CH 56

Lu Shichen was a talented scholar but he was not good at marching for battles and fighting, and his sense of direction was not strong. Even though he was given a fast horse to escape, it took him a long time to return to Feng Country.

Moreover, Lu Shichen had no money on him, let alone accommodation, even eating during his flight was a problem. He was not willing to bow his head, nor beg on the streets, so naturally he could only go hungry. Fortunately, the road that he was traveling on was unimpeded, otherwise he really didn’t know if he could go back alive. 

Feng Ming had sent many people as well as his spies to find Minister Lu. At the time when Zhang Hong was battling with Xue Country in Ming River, the border was in chaos.

As soon as Lu Shichen passed Ming River, he was found by Feng Ming’s people and brought back to Feng Capital.

Court officials and Ministers had known that Lu Shichen was back, and their views and opinions differed from one group to another. Some officials were glad that he was able to get back alive, but others were skeptical. Although Lu Shichen looked run down and exhausted, the physician said that it was all just due to hunger, and he didn’t suffer any injuries. He could recover after a few days of rest and be well fed.

The opposing Ministers really wanted to catch Lang Jing into their trap, questioning whether Minister Lu was really captured and if he was really able to escape back without any injuries, and their suspicion that Minister Lu did not really escape at all, but seemed to be a spy released after being bought by Emperor Xue. 

Naturally, there were people among these Ministers and officials who wanted to exclude him. Even if Feng Ming believed him, he could not quell the gossip.

King Feng had summoned the Ministers to the Palace to discuss Zhang Hong’s attack on Xue Country.

The Military Officials suggested that Feng Ming take this opportunity to attack Xue Country immediately while the Xue Army was concentrating on fighting against Zhang Hong as this time was the best time to attack while Emperor Xue’s guard was down. If Feng Ming doesn’t start their attack at this time, they would not have other opportunities.

Lu Shichen said, “I don’t think it’s the right time. Zhang Hong had already attacked Xue Country for so many days now but he still couldn’t get them down. When I crossed the Ming River, I saw Xue Villages in the distance, neat and well-organized. I am afraid their army is well prepared and just might be waiting for the King to send troops.”

Although there was some truth in what he said, many people were prejudiced, and his remarks also happened to discourage King Feng from sending his troops, which inevitably made many people irritated.

Lu Shichen said, “I’m just suggesting, and it is still His Majesty who has the right to a decision.”

Feng Ming thought for a while, and said: “If you don’t attack, then you will not act at this time. Although what Minster Lu said was reasonable, this Seat is also unwilling to just press his troops like this.”

Zhang Hong’s surrendered minister surnamed Qi Zijie, who was also a famous scholar, suggested, “Your Majesty can build a beacon tower along the Ming River, one tower every 20 miles, and send soldiers to watch the tower in turn day and night to spy on Zhang Hong and Emperor Xue at any time.” 

He also added: “Zhang Hong’s attack on Emperor Xue was entirely due to the fact that he could not attack for a long time, and the army went a long way away from the hinterland. There was no supply of food and grains behind so he became a frightened bird and had to fight left and right. To tell His Majesty the truth, Zhang Hong is a treacherous villain, and Zhang Hong will lose the fight against Emperor Xue. His Majesty can let his officers and men watch at the beacon tower, beat drums and send troops to help Emperor Xue when he sees Zhang Hong’s defeat, and then send his courtiers to Xue Country for peace. This will not only eradicate Zhang Hong’s invasion, but also let Emperor Xue put down his guard. ”

Someone answered: “I heard that there is only one concubine in the house of Marquis Wannian of Xue Country and that too it is a male concubine. His Majesty can send someone to act as a matchmaker with the unmarried daughters of the Nine Marquis of Feng to marry off to Marquis Wannian. Marquis Wannian can choose any daughter to show His Majesty’s sincerity. Marquis Wannian has been abroad for many years. He is brave and good at fighting and has made outstanding achievements repeatedly. Even his military power can not be underestimated. If His Majesty has contact with Xue Houyang, why be afraid of Emperor Xue?”

