Chapter 93: This City Is Mine Now! |
"Master Song, please enter."
A soldier emerged from within the hall and addressed Song Shi'an.
Nodding slightly and holding the ceremonial tally, Song Shi'an prepared to ascend the steps. At that moment, a soldier approached and said, "Anyone meeting the Wang Gong must be searched, Master Song."
Hearing this, even though his attitude had been cordial throughout, as a seventh-rank official of the court, Song Shi'an couldn't afford to have no temper at all—that would make him too much of a turtle. Thus, he raised both hands with displeasure and said, "Search me."
After the soldier searched him up and down, he shook his head.
Next, they wanted to search Xinyue.
"Insolent! This is a gift for the Wang Gong," Song Shi'an rebuked.
The man immediately withdrew his hand, not daring to overstep his bounds.
The Wang Gong's woman—truly, no one could touch her first.
Besides, she was just a beautiful woman.
Just like that, Song Shi'an and Xinyue entered the hall together.
Wang Shen sat high above on his seat, looking at Song Shi'an. But his eyes were fixed on the woman beside him, revealing a lecherous smile.
She truly was extraordinarily beautiful.
Such a woman—he had never possessed one like her.
This Wei Wusheng was being quite sincere indeed.
"Wang Gong."
Holding the ceremonial tally, Song Shi'an showed a flattering smile to this obese man: "I've long admired your great name. Meeting you today, you truly are noble and distinguished, like a divine being."
Seeing this, both the steward standing to the side and the Wang Gong exchanged satisfied glances.
He hadn't come to coerce them.
Rather, he needed something from them.
This way, they didn't need to worry about him suddenly turning hostile and attempting to forcefully attack the city.
Presumably, Wei Wusheng didn't have that kind of energy right now anyway.
"Master Song is also as handsome as the legends say." The Wang Gong smiled, then extended his hand. "Please, sit."
Thus, Song Shi'an took a seat on the side.
Xinyue stood quite properly beside him, hands placed at her flat abdomen, head bowed. Though she appeared somewhat cold, this quiet demeanor gave rise to a contrasting sense of obedience.
You could have a cold face, but your heart couldn't afford to be cold.
This was the appeal.
Sitting in his position, Song Shi'an could clearly see the soldiers outside the door from this angle.
He could see their shadows perfectly clearly.
"Master Song, what brings you here?" the Wang Gong asked.
Seeing four knife-wielding guards in the hall, two more outside the door, his dog of a son also guarding outside, plus a steward present here—Song Shi'an seemed somewhat troubled as he said, "His Highness wishes to discuss confidential matters with the Wang Gong... Could we speak privately?"
At this, Wang Shen immediately became vigilant.
But the steward beside him quickly said, "These are all absolutely trustworthy confidants. Master Song need not worry."
Don't get agitated, Wang Gong—this is normal, perfectly normal for negotiations.
But normal was normal; they definitely couldn't actually create an opportunity for a private meeting.
What if the boss got taken hostage?
"That's fine then." Song Shi'an seemed rather indifferent.
This attitude made the steward even more certain that he wasn't planning to pull any desperate moves like blood splattering five steps.
The Wang Gong also relaxed considerably.
Right now, their side had a total of nine adult males, six of them soldiers. Unless Song Shi'an was a war god, there was no way he could capture him barehanded in this situation.
He didn't even close the door, making things even more convenient for Song Shi'an.
Although sunlight coming through the windows could also show shadows, directly using the shadows at the feet of the guards outside the door to confirm the time was more straightforward and didn't require random glances.
"Have my people arrived at the Sixth Prince's location?" the Wang Gong suddenly asked, adding, "I mean the earlier matter—His Highness asked us Wulei nobles to send someone who could speak on our behalf to meet at the mountain estate outside Shuofeng."
He hadn't sent anyone at all.
But he said it anyway.
"That? I don't know." Song Shi'an said, "When I was in Shuofeng city, I don't think I saw them. But I set out yesterday, so perhaps they arrived today. Qi County is a bit far, after all."
"Good then." Wang Shen nodded, joking, "I sent my own nephew over there."
"The Wang Gong values this so highly—truly loyal and devoted," Song Shi'an also perfunctorily replied.
"So for this gathering His Highness the Sixth Prince called, are there any orders he wants to give us?" the Wang Gong asked.
Song Shi'an hesitated slightly, but after thinking, he still spoke: "To be honest with the Wang Gong, Shuofeng's situation is quite dire. His Highness has resolved to resist Ji Yuan, but unfortunately provisions and supplies are insufficient. So he hopes the noble families and wealthy households can donate some military resources to the court."
