Chapter 82: Foolish, It's All Mine |
The two had maintained a respectful attitude just moments ago, until Song Shi'an's finger landed on the table, shattering this veneer of courtesy with offense.
And those words made Duke Zhang feel that this young man was exceedingly peculiar.
Xinyue especially hadn't expected that Song Shi'an, who had explained things so rationally to the Prince, would now be so aggressive and confrontational.
Song Shi'an had actually come with this intention from the start.
So-called negotiation was simply both parties trying their best to dominate the other through rhetoric.
Capital also had its role.
Now, Duke Zhang had no choice in the matter.
"I've seen your determination and ambition to defend the city."
Though Duke Zhang's expression had lost its earlier warmth, his tone remained relatively calm: "But can you really not think at all about what happens after defending the city?"
"Although you and His Highness have taken unauthorized control of Langya's military authority."
Duke Zhang raised his teacup, took a light sip, then said: "As long as you hold the city and return the authority afterward, it will still count as a great achievement. The key issue is whether this action has any other flaws."
"What constitutes a flaw?"
"The Langya military upheaval caused no deaths. The troops were mobilized entirely to resist the Ji forces." Duke Zhang said, "If you hold the city, does this count as an offense? No, it doesn't. This is a general in the field not being bound by all court orders. This is decisive military action. This is loyalty as clear as heaven and earth. The Emperor—he absolutely won't blame His Highness for a single word. The officials too will naturally not stint on their praise, calling His Highness the Northern Bulwark. Even those soldiers caught up in the upheaval will all admire and respect him, saying His Highness has the bearing of a true famous general."
"Because this infringes on no one's interests," Song Shi'an said.
His directness made Duke Zhang laugh. He nodded and, learning from him, tapped his finger on the table: "Yes, exactly right."
"The flaw lies in the fact that if I offend Duke Zhang and the other aristocratic families, even if we win, I'll still face their joint impeachment. Merit and fault will cancel each other out, becoming like drawing water with a bamboo basket—all for nothing," Song Shi'an added.
"An excellent analogy."
Duke Zhang nodded, growing increasingly fond of the man before him. But his words weren't finished: "Since you want to win, then win beautifully. We useless old bones, along with those pampered young masters and ladies, are of no help in defending the city. Letting us leave the city to do our utmost in procuring funds and supplies for the army in the rear—wouldn't that be better?"
"But if Duke Zhang leaves, will you still remember this city that's doomed to fall?"
Song Shi'an stared at him, examining him closely.
"This old one's roots are here. I don't want to go anywhere," Duke Zhang said without feeling there was any problem with these words. "If there's a possibility of winning, I'll help with all my strength."
"I fight the battle, Duke Zhang enjoys the fortune—is that it?" Song Shi'an smiled.
"If you win, won't it still be you fighting the battle while those people in the court enjoy the fortune?" Duke Zhang countered. "What difference does it make to add this old one's clan?"
"It's not fair."
Song Shi'an shook his head and asked: "Why should I, who am equally pampered and spoiled, risk my life for Duke Zhang?"
"Wasn't that your own choice?"
"Exactly. So I choose to have everyone accompany me, to help me accomplish this task."
Gazing at Duke Zhang, Song Shi'an said emotionlessly: "I don't care whether this matter has flaws afterward. Push me too far, and Duke Zhang, even you will have to dig trenches."
"Young man, do you really intend to do this?"
Duke Zhang stared at him, hostility entering his tone.
Song Shi'an slowly stood up, then placed one foot on the table in front of Duke Zhang: "No matter who comes to plead—whether the Regional Inspector or anyone else—I will absolutely not open the city gates once for the noble families."
With that, Song Shi'an turned around.
When views don't align, even half a sentence is too much.
"Wait."
Just as Song Shi'an was about to leave, Duke Zhang suddenly spoke.
Song Shi'an stopped and turned back.
"All the grain in the city—the noble families are willing to donate it all."
"Foolish. Even if you don't donate it, it's mine."
"Plus half the wealth, all given to you."
"..."
At these words, Song Shi'an froze for a moment.
Xinyue also froze for a moment.
However, she was shocked because Song Shi'an wavered.
"Money isn't very useful at this time, but after the battle is over, it'll be extremely useful."
Seeing that all-too-familiar expression, Duke Zhang smiled faintly and extended his hand: "Jingxiu, you can accept this money with peace of mind. Without you, the noble families' grain couldn't be squeezed out. Now, you've obtained everything. And it's just being a little greedy—what's the problem? Who isn't greedy?"
Duke Zhang knew he'd done the right thing.
Compared to handing money and grain over to the court or the army, giving it directly to a specific person was more convenient.
Song Shi'an, so this 'watchdog' wants bones, does he?
I thought you were truly loyal, truly selfless.
Still talking about scholars becoming marquises with ten thousand households.
