" deal, he wouldn't risk his life fighting someone for a few coins...
The crowd on the city wall was also stunned by Xun Ding's speech.
Everyone has a different perspective.
There was surprise, astonishment, but mostly disdain.
The military officer who started the conversation became even more unrestrained: "I have never seen anyone as cowardly as you, so afraid of death..."
Xun Dingke wouldn't tolerate him, and said with a smile, "Well, I am afraid of death. Since the general is brave and fearless, and has received the 'national hero' courtesy from Lord Qiu, why not set an example and go down to accept the third duel, clearing obstacles for Lord Qiu?"
"You—" Caught off guard by Xun Ding's direct retort, and unable to retaliate, he could only stammer, his face flushed, "You brat—"
Xun Ding naturally turned a deaf ear.
"That's enough!" Qiu Cheng shouted angrily, interrupting the two men's argument. In the current situation, the most embarrassed and angry person was not the two of them, but Qiu Cheng. He had been completely humiliated in public, and how could he, who always valued his reputation, bear it? His expression was so ferocious that it was distorted, but the military officer did not notice it at first, while Xun Ding pretended not to see it.
The military officer was startled by the rebuke.
He hurriedly clasped his hands and said, "My lord, please forgive me..."
"Alright!"
Qiu Cheng forcefully interrupted him.
I don't want to hear this person's voice right now.
Those sinister eyes swept from the military general to Xun Ding, and just as he was about to say something, Shen Tang, sitting below the arena, had already thoughtfully made the decision for them. The duel was best-of-three, and she had already won two rounds; the remaining third round was actually neither a win nor a loss.
Just kidding—why would she give up such an easily obtainable morale boost just to save time? The higher the morale of her side, the stronger they are, and the easier the siege and the fewer casualties they will suffer. Hey, wouldn't mind taking another kill for fun?
She raised her hand to stop the drumming.
With her breath concentrated in her dantian, her voice carried clearly to the city wall as she asked, "Qiu Wenyan, who are you planning to send down to their deaths in the third round?"
Qiu Cheng clenched his fist.
Slightly annoyed that Gongxi Chou was not there.
Compared to Xun Ding, who was weak, disobedient, and repeatedly defied him, making him lose face, Gong Xichou was stronger and more ethical. Unfortunately, he was assigned to the Xiaocheng administrative center to ensure the stability and security of the rear.
He had a great time showing off his skills and expanding his territory.
Who would have thought that his neighbor would hit him on the head with a stick?
They beat him until he was dizzy and disoriented.
Below, Shen Tang continued in a drawn-out tone: "Qiu—Wen—Yan—whether you're brave or cowardly, at least give us a response. What, you're too scared to go to the third round? If you're really scared out of your wits, you might as well open the city gates now, lower the drawbridge, and surrender without hesitation. Rest assured, we are not devils, and we won't do anything as heinous as massacring the city. As long as there are innocent civilians in the city, we will not kill, rob, or disturb them. If we fail to do even one of these things, we will be ridiculed by the whole world!"
She rode her motorcycle leisurely back and forth, not forgetting to paint a rosy picture (or rather, a trap): "Furthermore, regardless of whether one is a scholar or a commoner, as long as one is of good character and talented, and can benefit the people, everything will remain the same after the city falls..."
"besides……"
Shen Tang says whatever comes to mind.
The atmosphere on site was so relaxed that it didn't feel like a siege.
The three armies behind Shen Tang occasionally echoed with boos, their varied rhythms resembling a theatrical performance, exciting and lively.
Xun Ding glanced at Qiu Cheng out of the corner of his eye and, sure enough, saw a face as black as if it had been smeared with ink. He almost felt sorry for Qiu Cheng; first, he was slapped in the face by the enemy's general, and then he was forced to listen to the other party's attempts to win people over, as if his lord was already dead.
Sigh, I've lost all face for generations.
Just as he finished his lament, he suddenly heard cries of "My lord, you mustn't!" and "Please, my lord, reconsider!" Curious, he looked over and saw that Qiu Cheng had somehow snatched a bow and arrow from a nearby guard. The bowstring taut and hummed as he aimed and released the arrow—
Completed in one go!
Once the arrow is released, there's no turning back.
The arrow left the bowstring, its target being Shen Tang beneath the city walls. This arrow was even infused with a considerable amount of literary energy, just like the pent-up anger in Qiu Cheng's heart, unleashed in a single shot. Although literary energy does not enhance weapons as much as martial energy, it is still far superior to an ordinary arrow that hits a willow leaf from a hundred paces.
Xun Ding cursed inwardly: [Reckless!]
Judging from the situation just now, Shen Tang intended to launch a third battle, and was using Qiu Cheng's subordinates as a whetstone—a whetstone that had been hard to find, and he didn't want to break it all at once. Xun Ding then dared to guess that the one who would fight in the third battle might not be Shen Tang himself.
Even though the hope was slim, there was still a chance to turn the tide. Even if not, they could buy some time for their own side to prepare a backup plan. Moreover, they still held the advantage of the city; even with all the advantages, Shen Tang couldn't simply conquer it. Who knew that Qiu Cheng, unable to withstand a series of provocations and humiliations, recklessly attacked, targeting the enemy leader…
What message does this send?
If you want to fight, then fight; if you want to kill, then kill. No need for further words!
It's equivalent to completely tearing off the mask of civility.
This is a signal that war has officially begun!
As expected—
Shen Tang raised his hand and cleaved the arrow in two. The gloating smile on his face had not completely faded, but it stiffly turned into a hint of anger: "Since you refuse to listen to reason, Qiu Wenyan, this place will be your burial ground!"
"The three armed forces!"
"Attack the city!"
_(:з」∠)_
The baby ear thermometer I ordered for Leather Jacket arrived today, so I took my temperature myself. Goodness, it spiked to 38.5 degrees Celsius! I rushed to find a mercury thermometer, but after several readings, it was still 38.2. I don't know if it's a positive result, an infection in the wound, or something else… I'm feeling okay so far, except for feeling cold and a slightly itchy throat. My mind is clear. Let's see how things go tomorrow…
(End of this chapter)
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