Chapter 417

"Governor Yang, how many troops did you bring?"

"Five thousand."

Yang Yingnian replied to Zheng Ta's question.

"Prefect Zhang, how many troops do you have at your disposal?"

"Twenty thousand. However, at least a thousand must be left to defend White Night Prefecture City."

Zheng Ta looked at Shen Lang.

"You there, how many troops do you have?"

"Three billion elite troops."

At Shen Lang's cold reply, Count Zheng Ta gritted his teeth and clenched his fists inside his sleeves. He truly wanted to strike this young brat dead with a single blow.

'How is a mere live-in son-in-law so audacious and still alive?'

Zheng Ta said.

"In that case, we have a combined force of thirty thousand! Su Nan suffered a great defeat in this battle, so he likely has fewer than five thousand men left. However, the fortress of the Marquis of Zhenyuan's estate is as solid as an iron wall, so it won't be easy to conquer! Let's discuss how we should proceed with the battle."

Zhang Chong said.

"My Lord Count, you are a master of military strategy. Please share your opinion."

"Although the main force of Su Nan's rebel army has been annihilated, their base remains intact, making the final battle extremely crucial. A combined army cannot be without a leader to command it. In my opinion, we must first select a commander for our allied forces."

Shen Lang was stunned by Zheng Ta's suggestion.

'Zheng Ta is this tyrannical? You previously pretended to follow the King's decree while secretly colluding with the Su Clan, putting on a show. You watched as Zhang Chong faced death and did not rescue him, nearly causing the entire war effort to collapse and bringing a fatal disaster upon the State of Yue. You should be begging me and Zhang Chong to let you share in the credit for suppressing Su Nan's rebellion. Instead, you dare to turn the tables and immediately try to seize the initiative and the command of the allied forces?'

Just as expected of a warlord. Hiding like a turtle during battle, refusing to advance, yet becoming incomparably fierce and brave when it's time to claim credit.

After hearing Zheng Ta's words, Yang Yingnian feigned surprise and loudly agreed.

"Indeed, that is correct. Everything must be done with proper justification. Before we battle Su Nan, our allied forces must nominate a commander."

Zheng Ta said.

"Lord Yang is the Middle Governor of Tianshu Province. His office and rank are both high. I nominate Governor Yang to be the commander of the allied forces."

"No, that will not do. I am a civil official by nature and have no experience in battle. How could I possibly serve as the commander of the allied forces? I nominate Count Zheng Ta. Is my Lord Count not a renowned general of his generation, experienced in many battles? Furthermore, as a military official, your rank is the highest, and you command the most soldiers. The position of commander of the allied forces must be taken by you, my Lord Count."

The two then engaged in a heated debate. Each nominated the other as commander, insisting they themselves were unsuitable. After arguing for a full half-quarter of an hour without reaching any conclusion, Yang Yingnian finally turned to Zhang Chong and Shen Lang.

"Prefect Zhang Chong, Lord Shen Lang, you two also have a say. General Zheng Ta is the most well-versed in military affairs. Wouldn't it be best for him to take the position of commander of the allied forces?"

Shen Lang shook his head.

"I don't think so."

At Shen Lang's firm denial, everyone stared at him.

'In the world of officialdom, can you really just crush someone's face in front of everyone like that?'

Zheng Ta's expression twisted horribly for a moment, but he quickly burst into ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠a loud laugh and said.

"Young Master Shen Lang is right. I am unsuitable to be the commander of the allied forces. It would be better for Governor Yang to take the role."

Zheng Ta and Yang Yingnian had already made a secret agreement. Since both were considered criminals in the King's eyes, seizing the position of commander meant that whoever annihilated Su Nan would earn the greatest merit.

'If we achieve such unparalleled merit and the King still punishes us, wouldn't that make him a foolish monarch?'

Zheng Ta was determined to secure the commander's position. If he couldn't get it, it was acceptable for it to go to Yang Yingnian. In his mind, Yang Yingnian was an even greater criminal than him in the King's eyes.

