Merchant City, Gao Xianzhi's camp:
In the central tent:
Crown Prince Song and Gao Xianzhi sat at the side and sipped tea. Lin Chong stood respectfully before them.
"How is it? How's the soldiers' morale?" Crown Prince Song asked with a smile.
Lin Chong nodded and said, "The Grand Marshal's arrangements have indeed made the soldiers more proactive. At the same time, they hate Gu Hai even more. Now that they can communicate with their families through letters, they are even more ambitious. They are even more ferocious when taking over the surrounding cities. We are taking over the cities within the three gates at an increasingly faster pace!"
"What about the group of wealthy merchants?" Gao Xianzhi asked after taking a sip of tea.
"The wealthy merchants no longer dare to be presumptuous. No one dares to set off firecrackers or fireworks. They keep a low profile. At most, they bring letters from their families or sneak in some of the victims' families. However, after the Grand Marshal's description, the soldiers pinned the blame on Gu Hai for the missing family members of the victims. Hence, the soldiers no longer have much of a temper," Lin Chong said in admiration.
"Gu Hai's schemes are hard to guard against. Keep a close eye on those wealthy merchants. Don't let them come into contact with the soldiers for too long. Take down anyone who disobeys immediately! "Gao Xianzhi said as she took a sip of tea.
"Yes. Grand Marshal, don't worry. However …" Lin Chong suddenly frowned.
"Oh?" Gao Xianzhi's expression suddenly tensed. What is going on now?
Ever since Gao Xianzhi found out that Gu Hai was her opponent, she did not dare to relax at all. She had to be careful even in the slightest detail. After all, the recent mutiny nearly happened silently.
Lin Chong looked at Crown Prince Song.
"What's going on? Do you still want me to leave? "Crown Prince Song asked with a sullen expression.
"No. Grand Marshal, Crown Prince, you should know that Gu Hai might have abducted the families of some of the soldiers and framed the local officials. Although it is not right, it caused panic among the soldiers. Even though the Grand Marshal has already requested the Emperor to issue a heavy punishment in order to calm the morale of the army, these 'exterminations' still keep happening! "Lin Chong explained.
"That's right. Now we can only search everywhere. We all know about this. What's different this time?" Gao Xianzhi asked doubtfully.
"Our target this time is the current crown prince's grandson, Song Zhengxi!" Lin Chong said.
"What?" Crown Prince Song's expression changed as he suddenly stood up.
Crown Prince? That was his son. His son was far away in the capital, Song City. How did he get framed?
Gao Xianzhi's pupils also shrank.
"In the past, he was just an ordinary official and noble, but now he's the crown prince? Is Gu Hai about to bare his fangs? "Gao Xianzhi said with an ugly expression.
"What's going on?" Crown Prince Song asked, his expression changing.
"According to the news from Song City, there are fifteen cases of family exterminations. All of them point to Song Zhengxi. Furthermore, the reason is that Song Zhengxi lusted after beauties and brought calamity to Song City. At this moment, fifteen soldiers are kneeling before my tent, begging me to ask the Grand Marshal to take action!" Lin Chong said with a frown.
"That bastard Gu Hai! How dare he frame my son? Lin Chong, have you explained clearly to them? This is all slander! "Crown Prince Song said anxiously.
Lin Chong frowned and said, "This subordinate has checked. The ones who came to report were all the relatives or close relatives of the fifteen soldiers. However, thirteen of them are missing. That Gu Hai hasn't gone crazy enough to kill the soldiers' families!"
"Hey, if Gu Hai directly killed those families and framed my son, wouldn't that be more beneficial to him?" Crown Prince Song said with a frown.
"Oh no! Oh no!" Gao Xianzhi's expression changed.
"What's wrong?"
