As an official, what's wrong with raising a few monsters?

Chapter 290 The Siege Will Begin in Seven Days; Those Who Surrender Will Not Be Killed
"Brother, long time no see."

Wang Huai was momentarily dazed, staring blankly at the handsome young man in armor in front of him.

This was the first time he had ever seen Mingchen in military uniform.

Before we knew it, time had flown by, and that exceptionally bright and talented child had grown into who he is today.

After the greeting was given, the atmosphere became tense.

Mingchen didn't really know what to say.

After all, when they parted last time, they had already said something like, "The next time we meet, we'll be rivals."

They are now on opposing sides.

With Daqi mired in a quagmire and Wang Liu just dead, Wang Huai must also be in a bad mood.

Meeting under such circumstances, even the most glib-tongued Ren Mingchen didn't know how to begin.

People become clumsy when they are with those they are close to.

Mingchen wasn't always an outsider with a clear perspective.

In a sense, it was Mingchen who led him down this path.

Few people will take the blame for their mistakes; most people believe they have done their best.

The fault lies with the bystanders.

The mistake was that Mingchen led him down this path; the mistake was that Mingchen ignored the Blood-Clad Army. Perhaps... Mingchen harbored malicious intent, leading the Blood-Clad Army to pave the way for the new Qian Yuan.

Wang Liu died on the way back from Qian Yuan.

These things were enough to damage their relationship and make Wang Huai resent Ming Chen.

but……

"Mingchen, it's been a long time..."

Wang Huai smiled and gestured for him to sit down: "How have you been these days? You've lost some weight..."

The Qi Emperor, who led from the front on the battlefield and was unparalleled in his abilities, was quite peaceful in private.

Just as the little bird said.

Wang Huai did not discuss national affairs, the progress of the war, or mention Wang Liu's matter.

It seemed like an ordinary family's eldest brother seeing his younger brother return, his eyes full of concern as he spoke of everyday matters.

"Fortunately."

Mingchen paused for a moment, then asked, "How is Big Brother?"

Wang Huai touched the back of his head, swallowing all the pain: "It's alright, it's alright."

Good or bad is not determined by what you hear, but by what you see.

"After starting a family, I feel much more at ease."

Perhaps because they only met once in a long while, Mingchen seemed to change every day in Wang Huai's eyes.

"I heard that General Ling Yu came with you this time. Do you acknowledge me as your elder brother? Can I acknowledge her as my sister-in-law?"

This sounds like sarcastic or ironic remarks.

But Wang Huai wasn't that kind of person; he was genuinely speaking from the heart.

After all, they were in opposing positions, and Ling Yu was a highly respected general in Qian Yuan, so he might not necessarily approve of him as a bandit leader.

"Of course I admit it."

If Mingchen approves of someone, Lingyu will approve of them too.

Ling Yu knew that Wang Huai was Ming Chen's older brother.

She even felt a little awkward meeting her parents.

"Your Majesty, General Ling Yu has arrived."

Just then, as the two were talking, the sound of a guard delivering a message came from outside the door.

Ling Yu, having rallied the troops, also arrived.

"Good good!"

Wang Huai smiled and waved his hand, saying, "Please let her in."

"Yes!"

A short while later, a valiant female general strode into the tent.

After exchanging glances with Mingchen, he bowed to Wang Huai and said, "Your subject Ling Yu greets His Majesty the Qi Emperor."

"Hurry up and sit down!"

Wang Huai's gaze seemed to carry a hint of satisfaction as he looked Ling Yu over, praising her repeatedly, "Good...good..."

Ling Yu possesses a unique temperament, like a plum blossom standing proudly in the winter snow, resilient and persistent—a quality rarely seen in women.

Such an extraordinary woman is worthy of her unparalleled younger brother.

"We're family, no need for such formalities."

"Hurry up and sit down!"

Essentially, Wang Huai is a very down-to-earth person.

Born into a poor family, the eldest of six brothers and sisters, only the sick and weak Wang Liu remained after the famine struck.

Now Wang Liu is also dead.

He has always acted as the eldest brother, and he has always protected others.

Several of the Blood-Clad Nine Demons were his sworn brothers.

In his view, a family doesn't need to be bound by those traditional customs; just caring for each other is enough.

This is his weakness.

This led him to make many mistakes that leaders should not make, and he lost some of his authority as a leader.