Shen Lang shook his head again at Zheng Ta's words.

"I don't think Lord Yang Yingnian is suitable either."

At that moment, the faces of both Yang Yingnian and Zheng Ta became extremely distorted. Yang Yingnian spoke up.

"Of course, Lord Zhang Chong fought exceptionally well in this battle. Though his rank is a bit lower, he would be a fine commander. However, is Lord Zhang not bedridden and in need of rest?"

Then, Shen Lang replied.

"In my opinion, I would be the most suitable person to be the commander of the allied forces."

"Pfft...!"

Zhang Chong, who was drinking medicine, heard this and forcefully spat it out. Shen Lang gave Zhang Chong a reproachful look.

'Lord Zhang, is this how you treat your own ally?'

Zhang Chong truly hadn't done it on purpose. He just couldn't hold it in after hearing something so sudden. Both Zheng Ta and Yang Yingnian were momentarily stunned.

'Shen Lang, how is that live-in son-in-law still alive? I've never seen such a shameless person in the world of officialdom. Recommending himself? More importantly, Shen Lang, what kind of experience or track record do you even have? And what is your official rank? Lord of Zhenyuan City is merely a sixth-rank position. I, Zheng Ta, am a Count, and Yang Yingnian is also a Count. Zhang Chong is the Prefect of White Night Prefecture and the Admiral of Tianshu Province, a high-ranking official of the junior third rank. Yet even Zhang Chong wouldn't dare to flaunt his rank in front of me and Yang Yingnian. And yet, a paltry sixth-rank official like you dares to step forward to become the commander of the allied forces? Even Yang Yingnian and I wouldn't dare nominate ourselves, yet you, Shen Lang, have the gall to say such a thing?'

Shen Lang continued, feigning surprise.

"What is it? Am I not allowed to be the commander?"

Faced with such a shameless person, Zheng Ta and Yang Yingnian were momentarily at a loss for words. Zheng Ta asked coldly.

"Prefect Zhang Chong, what are your thoughts?"

He glared at Zhang Chong with sharp eyes. There were only four people here; with the support of half, one could take the commander's position. Zhang Chong was someone who cared about face, and he felt his hair stand on end as the arrow was now pointed at him.

'Ah, the reputation I, Zhang Chong, have built in the world of officialdom is about to crumble in an instant.'

"Then, I support Young Master Shen Lang taking the position of commander."

Even as he said it, Zhang Chong was overcome with the urge to cover his face. It was too shameful. Hearing Zhang Chong's words, Zheng Ta and Yang Yingnian were dumbfounded.

'You... shouldn't you have some regard for face? Zhang Chong, you've always acted with such solemnity and propriety, yet you're saying something so absurd. Aren't you afraid this will become a laughingstock if word gets out?'

In any case, Zhang Chong's statement of support for Shen Lang had completely crushed their faces.

'Zhang Chong, what are you playing at? Wouldn't it be better for all of us to get along harmoniously? Wouldn't it be good to achieve merit together? Must you drive me and Yang Yingnian into a corner like this? This isn't how ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠an official should act.'

Instantly, Yang Yingnian's expression turned sinister as he said coldly.

"Prefect Zhang Chong, does suppressing Su Nan's rebellion seem like child's play to you? I nominate Count Zheng Ta as the commander of the allied forces, and I wish for us to conduct the battle to subjugate Su Nan under the general's leadership and command."

Count Zheng Ta also gritted his teeth and said.

"Then I, too, shall nominate myself as the commander of the allied forces. The King's decree was very clear. On the battlefield of White Night Prefecture, I was to take the lead, and Zhang Chong was to assist."

True. The decree had indeed said that. But you only pretended to follow the decree and didn't act on it, allowing Su Nan's grand army to sweep through White Night Prefecture, idly watching as Zhang Chong faced death, hoping to reap the rewards from the sidelines, didn't you?

At that moment, Zheng Ta was filled with resentment toward Shen Lang.