"I just thought of how vicious that Gu Hai is. How terrifying. I nearly got fooled by his appearance. To think that there is a vicious scheme hidden within his vicious scheme! Gu Hai abducted the families of those soldiers. Although the soldiers hated Gu Hai, they still had some hope in their hearts, believing that their families were still alive. At the very least, they only hated Gu Hai; it had not reached the level of a death grudge. At the very least, Gu Hai did not kill their families. In the hearts of these soldiers, being abducted by Gu Hai was the best outcome. If the person who reported this really said so, that would be truly bad news. I suppressed their anger and beliefs. It wasn't that they had calmed down, but that they had restrained themselves. If this suppressed anger were to erupt again, they wouldn't even listen to me anymore. Furthermore, if their families were really in Gu Hai's hands, this group of soldiers would hold back in battle. Although this is only a small group of people, their emotions would spread. I wonder what other schemes Gu Hai has against them. If he instigated a rebellion, wouldn't he …? "Gao Xianzhi's expression kept changing.
"Instigated a rebellion? Hiss! "Crown Prince Song sucked in a cold breath.
"Lin Chong, you said that of those fifteen soldiers, thirteen of them had family members missing. However, what about the other two?" Gao Xianzhi stared at Lin Chong.
Lin Chong showed an unsightly expression as he looked at the crown prince. Then, he lowered his head and said, "It is indeed the work of the crown heir, Song Zhengxi!"
"Huh?" Crown Prince Song's expression sank.
"Your Highness, this subordinate will speak bluntly. The crown heir, Song Zhengxi, has used his status to harm many innocent women in Song City over the years. It is not like you do not know this. Before the two nations went to war, you even helped him take care of the Song City officials, helping to suppress the crown heir's scandal," Lin Chong said softly.
Bang! Crown Prince Song slammed the table.
"Lin Chong, are you sure that it was the crown prince's doing?" Gao Xianzhi asked with an unsightly expression.
"Yes, those two are followers of this subordinate. This disciple knows that their younger sisters are extremely beautiful. Back then, they both wanted to betroth themselves to me. However, I already had Little Butterfly and didn't want to take a concubine. That's why it didn't happen. The one who sent the letter is their life and death brother. However, he was injured in the war and is recuperating at home. He even brought some keepsakes from their family, "Lin Chong whispered.
Bang! Crown Prince Song plopped down on the chair.
"That brat! Before we left, I told him not to cause trouble. Along the way, I kept writing letters to his mother to restrain him. Unexpectedly, unexpectedly …" Crown Prince Song said in agony.
"Earlier, you said that the news came from their life-and-death brother? Is the person who sent the news reliable? Could he have been bribed by Gu Hai? You should know that the thickness of some friendships is not determined by what you have experienced but by how much you have sold, "Gao Xianzhi said seriously.
Crown Prince Song's eyes lit up. That's right. That person who sent the letter might have been bribed as well.
"This subordinate does not dare to guarantee it. However, they have been kneeling outside my camp, begging the Grand Marshal to give them an explanation. According to the severe punishment, those who bullied the family members of the soldiers should be sentenced immediately. As for the crown prince's crime, he should be executed immediately. They earnestly asked the Grand Marshal to deal with this impartially. They should take revenge for their family members! "Lin Chong said seriously.
"This … this result is not out yet. How should we sentence them?" Crown Prince Song asked anxiously.
Lin Chong looked at Crown Prince Song and said, "Your Highness, although this subordinate does not dare to guarantee anything, the crown prince is truly capable of doing such a thing. Furthermore, you were able to suppress the crown prince in Song City in the past. Now that you have been gone for so long, not many people can restrain the crown prince. If it was really Gu Hai who bribed the crown prince, then Gu Hai is too ruthless this time. Before these fifteen soldiers set off for battle, the crown prince had already displayed an attitude that they loathed. Furthermore, although I cannot guarantee that there is a problem with the person who sent the letter, I believe that there is a ninety percent chance that there is no problem. I have seen that person before. He would rather die than submit. He is very loyal. Furthermore, this time, there is a corpse as evidence. "
"There is a ninety percent chance that it is my son?" Crown Prince Song showed an unsightly expression.
"They want the crown prince to die according to military law!" Lin Chong nodded.
"Song Zhengxi cannot die!" Gao Xianzhi said with a sullen expression.
"Huh?" Crown Prince Song's eyes lit up as he looked at Gao Xianzhi.
However, Gao Xianzhi showed a sullen expression.