Feng Ming thought it made sense. It would not be a good thing for Feng if the two armies really confronted each other head-on. So he ordered Qi Zijie to personally deploy troops to build a beacon tower in Ming River, and allocated him 10,000 military forces. After all, they just went for show, not really fighting with their lives, and 10,000 military forces are enough.

Qi Zijie was grateful to Feng Ming for saving his life, and for having granted him a post as General regardless of past grievances, so he took himself and immediately ordered 10,000 soldiers and horses to go to Ming River. 

———

Yu Chen led his troops to Ming River. His official position was lower than that of his previous position as the Commander-in-Chief. However, relying on his connections in the Capital City, he wanted the Commander-in-Chief to meet him. Lang Jing advised him to restrain his temper, but Yu Chen simply ignored him.

As a result, the Commander-in-Chief didn’t come that day. He didn’t even send a personal soldier to meet him nor someone to greet him. Yu Chen waited for several hours, and the animosity of the two people ended up like this.

The Commander-in-Chief wanted to follow Teng Yun’s strategy. He diverted the water on Ming River to freeze. Yu Chen felt that he was an armchair strategist. Hence he didn’t let the soldiers obey orders, instead he sat drinking in the camp all day, and called the soldiers in the camp to wrestle and make a show for him, as if they weren’t there for battle preparations but just for merry making. 

The Official Registrar wrote a letter to the Commander-in-Chief to consult Yu Chen’s conduct in the army camp, but Yu Chen found out about it. He didn’t agree with the report. He told them that few people dared to touch him even when he was in the Capital City. Besides, Zhang Hong is just a lowly opponent and didn’t need any ‘water splashing and freezing’ strategy at all to defeat him. His army had traveled long distances and didn’t even have any back up; they could never break through with the Xue army. They just have to wait patiently. Wouldn’t it be better to wait for work with ease than splashing water to drive the cattle?

An army can’t have two masters. Yu Chen was yet to fall asleep even after drinking all day long. At this time, the enemy was about to cross the river under the banner of fire. Seeing the fire on the other side, he realized too late it was the banner of attack, so he thundered the drums and crossed through the Ming River.

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Yu Chen and the Commander-in-Chief were attacked by the enemy. Although the Xue army was numerous, they were still outnumbered and had to retreat for 20 miles. Fortunately, Zhang Hong was suspicious when he saw that the other party was vulnerable. He was afraid that it was just a trap for him, so he didn’t dare to pursue and withdraw his troops. 

Yu Chen asked the soldiers to set up another camp twenty miles away, and prepare themselves to fight with Zhang Hong and get back his face. After this incident, the Commander-in Chief had  a big rift with Yu Chen. He reached the point of his anger that he wanted to kill Yu Chen at this time then report to the court of his conduct in the army.

Yu Chen also hated the Commander-in-Chief for fear that he would blame himself for their defeat and report to Emperor Xue of his actions. He decided to kill the Commander-in-Chief first, and established himself as the Commander-in-Chief. Afterwards, he asked someone to catch Lang Jing and be beheaded.

Lang Jing laughed while in restraint: “It doesn’t matter much if the General kills me, because the General will soon be defeated by Zhang Hong, and he will personally come to hell to keep Lang Jing company.”

Yu Chen felt his skin go cold and fell to the ground. He had seen Zhang Hong’s bravery at the battlefield that night. For fear of being reported by Lang Jing, he had to let him go and let him give advice. 

Seeing that the Commander-in-Chief was beheaded by Yu Chen and his head was hung on the Commander-in-Chief’s flag for demonstration, the Official Registrar risked his life to write a letter and asked someone to sneak out of the military camp and send it to the Capital City.

———-

The news that Emperor Xue wanted to accept a male Imperial concubine as a Noble Consort soon spread. Although the people were surprised for a moment, these people would not care which Imperial concubine the emperor favored today or which Imperial concubine he liked tomorrow, because they were too far away from them and didn’t care much about court politics.

Those who really responded were the Ministers in the court, some of whom advised Emperor Xue to think twice, and some of them flattered Emperor Xue and said good things about the new Noble Imperial Consort. 

