Shushan: Extinction

Chapter 258: Driving the tiger and swallowing the wolf
Gong Tianwu's eyes suddenly lit up and he said:

"Guyan?"

Chen Sheng’s Way:

"Yes, this place may seem to be in a corner, but once the water diversion canal planned by the Lord is completed, the three cities of Juyan, Luopu, and Yanzhi will be connected."

"Moreover, Juyan is mainly a grassland. In autumn and winter, it is almost abandoned and becomes a deserted city, so it does not attract much attention."

Gong Tianwu held his chin and said:
"So what's the reaction from the capital?"

Cui Ziyang was usually responsible for gathering intelligence, and he immediately replied:
"It seems like there is no response, but in fact, the Royal Capital's Imperial Guards have already been dispatched. But I heard that they even sent an envoy to reward the Marquis' Mansion three days ago."

Gong Tianwu nodded and said to Chen Shengzhi:

"Well done, what's up with the foot?"

Chen Shengzhi smiled bitterly and said:

"The kid was probably only about ten years old. I was not prepared, so he rushed over and stabbed me. Fortunately, the knife was not poisoned."

After hearing this, Gong Tianwu said:

"No wonder the rule on the grassland is to kill any child taller than the wheels. They are really a bunch of little wolf cubs."

Chen Shengzhi also smiled bitterly and shook his head.

***
The news that Gong Tianwu had found a Taoist companion (wife) quickly spread inside and outside the Marquis' Mansion. Others also talked about it, saying all kinds of things, but Gong Tianwu ignored them.

Only one month later, the two of them got married. Considering Gong Tianwu's status, it was still quite low-key.

Cui Xiaoyi was quite satisfied with this daughter-in-law who suddenly appeared. After all, Yang Qianmin came from a wealthy family, had a good appearance, and managed all household affairs in an orderly manner.

Half a year passed in the blink of an eye. After Chen Yunsheng annexed Tielong City, he probably knew that there was no turning back once the arrow was shot, so he annexed three surrounding cities in one go - of course, in the name of horse thieves and rebels.

The territory it actually occupies has reached the size of an entire county!

On the contrary, Gong Tianwu was very low-key. He just quietly occupied three county towns. It was obvious that he had no intention of integrating the power he controlled into the system of the Marquis' Mansion, which made Chen Yunsheng quite helpless.

But only the core personnel on his side knew that since the successful construction of the canal connecting the Tamukan River and the Yanzhi River Valley, wealth has been flowing in along the navigable Yanzhi River.

Gong Tianwu did not indulge in enjoyment, but began to quickly transform these riches into combat power. Under his command, the special army White Robe Army, and the Ye Family Army (Qi Family Army) trained by Ye Yuanjing have been formed, and the Wulou Guard has also been expanded to a thousand people.

With these forces, Gong Tianwu carried out drastic reforms and cuts in the army he had previously formed, making outsiders feel that he had weakened his own power.

Compared with the Chen family, the situation of the Langshan Kingdom was quite bad. Facing the huge pressure from the Oirat people, it had actually lost three counties, and the decline had not been stabilized at all.

A big part of the reason for this was that several princes began to fight for power, causing great internal friction.

Usually, Gong Tianwu stayed in the newly built Yanzhi City most of the time, leaving Luopu to Chen Shengzhi to guard, and Juyan City to Ye Yuanjing.

Although these two cities have to face a very complicated situation, Gong Tianwu feels that with these two famous generals around, he can still rest assured.

At the same time, Gong Tianwu also established an inner court, which was presided over by the eunuch Yang Lun to arrange the production and sales of a series of things. The goods sold were mainly the newly emerging specialty: Cistanche snuff.

To outsiders, this snuff is made with precious medicinal materials such as Cistanche deserticola, Cuscuta australis, and Saussurea involucrata, and is made using ancient methods. It can replenish energy and strengthen the body. Finally, they would secretly add that it can enhance sexual performance! !

At first, those customers thought I was just bragging. But it doesn’t matter. There are free samples for you to try. If the effect is not good, just blame me.

Who doesn’t like free stuff? Some people actually tried it and found that it really worked, at least 50% of what was advertised.

Then we started to have repeat customers.

This thing is an absolute luxury item with an astonishing price, but it sells very well!

