I have been painting skin in the cemetery for fifteen years

Then, the great eunuch unfolded the imperial edict and said loudly: "In accordance with the decree of the emperor, Shen Wuque, the third son of Shen Gong Ao, the Marquis of Zhenhai, is intelligent, courageous, wise and generous. He is canonized as Imperial Viscount, titled Qingping, and granted the title of Imperial Black Dragon Terrace Hereditary Thousand Households, Imperial this!"

As soon as this decree came out, Shen Gong Ao was particularly shocked.

Why? !

The other two sons of the Shen Gong family were not knighted.

Why should Wuque be knighted?

Although this is a Viscount, it doesn't make sense.

In terms of merit, the eldest son Shen Wuzhuo made great contributions to the empire, and the imperial court only named him a fourth-rank general.

There is no such thing as a knighthood.

Shen Wuque made great contributions to the Shen Gong family, but he did not contribute much to the empire.

And the emperor's knighthood is very particular.

The Shen Gong family already has a marquis, and it is hereditary from generation to generation.

Now that a viscount has been granted, it means that the Shen Gong family has an additional noble. Even if Shen Wuque inherits the position of marquis in the future, the viscount may remain in the Shen Gong family. One of his two sons will inherit the marquis and the other will inherit the viscount.

Just like the previous Ying family, there was one duke, two marquis, and two earls.

Just like the Mi family now, there is one prince, one duke, and two marquis.

These are top Chinese families with hundreds of thousands of years of experience, and the Shen Gong family has only been in power for more than ten years.

but……

After Wu Que heard this decree, he did not feel any joy, but instead showed a bit of solemnity.

The great eunuch said slowly: "Along with this imperial edict, there is also an oral instruction."

Oral instruction?

Generally speaking, the emperor's oral instructions are more precious than imperial edicts.

Although imperial edicts are very formal, oral instructions are more intimate.

"His Majesty said, I have read Shen Wuque's article and I like it very much. When it is convenient, I hope Shen Wuque will come to the palace to write and read for me. By the way, I will come to Beijing and I will recommend a good marriage for you. ”

As soon as this oral decree came out.

Wuque and Shen Gongao didn't understand at all.

The emperor wants to propose marriage?

However, Shen Wuque is already married and has a wife.

So strange.

After the oral instruction was finished, the eunuch said: "Shen Wuque, your college entrance examination essays and the poems you wrote. Whether they are poems for Yuan Hu or poems for Wen Daozi, Your Majesty has read them all and expressed his great appreciation. I like it very much. Especially the poem "Be the first to worry about the world, and then enjoy the world's joy". When His Majesty was practicing calligraphy, he often wrote this poem and gave it to many ministers. I hope they will also have your poems. This spirit."

Wuque said: "We are afraid."

Then, the eunuch stood motionless, waiting for Shen Gongao and Shen Wuque to express their gratitude.

Wuque, on the other hand, looked at the eunuch motionless.

If I guessed correctly, there should be a will.

The great eunuch looked at Wuque and said slowly: "Shen Wuque, you are really sharp and you don't know how to hide your clumsiness."

Then, the great eunuch said in a cold voice: "Shen Wuque, not long ago, you did a big thing. Just outside the gate of the Zhenhai Marquis Mansion, you shot and killed more than a thousand people, including Nanhai County. This is the army of the empire. What do you want to do?"

Then, the great eunuch opened a box and threw three memorials out of it, throwing them hard in front of Wu Que.

"Do you know how many memorials have been written about you? Hundreds or thousands, and these are three of them!"

Wuque opened the first memorial, which was from Li Shiyun, the governor of Nanhai County, and severely implicated Shen Wuque in the crime of rebellion.

The second share belonged to Bai Linghou, and the third share belonged to Fu Jianzhi, the governor of Tianshui Province.

Every memorial, with its sharp and fierce words, would directly put Shen Wuque to death.

The eunuch said coldly: "I came with the first imperial edict to praise you. But on the way, you ordered the execution of hundreds of soldiers from the empire, and asked hundreds of officials to join you. What do you want? Huh? His Majesty just issued a decree to commend you and you committed a major crime of treason? So that on the way, a second decree was sent to me. "

Then, his expression suddenly became stern, his eyes turned cold, he took out the second imperial edict and slowly unfolded it.