Xue Junliang didn’t care much about these talks, because he didn’t have any amorous feelings for the new concubine who was going to enter the palace. There were so many beauties in the Harem. Who said that when he enters the Palace, the Emperor must trust him and must go to see him?

Xue Junliang’s purpose was to put him under house arrest, in this way, he would not move any murderous intention to himself, but also to block the leisurely talks of the crowd.

Xue Junliang pretended to set up a family dinner, and called Teng Yun and Xue Houyang to attend. He specially asked Xue Houyang to bring his wife with him. Because it was a family dinner, there was no need to be too formal. Everyone would just sit together for dinner.

Although Teng Shang didn’t know what medicine was sold in his gourd, he was determined not to be a good medicine, but if he didn’t go, it wouldn’t be as simple as refusing a family dinner, so he naturally wanted to go. 

Xue Houyang was afraid that Emperor Xue would embarrass Teng Shang, but on second thought, he would also be present, and Emperor Xue was going to accept a male concubine, so he must have tacitly approved of himself and Teng Shang. It should not be difficult night and Emperor Xue might not really do anything.

Xue Houyang and Teng Shang dared not let Emperor Xue wait, so naturally they entered the Palace early. However, they couldn’t even see the shadow of Marquis Tengnan when they arrived.

Xue Junliang didn’t seem to mean to make things difficult. He kindly asked some unimportant questions, as if he were just chatting with other family members. After talking for a while, he said, “Why hasn’t Marquis Tengnan arrived yet?”

Jiang Yu bowed his head and said, “This old servant will go and have a look.” 

Then he went out of the hall. As soon as he came out of the door, Teng Yun arrived. Jiang Yu announced Teng Yun’s arrival and led him inside the hall.

Teng Yun saw Teng Shang as soon as he entered the hall. His eyes flickered. Presently he had Teng Ying’s appearance. He didn’t know if Teng Shang would hate himself. After all, Teng Ying was never a loyal servant of Teng and also his current position as Marquis Tengnan was the former position of King Teng.

Teng Yun asked for an invitation, and Xue Junliang personally stood up and gave him a false hand, laughing: “Teng Ying really makes this Seat wait.”

“This lowly servant is guilty.” 

Xue Junliang didn’t mind his indifference. He let everyone sit at the table, and ordered Jiang Yu to serve the meal.

It didn’t seem very warm at the banquet. When Xue Junliang didn’t speak, the remaining three didn’t speak. Xue Houyang really wanted to say something to ease the atmosphere, but he thought he was the most stupid and was afraid he would say something that was not appropriate.

Xue Junliang said with a smile: “This Seat suddenly remembered that Lang Jing told this Seat before he set out for the war that Teng Shang was knowledgeable and knew a lot of things. Lang Jing was naturally smart and said that Minister Teng has great wisdom.”

Teng Shang was named, but he could only say, “Your Majesty is full of praise, but I dare not say I am.” 

“Don’t be modest.” Xue Junliang waved and said, “When the Empress was still here, she often recommended your talents with this Seat. Your talents are obvious to all.”

As soon as he mentioned the word “Empress”, Teng Shang’s expression became still for a moment. Not only Teng Shang, but also Teng Yun’s face was unnatural for a time.

Xue Junliang himself had heard Lang Jing’s words. If he wanted to know more about the late Empress, he just needed to test Teng Shang and start from Teng Shang. He didn’t know if that was so. Although Teng Shang’s expression soon returned to normal, the change at that moment couldn’t be missed.

And at Teng Yun’s unnatural expression, Xue Junliang thought it was because he was the one who set the fire at Yunfeng Palace, so he naturally felt guilty, and it was inevitable that he would pale when he mentioned it. 

Xue Junliang has been trying to test Teng Yun from cold to hot in the past few days, and found that this man has changed a lot, not only in his achievements, but also in his habit of talking and doing things. He used to be a sycophantic sword-carrying officer who only knew how to please and flatter those people he could benefit from, but now he suddenly became calm and wise.