Countless people want to uncover the secret, but no one knows that there is only one reason why this thing works, and that is that all the secret recipes and medicinal ingredients are nonsense.

What really works is a grain of rice stuffed in the snuff bottle.

There is a very simple inscription engraved on this rice, which is actually the most common spirit gathering array, and it is a castrated version with a very short effectiveness time.

Gong Tianwu is now very proficient at it. He can engrave this thing under a microscope just like a star signing for fans. He can carve one in five seconds.

When the user opens the snuff bottle, a small drop of spiritual liquid will fall on the grain of rice, successfully activating the spirit gathering array.

In this way, the concentration of spiritual energy around the person carrying the snuff bottle will be increased.

And spiritual energy is a good thing. Even for mortals, staying in a place with high concentration of spiritual energy can significantly improve their physical and mental state.

Therefore, most of the boasting in the advertisements can actually be realized.

Yang Qianmin was responsible for collecting and managing the wealth created in the inner court.

Gong Tianwu married her to make up for the regrets of his previous life, and secondly, he knew that she was actually a very talented person, so of course he had to let her help with the work.

And in the future, Gong Tianwu will let her shoulder a heavier burden.

***
One day, Gong Tianwu was reviewing documents when Wei Yong, a counselor from the Marquis' Mansion, suddenly asked to see him, saying that he had an urgent matter and needed him to go to the Marquis' Mansion.

Gong Tianwu was a little surprised, but he still took Wulouwei to Sansheng City quickly. On the way, Gong Tianwu asked Wei Yong curiously:

"Father, why is it so urgent that you ask me to come over?"

Wei Yong whispered to Gong Tianwu:

"The king sent a special envoy, who first gave us a generous reward, without mentioning our previous actions of conquering cities and territories, and then hoped that the Marquisate would send troops to attack the Waqira through the Likan Valley in the northeast."

After hearing this, Gong Tianwu pondered and said:

"This is a strategy of driving the tiger to devour the wolf."

Wei Yong smiled bitterly and said:
"The envoy should have offered other prices, but we don't know. But the Marquis seems to be very tempted."

Gong Tianwu said disdainfully:

"The old man is just short-sighted. Okay, I'll go talk to him."

After hearing what Gong Tianwu said, Wei Yong could only pretend he didn't hear it.

Not long after, Gong Tianwu returned to the Marquis' Mansion. He first met his biological mother and then went to Chen Yunsheng's study, where he found that everyone was discussing matters.

Although Gong Tianwu had stated many times at this time that he did not like to inherit the title of marquis and had no interest in power, everyone in the marquis's mansion regarded him as the young master, and a group of advisers stood up to greet him.

Chen Yunsheng looked at his son with a complicated expression, and then said calmly:
"Mr. Wei should have told you the details on the way. Let me tell you the latest news."

"Late last night, the king sent a second special envoy over. This time he offered a new price, saying that if we are willing to send troops to attack the Oirat, then my family will be promoted to the first-class marquis, and the marquisate will be permanent and live with the country forever."

Gong Tianwu knew Chen Yunsheng was tempted as soon as he heard it, because he had been troubled by the upcoming demotion of his title for half his life. Now Wei Qu's condition of "eternal title of marquis" meant that he would never be demoted again, which really hit his G-spot. Faced with such a situation, Gong Tianwu smiled and said:
"If you ask me, it's not impossible to send troops, but the conditions must be changed."

After hearing this, Chen Yunsheng said:

"What conditions do you think should be asked for?"

Gong Tianwu took the paper and pen next to him, wrote it down in one stroke, and handed it to the person next to him, saying:

"If it were me, I would give him this condition."

When the counselors nearby saw this, they immediately gasped.

Chen Yunsheng took a deep breath and thought to himself that this little bastard's appetite is actually much bigger than mine.

However, after taking another closer look, I felt my heart fluttering again.

It turned out that there were two big words written on this piece of paper:

"Prince Yong!!"

After a long while, Sima Yun smiled bitterly and said:

"If this condition is put forward, I'm afraid the capital will immediately turn hostile."

Gong Tianwu said calmly:
"Let me say something unpleasant. Even if our mansion kowtows and accepts all of Wei Qu's conditions now, will the old man let us go when he calms down?"

All the counselors were silent again, because isn't it as obvious as lice on a monk's head?

If the Zhenbei Marquisate just took the opportunity to plunder a county town, Wei Qu would probably have to accept it.