"I finally understand. The crown prince is just a banner. If we kill the crown prince today, tomorrow, we will have evidence of the Grand Tutor's crimes. The day after that, we will have evidence of the crimes of the Prime Minister and the princes. At that time, we will have evidence of the crimes of the princes and the nobles every day. We will have already shaken the morale of the entire army by killing the princes and nobles every day. We can forget about fighting a war. The royal court will become jittery at the slightest sound, shaking the foundation of the nation, "Gao Xianzhi said with an unsightly expression.
"Song Zhengxi cannot die?" Lin Chong looked at Gao Xianzhi in shock.
"Gu Hai's scheme is too concentrated. We cannot remain here any longer. We need to gather all the soldiers immediately and enter the final battle as soon as possible. Then, we will immediately send troops to Hulao Pass, fighting with injuries to end this quickly. Otherwise, no one will be able to defend against it, "Gao Xianzhi said with an unsightly expression.
"Then … then, what should we do now? They are still kneeling outside my tent! "Lin Chong said worriedly.
Crown Prince Song also stared at Gao Xianzhi. At this moment, the battle between Song and Chen concerned everything. If Gao Xianzhi was determined to kill Song Zhengxi, even Crown Prince Song would not be able to stop her. If he really could not stop her, there was the emperor and even the immortal sects watching. Crown Prince Song Zhengxi could not save Song Zhengxi.
However, now, Gao Xianzhi wanted to save Song Zhengxi?
"Grand Marshal, are you abusing your authority for personal gain by doing this? Condemning the good for the evil? "Lin Chong asked with a frown.
"No, the situation is even more problematic than I thought. We need to suppress this immediately. Your Highness, give the order. Immediately gather the soldiers who attacked the surrounding cities and gather eight hundred thousand soldiers to attack Hulao Pass. As long as we break Hulao Pass, no matter how many schemes Gu Hai has, they will be useless," Gao Xianzhi said seriously.
"Alright!" Crown Prince Song nodded gratefully.
"What about Song Zhengxi?" Lin Chong looked at Gao Xianzhi.
"Earlier, you said that there are fifteen people kneeling outside your tent. They should be able to restrain thirteen of them easily. Pour all the dirty water on Gu Hai. As for the soldiers whose family members disappeared in the camp, immediately pick them out and allow them to return to their homes. Then, they will search for their family members with the entire city. They should be willing," Gao Xianzhi said seriously.
"This subordinate understands. Get rid of these unstable factors. However, what about the two soldiers that Song Zhengxi most likely killed?" Gao Xianzhi asked seriously.
"Stabilize them and seal off the news. Even have them return to the capital to investigate. We have to restrict the news to a minimum!" Gao Xianzhi said seriously.
"What if they insist on the Grand Marshal upholding justice for them?" Lin Chong asked with a frown.
"At this moment, the big picture is more important. Lin Chong, you have been with me for many years. You should understand that the merciful cannot command an army! "Gao Xianzhi showed a cold light in his eyes.
"Yes!" Lin Chong frowned as he walked out of the camp.
Crown Prince Song quickly issued many orders.
Lin Chong saw the fifteen kneeling people again.
After placating thirteen of them and pouring dirty water on Gu Hai, he got them to pack their bags and return to the capital to search for their family members.
However, two of them stared at Lin Chong.
The two's eyes were already red from crying as they knelt on the ground, unwilling to get up.
"Rip!"
One of them tore open his shirt.
"Milord, look. I have scars all over my body from fighting alongside you. I have never complained after following you for so many years. However, now, my younger sister was humiliated, and my mother was massacred. My entire family was silenced. I only beg Milord to uphold justice for me. Milord, this subordinate has followed you for so many years. Can't you do one thing for me?"
"Milord, don't try to persuade him. You have seen what kind of person Fifth Brother is. I saved his life. He has no children and cannot move freely. Would he be moved by money? Even if I gave him more money, he would not be able to use it. Would he lie to me? What keepsake did he bring? My younger sister, that small stone, always hung around his neck, never leaving his side. It was hidden in his clothes. No one knew. If Fifth Brother did not collect my younger sister's corpse, would he have gotten it? Milord! "
The two kowtowed continuously.
Lin Chong felt very upset at this moment. Although he trusted the two, the Grand Marshal's instructions …
"Don't worry. Immediately return to the capital and investigate. If it's true, then …" Lin Chong advised.
