Chapter 55 Heroes Cherish Heroes
Most of the high-ranking generals and strategists around Chu Shan came from humble backgrounds, and the few scions of aristocratic families followed him out of necessity after being intimidated by him.
However, there were exceptions. Among the powerful clans of the southeast, the Bai family was the first to surrender. After Chu Shan led his troops into Zhongzhou, the Bai family wisely surrendered, even sending their eldest grandson, Bai An, to accompany them. Because Bai An was indeed talented and his character suited Chu Shan's temperament, Chu Shan greatly admired the Bai family, taking good care of them and placing great trust in them over the years.
Based on what has been said above, a question inevitably arises in everyone's mind: Will the Bai family surrender at the first sign of trouble?
Since he switched sides so quickly before, he might be very pragmatic now.
Could it be that the earlier mention of unrest in people's hearts refers to the Bai family?
[This person is very caring and highly trusted. Those who have read the history of the Ning Dynasty should know that whenever Chu Shan had a major battle, he would always ask Bai An for his opinion. If he won, he would say, "I will achieve great things with you!" If he lost, he would say, "Victory and defeat are common occurrences in war."]
It is clear that Chu Shan truly trusts Bai An.
Therefore, after Emperor Zhongzong annexed the entire Central Plains and recuperated for a period of time, when he turned to attack Chushan again, he sent Bai An as an advisor to accompany the army, and he was very satisfied with his operation.
The Bai family was the largest clan in Zhongzhou, and the clan head was over fifty years old. Listening to Tianmu's words, even he couldn't help but wonder: Could it be that the Bai family had truly defected, causing Chu Shan's defeat?
No, no, no. Emperor Zhongzong is preparing for war, so even if Chushan can hold out for a longer period of time, it's just a matter of a year sooner or later.
The reason for the defeat cannot be attributed to them at all.
He looked at Bai An, who was not yet ten years old, and sighed to the heavens, "The heavens have ruined me!"
Several months later, the battle intensified. Both Chu Shan and Zhong Zong were formidable generals, but Zhong Zong's side had a wealth of powerful warriors and a larger army.
Chu Shan suffered several defeats in a row, forcing his defensive line to retreat. He was still planning to defend well and find a new breakthrough when he heard rumors throughout the camp that the Bai family was about to betray them, and that the recent defeats were all due to Bai An.
"Judging from this, it doesn't seem to be a problem with the Bai family."
Ren Duan, who had been listening intently, couldn't help but speak up.
Ren Heng said slowly, "At least Chu Shan has troops at his disposal. If the Bai family really had a problem, would he have let them escape?"
Rebellion at this time wouldn't benefit the Bai family at all. As subordinates, it wouldn't matter if they broke into their own homes and then surrendered.
He clearly felt that the Bai family would not betray him, or should not betray him at this time.
Are there problems with the Bai family? Of course there are.
Ren Heng: "..."
Ren Duan: "Uh..."
Ren Heng's eyes widened: "...What are you looking at!"
The Bai clan, always quick to seize opportunities, naturally wouldn't let this chance slip by. The clan leader, assessing the current situation, realized there was no future in following others. So, he secretly wrote to Bai An, instructing him to bring Chu Shan into the pit, using it as a pledge of allegiance to Emperor Zhongzong to secure a high-ranking position.
But to their utter surprise, Bai An had grown too powerful. He tore the letter to shreds on the spot and told the servant who delivered it, "I am now a subject of the King of Chu. A subject cannot serve two masters. They wanted me to follow the King of Chu before, and now they want me to follow Zhou She. This is absolutely impossible."
The young man, Chu Shan, was stunned for a moment.
What an honor it would be if my future self could have people who genuinely follow me and remember my name!
In the end, it was not in vain that I came into this world.
However, he probably won't rebel this time, nor will he encounter Lady Bai again. It's good that the future relationship between ruler and subject has vanished like smoke.
When rumors began to accuse Bai An of betrayal, he rushed to explain to Chu Shan, only to overhear Chu Shan's resolute reply: "If I don't believe Bai An, why would I believe you?! Take this guy away and execute him!"