He became very much like the late Empress …

However, Xue Junliang doesn’t think that the similarity between this man and the woman he cared about is a thing that made him happy. In Xue Junliang’s heart, the most important thing was still vigilance. A person’s changes were so great that  Xue Junliang inevitably felt that this person was actually deliberately doing something similar as the Empress’ behavior, style or habitual disposition, so that he could get the other party’s guard down against himself.

Xue Junliang doesn’t think he is a good man, but it is enough to be a good Emperor, so he doesn’t have to think too well of anyone. 

Teng Yun has always been a knot in Teng Shang’s heart, and suddenly he was brought up.  The food that could not be eaten at first was now like a stone stuck in his throat at this time, it scraped and hurt his throat.

Xue Junliang seemed to sigh a little, saying, “When the Empress was still there, she also said that Minister Teng had great talents, and it seems that he and Minister Teng hit it off very well.”

Teng Shang quietly glanced at Xue Junliang. He already knew that the other party was testing himself, but King Teng had already become a commoner, and Teng Yun died again. There was no need to worry about leaving him alone. On the contrary, he felt there was nothing to be afraid of, everything was just like this.

Teng Shang said, “This lowly subject also admired the Empress’s personality. There are few people in the world who are so resourceful.” 

Xue Junliang really sighed this time, and showed a little sadness.

On the contrary, others were reminded of some sadness by a word from others. When Xue Junliang lost the Empress, he was indeed sorry, but also sad. This was the only person he cared about and put in his heart. He thought it was far from unforgettable. These were too melodramatic. He was a monarch of a country. If he had put his childish personal feelings in his heart, how could he sit firmly on the throne?

But now that he thought about it, although this feeling was very weak, and seemed that he couldn’t stand any scrutiny at all, but as time went by,  it was really more and more profound and clearer, which made Xue Junliang unable to let go.

When Xue Junliang tentatively tested Marquis Tengnan, he couldn’t actually tell whether he was sincere or fake. No matter what his purpose was of acting similarly in nature and habits like that of the Empress, Xue Junliang could not help but admit that he was really not acting at all and their habits were indeed similar… 

Xue Junliang withdrew from his thoughts and continued, “From this Seat’s point of view, your relationship with the Empress seemed to be very good. Did you two know each other before?”

Teng Shang had waited for this question; he answered quietly and without flaws: “Naturally, this Teng doesn’t know her. The Empress was born with golden branches and jade leaves, and then she formed a very good relationship with the Emperor of the Qin and Jin dynasties, while this lowly subject was born as a refugee, who had been begging for a living on the river banks of Zhi River since childhood, and was only adopted kindly when he was found. How can he be lucky enough to know the Empress?”

Xue Junliang listened to what he said, but the more satisfactory the answer, the more suspicious he became. He just said, “The Empress once told this Seat a little story of an orphan and about the origin of your name, which was really touching and made the orphan feel a lot of gratitude.”

The two people were talking in circles. Xue Houyang listened and seemed to understand but also didn’t seem to understand at all, but Teng Yun was sitting very still and cold-sweating on the side.. 

Of course, he heard it too. Xue Junliang was trying to test Teng Shang, and Teng Yun’s heart was beating hard like a drum.

Did Emperor Xue already find out that there was something wrong with the Empress? Or did Lang Jing step back and told him something before leaving for Ming River? Did he point out to Emperor Xue to test Teng Shang, and that everything would be revealed starting from Teng Shang?

With his own identity at the moment, he could not dare to speak up to help Teng Shang; Teng Yun could only be anxious.

Fortunately, Xue Junliang was just testing. After saying a few more words, he stopped saying more about the topic. He turned his head and smiled: “This Seat was so confused that I neglected Teng Ying for a while.” 

Teng Yun didn’t say anything, and Xue Junliang continued, “A few days ago, someone found a treasure and has gifted this Seat. At first glance, I found it to be a perfect match for Teng Ying . Since Teng Ying is about to enter the Palace soon, I can’t be too stingy. I just wanted to give this treasure to Teng Ying.”

As he spoke, he waved his hand. Jiang Yu retreated, and came back in a short while, followed by two maidservants, each of them holding a lacquered brocade box.