However, you, damn, now occupy a county in reality!! This is not a question of breaking the bottom line at all.

At this time, Chen Yunsheng also understood Gong Tianwu's meaning and said slowly:

"You mean, since we've already fallen out, why not use this offer to test the situation in the capital?"

Gong Tianwu nodded and said:
"Yes, ever since you, father, marched into Tielong City, the relationship between us and the capital has actually broken down."

After hearing this, the counselors looked at each other helplessly and smiled bitterly again.

Gong Tianwu continued:

"Wei Qu has three reasons for sending an envoy here."

"First, the front line was really unable to bear it, so they came here to seek medical help in desperation."

"Secondly, although the situation on the front line is tight, it can still be held. So some people have suggested that they drive the tiger to devour the wolf."

"Third, it is to paralyze us. Wei Qu's army is on the way to attack us."

When the group heard Gong Tianwu's last third point, they were shocked! ! Chen Yunsheng immediately said:
"Have you heard any rumors?"

Gong Tianwu smiled and said:
"No, no, I'm just analyzing and guessing."

"If you think what I said is correct, then no matter what Wei Qu's intention is, our attempt to make him king will actually have no impact on the final outcome."

"Even if we anger Wei Qu and cause him to send troops to attack, that would actually be a good thing. It would be like us and the Tatars joining forces to attack us."

"We have the advantage of wild wolf crossbows. We can rely on strong cities to defend one by one and delay time. How dare Wei Qu fight with us in attrition?"

After hearing what Gong Tianwu said, Chen Yunsheng's heart beat fast.

He was a person who attached great importance to power. His only wish in the first half of his life was to keep the title of marquis passed down by his ancestors and not to be demoted.

But human nature is to desire more, otherwise Chen Yunsheng would not have taken Tielong City directly.

At this moment, he looked at the two words "King Yong" written by Gong Tianwu. It can be said that the more he looked at them, the more he liked them, and the more his heart was moved.

After a long silence, Chen Yunsheng said:
"Okay, I'll do as you say."

Sima Yun was a prudent person. He opened his mouth to give advice, but for a moment he felt he had nothing to say.

After all, this was a decision made after discussion between father and son. What does it matter if an outsider like me interferes?
Since Chen Yunsheng had made the decision, the others said goodbye one after another. But just as Gong Tianwu was about to leave, Chen Yunsheng said:
"Seventh brother, please stay for a while."

Gong Tianwu nodded and sat down next to him.

After everyone else left, Chen Yunsheng frowned and said:

"I see that you currently occupy three counties, and you have many talented people under your command, and you also have a strong army. Of course, you built all these things from scratch."

"But, your behavior clearly shows that you want to establish your own small group, independent of the Marquis' Mansion. We are all suspicious when we see this. What do you want outsiders to think?"

Gong Tianwu thought for a moment and said:
"Dad, do you want to hear the truth or a lie?"

Chen Yunsheng laughed and said:

"We are meeting in private now, do you still want to hear lies?"

Gong Tianwu nodded and said:
"Okay, then I'll tell you what I think. The fundamental reason why I did this is that I still want to preserve the relationship between father and son."

Chen Yunsheng raised his eyebrows and said:

"Oh? Tell me."

Gong Tianwu said:

"I recently learned a technique of face reading. My father's face has changed a lot in the past two years. If I'm not mistaken, becoming king is not the end."

Gong Tianwu's words made Chen Yunsheng's heart pound. Being crowned a king was not the end, so the next step was to become a monarch?

This is a bit of a stretch! But, Lao Qi, if you can talk, please say more!
Gong Tianwu continued:
"I currently retain my own power because I rely on them to collect resources for my cultivation."

"Nothing is worse than what I have. I can give an order and have thousands of people take huge risks to hunt monsters for me. Can the Marquis' Mansion do that?"

"I want to spend 10,000 civilians to build an altar. Will the Marquis' Mansion support me with all its strength?"

Gong Tianwu's consecutive questions left Chen Yunsheng speechless and he could only smile bitterly. He also had to admit that his previous thoughts were a bit abrupt.

Gong Tianwu retorted a few words to the old man, but he still wanted to give him some reassurance.

"So don't worry, father. Our goals are different. I will fully support you in becoming the King of Yong, or even going a step further."

(End of this chapter)