Chapter 857: Gentlemen, I cannot agree (Part 2) [Requesting monthly votes]
Qin Li's words stirred up a huge wave of controversy.
Gu Chi heard her lord's inner screams of "Wow wow wow wow!" and, fearing he might have missed it, mentally called out his name: [Wang Chao, look at this! This is the destructive power of a major fan turning against you after leaving the fandom—it's a sure hit!]
[Please forward this for me. What is Wu Zhaode thinking right now? Is he internally vomiting blood? Is he extremely regretful for not treating Gong Su better? No, no, this kind of scumbag won't reflect on his own actions; he'll only be annoyed with Gong Su...]
Gu Chi silently glanced in Wu Xian's direction.
The latter's face was shrouded in gloom, as if a storm was about to break out and a torrential downpour was imminent; his inner thoughts were indeed quite hostile. Wu Xian, after all, was the leader of a powerful force; even if his inner volcano was erupting, he could suppress his true reaction on the surface.
The lord then said, "Bah! Why didn't you say that earlier?!"
Gu Chi: "..."
Coupled with the lord's inner thoughts, this play is truly wonderful!
Gu Chi silently watched the drama unfold, wanting to see how Wu Xian would respond.
Qin Gongsu's move was truly a case of a wicked mother opening the door for another wicked person—utterly despicable. No matter how good Gu Ziyi's reputation was in life, he was, after all, a man who had passed away. What right did the dead have to care for the living? If the new master was willing to give Gu Ren's family a way out, allowing them to live in peace, that would be giving him face. Treating the former prefect's orphans and widows well would also be a convenient way to win over people's hearts.
"Qin Gongsu, have you gone mad?"
The people from Tianhai were the first to get restless.
If they successfully take Shangnan, they will be the direct beneficiaries. Qin Gongsu wants to tear a piece of flesh from their mouths for the orphans and widows with just a few words. Is that fair to the blood they shed on the battlefield? Gu Ren is the backbone of Shangnan. Shangnan's elite troops were wiped out in that battle, and the remaining orphans and widows had no power to protect themselves. In other words, Shangnan is already a no-man's land.
Only the victors have the right to decide its ownership.
Why should it be given to Gu Ren's descendants?
Some people stood up angrily: "Qin Gongsu, you always know how to be a good guy. You just open your mouth and hand over the spoils of war that our brothers fought... There's no such thing as a free lunch! Ask Shen Jun and see if she'll agree!"
Shen Tang, who was watching the drama unfold, never expected that the war would affect her. She was stunned at first, then broke into a typical innocent and sweet smile: "Gong Su's words are indeed not very appropriate, but upon closer examination, they make some sense. Back then, we went through thick and thin with Zi Yi, sharing life and death, from the alliance in Xiaocheng to the Dragon Slaying Bureau in Xingyang Road. The friendship we shared cannot be explained in just a few words."
Thinking of Gu Ren, Shen Tang sighed deeply.
The grief on his face was almost overflowing.
She raised her sleeve to wipe away the tears welling in her eyes: "If Huang Xiguang hadn't taken advantage of the situation and used despicable means, why would Ziyi and his sworn brothers have had to fight to the death, their coffins shattered? Why would they have ended up with no remains? If it weren't for fate's cruel joke, the three of us should have joined hands to defend Chaoli Pass and fought Huang Xiguang to the death. Ziyi is such a hero, and I can't bear to see his life's work destroyed like this. When I pass away and meet Ziyi in the afterlife, how will I explain this to him?"
Wu Xian suddenly opened his big, round eyes.
He seemed surprised that Shen Tang and Gu Ren had such a good relationship, and that Shen Tang would actually agree with Qin Gongsu's nonsense—Gu Ren's empire wasn't just Shangnan, but rather a dozen or so counties and prefectures centered around Shangnan. After years of operation, he had amassed a considerable fortune.