The two brocade boxes were not small, they were rectangular, and the carving on the brocade boxes was not fancy but actually was a carving of Jai Xu.

According to legend, Jai Xu was the second son of the dragon, with a very strong character and a murderous aggressiveness. Generally, his image was usually carved on a precious sword, because a sword was a fierce weapon, and the purpose of carving Jai Xu was to ward off evil spirits. 

Xue Junliang opened the first brocade box with a smile, there was indeed a treasured sword inside.

Although the sword’s body looked a little heavy, it was cold. People who know about swords could tell it at a glance that this was indeed a precious sword from ancient times.

Xue Junliang said: “In ancient times, there were three treasured swords, the Dragon Tooth, the Tiger Wing and the Dog Spirit. Now this Seat had found the two treasured swords. Although they are not comparable to ancient magical artifacts, they are hard to find in the world. They are called Dragon Tooth and Tiger Wing. This Seat will leave the Dragon Tooth for himself and giving the Tiger Wing to Teng Ying.”

Although Teng Yun was not a bloodthirsty person and would not kill people indiscriminately, he has been practicing Martial Arts since he was a child. As a martial artist, he naturally liked seeing a good sword, but Xue Junliang had more to say. 

He opened the other brocade box behind him, and inside it was a scabbard. “Although it is a precious sword, it is inconvenient for Teng Ying to bring it into the Harem. This Seat specially ordered someone to craft a scabbard worthy of the precious sword. However, this scabbard is not called a scabbard. The scabbard can only be called a scabbard if a sword can be drawn out from it, and this … is more suitable to be called a sword coffin.”

After listening to him quietly, Teng Yun finally understood what this meant. He gave him a precious sword and the coffin of this precious sword. This was to tell Teng Yun that even if he could not accept it, he would enter the Harem. Just like this treasured sword of ancient times; the treasured divine weapon was buckled in its coffin, and it could not do anything dangerous anymore.

Teng Yun smiled and stared at the brocade box silently. He stretched out his hand and picked up the Tiger Wing sword from the brocade box. The body was very long, slightly flat, and the blade was slightly upturned. The perfect black blade was suffused with an aggressively cold aura.

Teng Yun put his fingers together and gently stroked along the blade. The Tiger Wing sword seemed to be very sharp, and he unexpectedly pricked his fingers along the blade. The blood dripped down the blood groove of the sword, and the soaked blade seemed to be alive and even more sporadic. It gave off a chill, but it became more and more radiant. 

Teng Yun didn’t take this minor injury to heart. After seeing the sword, he put the Tiger Wing back into the brocade box. Then he thanked Xue Junliang.

Teng Shang on the other hand, who was sitting on one side, saw Teng Yun’s movements from the corner of his eyes, and he couldn’t help but be stunned.

Thoughts of Teng Yun immediately came to his mind. He remembered that Teng Yun had a little trick, that is, when he got his favorite weapon or sword, he would slide his fingers on the blade like this. Teng Yun said that because the sword also has an aura, after sacrificing blood, he could fight through life and death together in the future. The great Military Commander took his sword as seriously as his handsome flag.

Teng Shang stared at the blood dripping on the ground for a long time and couldn’t recover from his shock. Maybe it was just a coincidence, because many people also thought like this. Some martial soldiers also regarded their swords as their own lives. When fighting on the battlefields, they often could not even collect their bones. After the army is withdrawn, everyone would pick up some weapons and bury it in the soil, which would be regarded as a grave. 

Xue Houyang looked at his dazed expression, he stretched out his hand and touched him under the table. Teng Shang turned to look at him. Xue Houyang turned his head and whispered, “Are you feeling uncomfortable?”

Teng Shang: “….”

It was hard to be sad to think of some past events, but Xue Houyang’s words made his face redden. Xue Houyang saw that his face was slightly red and thought he was ill, but the man turned his head and stopped looking at himself. Xue Houyang noticed that his ears also seemed to be red.

Xue Houyang coughed softly and remembered what he had just said. Although it was unintentional, it certainly must have made the other party think of that aspect. Xue Houyang couldn’t stop thinking of Teng Shang’s initiative in bed at night and let out a giggle.