"According to the imperial edict of the Emperor Chengyun, Shen Wuque was extremely arrogant and dared to shoot and kill 635 people stationed in Nanhai County. Such acts are unworthy of the emperor and cannot be tolerated by the national law. The imperial guards were ordered to escort him to the capital immediately. "

Then, the great eunuch shouted: "Come here, capture Shen Wuque and escort him to Beijing!"

Suddenly, more than a dozen royal warriors poured in.

Shen Gong Ao looked at all this and the eunuch.

There are now two imperial edicts, but you can only choose one.

Moreover, there was not even a single word mentioned in this imperial edict about Red Earth Territory and Red Earth City.

But the core is here in the red soil territory.

According to the previous rules, most of the territory conquered by Shen Gong Ao belonged to the empire, and a quarter became Shen Gong Ao's new territory.

In the battle not long ago, Shen Gong Ao captured more than 10,000 square kilometers of Nanman land.

Among them, the red soil territory will belong to the Shen Gong family, covering more than 3,000 square kilometers.

This land is extremely important to the Shen Gong family because there are two million acres of fertile land on it.

Although the Shen Gong family currently has a large territory, it lacks fertile land on a regular basis and cannot produce its own food independently. It needs to purchase a large amount of food every year.

It's not just about money, it's about strategic passivity.

Food is the lifeblood, how can it be controlled by others?

Therefore, the more than 3,000 square kilometers of Hongtu Territory are of utmost importance to the Shen Gong family.

And how much did the Shen Gong family pay for this grain-producing area? !

Nearly 30,000 private soldiers were killed or injured.

The whereabouts of the eldest son Shen Wuzhuo are unknown.

Before, the empire had been delaying the measurement work, not wanting to confer Hongtu Territory to the Shen Gong family.

But not long ago, a plague broke out in Hongtu Territory, and the tribal coalition of the Dali Kingdom attacked Hongtu Territory again.

The empire's army immediately retreated hundreds of miles, leaving the Shen Gong family's army in front, facing the Dali Kingdom's several times the army alone.

Shen Wuzhuo did not retreat, but chose to fight.

Wuque did not attend this battle in person, but he also knew that it was unprecedentedly tragic.

Thanks to Shen Wuyu leading the Moro coalition to support at the critical moment, this crucial battle was won and Hongtu Territory was saved.

But the price was nearly 30,000 casualties, Shen Wuzhuo disappeared, and Shen Wuyu became a walking corpse.

Therefore, it would be unreasonable for the empire not to confer the Red Soil Territory on the Shen Gong family.

Then, Shen Gongao faced a choice.

Either save Shen Wuque, that is, the first imperial edict, but lose the Red Soil Territory.

Or save the Red Soil Territory, but abandon Shen Wuque.

Of the two, only one can be saved.

The eunuch waited for Shen Gongao to make a choice without saying a word.

After a long while, the eunuch said: "Marquis Zhenhai, which of these two edicts should I give in the end?"

Wuque said slowly: "The Imperial Center and the Kingdom of Dali are negotiating, and they want to use the Red Soil Territory as a bargaining chip, right? Not only the Red Soil Territory, my father has seized nearly 20,000 square kilometers of land this time, and it will also be used as a bargaining chip in negotiations with the Kingdom of Dali, right?"

The eunuch said: "I am an internal official, and I don't understand such national affairs."

At this time, a sentence emerged in Wuque's mind.

In the face of the interests of the entire empire, the interests of any individual are completely negligible.

In the face of the national trend, any individual effort is futile.

The fall of the Dongyi Empire has led to a series of chain reactions.

Sky Book City and the Great Xia Empire have both set their sights on the Kingdom of Dali.

The Great Xia Empire needs the Kingdom of Dali to pay tribute and become a vassal state.

Sky Book City needs the Kingdom of Dali to convert to offset the consequences of the fall of the Kingdom of Dongli.

In order to resist the eastward advance of the Western Church, the entire Great Xia Empire needs to change its strategic direction.

So, the southern expedition is over.

The expansion to the south is over.

In order to negotiate with the Kingdom of Dali, all the territories occupied by Shen Gongao this time need to be returned to the Kingdom of Dali, including the Red Soil Territory.

