Chapter 624: Pacifying Sibao County (Twenty-Six) [Requesting Monthly Tickets]
"A military general captured by a scholar?"
Military life is monotonous, and the battlefield is brutal and bloody. Soldiers are ordinary people too, and they need to relieve psychological pressure when it gets too much. Sharing gossip during breaks is one of their few forms of entertainment, and it helps them pass the time.
"Yes, it was captured by Military Advisor Xun himself..."
How do you know so much?
Several people who were usually on good terms with him gathered around.
The soldier pointed to his eyes and said, "How did I know? I saw it with my own eyes, of course."
One listener hesitated for a moment, then lowered his voice and whispered in a stealthy tone, "It's not that I look down on our strategist, but... isn't he a scholar-official? A martial artist who can be captured by a scholar-official... I guess he's not that capable, right? An enemy general with no ability isn't worth many military merits, and capturing him would just be a waste of military rations..."
It would be better to just take their heads.
His companion also thought the captured general was rather weak, but after some thought, he said, "...That's true, but perhaps this man has other greater value? The strategist and the others' plans are beyond our comprehension..."
If they can all guess it, what's the point of having a strategist?
"Come, come, come—the water's here—"
The old man's cheerful voice interrupted the group's chatter.
"Old man, is there any water left?"
"The water in the water tank at home is clean and sweet."
The old man smiled, revealing a set of broken teeth.
These young men had nothing else to offer, but they were incredibly strong, worked efficiently, and were all talkative and enthusiastic, which greatly pleased him. Seeing them working hard to move rubble, tidy the road, and sweep away the ruins, he went home and brought them some clean water.
"Is it really sweet? Then we must try it!" Those working nearby, hearing that someone was delivering water, gradually gathered around, as if it weren't ordinary water, but some fine spring water, a sweet and precious nectar. They were deeply moved by the simple and kind nature of the elderly couple…
The elderly couple also praised them.
"These young people are such good people..."
Despite the cold weather, the old man was sweating profusely, fanning himself with half a water ladle as he and his wife reminisced. A young man, seeing the couple's wheelbarrow, offered to help replace parts, and after some repairs, it was practically brand new.
It's smoother and lighter to push.
They are too old and too weak, so the wheelbarrows they use for their stalls have been given a new lease on life, which also helps alleviate their financial burden.
Everyone was working with great enthusiasm.
Xun Ding was extremely anxious, feeling as if he were in dire straits.
He never dreamed that he would one day become his father's prisoner, let alone that their years-long father-son relationship would almost come to a "break" over a sum of money. Alas, this all started with the big battle last night.
When father and son fought, Xun Ding did not believe he would lose.
He was certain he would win decisively, and then, amidst his father's sigh of pride and joy at his son's coming of age, he would gracefully disappear into the misty morning clouds. Years later, he returned home in glory and took his elderly father, who had been living alone, to live out his days in comfort.
result--
Even after losing, Xun Ding lay amidst the ruins of the city wall, staring at the sky above, still unaware of how he had lost.
Above is the old father's face.
Xun Zhen looked down at her eldest son and sighed.
"After being away from home for so many years, this is all the progress you've made?"
Xun Ding: "..."
Xun Zhen opened his lips: "Your strength and cultivation have improved, but how come your cunning is still lacking? If this is all you have gained over the years... I should thank your past opponents for sparing your life so that I can still see you alive."
Xun Ding: "..."
Xun Ding hesitated for a long time before saying with a hint of grievance, "I reckon no one can withstand Father's methods..."
Using the power of words without feeling the pinch of the cost.
His father had never spoken to him like that before.
"Hmph, you were clearly careless." The reminder only made Xun Zhen realize someone was owed money. "I knew I couldn't keep you here, so you took the money and left. Remember to send letters back regularly so your father knows whether you're alive or dead."
After saying that, he felt a mix of emotions, including sadness and melancholy.
Xun Zhen was naturally reluctant to part with her son, but she also knew that she couldn't keep him by her side forever. Even the young Xun Ding couldn't be kept, let alone this unfilial son whose heart had already wandered. She only hoped to see his next generation before she died, to enjoy a few days of the pleasure of being with her grandchildren, and that would be enough for her. After she passed away, she would be able to give her mother an explanation.
Unexpectedly—
Xun Ding opened his mouth and said, "I have no money."
The warmth on Xun Zhen's face vanished instantly.
"No money?" The tone carried a hint of danger.
Xun Ding choked for a moment, then said, "I have no money..."
"Then what did you say, 'If you take money from someone, you should help them avoid trouble'?" Xun Zhen knew his son well. The latter had never lacked money since he was a child, nor was he stingy or greedy. He would never lie to him about this.
Xun Ding was speechless, but he couldn't very well say directly—that it was Gongxi Chou who took the money, what did it have to do with him, a mere bystander? If he really said that, Xun Ding felt he might have to go see his mother, who was far away in the Western Paradise, much sooner rather than later…
He stammered for a long time, unable to get a word out.
Xun Zhen's complexion grew increasingly worse.
He lifted his son's collar with one hand.
"Father—"
His cry of "Father!" failed to melt his father's heart of stone; with a thud, he was thrown to Shen Tang's feet.
Xun Ding: "..."
Shen Tang stared at the enormous lump of Xun Ding: "???"
Xun Ding, his face bruised and swollen, also looked at her.
Shen Tang cautiously probed Xun Zhen, whose face was extremely pale: "Hanzhang, what are you doing? In the end, your son is not under Qiu Wenyan's command, nor can he be considered a prisoner. You can decide what to do with him yourself. Why bring him here?"
Xun Ding's hands were tied behind his back.
He also lost his temper, sitting up from the ground, his cheeks puffed out in anger, still vaguely resembling his younger self. Xun Zhen was momentarily dazed, but regaining his senses, he said with undiminished anger, "Of course, this unfilial son will be used to pay off the debt to our lord!"
Shen Tang: "..."
Xun Ding: "???"
After a detailed explanation, I finally understood the whole story.
Xun Zhen used Shen Tang's secret stash to beat up his eldest son. He originally intended for Xun Ding to pay for this, but Xun Ding said he had no money. So, Xun Ding will have to fill the gap himself. He'll only be free when he's done!
Shen Tang: "..."
It's not that I'm worried about the money.
After all, we're used to this kind of thing.
She was merely pondering Xun Zhen's intentions.
Could it be that he himself couldn't keep his eldest son, so he used this as an excuse to have her keep Xun Ding to work for free? Ah, what a loving father. To fulfill her father's good intentions, she nodded in agreement to Xun Zhen's suggestion. Only Xun Ding objected.
"This is far too frivolous!"
I was inexplicably forced to sell myself to pay off debts?
Unfortunately, their objections were ineffective.
Xun Ding had no choice but to resort to his ultimate move.
"My son is now under the command of Gongxi Chou..." You should think twice before trying to take someone away from that damned Gongxi Chou.
Shen Tang said, "Gong Xi Chou? That's alright. If I ask him to lend you someone, he'll most likely be willing to lend you out."
She still has that much confidence.
Xun Ding: "..."
_(:з」∠)_
In just one day, my brother, my sister-in-law, and my mom all developed fevers and body aches... Sigh, now only my dad and my little leather jacket are left at home. But my dad goes to work every day, so I reckon he'll be next.
(End of this chapter)
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