"No. Once we return, who will admit it? At that time, we will ask the Grand Marshal to uphold justice. We are just two insignificant characters. We cannot even return to the camp. Although I am a boor, I understand that if we do not get the Grand Marshal's orders now, we will never get the chance in the future! "
"Milord, I know. In the past, the ones who bullied others were insignificant officials. It was fine to kill them however you wanted. This time, it is the crown heir, a true major character. We are just ants. We might not even know how we died along the way!"
"Milord, I already spread the news. Now, many people in the camp know that the crown heir wiped out my entire family. During the chaos of war, according to the law, one should be executed. However, who dares to cause trouble for such a high and mighty figure? In the future, he will be the crown prince, and after that, the emperor. We will never be able to avenge our family. Didn't the Grand Marshal say that he would uphold justice for us? Now, he is the one making the decision. If he doesn't, then he is bullsh * tting! The Grand Marshal's orders are bullsh * tting! "
"Impudent!" Lin Chong glared.
The two kowtowed desperately.
"Milord, we want revenge. Even if we die, we want revenge! During the conscription, we listened to you and joined the war. However, because we listened to you, our entire family died. Milord, wuwuwuwu …! "
Lin Chong was also extremely upset. However, there was nothing he could do.
"Milord, why did we fight so hard? Song Zhengxi is the future emperor. We fought so hard for him, but he killed our entire family in the back! Wuwuwu! "The other person cried.
"The Grand Marshal will definitely give us an explanation. However, the situation is critical now. Once the war is over, even if I have to risk my life, I will plead for justice from the Grand Marshal!" Lin Chong persuaded.
"Milord, you know better than us that once the war is over, no one will listen to the Grand Marshal. What's the use? Wuwuwu! "The other person cried.
Lin Chong gritted his teeth. He had no choice but to harden his heart. He looked at the two with a cold glint in his eyes. His hand even reached for the hilt of his saber.
"Brother-in-law, Brother-in-law!" Suddenly, an anxious voice came from outside the tent.
An extremely thin and weak man with a pale face and tattered clothes barged into the tent. Two guards followed behind him.
"Milord, I saw that he was your family, so I didn't stop him!" The two guards explained.
"Mm, you may leave!" Lin Chong nodded.
The two guards immediately left.
"Xiaoyu, why are you here? What happened to you? "Lin Chong asked in surprise.
Xiaoyu cried when she saw Lin Chong.
"Brother-in-law, you have to avenge my sister. She died with a grievance, wuwuwuwu …!" Xiaoyu knelt on the ground and hugged Lin Chong's leg as she cried.
"Xiaodie? Xiaodie? What happened to Xiaodie? "Lin Chong's expression changed drastically. His hand trembled on the hilt of his saber. He looked at the weak man in horror.
"Elder Sister, Elder Sister was killed by the crown prince's grandson, Song Zhengxi. Everyone in our village was killed by Song Zhengxi's minions. They burned us all, all dead, all dead! Wuwuwuwu! "Xiaoyu cried bitterly.
Weng!
Lin Chong suddenly felt the world spin. The scenes before the battle immediately filled his mind.
"Husband, please don't go to war. Isn't it good to be a rich man? I'm scared if you go to war!"
"Xiaodie, trust me, it'll be fine. I'm following the Grand Marshal. As long as the Grand Marshal is around, there won't be any danger. Trust me!"
"But, sob sob sob, if you go, what if something happens? I can't live without you! "
"Nothing will happen. It is my lifelong dream to follow the Grand Marshal and build a career. Trust me!"
"But people die in war. If you … wuwuwu!"
"I've made up my mind. Don't say anymore! If I die, I'll love you again in the next life! "
…
…
…
In the next life, I'll love you again?
Lin Chong staggered. At that time, he wanted to follow Gao Xianzhi so badly that he said it out of anger. Moreover, it was built on the premise that he would die. It wasn't Xiaodie, it wasn't Xiaodie!
Now that he thought about it, Xiaodie was so sad! Why didn't he think from Xiaodie's perspective? Why was he so selfish?
Xiaodie? I don't want to love you again in the next life. I want this life!