The astronomical price paid by the Shen Gong family will also be in vain.

For the interests of the empire and for the Eastern civilization, you can only sacrifice the interests of your Shen Gong family.

Shen Gongao closed his eyes in pain.

Red Soil Territory!

Two million acres of fertile land.

With this land, the territory of the Shen family will be complete, and we will have food independence.

It cost 20,000 to 30,000 casualties.

Is it gone?

Then, Shen Gong Ao looked at Wu Que.

The eldest son is missing.

The second son is unconscious.

The only one left is the third son, who is so outstanding and excellent.

Is it people who are important?

Or is it land that is important?

Why?

Why should the Empire negotiate with the Kingdom of Dali at the cost of my Shen family?

When they needed me before, they made me a marquis, allowed me to expand, and made me the Grand Commander of the Southern Expedition.

Now they don’t need me anymore, and they need to make peace with the Kingdom of Dali.

So they put away the bow after the bird is dead?

But I can’t say a word of these words.

If I say them, it will seem childish.

After a long while, Shen Gongao looked at the eunuch and said, "Eunuch, please tell me a message."

The eunuch said, "If you have anything to say, the Marquis of Zhenhai can write a secret memorial to your majesty."

Shen Gongao said, "Some things are not convenient to write in a secret memorial."

The eunuch said, "Then you can say it."

Shen Gongao said, "If you want to kill someone, you can't complain that the knife is too sharp. And once the knife is sheathed, it will be difficult to pull it out."

Once people's hearts are cold, it will be difficult to warm them up again.

Although Shen Gongao had always been against the Mi family, he was still loyal to His Majesty the Emperor.

Because over the years, His Majesty the Emperor has continuously promoted Shen Gongao and allowed him to expand.

The Shen family has become so powerful that it has even begun to secretly fight against the Mi family?

Isn't it the result of the emperor's tacit approval or even secret support?

But now, in order to negotiate with the Kingdom of Dali, the emperor has sacrificed the interests of the Shen family without hesitation.

So, Shen Gongao is of course chilled.

But in the eyes of the emperor, isn't this normal?

The emperor's mind and the power of heaven are unpredictable.

The eunuch said indifferently: "Marquis Zhenhai, it will be dawn in a few hours, I am in a hurry to return to the imperial capital."

Shen Gongao must make a choice.

Choose Hongtu Territory or Shen Wuque?

"Save the people and lose the land, both the people and the land are gained. Save the land and lose the people, both the people and the land are lost." Shen Gongao said hoarsely: "I, Shen Gongao, have already lost two sons, and I can't lose my only son again."

Then, Shen Gongao said hoarsely: "I will immediately write a secret letter to donate Hongtu Territory to the empire for free."

After hearing this, the eunuch said.

Immediately, he put the second secret decree into the box, sealed it completely, took it back to the capital, and handed it to His Majesty the Emperor for destruction.

Then, the eunuch said: "Call everyone in. For such a great event, the decree will be announced publicly."

Next up!

The door opens.

Mu Hongyu and others all entered.

The eunuch once again unfolded the imperial edict and said loudly: "Your Majesty has an edict."

Shen Gongao led hundreds of people, and they all knelt down.

"In accordance with the decree of the Emperor of Heaven, Shen Wuque, the third son of Shen Gong Ao, the Marquis of Zhenhai, is intelligent, courageous, wise and generous. He is canonized as Imperial Viscount, titled Qingping, and granted the title of Imperial Black Dragon Terrace Hereditary Thousand Households. I appreciate this!"

The great eunuch's voice resounded throughout the hall.

"I accept the order and thank Your Majesty for your great kindness."

Everyone in the Shen Gong family kowtowed and thanked him.

Wuque stepped forward and accepted the imperial edict.

Suddenly it felt like it weighed a thousand pounds.

"Congratulations to Viscount Qingping, I hope you can come to Beijing as soon as possible. His Majesty really wants to see you." The eunuch said with a smile: "Let's take our leave now."

It is said that Shen Gong Ao should bribe the eunuch with a large sum of money and keep the eunuch to drink.

But now he can't.

Moreover, the great eunuch had achieved his goal and no longer cared about the meal.

After a while, the eunuch led the honor guard and left the Marquis Mansion of Zhenhai.