Disgusting.
Staring hard at his eyes, Song Shi'an, after a long silence, suddenly said forcefully: "I want all of it."
So greedy!
Xinyue had underestimated Song Shi'an.
"Can you even swallow that much?"
Though there were still fields and property outside the city, Duke Zhang still felt somewhat reluctant.
"If you die in the city, it'll all just be a handful of yellow earth anyway," Song Shi'an reminded him.
"Then all the noble families in the city can leave."
"Not a single servant, steward, or maid may leave—only family members. Otherwise, I won't let anyone go," Song Shi'an insisted.
"Fine. After I discuss this with the others, I'll send someone to contact you."
"Only at night, only tomorrow. The offer expires after that."
Leaving these words behind, Song Shi'an turned and left completely.
Duke Zhang, watching the two depart, showed a somewhat disappointed expression toward this legendary Song Shi'an.
In the end, he's just a bastard son born of a servant—a talented gambler, nothing more.
………
After the two left the residence, they quickly walked back on foot.
After getting a bit farther away, Xinyue suddenly spoke: "Hey."
"My name's not Hey, it's Song Shi'an."
"Are you really going to accept these people's bribes and then let them leave?" Xinyue asked, utterly confused.
Looking at this woman, Song Shi'an said nothing.
"Don't you dare split half with me to shut me up—I don't want these bribes," Xinyue decisively refused, adding: "Though I won't report this to His Highness, you really, truly cannot do this."
"Won't report this to His Highness?" Song Shi'an looked suspicious. "So you really do have divided loyalties."
Strange, when exactly did I attract Xinyue's attention?
"I just don't want you two to develop a rift right now and harm all the common people in the city."
Xinyue had originally thought Song Shi'an had the people's welfare at heart, but now she had to question that.
"Alright, stop talking."
Song Shi'an raised his hand, cutting off her words: "Later, when I go see His Highness, don't show any difficulty or hesitation either, lest you damage my reputation and the good impression His Highness has of me."
"What do you mean?" Xinyue asked.
"Shut up. I'm breaking off our friendship for a bit before we talk again."
"What exactly are you saying?" Xinyue furrowed her brow, growing more confused. "I can't understand you."
"Shut up, shut up, shut up."
Song Shi'an stopped arguing with Xinyue. After saying this, he headed back toward the county yamen.
Xinyue had no choice but to follow.
After a while, the two arrived at the yamen residence where Wei Wusheng was staying.
"I have urgent matters to report to His Highness," Song Shi'an told the Forbidden Army guards at the door.
Soon, one of them entered to report: "Your Highness, Magistrate Song requests an audience."
"..." Hearing it was him, Wei Wusheng, dressed in the army's standard red inner robe, woke up and sat up. After yawning wearily, he said: "Let Song-qing come in."
Then Song Shi'an and Xinyue entered together.
At this point, Wei Wusheng personally lit the lamp, illuminating the room.
"Your Highness, I've spoken with Duke Zhang. All the noble families are willing to donate their grain," Song Shi'an relayed. "At the same time, he also bribed me with wealth to let the noble families in the city leave—but only immediate family. Servants and subordinates must all stay in the city."
He just came right out and said it?
Seeing Song Shi'an state it so decisively, Xinyue couldn't quite read his earlier expression.
Is it because I called him greedy that he changed his mind?
Thinking this, Wei Wusheng fell into thought: "In that case, all the grain goes to us, and we didn't have to rely on the army to requisition it personally. Plus, we can extract quite a bit of money to reward the troops and strengthen morale. And the price is just losing some useless old bones from the defense—that's all."
"Well done, Shi'an." After thinking it through, Wei Wusheng smiled and looked up, asking: "So do you think we can let them go?"
Song Shi'an said: "We can let them go."
"Then we'll let them go."
Wei Wusheng agreed.
"We can't let them go."
Song Shi'an spoke again.
Both Wei Wusheng and Xinyue froze simultaneously: "..."
After a moment, Wei Wusheng said somewhat confused: "Am I dreaming? Why does this conversation feel... not very smooth?"
TL note: Someone's talking in their sleep.
"We can let them go because it's the fastest way, and they're voluntarily handing over the money and grain—we're basically getting this for free," Song Shi'an explained. "We can't let them go because if just Duke Zhang leaves, that's one thing, but if all the noble families leave, it will definitely breed resentment among the people in the city. The enthusiasm for defending the city will also be greatly reduced."
"So can we let them go or not?" Wei Wusheng asked.
"I can let them go, Your Highness cannot," Song Shi'an answered seriously.
"I admit I'm not clever—you're the clever one." Wei Wusheng looked at Song Shi'an and requested: "Explain to me what you mean by 'I can let them go but you can't.'"
"I let them go in my name."
Song Shi'an then explained: "Then in Your Highness's name, we arrest them."
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