There is reason to suspect that Shen Tang secretly became sworn brothers with Gu Ren behind his back!
Deep affection between siblings?
Does it refer to him and her, or Gu Ren and her?
Wu Xian forced a smile and said, “Brother Ziyi’s plight pains me deeply. Sister Chen’s considerations are well-intentioned, but have you considered how a widow and her orphan can establish themselves? The situation in Shangnan is also very complicated. Those officials are willing to submit to Brother Ziyi, but they may not be willing to submit to his offspring. Entrusting Shangnan to a child is tantamount to letting a child carry a gold brick in the market; one wrong move and he could be killed. Rather than letting them live in bloodshed, it is better to settle them properly so that they can live a peaceful and prosperous life. Besides, how can we face the common people under our rule if a child is in charge of Shangnan?”
Appeal to their emotions and reason with them.
Shen Tang's brows furrowed and relaxed at times, as if he was wavering between Qin Li and Wu Xian's opinions, unable to make a decision.
"Brother Zhaode's words make sense..."
Before he could finish speaking, Qin Li interrupted him with a forceful tone: "My lord, do you want to be ridiculed by the world?"
Wu Xian nearly coughed up a mouthful of blood.
How could he not know that Qin Li had such a stupid and foolish side?
No, not stupid!
A guess flashed through Wu Xian's mind—
Knowing Qin Li as he did, he couldn't possibly be unaware of Shen Tang's scheme. This was merely an excuse to create trouble and deliberately sabotage Shen Tang's plan to acquire Shang Nan. As long as Shang Nan didn't fall into his hands, it was advantageous for Shen Tang!
So Wu Xian gave his men a wink.
"Qin Gongsu, you are mistaken."
The aides, who had received the hint, refuted it.
Qin Li scoffed, "What's wrong with it? Is it acceptable for these high-ranking officials to be here, spouting nonsense, coveting the legacy of heroes, and bullying orphans and widows? Aren't you afraid of being laughed at if this gets out!"
The aide's smile held a hint of unease.
Shen Tang silently applauded Qin Lihai.
Gong Su clung to the two trump cards of "orphan and widow" and "heroic figures," pointing fingers at others from his moral high ground. As an ally, stealing from an ally's inheritance is despicable; as a powerful figure, bullying the orphaned and widowed is shameless. One cannot be despicable and shameless.
Even if you want to divide someone else's property, you still need their consent.
Stealing without asking questions is robbery!
Wu Xian valued his reputation highly and absolutely could not tolerate being unfairly accused. He couldn't stand it; even if Qin Li's moral blackmail scheme succeeded, it wouldn't matter. However, Wu Xian also knew that compared to tangible benefits, reputation was far more appealing.
There were some things he couldn't say himself, so his subordinates acted as his mouthpieces: "No, no, no, that's a misconception. Before the tyrannical ruler Zheng Qiao was executed, both Gu Ziyi and our lord were regional governors appointed by the royal court. Shangnan never belonged to him alone; it wasn't a fiefdom, let alone a foundation. The tyrannical ruler was wicked, and heroes from all over the land joined forces to overthrow him. The prosperous era that the common people had longed for was just around the corner, yet you proposed entrusting Shangnan to Gu Ziyi's sons. This move is truly a woman's kindness, indecisive and foolish!"
He had barely finished speaking when he received a gaze that could not be ignored.
He followed the gaze and met Shen Tang's almond-shaped eyes, which held no smile: "What's wrong with being a woman's kind-hearted? If everyone in the world were as kind-hearted as a woman, would there still be fighting in this chaotic world?"
The subordinates also did not want to completely provoke Shen Tang.
He was about to bow and offer a casual apology when Shen Tang, with a smile, delivered a fatal blow: "You've reminded me of something—we were all once subjects of Zheng Qiao, and we raised an army against the emperor for the sake of the common people. This action was in accordance with the will of heaven and the hearts of the people, and there's nothing wrong with it. However, Shangnan really is Brother Ziyi's fiefdom. Gentlemen, have you all forgotten?"