…………………………………………

In the study room, Shen Gongao looked at the map on the wall, feeling dazed for a while.

Red Clay Ridge!

The clay soil he dreamed of.

The Red Territory, which he fought for for several years, cost 30,000 casualties.

At the cost of two sons.

Now, completely lost.

For the third son, for the only intact son.

He chose to give up the clay territory.

Taking a deep breath, Shen Gong Ao sharpened his ink and began to write the memorial.

There are no fancy words, no paraphrases and beautiful words, just a straightforward sentence.

"Your Majesty Shen Gong Ao is willing to dedicate the red soil territory to the empire for free!"

There is no more than half a word left.

This shows the person's personality.

After writing, seal it with wax seal, stamp it, and put it into a special tightly folded box.

Shen Gong Ao had the right to secretly report. He used to feel very proud, but now he only feels ashamed.

"Come here! Rush 800 miles to send this secret to the capital!"

A warrior entered, took the secret folding box, bowed and said: "Yes!"

Then he left directly, led a group of knights, and galloped north to the Imperial Capital.

Wuque entered the study room.

Shen Gongao said bitterly: "Wu Que, you don't need to comfort my father, and you don't need to feel guilty. You are not to blame for all this. Some people use you as a weapon and treat you as my father's weakness. This is not your fault."

Wuque said: "You should be on the front line of the Red Earth Territory at this time, why did you come back early? A few hours ago, I sent people to transport gold to the front line to distribute pensions."

Shen Gong Ao said: "Wu Que, I don't have the ability to be a father, but I have the ability to fight. Wasn't the granary in Magic Stone City burned down? Aren't we short of food? So I used Zhaixing Pavilion as a mortgage to borrow money from the Tianxiahui Eight hundred thousand taels of silver to buy grain."

The flawless nod indicates that he knows about this matter.

Shen Gong Ao said: "While I sent people to buy food, I also led two thousand people to go deep into the Kingdom of Dali and plundered three cities. I have robbed enough food and more than one million taels of silver to support my brothers. ”

As soon as these words came out, Wuque was shocked and speechless.

Awesome!

This Shen Gongao's thinking is really simple and crude.

When the food was burned, I went to rob it.

If the money is gone, I will grab it too!

"Of course, the people who went to plunder were the Moro army and had nothing to do with our Shen Gong family." Shen Gong Ao said with a smile.

"To be honest, I don't dare to have high hopes for you, because the time is so short and it is too difficult to earn three to four million taels of silver. How can I put a heavy burden on you? So, I went out on my own and pretended to borrow money to buy food, even mortgaging the Star Reaching Pavilion, and then robbed the other side."

"But I didn't expect that you actually did it and earned six million taels of silver. In comparison, this achievement as a father is nothing."

Still speechless.

He thought Shen Gongao went to the front line really just to maintain military morale and prevent mutiny.

Unexpectedly, people directly used war to support war, and used looting and fighting to maintain military morale.

So when it comes to military affairs, Shen Gongao is absolutely YYDS.

Then, Shen Gong Ao sighed: "However, all the price has been paid in vain. We have permanently lost the Red Earth Territory. From now on, the expansion of our Shen Gong family is over."

Wuque said: "Do you know whose handiwork all of this is?"

Shen Gong Ao said: "Who?"

Wuque said: "Li Shiyun, the governor of Nanhai County, dedicated this strategy to the emperor."

"I killed Li Shiyun's cousin, and I killed hundreds of Nanhai County garrison troops. Li Shiyun did not do anything, and did not reprimand him publicly. Instead, he used this crime to force you to hand over the red soil territory to save me."

"He started planning all this after I ordered the killing of the Nanhai County garrison."

"Now, he should have shown his face in front of the emperor. If I guessed correctly, after the eunuch who announced the decree left our house, he went directly to the Nanhai County Prefect's Mansion to praise Li Shiyun."

Shen Gong Ao said: "Li Shiyun, stepped on our heads to perform meritorious service in front of the emperor? Use the heads of hundreds of Nanhai County garrison to dye the top of his official hat red?"

Wuque said: "Yes! We have always focused our attention on the Mi family, but we have underestimated the prefect."

……………………………………………………

Wuque's guess was half right.

