Chapter 436
Chapter 436
Inside the Marquis of Zhenyuan's estate.
Zheng Tuo was completely stunned. Before him lay thousands of corpses, piled high. In the middle of this mountain of bodies were Yang Yongnian, the Governor-General of Tianxi Province, and his family. Yang Yongnian's death was particularly gruesome; the lower half of his body had been worn away, a clear sign he had been mercilessly dragged by a horse until he died. The sight made Zheng Tuo's mind go numb.
“Shen Lang, is that bastard truly a madman? Is he completely insane?”
Yang Yongnian was the Governor-General of Tianxi Province, yet he had been killed like this. A high-ranking official of his stature could not be easily executed, even if he had previously colluded with Su Nan, as he had not been officially declared a traitor. Not a petty, low-ranking official like Shen Lang, not even Zhang Chong or a prince could kill him so easily. Only the king had the authority to execute an official of Yang Yongnian's rank. Yet Shen Lang had mercilessly dragged him by a horse to his death. Not only that, but Shen Lang had also slaughtered thousands of Yang Yongnian's troops.
*Leading Qiang Kingdom troops to slaughter the soldiers of the State of Yue? W-what is this madness? Is he really insane? This is an act of treason! Has there ever been a madman like this in the world?*
Zheng Tuo had thought that since Shen Lang had achieved such a great merit, he would desperately cling to it. He had expected that if he framed him, Shen Lang would rush to the capital to explain the situation to the king, trying with all his might to prove his innocence. But such accusations could never be fully cleared, no matter how much one explained; even jumping into the Nu River wouldn't wash away the stigma. To his surprise, however, Shen Lang didn't rush to the capital to clear his name. Instead, he immediately went on a killing spree without hesitation.
*Is... is this bastard a rabid dog? A rabid dog that's sick and about to die?*
Zheng Tuo could no longer hold back and asked his son beside him.
“Why? Why is he acting like this? If he was framed, he should be doing everything in his power to go to the capital and curry favor with the court officials to clear his name.”
Zheng Long, too, couldn't understand it no matter how he thought about it.
“Father, isn't this better for us? The more Shen Lang courts death, the more it benefits us.”
He had a point. For Shen Lang to court death to this extent, he was beyond saving. Originally, Zheng Tuo had thought he would be in deep trouble this time. When Su Nan rebelled, not only did Zheng Tuo fail to suppress the rebels with all his might, but he had also coordinated with the Su Clan in a charade that nearly got Zhang Chong killed. In contrast, Shen Lang had annihilated the main force of the Su Clan, an unparalleled achievement. But who would have thought that same Shen Lang would now court death and commit such a grave crime? This way, the credit for annihilating the Su Clan would belong to Zheng Tuo alone.
“Hahaha, this time, I really have Shen Lang to thank. By acting so insanely and courting death, not only will his merit for destroying the Su Clan be nullified, but he will also face severe punishment. The Qiang Kingdom's army murdered, plundered, and burned in Baiye Commandery, slaughtering over ten thousand people. Originally, Shen Lang might have had room to deny it. But now that he has openly killed civilians, attacked the State of Yue's army, and murdered the Governor-General of Tianxi Province, no one can absolve him of his crimes. He's finished! Just you watch. Memorials of impeachment will pour in like a blizzard and bury him. The entire court, both civil and military officials, will rise up and tear him to shreds. Shen Lang, you bastard, thank you. Thanks to you, the unparalleled achievement will be mine, Zheng Tuo's, and mine alone.”
His son, Zheng Long, said.
“Father, isn't Shen Lang sending so many corpses to us a provocation? He has at most two thousand men, while we have twenty thousand. Since things have come to this, why don't we see it through to the end and take this opportunity to kill him?”
At the suggestion of killing Shen Lang, Zheng Tuo's eyes flashed, clearly tempted. His army was ten times the size of Shen Lang's; there would be no problem in storming Zhenyuan City. Since Shen Lang had colluded with the Qiang Kingdom's army in treason, the Count of Pingxi would have just cause to eliminate him, making this an excellent opportunity.
*Should I kill that wretched bastard and vent the hatred in my heart?*
However, after a long moment of hesitation, Zheng Tuo shook his head, rejecting the tempting proposal. The Qiang Kingdom was too close to the Marquis of Zhenyuan's estate. If Shen Lang died, the Queen of the Qiang Kingdom might lead tens of thousands of troops to seek revenge. Moreover, the twenty thousand soldiers under Zheng Tuo's command were a precious resource, the very foundation of his power in the world.
“Whether it's the Crown Prince or the Third Prince, they won't rest until Shen Lang is driven to his death. The civil and military officials at court will soon be clamoring for his head. There's no need for us to act personally! Let's just sit back and watch that wretched bastard dig his own grave!”
Zheng Tuo walked to the window and gazed at Zhenyuan City, dozens of li away.