Everyone inside the tent looked at each other in bewilderment.
Shen Tang had no choice but to remind them.
"Back then, when Xiaocheng formed an alliance, King Zheng Qiao ordered people to write a proclamation to punish the rebels led by the King of Zhi. He also issued an edict calling on all people of virtue and ambition, regardless of their background or past, to contribute to the cause of the rebellion and be promoted or granted land and made kings."
She deliberately emphasized the pronunciation of the four characters "裂土封王".
Although Zheng Qiao did not formally bestow titles upon them at the time, he tacitly allowed powerful figures like Gu Ren, who held military power, to develop their own factions due to the circumstances. Gu Ren did so, and so did Wu Xian.
Shangnan truly is Gu Ren's foundation.
That subordinate had no idea what had happened so long ago.
Or rather, in this world where people are used to the division between large and small forces, who still cares about the piece of paper issued by the royal court?
I've gotten used to it, so I've naturally forgotten about it.
"Hmm? Why aren't you all saying anything?" After Shen Tang finished speaking, seeing that no one else spoke, she pretended to be innocent and looked around, then spoke to Wu Xian in a serious tone, "Sigh, Brother Zhaode, if you ask me, our two families have a good relationship with Brother Ziyi. Taking care of his orphan and widow will put his mind at ease in the afterlife. It won't take much effort..."
Wu Xian was internally cursing.
Is this a problem that "doesn't require much effort"?
Shen Tang pretended to be stupid and occasionally cracked jokes; Qin Li occupied the moral high ground and would criticize anyone who came, saying that it was shameless to bully orphans and widows, and that it was heartbreaking that a true hero like Gu Ziyi was eaten up by a villain. He remained steadfast in his stance.
This forced Wu Xian to consider sharing Shangnan equally with Shen Tang.
Let's all get a little something and then shut up!
Shen Tang, however, seemed oblivious to Wu Xian's veiled meaning, determined to entrust Shangnan to Gu Ren's offspring. She even went so far as to say that if she didn't do so, she feared Gu Ziyi would appear in her dreams crying and pleading. Such a soft-hearted person like her would truly feel guilty.
Forced to this, Tianhai's general publicly said sarcastically, "Shen Junren is kind, but not everyone is like that. Once Gu Ziyi dies, will those monsters and demons in Shangnan sit idly by? They might have already devoured their orphans and widows. If there are no descendants, where will you turn for help?"
The thought of Gu Ren having no descendants brought tears to Shen Tang's eyes again, and she felt a pang of sadness: "If that's the case, then there's nothing we can do."
Upon hearing this, Wu Xian had a different idea.
yes--
If Gu Ren's wife, children, and elderly parents were to die in the internal strife in Shangnan, that would be fate, and Shen Tang would have no grounds for complaint; but if they were lucky enough to survive, he could use the pretext of taking care of Gu Ziyi's family to plant his own people and control them...
Wu Xian frowned inwardly, making a decision.
Gu Chi translated for his lord.
Shen Tang clicked her tongue inwardly: [Wu Xian, Wu Xian, his schemes are practically jumping in my face. A clever plan, but unfortunately—hehehe, someone beat him to it.]
Then came a burst of loud, unrestrained laughter.
Gu Chi: "..."
Sigh, how can someone who works as an advisor not go crazy?
Because Shen Tang was adamant about not letting Wu Xian take the south, he had no choice but to temporarily abandon his plan and agree.
"Brother Ziyi can rest in peace now."
Shen Tang breathed a long sigh of relief.
Then, Wu Xian proposed the ownership of Yi Ru.
Since Zhang Yongqing has already stood on the opposite side, Shen Youli surely doesn't still want to give Yi Ru to Zhang He's offspring to inherit, right?
If they repeat their old tricks, that would be a provocation!
Clearly, Shen Tang wasn't that stupid.