He tried to make amends, but to little avail.

However, from a personal perspective, this is his strength.

Ling Yu was stunned for a moment, and subconsciously looked at Ming Chen.

Mingchen simply nodded at her.

Wang Huai seemed to recall something and sighed, "Speaking of which, we had a battle back in Baizhou Linguang. I was thinking of recruiting you into the Blood-Clad Army."

During Xiao Yu's time, he sent Ling Yu south to suppress bandits.

The governor of Baizhou was assassinated by the Blood-Clad Army. If it weren't for Ling Yu, the Blood-Clad Army might have conquered Baizhou if they had launched a full-scale invasion.

Perhaps with the granary in Lin Guang, the Blood-Clad Army would have a completely new ending.

Even the smallest cause and effect can lead to a completely new outcome.

Wang Huai couldn't help but sigh.

At that time, Wang Huai had heard of Ling Yu's reputation and even wanted to win her over.

Unexpectedly, after many twists and turns, this woman eventually married Mingchen.

Ling Yu paused for a moment, then simply nodded and replied, "Yes."

Perhaps, if she hadn't met Mingchen but instead encountered the Blood-Clad Army, she might have truly embraced their beliefs and joined this righteous army, leading to a completely new chapter in her life.

Compared to the corrupt officialdom, this passionate and inspiring prairie fire seemed to suit her wishes better.

As Mingchen said when he first met her, she was a person of faith.

However, there are no "what ifs" in life.

Mingchen changed the course of everyone's lives.

“Okay…Okay…”

Looking at the perfect couple, Wang Huai could only smile with satisfaction.

He only has one younger brother left, Mingchen.

Putting aside all other perspectives and returning to the essence, he was an older brother.

He still hoped that Mingchen could be happy.

He shook his head, seemingly with some regret, and said, "What a pity, what a pity... I didn't go to your wedding."

His life has been truly remarkable.

A grassroots uprising swept across the country, creating a magnificent and turbulent event.

But why are there still so many regrets?
When are you going to have children?

"Forehead……"

To Ling Yu's surprise, this meeting, which represented the attitudes of the two countries, did not discuss any war-related matters, nor any matters concerning the relations or interests between the two countries.

On the contrary... it's like a younger brother bringing his wife home to meet his older brother.

It's like an ordinary, unremarkable family, talking about trivial things.

Sending gifts, offering care and comfort, remembering the past, and envisioning the future...

This overlord who rose from humble beginnings to destroy a country, this demon star who killed powerful figures according to his family genealogy... seems to be quite different from what she imagined.

……

The sky was clear and the breeze was gentle.

However, a dark cloud hung over Xiaoyao City.

Not long ago, Xu Zhongling's Liang army was defeated.

The terrifying Blood-Clad Army annihilated Xue Jingqi's elite soldiers, and the ambush troops sent out to lie in wait at the grain depot also failed to return.

In the first battle, Xu Zhongling lost nearly 10,000 men, all of whom were elite soldiers.

Although the Qi state has not attacked the city in the past few days, the morale of the troops in the city is still somewhat shaken.

No matter how Xu Zhongling tries to use tricks and deceive people, his petty schemes can never overcome the great principles.

The soldiers in the city were somewhat disappointed, unable to see a future.

The image of Wang Huai, a god of war, lingered in their minds, impossible to shake off.

Where does their future lie?

Unrest also occurs in the city from time to time.

The people's husbands, fathers, sons... are outside the city, and they do not want Xu Zhongling to lead them.

"what is that?"

"Enemy attack!"

"Is it an enemy attack?"

Just then, a group of people suddenly appeared outside the city.

They were few in number, only a few hundred people, and didn't look like they were attacking a city at all.

These few hundred people would be wiped out before they could even reach the city wall.

The defenders were also somewhat confused, unable to discern the situation.

The soldiers reined in their horses not far from the city, holding what looked like megaphones in their hands, and shouted loudly towards Xiaoyao City.

"Soldiers of Liang Army!"

"Your commander, Xu Zhongling, is not a wise ruler!"

"He poisoned Chen Yue, forged an alliance with my Qian Yuan, openly rebelled, and harbored ambitions to seize control of the world." "The Qian Emperor was furious and dispatched a large army to exterminate him."

"He deceived you all; he only wants you to die for him."

"Think carefully, what exactly are you fighting for?"