Lin Chong trembled. Xiaoyu spoke again.
"Brother-in-law, it was Song Zhengxi. It was him. He took a fancy to sister. You know, during the lantern festival. After you left, Song Zhengxi came to harass sister several times, but she refused. Until that day, until that day, Song Zhengxi wanted to molest sister and was slapped by sister. He went back and found a group of people to rape sister! "Xiaoyu cried.
"Song Zhengxi?" Lin Chong was trembling all over.
"Sister swore that she would die, so she hit her head on a pillar and died. Song Zhengxi flew into a rage out of humiliation. He ordered one of his subordinates to defile his sister's corpse and even killed everyone in the village. He didn't even spare my sister's corpse, including me. He stabbed everyone and burned the entire village. Everyone died, all died. Wuwuwu! "Xiaoyu cried.
Putong!
Lin Chong suddenly knelt on the ground and held his head in agony.
This time, on the one hand, he wanted to make a name for himself. More importantly, he wanted to become a high-ranking official when he returned. He wanted Xiaodie to be an official's wife and be happy forever. But …!
"Xiaodie, I shouldn't have left. I shouldn't have left! When you needed me the most, I was helping Song Zhengxi fight the war. I was helping Song Zhengxi fight the war! "Lin Chong held his head and cried.
"Brother-in-law, before sister hit the wall and died, she looked to the north. I think she looked in your direction and said something! It was very sad! "Xiaoyu cried.
"Sister said, 'Lin Chong, don't say you love me in your next life!'" Xiaoyu painfully recalled.
Don't say you love me in your next life?
Don't say you love me in your next life?
Don't say you love me?
… … …
… … …
… …
Lin Chong's mind kept replaying Xiaodie's despair and helplessness before she died. He even had a dead heart!
"Ah!" Lin Chong held his head and screamed.
Lin Chong's scream was very loud. It was a scream of pain that could be heard by the entire camp.
"Sir, do you still want to silence us? Do you still want to let Song Zhengxi get away with it? "
"What bullsh * t situation? What bullsh * t war? I just want my family to come back to life. Sir, I beg you, let the Grand Marshal take revenge for us!"
"Sir, wuwuwuwuwuwuwu!"
Cries could be heard in the tent.
Lin Chong's painful screams had already attracted the attention of everyone in the camp.
After a long while.
Lin Chong walked out of the tent like a zombie, followed by Xiaoyu and two pained soldiers. He slowly walked to the entrance of the main tent.
He walked to the entrance of the Gao Xianzhi's tent.
Lin Chong slowly took off his battle robe and official's robe. He knelt outside the Gao Xianzhi's tent with his upper body naked. The countless scars on his body were extremely hideous, making people feel a chill when they looked at him.
The two soldiers behind him did the same. They took off their clothes, revealing their hideous scars. They knelt outside the Gao Xianzhi's tent together.
"Grand Marshal, Lin Chong has followed the Grand Marshal for fifteen years. I have killed five hundred people, been severely injured ten times and lightly injured fifty times. I have braved fire and water, and I have never complained. Now, Lin Chong's family has been destroyed. I beg the Grand Marshal to uphold the military law and the law of the land and kill the crown grandson, Song Zhengxi!"
"I beg the Grand Marshal to fulfill your promise, uphold the military law, and kill Song Zhengxi!" the two soldiers shouted in pain.
The other thirteen people who were persuaded to leave quickly ran over when they heard the news.
"I beg the Grand Marshal to uphold the military law and kill Song Zhengxi!" the thirteen people shouted.
The soldiers who had followed Lin Chong through life and death also knelt when they heard the news and saw Lin Chong kneel.
Lin Chong was the vanguard general of the Gao Xianzhi. He fought on the frontlines, and his teammates who had brushed shoulders with death were the true brothers of life and death. When Lin Chong shouted, the hundreds of people knelt as well.
Soon, more than five hundred people knelt outside the Gao Xianzhi's tent. All of them took off their clothes, revealing the countless military scars on their bodies.
Lin Chong knew very well that it would be useless to seek out the Gao Xianzhi in secret. If he wanted to take revenge, he had to announce it to the entire army.