'I, Zheng Ta, am a man who cares about face, yet you've pressured me into abandoning my dignity and nominating myself.'

Then Yang Yingnian said.

"Two of the four of us have nominated Count Zheng Ta as commander, and our official ranks are higher, so the matter is settled. From now on, in the battle to annihilate Su Nan, we will follow Count Zheng Ta's command completely."

In an instant, the two of them had seized the authority to command the allied forces.

"Since the affairs of the state are paramount, I will not decline."

Zheng Ta stood up abruptly, his face solemn and inviolable.

"Lord of Zhenyuan City, Shen Lang, receive your orders. This commander appoints your army as the vanguard. Depart ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠immediately and conquer the Marquis of Zhenyuan's estate!"

"I'm not going."

Hearing Shen Lang's words, Count Zheng Ta said coldly.

"Shen Lang, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠military orders are absolute. Do you think this commander cannot have you executed? You could die a dog's death in front of the entire army!"

Shen Lang sighed inwardly. Zheng Ta was Zheng Hongxian's father, which connected him to the Marquis of Xuanwu's estate. Originally, Shen Lang had intended to make use of him at least once. But now, it seemed that would be unnecessary.

'I, Shen Lang, am a very broad-minded person, but since you, Zheng Ta, have spoken of killing me, you have now become my enemy.'

Shen Lang replied.

"First, I don't have a single soldier under my command. How am I supposed to lead an army as the vanguard?"

Count Zheng Ta asked coldly.

"Are the ten thousand troops at your disposal not an army?"

"Those are King Arunan's troops. They will not move on my command. If you don't believe me, Count Zheng Ta, why don't you go and try giving them an order?"

Zheng Ta asked coldly again.

"What about the two hundred men by your side? Two hundred men is also an army; they can be the vanguard."

'You want me to be the vanguard with two hundred men? Do you want me dead that badly?'

"Those two hundred men are not mine either. They are the guards of the Third Princess Lingyan, so I cannot command them. I, Shen Lang, am essentially a lone commander with not a single soldier by my side. Besides, I am also gravely ill. By the way, Lord Yang Yingnian, what illness did you have? Might I perhaps catch that same illness?"

Hearing this, Middle Governor Yang Yingnian's complexion changed drastically.

'It's not enough for you to slap someone's face to make them lose dignity; you're trying to rip the skin right off my face!'

Count Zheng Ta suddenly burst into loud laughter.

"Hahahaha! Lord Yang, do you see? This man is afraid we will steal his credit and wants to monopolize the great achievement of annihilating Su Nan. To cast aside matters of state for his own greed, to start infighting over power and profit even before the traitor Su Nan is eliminated—it's truly laughable."

Yang Yingnian coldly concurred.

"Indeed. The world is vast, so all sorts of bizarre things happen. To think a mere low-ranking official of only the sixth rank would try to suppress us, who are Counts and high officials of the court."

Zheng Ta sneered.

"Shen Lang, you may have some merit in battle, but do you think you can act so presumptuously? Do you really think we can't annihilate Su Nan without you? There's a limit to how far you can take a joke. Lord Yang Yingnian, let the two of us go and annihilate Su Nan."

Yang Yingnian nodded.

"We must show His Majesty who is truly loyal to the nation and who is a treacherous official blinded by power. Shen Lang, you just wait for news of our victory! Since you're so ill, you should get plenty of rest. You have no need to participate in the upcoming battles. It would be best if you temporarily stepped down from your position as Lord of Zhenyuan City as well."

Shen Lang smiled and replied.

"That sounds wonderful!"

Yang Yingnian said.

"Prefect Zhang Chong, you should also get some rest."

The Middle Governor of Tianshu Province, Yang Yingnian, and General Zheng Ta departed in a fury. The two then seized military authority over suppressing the rebellion in Tianshu Province, brazenly sidelining Zhang Chong and Shen Lang. Moreover, from the perspective of official etiquette, their actions were entirely without fault.