……

War doesn't necessarily require winning through direct combat.

Xu Zhongling had many flaws and shortcomings.

He was adept at using rumors to demoralize Wang Huai's troops.

Similarly, others could use this tactic to attack Xu Zhongling.

Having just suffered a defeat and witnessed the ferocity of the enemy, the morale of the troops had already been affected to some extent.

What is obtained through deception or theft will never truly belong to you.

Xu Zhongling's ascension to the throne was illegitimate, and his position and status were inherently unstable, allowing him to manipulate the situation from many angles.

Since Mingchen didn't have time to use spies to infiltrate Xu Zhongling's ranks, he simply picked some loud-voiced soldiers in the army to shout outside the city.

Whether these things are true or false is not important; what is important is to allow different voices to circulate within the military, to make people think, discuss, and waver...

The loyal soldiers didn't care what the people in the city thought; they would only faithfully carry out the orders given to them by their leaders.

Holding a makeshift megaphone, they shouted loudly, "Our leaders are Mingchen and Lingyu, and we have never lost!"

“Our Emperor is a wise and benevolent ruler, and you are all subjects of the Qian Yuan dynasty. We do not wish to slaughter our compatriots.”

"Put down your weapons and let's live a good life together."

"Attack the city in seven days. Those who surrender will not be killed!"

"Attack the city in seven days. Those who surrender will not be killed!"

"Attack the city in seven days. Those who surrender will not be killed!"

……

A person's reputation is not for showing off, but for using.

An invincible general who goes into battle will suffer a huge blow to his reputation if he loses.

However, there are also advantages, namely the huge reputation bonus, which gives them an aura of fear that instills fear in the enemy and makes them hesitant to fight.

Aside from a few confident, proud, and ambitious individuals, few would be willing to face a renowned and ever-victorious general.

Not to mention, it also represents a powerful nation.

Ling Yu and Ming Chen have arrived; Qian Yuan has dispatched troops.

We will attack the city in seven days; surrender quickly.

This is another layer of information that Mingchen is conveying to the people in the city.

One purpose is to incite the other party's legitimacy, and the other is to intimidate and frighten them by revealing their own identity.

Degrading and weakening the opponent while strengthening one's own deterrence—this two-pronged approach is not as simple as one plus one equals two.

The upper troops attacked the plot, the second attacked the Jiaotong, the second attacked the soldiers, and the lower attacked the city.

Mingchen and Lingyu brought eight thousand soldiers. If they could attack the city in the simplest way, then they would naturally use the simplest way.

This war must not only be won, but won decisively, to demonstrate Qian Yuan's strength to the world, so as to facilitate a subsequent eastward expansion and a decisive victory.

At the same time... Mingchen also wanted to let Wang Huai see him and decide his future path.

"Qian Yuan, Qian Yuan's army is here!"

"What, what do we do now? We've become traitors!"

"Mingchen and Lingyu, how could they possibly win?"

"This...this, is this for real? General Chen was..."

"Forging an alliance treaty? I know about that. It was the envoy's fault. General Xu has already killed Lord Lu! It's a misunderstanding."

"Misunderstanding? Qian Yuan's army has already come knocking on our door. Go tell them it's a misunderstanding!"

"What should I do... I don't want to die..."

……

The loud-voiced soldiers shouted until their throats were hoarse before riding away.

The city of Xiaoyao remained quiet, and no troops were sent to pursue and annihilate them.

They left decisively, but their words remained, causing a great uproar in the hearts of the people in the city.

Those words don't need to be heard by everyone; it's enough that a portion of the people hear them.

News can circulate and people can communicate, so these words will soon become the most eager topic of conversation among the city's residents and soldiers.

Mingchen gave them seven days to think, discuss, and buffer, which should have a good effect.

Fear spread among the crowd.

Some people are questioning whether Xu Zhongling, who rose from obscurity to his current position, is truly as righteous and awe-inspiring as he appears.

Some people are afraid of Qian Yuan, Ming Chen, and Ling Yu.

They were already enemies of the Great Qi, and now they had to add the Qian Yuan to the mix, which meant they had offended the two largest powers in the Central Plains.

How could they possibly withstand repeated bombing raids from these two countries with just one city?
Moreover, some people originally came to join Xu Zhongling because he spread the news of an alliance with Qian Yuan.

Instead of becoming allies, they've become enemies.