"I see." Wang Shen nodded, looking toward the steward.
Understanding his meaning, the steward said, "Resisting the enemy for the court is our duty. As for provisions, we'll certainly do our best to gather them. In a few days, we'll personally send them to Shuofeng."
"Since that's the case..." Song Shi'an seemed quite troubled, then pressed further, "Could we take some with us when we leave today?"
Although Song Shi'an's mind wasn't really on such trivial matters, he needed to make the other party believe he truly had an agenda. This way, his visit would seem more genuine.
Sure enough, once it involved this kind of "real money" negotiation, Wang Shen became earnest: "But we need to hold Wulei fortress to resist Ji Yuan—we need provisions too."
"Ji Yuan's focus should be on Shuofeng. The Wang Gong's side shouldn't face that much pressure." Saying this, Song Shi'an also glanced at Xinyue. "His Highness very much hopes the Wang Gong can share his burdens."
Hearing this, the Wang Gong also looked at that beauty.
Extraordinarily beautiful, extraordinarily beautiful indeed.
The Sixth Prince was trading a beauty for grain.
Having received such a grand gift, being completely stingy would seem a bit too miserly.
At the same time, it would offend Wei Wusheng.
Taking the woman but giving no grain—looking for a beating?
"Defending the land against enemies is also our duty." Wang Shen made a show of gritting his teeth. "Master Song, when you leave, take a thousand shi of grain with you."
Opening with a thousand shi just like that.
These clan bandits were indeed wealthier than the nobles in the city during wartime.
Xinyue was worth this much.
Wang-daren really did like her.
Song Shi'an honestly hadn't expected such good results. He only knew Xinyue was beautiful and possessed killer qualities. But who would have thought that without even dressing up, just putting on a woman's clothes and letting her hair down, she'd be devastatingly gorgeous.
Ji Mei's natural foundation really wasn't empty boasting.
"Could we have a bit more?" Song Shi'an worked hard to negotiate.
"I've already emptied my coffers to gather this much grain." Wang Shen made a show of difficult consideration before raising his head. "I'll add a few carts of horse fodder for you. In wartime, that's also important military supplies."
"Alright then." Song Shi'an spoke with difficulty, settling it.
At this point, the shadow outside the door had already shortened to a compressed little figurine.
But it was still a tiny bit away from its shortest point.
Of course, it was close enough.
Slowly, Song Shi'an stood up.
"Master Song, is there nothing else?" Wang Shen asked curiously.
"Replying to the Wang Gong, there really isn't any confidential discussion this time." Smiling, Song Shi'an said helplessly, "It's just that His Highness is truly short on grain, so he sent me around to gather what I can. Getting a thousand shi from the Wang Gong here, I still need to go beg for the next thousand shi."
"Ha ha ha."
Wang Shen laughed, saying mockingly, "Understandable—just doing things for your master. The Sixth Prince truly isn't having an easy time."
The awkwardness Song Shi'an displayed made Wang Shen quite satisfied.
His heart swelled with great pleasure.
The wild scholar who cursed the Minister in Sheng'an had merely read too many books without understanding how the world worked.
Now at the frontier, with war approaching and no food to eat, didn't he still have to obediently hold out his bowl begging?
Money gives courage to heroes.
In wartime, grain gives courage to heroes!
The steward, though tentatively believing Song Shi'an, still felt—could someone who dared curse the Minister really be this flexible and adaptable?
So he suddenly spoke up: "Master Song, you haven't heard any rumors lately, have you?"
This statement made Song Shi'an pause.
Wang Shen also became serious.
"What rumors?" Song Shi'an asked.
"Like Ji Yuan trying to win over our Wang Gong, promising to make him the Prefect," the steward asked calmly.
Wang Shen's gaze was completely fixed on Song Shi'an's face.
This was a probe they'd planned from the start.
To ask about that letter.
Actually, they both knew that Wei Wusheng already knew about that letter.
But you couldn't use this as leverage.
If you dared bring up such things, using it as some kind of weakness, Wang Shen would dare turn hostile on the spot.
Right now, he could detain Song Shi'an immediately!
"No." Smiling lightly at the Wang Gong, Song Shi'an answered quite straightforwardly.
"What about people spreading such rumors—are there any?" Wang Shen asked.
"Currently there aren't, but if there are, His Highness will definitely have them escorted to the Wang Gong for disposal," Song Shi'an said.
"If such people are sent over, I'll gather another thousand shi to send to the Sixth Prince," Wang Shen promised.
Cards on the table.
Since you already know, then sorry about that.
But what can you do about it?