*The Marquis of Zhenyuan's estate is built in such a prime location, high up, looking down upon the people. Su Nan, I will gladly accept your fortress. From now on, I will take your place. Not just this fortress, but the territory beneath it will all belong to me, Zheng Tuo.*
Early the next morning.
Zheng Tuo received a piece of news so shocking it was beyond belief. Shen Lang was leading two thousand cavalry to attack the Marquis of Zhenyuan's estate. Upon hearing this, Zheng Tuo truly felt as if he were going mad and seeing things.
*Am I the one who's mad? Or is Shen Lang mad? Or has the entire world gone mad? Shen Lang just killed Yang Yongnian, the Governor-General of Tianxi Province, and thousands of his government troops. And now he's leading two thousand cavalry to attack the Marquis of Zhenyuan's estate? I, Zheng Tuo, am defending this fortress with twenty thousand soldiers. And this fortress is built on a high mountain, an impregnable stronghold! Shen Lang, have you truly gone insane and decided to seek death? Shen Lang, why do you refuse the path to heaven and insist on breaking into a hell that has no gate? Fine. Shen Lang, if you're so eager to die, then I will grant you your wish!*
***
The capital was also in an uproar. First, an astonishing victory report reached the capital. The Crown Prince received the news that the main force of the Su Clan had been annihilated and that Shen Lang had performed an unparalleled service. However, the Crown Prince did not announce this victory. Instead, he had it sent to the king on the northern front. Following that, a memorial from Zheng Tuo arrived. It stated that he and Yang Yongnian had captured the Marquis of Zhenyuan's estate, and Su Nan had fled to the Western Regions. This meant that the Su Clan's rebellion, which had shaken the realm, had been suppressed. Zheng Tuo and Yang Yongnian sent a secret letter to the Crown Prince, pledging their loyalty. But the Crown Prince still did not announce this news to the court, instead sending it north to the king.
Although the Crown Prince did not publicize these reports, it was ultimately futile. More than ten groups of subordinates sent by Zheng Tuo and Yang Yongnian were roaming everywhere, frantically spreading the news.
With someone intentionally spreading such rumors, the entire capital was in a frenzy. Countless citizens took to the streets to celebrate the great victory. Many taverns joined the fervor, offering free wine for half a day. Students from the Imperial Academy and the National University also marched to the front of the royal palace, demanding that Count Zheng Tuo be rewarded.
Under someone's instigation, Zheng Tuo became the cornerstone who suppressed the rebellion, the pillar of the state who saved the State of Yue from crisis. Countless poems and songs were composed in praise of his achievements, and nearly every famous courtesan sang verses depicting the God of War, Zheng Tuo. Everyone completely overlooked Shen Lang and Zhang Chong, the ones who had truly made the great contributions.
Why did such a situation arise? While intentional instigation was a factor, it wasn't the main reason. Zheng Tuo had never been particularly popular in the capital. The key was the public's tendency to blindly follow rumors without knowing the truth. Some naive and immature scholars also joined in. Furthermore, it was fueled by the famous courtesans, who sought popularity daily, enjoyed gathering for boisterous fun, and craved their moments in the spotlight. These courtesans might seem like prostitutes, but most were not. They racked their brains every day to gain great fame and would never miss any opportunity to do so.
With such people stirring the pot, the capital erupted into this clamorous situation. What did the common people really know? They simply followed these figures, making noise and instantly elevating Zheng Tuo and Yang Yongnian to the heavens. In the end, Zheng Tuo instantly became the God of War of the State of Yue, the greatest hero in suppressing the Su Clan's rebellion.
Of course, there was another important reason for this. The Crown Prince had let the situation unfold. He did not instigate it himself, but neither did he stop Zheng Tuo's massive propaganda campaign. It was better, after all, for the credit of suppressing the rebellion to go to Zheng Tuo rather than to Shen Lang.
Soon after, another piece of news that would ignite public opinion reached the capital.
Upon hearing this news, everyone was enraged, and the people now clamored for Shen Lang's death.
“Traitor who sold out his country! Vicious thief! The greatest villain in the State of Yue!”
The capital would likely not find peace for some time. Soon after, even more explosive news arrived.
Upon hearing this, everyone in the capital was left dumbfounded.
*Is Shen Lang trying to start a rebellion? Has he really gone mad?*
The matter was so severe that it was beyond the Crown Prince's authority to handle. He urgently sent the numerous memorials of impeachment north, leaving the matter to the king's sole discretion.
***
The northern defense line.
Ning Yuanxian was receiving one memorial after another.
King Ning Yuanxian felt like his head was about to explode. He was preparing for the most crucial moment—negotiations with the King of Wu—and now these things had happened.
After the main force of the Su Clan was annihilated, the State of Yue and the State of Chu were about to cease hostilities and declare a truce. But then, another problem arose in Baiye Commandery of Tianxi Province. Consequently, the army of Chu began to move again, engaging in several more skirmishes with the Zhong Clan's western army.