Wu Xian wanted Yi Ru, and she readily agreed.
Besides Yiru and the surrounding counties, there were also the two small counties within Yanzhou that Wu Xian had initially requested, and Shen Tang gave him three more as well. None of them were large in area, but their geographical locations were quite good, and Wu Xian could use them as military buffer zones.
The rest all belong to Shen Tang.
The entire territory of Ganzhou comprises 70% of Yanzhou and 1/4 of Lingzhou, as well as Longwu County, Sibao County, and the tiny Minfeng County within Kunzhou. Although the territory is vast, considering that except for Longwu County and Sibao County, the rest of the area has been ravaged by war, there is no obvious benefit in the short term.
Both sides have reached a preliminary agreement on the division of territory.
The remaining spoils will be divided up, and we'll gather them together again later.
Both were preoccupied with their own thoughts. Shen Tang quickly finished his meal and took his leave, and Wu Xian didn't try to stop him. No sooner had Shen Tang left than Wu Xian ordered someone to send a message to inquire about news from Shangnan. He was determined to get things done before Shen Tang did.
Little did they know—
Once Shen Tang was far from the camp, he no longer hid his good mood and burst into laughter: "Brother Zhaode is going to suffer in silence this time!"
The motorcycle beneath him chugged twice in response.
Shen Tang patted its neck with satisfaction: "You understand me best."
Having said that, the man and the mule, one honking and the other groaning, made sounds that rose and fell, their pride and arrogance almost overflowing.
Gu Chi could no longer hold back and raised his hand to cover his ears.
"My lord—"
After saying that, she gestured towards Qin Li with her lip.
This was a subtle hint that she should keep a low profile, no matter how smug she was, lest she scare Qin Li away before even managing to fool Shang Nan, which would be a huge loss. Shen Tang received the hint and, after a long pause, managed to suppress her somewhat numb smile. She coughed lightly, trying to regain her composure.
“Gong Su, I wasn’t like this before.”
Qin Li: "..."
He forced himself to ignore Shen Tang's infectious laughter and tried to maintain his serious working-class image: "Given Wu Gong's temperament, he won't be willing to accept it once he finds out he's been tricked."
Shen Tang said, "I'm not afraid of a fight."
He then snorted confidently, "Besides, a war is unlikely. Shangnan is no longer in his hands, and he has also lost control of Xu Wenzhu. Heyin is right next to Shangnan, so a surprise attack from there could strike straight at the heart of Tianhai! If the two sides really go to war, he'll have to think twice and see if Tianhai can hold out!"
The geographical location of Heyin once hampered Shen Tang's actions.
For years, Shen Tang feigned ignorance and innocence to maintain harmony with her neighbors, fearing that their hard-earned wealth would be wiped out. Even when Wu Xian instructed Xu Jie to swindle her money, exploiting her with city and liquor taxes, and selling her expensive grain seeds, old oxen, and secondhand farm tools at inflated prices, she could only grit her teeth and endure it. For her extremely greedy, impoverished lord burdened with enormous debt, this was an immense injustice!
Now, the situation has completely reversed.
Wu Xian's control over the strategic location of He Yin has now become a sharp blade threatening his heart, unless Wu Xian can eliminate Xu Jie's grudges and bring the latter back to his side.
However, this is highly unlikely.
Because merchants are driven by profit and the situation is already set, Xu Jie's gamble on Shen Tang has won him a bright future. Now that the harvest season has finally arrived, he won't let go of Shen Tang, the winner, and choose to throw himself into the arms of the scumbag who once hurt him...
Unless Xu Jie is truly "love-struck".
|ω`)
Tangmei once said that He Yin would come back sooner or later.
P.S.: I received a message from the Municipal Public Security Bureau today saying that there's a huge risk of being scammed by online order-brushing scams..._(:з」∠)_ How can that be? If I want to make money, I'd rather write more...
(End of this chapter)
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