After the eunuch left the Marquis's Mansion in Zhenhai, he did not return directly to the imperial capital. Instead, he went to the Nanhai County Prefect's Mansion.

"Your Majesty has a decree, and Li Shiyun, the governor of Nanhai County, will accept it!"

Li Shiyun knelt down.

"Li Shiyun, who is dedicated to his career, loyal to the emperor and patriotic, has been awarded the title of Bachelor of Tongwen Pavilion. His mother, Lin, has been granted the title of Fourth Grade Imperial Order. I appreciate this!"

Li Shiyun kowtowed and said with tears: "I thank the Lord for your kindness! Long live His Majesty the Emperor, long live, long live!"

The chief eunuch handed the imperial edict to Li Shiyun and said, "Eunuch Li, keep up the good work."

After receiving the imperial edict, Li Shiyun said: "Thank you very much for the eunuch's encouragement. I have prepared a banquet. Please appreciate the eunuch's face."

The big eunuch said: "I won't drink anymore."

Li Shiyun pulled the sleeve of the eunuch and said: "No, you must drink! Otherwise, the world will spread the news that I, Li Shiyun, do not understand etiquette."

The eunuch couldn't put it off, so he stayed to drink.

At the banquet, Li Shiyun called two beauties to accompany him.

"Li Taishou, you seek wealth in danger. If you stay in Nanhai County and guard Shen Gong Ao who doesn't know how to advance or retreat, you are not afraid of losing your achievements." The eunuch smiled and said: "Originally, Shen Wuyu was here, and it was difficult to occupy Shen Gong Ao. The advantage of the Gong family is that now that Shen Wuyu is unconscious, the Shen Gong family has become a treasure, allowing people to take whatever they want. "

Li Shiyun said: "Where is Shen Wuque? What do you think?"

The great eunuch said: "Extremely smart, but sharp and sharp, not knowing how to hide his clumsiness. It's another version of Shen Gong Ao, except that Shen Gong Ao is sharp in martial arts, while Shen Wuque is sharp in literature. But they are just clever, without wisdom, and they can't live without death. Far."

Li Shiyun said: "I feel the same way. When Shen Wuque ordered the Nanhai County garrison to be shot at the Marquis Mansion of Zhenhai and killed Bai Chongguang and Li Tianyun in anger, I was extremely shocked! There are still people in this world who don't know how to advance or retreat, and who are so crazy about death. I was shocked and overjoyed. Shen Wuque really put the huge responsibility into my hands and let me take whatever I wanted."

Then, Li Shiyun said: "Poor Shen Gong Ao, he lost two sons and suffered 20 to 30,000 casualties before he could seize the Hongtu Ridge. Because Shen Wuque's momentary spirit and momentary prestige were lost forever. This Shen Wuque seemed to be... The Shen Gong family has made great achievements, but in fact it has harmed the entire Shen Gong family. "

The eunuch asked: "I heard that Li Taishou and Na Fan were married on the fingertips?"

Li Shiyun said calmly: "This woman seems smart, but she is actually stupid. Since he has made a choice, he must pay the price."

The chief eunuch smiled and said: "Prefect Li is so heroic. Why should a man worry about not having a wife? However, His Majesty really appreciates Shen Wuque's literary talents, so if you want to find a way to keep him here, it is best to sleep here forever!"

"It's not just me, King Mi will also do everything possible to let Master Wuque sleep here!"

Then, Li Shiyun's beautiful face appeared inside.

He is still determined to get this woman, but in another way.

Shen Wuque, how could you not die? You are going to die for the sake of Xie Fan!

…………………………………………

In the study room of the Marquis Mansion of Zhenhai.

Seeing the immense pain and loss on Shen Gongao's face.

Wu Que smiled and said, "Why bother?"

Shen Gong Ao forced a smile and said: "Yes, since we have lost it, why bother? As long as we, father and son, are united, what family fortune can't be earned in the future? Besides, my Shen Gong's family has expanded to this point in the past ten years, so I should be satisfied."

Even so, Shen Gong Ao was still heartbroken.

Wuque said slowly: "No, we will not lose the Red Earth Territory."

Shen Gong Ao was astonished and said: "My father's secret certificate has been handed over, and the Red Earth Territory will be donated to the empire for free."