Chu Shan's actions completely won over Bai An, leaving the Bai family with no choice but to go down a dark path. Throughout the war, Bai An repeatedly distinguished himself, until the final battle—though it wasn't even a direct confrontation. While escorting supplies, Bai An was intercepted by Meng Yuexian's troops. After escaping, he organized several counterattacks before finally being captured and killed.
The news caused a sensation among the Chu soldiers at the front lines. Chu Shan sat motionless in his barracks for half a day, finally sending a messenger out to request a face-to-face meeting.
No one expected Bai An to die so quickly. Even more unexpectedly, Chu Shan's attitude softened upon hearing of Bai An's death.
Ren Heng noticed his son's confusion and explained, "Chu Shan didn't want to surrender because Bai An died, but because Bai An died."
This sentence sounded like a tongue twister, but after pondering it for a moment, Ren Duan actually understood: "What Father means is..."
“Bai An was his strategist and his most trusted minister.” At the same moment, Zhou She looked ahead, his horse galloping, the fierce wind blowing his temples wildly. He said, “In fact, Chu Shan knew long ago that things were hopeless. With Bai An dead and the supplies lost, the chances of success immediately changed from seven out of ten to nine out of ten.”
Yu Suisheng said, "So it wasn't because of Bai An?"
“Of course it’s not just because of Bai An,” Zhou She said. “He has to be responsible for everyone. What’s the point of letting his temper flare up until the very end?”
As they discussed, the sky paused for a moment, then the scene shifted.
"Chu Shan's letter?"
King Jungjong opened the letter, read it carefully, and a faint smile appeared in his eyes.
The spacious barracks were packed with people. All the military officers were gathered together, and Zhuang Shi was the most impatient: "Is he going to surrender?"
Emperor Zhongzong shook his head and handed the unfolded letter to Zhuang Shi: "He wants to meet with me, just the two of us."
Zhuang Shi quickly read through the letter, then handed it to Ren Heng beside him. After everyone had finished reading the letter, their expressions were subtle.
Shao Junzheng was the most serious, frowning as he said, "Now that we have been able to conquer Zhongzhou and Jingzhou, there is no need to take any risks."
Ren Heng remained silent. He could tell that his superior clearly had a different opinion, and he prepared to wait for Emperor Zhongzong to speak before trying to dissuade him.
Meng Yue stared intently at the piece of paper, seemingly trying to pretend he hadn't seen anything.
Several other close generals huddled together, squatting behind Meng Yuexian, struggling to read the letter word by word. These men were all graduates of free schools, skilled only in warfare, and lacked any real education. They could only vaguely understand Chu Shan's letter, which had been polished by his subordinates.
Zhuang Shi...
Zhuang Shi couldn't hold back any longer: "Sir, you're not really going, are you?"
Ren Heng: "..." He coughed lightly, feeling that the words were too blunt and disrespectful to his superior.
Zhuang Shi turned around, bewildered: "Are you sick? If you are, let the miracle doctor take a look at you."
Ren Heng: "..." Hopeless.
Emperor Zhongzong was not angry. He calmly took the letter from Meng Yuexian's hand, folded it into three folds, and stuffed it into his sleeve: "I want to see him."
Shao Junzheng leaned forward somewhat eagerly.
Ren Heng pushed aside the people in front of him and said helplessly, "My lord, whether he surrenders or not is not up to us. A wise man does not stand under a dangerous wall."
Emperor Zhongzong looked at him: "I understand what you mean, Dingyuan, but this person..."
After a moment's thought, he chose a more palatable word: "relatively frank. Of course, I will also be prepared not to make a mistake."
Ren Heng took a deep breath, feeling his brain buzzing again. He steadied himself and kicked Zhuang Shi: "Then tell Zhuang Yuanchu to clean up the surroundings, don't let him secretly bring people in, our adults..."