Indeed, the hundreds of thousands of people in the camp heard Lin Chong's shout.
Xing Shang's crown grandson? This was someone who might become the emperor in the future. Was this possible?
Lin Chong's bitterness was one thing, but the Grand Marshal's attitude was another. Would the Grand Marshal offend the crown grandson for Lin Chong? Would the promise he made not long ago be fulfilled? Would the Grand Marshal take back his earlier words because of the other party's identity? Military orders were like mountains, or were military orders child's play?
Countless people paid attention to this.
Crown Prince Song was giving orders when he suddenly heard Lin Chong shout to kill Song Zhengxi. His heart trembled.
As for Gao Xianzhi, at this moment, he was sitting in his own large tent, sitting on his own chair. Through the curtain, he was looking outside the tent. Although he couldn't see, Gao Xianzhi could guess the situation outside. His brows furrowed deeply.
"Pa!"
The teacup in Gao Xianzhi's hand shattered.
"Gu Hai, I still underestimated your speed. Are you not even going to give me time to catch my breath?" Gao Xianzhi said with an unsightly expression.
Song City, the Song Nation's capital:
Gu Han looked at a crippled man before him. That cripple stared at Gu Han with a sullen expression.
"I already wrote the letter. I hope that you can fulfill your promise and not harm the families of my two brothers," the cripple said seriously.
"Fifth Brother, don't worry. They are absolutely safe. We had no choice this time. Please forgive us. When two armies fight, there will definitely be casualties. By doing this, we have already minimized the casualties. Once the war ends, all of them will be safe," Gu Han said Solemnly.
The cripple clenched his fists, feeling helpless.
It turned out that the tragedy of Lin Chong's two subordinates' families was fake.
After Gu Han made arrangements for Cripple Fifth Brother, he went to meet Gu Hai.
At this moment, Gu Hai was looking at a Go board, deep in thought.
"Adoptive Father, did you not see the new news?" Gu Han asked.
"Even if it is a messenger pigeon, the news is too late. There is no point in reading it. Perhaps Lin Chong has already started causing trouble in the camp," Gu Hai said with a smile as he placed down a black Go stone.
"Adoptive Father, did you prepare so much news, real news, and fake news, just for this Lin Chong?" Gu Han asked out of curiosity.
"That's right. It does not matter whether the news is real or fake. As long as the most crucial piece of news is real, it will be fine. Song Zhengxi brought this upon himself and should be punished. Furthermore, he is the crown heir. It is a coincidence that he ran into me, "Gu Hai said as he placed down another white Go stone.
"However, what if there was no Song Zhengxi? What would we have done?" Gu Han asked out of curiosity.
"There was no such matter?" Gu Hai stopped and looked at Gu Han.
"Indeed. What if Song Zhengxi did not kill Xiao Die?"
"Haha! It does not matter. This plan is called creating something out of nothing. Even without Xiao Die, there is still Xiao Mao, Xiao Hua, and Xiao Wen. Furthermore, speaking of which, I did not intend to use Song Zhengxi at the start. After all, his status as the crown heir is not noble enough. There is still the Grand Preceptor and the Prime Minister in Song City. It does not matter if I use them as bait. This crucial piece only requires one black Go stone. I have more than one black Go stone in this cup, "Gu Hai said with a smile.
As Xiao Chen spoke, he took out a black Go stone from the small cup with a large number of black Go stones and placed it on a spot on the Go board.
Gu Han's expression changed. He nodded and said, "It looks like Song Zhengxi made it in time. It is also his bad luck. As long as the position is right, anyone can replace him."
"That's right!" Gu Hai smiled faintly.
"However, you paid such a huge price for this Lin Chong. Is one Song Zhengxi enough?" Gu Han asked worriedly.
"It is enough. As he is the crown heir, the eight-hundred-thousand-strong army is definitely watching. Let's see what kind of explanation Gao Xianzhi gives to the army!" Gu Hai said with a confident smile.
"If I were Gao Xianzhi, I would kill him even if he was the crown heir!" Gu Han thought for a while.
"Indeed, kill! However, this is just the beginning. Hence, I want this crown heir to live! "Gu Hai said as he slowly placed a white Go stone on the Go board.
"Pa!"
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