Wuque said: "What I want is for you to hand over this secret document. In this way, my plan will be more calm!"

Shen Gong Ao was stunned.

The Red Earth Territory has been given to the Empire, can it still be taken back?

Wuque said calmly: "The emperor wants to make me a viscount, so I will accept it without mercy. But I want the title, and I also want the Red Earth Territory."

Shen Gongao looked at Wu Que in disbelief.

This, this is impossible!

"Not only do we want to take back the Red Earth Territory, but we also want to kill Li Shiyun in one fell swoop and have him kill everyone!"

"Originally, my plan was not very complete, but as soon as the eunuch came today and these imperial edicts came, my plan was completed and I can walk more leisurely."

Then, Wu Que took out his pocket watch and checked the time.

It's twelve o'clock at midnight!

"Give me an army." Wu Que said: "You don't need too many people, but they need to be very strong. Five or six hundred people are enough. We need the best and most elite warriors!"

Shen Gongao said tremblingly: "My son, what are you going to do? Don't take risks, leave it to your father!"

Wuque said: "No, you can't do this. Only I can do such a cruel and shameless thing. And I think the less you know, the better!"

After saying that, Wuque stretched out his hand towards Shen Gongao.

Want military power.

Shen Gongao was trembling in his heart.

He really didn't know what Shen Wuque was going to do.

This son is very considerate and close to me.

But sometimes, it feels very mysterious.

Because he would never tell Shen Gongao what he wanted to do.

For example, during the college entrance examination, he won a great victory and killed Fu Tieyi.

For another example, not long ago, he earned back six million taels of silver from Piaoling City.

No matter what matter, he never discussed it with Shen Gongao.

But in everything, he succeeded.

And it was an unprecedented success.

What about this time?

Before, Wuque had already done a huge thing without even having to fight with one soldier.

So this time, he actually asked for military power?

How big a thing is he going to do?

Is this going to break the sky?

Beforehand, Shen Gongao would definitely ask Shen Wuque what he wanted to do.

But now, he is a little worried about this son.

Once people care about something, it is easy to be manipulated.

Shen Gong Ao said tremblingly: "My son, may I ask, what are you going to do with these soldiers?"

Wu Que said: "Go and kill people! Kill them until the rivers of blood flow, and let Li Shiyun's whole family die!"

Shen Gongao said tremblingly: "Yes, how big the risk will it be?"

Wuque said: "If everything goes well, there is probably no risk. Kung fu lies beyond poetry. Killing is both the goal and the means!"

Shen Gong Ao said: "As a father, you can't ask about the rest, right?"

Wuque said: "Some things, the less you know, the better. If you know more, it will be disadvantageous and will become a flaw."

Shen Gongao had a headache.

As a father and as a master, he should not be so passive.

but……

There have been two examples.

Moreover, is it possible to just watch and lose the red soil territory forever?

Do you just have to watch Li Shiyun step on your own head, and your official career will be prosperous and soar to the sky?

I thought about it for half an hour!

Wuque didn't rush, but waited quietly.

After a while, Shen Gongao stretched out his hand and handed a tiger talisman to Wuque and said, "Take it! Even if it breaks the sky, my father will recognize it!"

Wu Que took the tiger talisman and said calmly: "Just wait for the good news that Li Shiyun's family is dead! Just wait for Hongtu Ridge to return to the hands of the Shen Gong family."

Half an hour later!

In the dense forest outside Zhenhai City.

Five hundred of the strongest warriors from the Shen Gong family stood quietly.

Perfectly got on the horse.

He said in a cold voice: "Next, don't ask a word or say a word."

"The only thing you have to do is obey, obey, and obey again!"

"Whoever I ask you to kill? Just kill whoever I ask you to."

"I tell you to set fire, so you set fire!"

"Set off!"

With an order.

Wu Que led the five hundred elite warriors of the Shen Gong family and disappeared into the night.

With soaring murderous intent, he rushed in a certain direction!

…………………………………………

Note: Still out of town, this first chapter was written in a cafe outside. The hotel I stayed in last night was requisitioned. After finishing writing, I went to have lunch first, then went to find a hotel to check in and write the second update.

My benefactor, if you have a monthly ticket, don’t keep it.

I voted for the pastry. I really spent every minute and every second typing.