He wanted to say that Zhou She's son was too young and incompetent. But then he thought it was too unlucky and swallowed his words. Just as he was about to come up with another excuse, Emperor Zhongzong stepped forward, grasped his hand, and said with utmost sincerity, "I have complete confidence in entrusting everything to Dingyuan."
Yu Suisheng asked, "Why does Your Excellency wish to see Chu Shan?"
He certainly felt it was completely unnecessary. Chu Shan was going to lose sooner or later, so what was the point of doing this except to increase his own risk?
As the future party involved, Zhou She rolled his eyes. What other reason could there be?
He finally understood that his future self had a very strong sense of heroism, and given that state, it was the strangest thing that he hadn't died a violent death.
Although he thought this in his heart, what he said was: "Chu Shan is of commoner origin, yet he can command the followers of people from several states. This person is capable, so of course I should go and meet him."
Yu Suisheng suddenly realized: "So that's how it is!"
I really can't understand it, but there must be a reason why the adults say that.
Chu Shan offered to let Zhongzong choose the location, so they agreed to meet in a bamboo pavilion outside the city. The view was wide open, greatly reducing the probability of an ambush, and everyone felt at ease.
Chu Shan was dressed in plain clothes. There were two bottles of wine on the table in front of him. He had already picked up one bottle and started drinking from it.
"I haven't even arrived yet, and you've already started drinking. Is this wine really that wonderful?"
Chu Shan paused, looking in the direction of the sound. A young man, also dressed in gray and white, was standing outside the pavilion. Seeing Chu Shan looking over, he smiled, strode over, and sat down opposite him.
This was the first time Chu Shan had ever seen Zhou She.
He looked the other person up and down and felt that this person seemed completely different from the one in the legend.
Since the tabloids spread widely across the north and south, and the flyers were plastered all over the city, Zhou Xingyuan's image has gradually become a mixture of a benevolent ruler who loves his people like his own children and a just and upright official who angrily beheads evildoers.
His early penchant for killing has vanished amidst the praise he receives.
So he thought he would see a middle-aged man with a powerful stride and imposing presence.
However, Zhou Xingyuan was indeed tall and imposing, but he was not at all like a burly man; his face alone was quite elegant.
Then he watched as the other man picked up the wine jug with one hand: "It is indeed good wine."
I took a big gulp, which was very inelegant.
Chu Shan remained silent for a moment, just as he was about to speak, when Zhongzong stopped what he was doing, smiled at him, and said, "It's a rare sight indeed, General, you are indeed as rumored."
Chu Shan looked at him and grinned: "Rumor has it that I love killing, just like you, sir."
The two murderous men sat together, and Emperor Zhongzong said with a serious expression, "I must thank the general. He helped me a lot when we transported grain north back then."
He was referring to the Northern Di's southward invasion and the alliance between He and Zhao. Chu Shan offered to help him, and although he didn't arrive in person, the grain was delivered on time. The person who escorted the grain was none other than Bai An, who had already died at this time.
"Although I haven't read much, I know the principle of fighting external enemies first." Chu Shan didn't take it to heart. "I hate the high-ranking officials and nobles, but I don't hate the common people of the world."
"The general is truly righteous."
“You are not as good as me,” Chu Shan said in a deep voice. “My lord has guarded Mingyuan Pass for many years, and his achievements are great and arduous. But now we are enemies! I know I have lost. Aren’t you afraid that one strike from me will destroy all the achievements you have made over the years?”
"Hahahaha—!" He was met with a burst of laughter. "Chu Shan, Chu Shan, if you wanted to kill me, you wouldn't have said those words!"
Emperor Zhongzong shook his head, and Chu Shan's expression changed slightly as he smiled. Then he raised his head and suddenly grasped Chu Shan's hand.
Chu Shan jolted, nearly pulling his hand away, when he heard Zhongzong's sincere voice: "General, you are a hero of our time, capable of protecting this region. I have come to this gathering today because I admire your skills. It would be a pity if you had no opportunity to use them."
Chu Shan stared intently at Zhongzong's face, his expression full of genuine emotion and mutual respect, showing absolutely no trace of acting.
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