How to do?How to do?
Those who surrender will not be killed!

Those who surrender will not be killed!

It seems that this is the only way left.

……

“Okay…Okay…”

"As expected of Mingchen, as expected of Mingchen!"

At night, in the city lord's mansion, Xu Zhongling's face was calm. He bit his fingers, his eyes were somewhat empty, and he kept muttering to himself.

The Qian Yuan army gave him a rude awakening as soon as they arrived.

Mingchen's fighting style is completely different from Wang Huai's.

Xu Zhongling was somewhat at a loss.

Destroying the morale of an army is terrifying. At least with a strong external enemy, one can rely on fortified cities for defense and look for opportunities.

However, if internal problems arise, it will be difficult to salvage the situation.

Fortresses are always conquered from within.

Despite the earlier precaution of using the old man Lu's head as a warning, it seems to have had no effect.

People often don't care about the reasons.

All they knew was the outcome: the Qian Yuan army was at the city gates, led by Ling Yu and Ming Chen, intending to annihilate them.

Whether it was Xu Zhongling's mistake or Lord Lu's mistake... it no longer matters.

Xu Zhongling's little schemes were easily shattered when faced with the powerful and heavy fist.

Even if... Qian Yuan only brought eight thousand men.

"Now there are only two paths: either surrender and give up the city, or I will take you away from here and start over."

Just then, a figure appeared beside him, and Qi Yuan said in a low, hoarse voice, "Our current forces cannot withstand the combined attack of Qian Yuan and Da Qi."

The astrologer who left Wang Huai with the saying "a good bird chooses a good tree to perch on" has not abandoned Xu Zhongling to this day.

"No!"

Xu Zhongling shook his head, biting his fingers, and kept muttering, "Surrendering the city is tantamount to suicide! Mingchen and Wang Huai have a complicated relationship. Wang Huai won't let me go. He'd trade Daqi and Qianyuan for my life!"

"We are at their mercy, the agreement is worthless, abandoning Xiaoyao City is tantamount to suicide."

"I won't leave! I won't leave! This is the only chance!"

The class barriers are too high and too deep.

Among the hundreds of millions of people in the world, there is only one Wang Huai.

How difficult was it for Xu Zhongling to walk this path himself?
Through cunning schemes, sweet talk, and extreme caution, he rose step by step from an unknown nobody to his current position.

It may have been said in just a few words, but behind it all lay meticulous planning and scheming.

He didn't have the courage to give up everything and start over.

He knew that this was his only chance.

If he cannot follow his plan to annex the Blood-Clad Army and instigate a major battle between Qian Yuan and Bei Lie... he will have no more chances.

All his ambitions and dreams vanished into thin air.

He was unwilling to settle for mediocrity.

"I have been ordained by Heaven; I am destined to be the emperor!"

There must be some way, there must be some loophole.

He has always been talented.

See weaknesses in strengths, and opportunities for victory in weaknesses.

But what about now?

He has reached a dead end; where is the chance of victory in this desperate situation?

He bit his finger without any expression.

Suddenly, a sickeningly loud "snap!" sound echoed through the silent room.

Amidst the splatter of blood, Xu Zhongling spat out a section of his finger.

Crimson blood spurted out and landed on his handsome face, making him look somewhat sinister and eerie.

"Qi Yuan, how do we win?"

"Is your Blood Knight any good?"

"Is that alright..."

"Fire attack, water attack... or maybe poison!"

"Yes, poison them!"

His brain was racing, his blood-stained face now calm yet terrifyingly distorted, his eyes gleaming as he muttered to himself.

Xu Zhongling's entire demeanor was somewhat strange.

Qi Yuan simply shook his head: "No, that won't work."

Mingchen is a dangerous person.

When he first learned that the Qian Yuan Army had arrived, he was struck by an unbelievable piece of information.

The Blood Demon Curse on Wang Huai... is gone?
This is simply unbelievable.

That's simply impossible!
When his teacher taught him magic, he said that the Blood Demon Curse was passed down from the gods and that it was unsolvable.

Even after a person dies, it will still have an effect.

How could it be... broken just like that?
He knew some rumors about Mingchen, and assumed he was also a cultivator, and a not-so-simple one at that.

Even if he gave it his all and used unorthodox methods to influence the battlefield, he still lacked confidence in facing such a strange opponent as Ming Chen.

(End of this chapter)