Return the letter and the person, and I'll give you another thousand shi of grain.
Then we'll each be well, each keep face.
"Good, I'll tell His Highness."
Nodding to Wang Shen, Song Shi'an turned around, facing the doorway, preparing to leave.
And Xinyue slowly walked toward the Wang Gong, her back to Song Shi'an.
Seeing this beauty approaching, Wang Shen's eyes lit up like a greedy wolf's, licking his lips as he stood up: "Come here."
"This humble one wishes to give the Wang Gong something."
Xinyue looked at him and spoke.
His emotions immediately stirred by that alluring female voice, the Wang Gong smiled broadly: "What is it?"
Slowly, Xinyue lifted her skirt with one hand.
Her pale, slender leg was gradually revealed.
The Wang Gong's eyes widened more and more, his smile growing more lecherous.
The other soldiers also couldn't help but look over.
Until she lifted it to knee level, revealing a blackened bamboo strip tightly bound to her leg with cloth strips.
"It's a blade."
In an instant, Xinyue drew the reverse-bound small bamboo blade, slashing it horizontally across the throat of the man before her, so fast only an afterimage remained.
Immediately, blood erupted.
The several soldiers and steward who'd just been smiling in anticipation of something good were instantly dumbfounded.
In the next moment, everyone drew their blades and surrounded her.
Thud—the Wang Gong collapsed face-first on the ground.
"Father!"
Young Master Wang also rushed in with guards.
"Wang Shen is dead!!"
Raising the ceremonial tally, his other hand holding half a letter: "This is half a letter showing Wang Shen's treasonous correspondence with Ji Yuan—evidence of selling out the country is conclusive! Surrender quickly, or else when the Imperial Army outside attacks and the city falls, not one will be spared!"
This warning froze everyone completely.
Song Shi'an wasn't just making assumptions.
The bandit chief was dead, and now no one could give orders.
This was why you capture the leader first.
Because an army without its commander, when facing a major threat, could easily mutiny.
Moreover, this was just a rabble.
"My father is dead, now I'm the fortress lord—seize this man!" Young Master Wang raised his blade, preparing to charge at Song Shi'an.
But in the next moment, Xinyue flashed before Song Shi'an.
Half her face bloomed with blood. Holding the bamboo blade horizontally, eyes ice-cold, she glared at Young Master Wang like a vengeful spirit, completely shielding Song Shi'an behind her.
Young Master Wang immediately chickened out, stepping back, then roaring, "What are you waiting for! Capture these two! No—kill them directly!"
"Treason is a crime of exterminating nine generations—do you all want to join in!" Song Shi'an roared. "I am the Sixth Prince's confidant—you dare kill me!"
Killing the two of them would be very easy.
But they absolutely wouldn't dare kill without permission.
A few shi of rice a month—what are you risking your life for?
As long as Xinyue could beat this fatty, there'd be no problem.
Clearly, that decisive strike just now had already demonstrated her killer nature.
Throat-cutting, accomplished in an instant.
After the kill, she didn't even need a follow-up strike—that's how confident she was.
"Still talking about the Sixth Prince? The sage ruler of Qi is coming—this will all be Qi territory. By then, I'll be the Prefect of Shuo Commandery, and you'll all be court officials!" Young Master Wang's voice cracked as he roared.
The six guards' grips on their blades steadied somewhat as they began exchanging glances with each other.
At this, Song Shi'an sneered contemptuously: "Why don't you look behind you?"
"I won't look!"
Raising his blade, Young Master Wang wouldn't fall for any trick.
But soon, a soldier on horseback charged over, unable to dismount in time, shouting loudly: "Outside the two city gates, there are massive cavalry forces, hundreds of flags with the character Wei, dust filling the sky—we're surrounded!"
This statement chilled Young Master Wang's heart. Those soldiers were even more terrified.
"The sage ruler of Great Qi isn't coming, but the Imperial Army has arrived."
Facing everyone, Song Shi'an roared sternly: "I swear by the Chishui River—except for the traitor Wang's family, everyone else is innocent and will absolutely face no retaliation. Capture this rebel for me!"
"Capture these two traitors for me!" Young Master Wang also roared furiously. "As long as we hold the city, the sage ruler of Qi's reinforcements will arrive immediately, and you'll all be court offic—"
Before he finished speaking, Young Master Wang was kicked to the ground by a soldier behind him.
He turned his head in shock, seeing the steward standing beside him with a stern expression, and cried out: "Save me!"
Without hesitation, the steward sat on him, gripping his throat, and shouted to Song Shi'an: "Tang Zun! I've captured the bandit chief!!"