Even emperors have it tough, so don't be too picky about the entries.

Chen Shao led his army on a swift march, covering a hundred miles in the night.

Xiao Lue's old bones were shaken to pieces.

Several times he tried to ask Chen Shao to take a break, but Chen Shao coldly told him that speed was of the essence in war and stopped him each time.

Finally, Chen Shao raised his hand, and the army rested on the spot.

He was exhausted.

Lulong had long since been left far behind, and whether he could request reinforcements depended on his mood.

Chen Shao summoned a trusted confidant and whispered a few words in his ear. The confidant clasped his hands in apology and left.

"What is this?" Xiao Lue was now keeping a close eye on Chen Shao.

"Oh, let him go back to Lulong and report the good news to Lord Xiao."

"What good news?"

"Of course, it was a night of riding."

So that's how it is. Xiao Lue plopped down on the ground.

Looking at Chen Shao, he smiled wryly:

"Why does the Immortal Master seem like a completely different person now that he's in battle?"

"Just a few days ago at the manor, he was so carefree and easygoing, but tonight he seemed to have a deep-seated grudge against me. This old man has been through a lot."

Chen Shao sat down beside him, took a big gulp of water, and said calmly:

"War is not child's play; one must be cautious."

"Although I possess Taoist magic, it is of little use in the midst of a vast army."

"Arrogance leads to defeat. You have experience leading troops, so you should understand this principle better than I do."

Xiao Lue was just complaining casually.

The more Chen Shaoyue acted this way, the more at ease he felt.

This person is reliable.

If Chen Shao continues to laugh and joke during battles, I'll have to consider withdrawing my troops.

"The Immortal Master is truly extraordinary. I never imagined that in my old age, I would be able to become a close friend of such a person and fight alongside him. It is truly the greatest fortune of my life."

Chen Shao laughed heartily:

"You'll never forget me, your friend."

He pointed in the direction of Lulong, then suddenly changed the subject.

"It's much more lively over there. It's a pity we're stuck here eating and sleeping in the open."

"It's naturally lively."

Xiao Lue's words revealed an undisguised pride.

"Although my Xiao family controls a small region, we are a family of scholars for generations. Lulong is located on the frontier and cannot compare to the prosperity of the capital, but under the rule of the Xiao family for generations, the weather is favorable and the people live in peace and contentment."

"Live and work in peace and contentment?" Chen Shao couldn't help but ask coldly.

Xiao Lue was in a state of excitement and did not notice his subtle change, taking it as admiration.

"Indeed, the Xiao family upholds the tradition of propriety and wins people over with virtue, and the entire town of Lulong is united as one."

"It has become a haven of peace in this chaotic world."

"When our army returns in triumph, I will host a banquet for the entire city to celebrate the Immortal Master's victory and erect a shrine in his honor!"

Chen Shao sighed softly.

As if pointing something:

"When the dynasty prospers, the people suffer; when the dynasty falls, the people suffer. What are rites, filial piety, loyalty, and righteousness? They are nothing but knots that those in power put around the necks of the people."

"If they hold on to the end of the rope and loosen it even a little, the people can still barely survive."

"If he's unhappy, a gentle pull will suffocate him to death."

Xiao looked at Chen Shao with slight surprise.

After a moment of silence, he couldn't help but clap his hands and laugh.

"The Immortal Master is truly a treasure; his words always have a profound and thought-provoking impact."

"Among the people of this world, there are ultimately more fools than wise men. If there are no ropes to restrain them, and they are allowed to run wild and act recklessly, fighting and robbing each other, killing each other today and tomorrow, that would truly lead to widespread suffering and destruction."

"Therefore, sages established rites and music, and set forth the Three Cardinal Guides and Five Constant Virtues."

"The people are like wheat seedlings in the field; if they don't take root and grow out of the rows, they will fall over with a gust of wind."

"We are the ones who shepherd the people on behalf of Heaven, those who mark the boundaries for them."

"yes."

Chen Shao nodded in agreement. "The world is truly chaotic. People eat people, people trample on people. In chaotic times, human life is less than that of a dog."

"Everyone hates animals, yet everyone is an animal."

Xiao Lue felt that something was not quite right, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

Why does General Xuanji seem to have so many feelings today?

"Just thinking about it casually."

Chen Shao patted his bottom and stood up.

A faint smile:

"Have you rested enough, sir? We can set off now."

"Strive to win the battle as soon as possible, so that the old general can go home and reunite with his family."

"Hahaha, General, your mind is full of military affairs. Enough, enough, let's go."

......

Lulong, Xiao Mansion.

After the sacrificial ceremony, he saw off the army as it set off for war. As usual, Xiao Yan practiced calligraphy and enjoyed some tea.

He then gently pushed open the door to Madam Shen Yueying's room.

Although the two had long been sleeping in separate rooms, they still exchanged a few tender words every night.

Platonic marriage.

As soon as I entered the room, I saw the lady doing her usual beauty routine.

Xiao Yan smiled and said:

"Madam is so diligent; she's still practicing at this hour."

"Sigh, I think I've taken good care of myself, but people still say we look more like father and daughter."

A compliment was offered, but this time the lady did not respond at all.

"Look at how much you've been training, you don't even have the energy to speak anymore, you should take a rest."

Xiao Yan leaned closer and tugged at the lady's skirt, but she still didn't move.

Ok?

He forcibly lifted his wife up, only to see her face, still bearing an extremely excited smile, but with pupils that had already changed.

"what!"

Xiao Yan was so frightened that he stumbled backward several steps.

He fell flat on his backside.

His hand trembled as he pointed to the beautiful woman lying on the bed, her life already extinguished:

"lady!"

A piercing scream shattered the silence of the night sky above the Xiao residence.

The lights in the mansion quickly came on.

Several maids hurriedly prepared the lady's body; fortunately, it was still warm, and they were able to restore her to health.

If it had been discovered any later, it might have been buried there.

"How did he die!" Xiao Yan grabbed the doctor's collar, his refined face now contorted with rage.

"Reporting to you, sir... it was... first... then rape and murder..."

"What?!"

Xiao Yan nearly fainted.

This kind of humiliation is something that most people cannot endure.

Moreover, he was a man of high standing, a military governor of a town, a powerful regional official!

"But the lady had no wounds, no bleeding. How was she killed?"

"asphyxia..."

Now Xiao Yan understood.

He wasn't very interested in this kind of thing, but he often heard about it.

Many people develop this habit after taking Wushi Powder.

He suppressed his anger and slowly calmed himself down.

He waved to everyone in the room:

"You can all leave now."

Everyone quickly took their leave, and after they all left, Xiao Yan summoned his personal guards.

"Kill everyone just now."

Family scandals should not be aired in public.

Especially this lush green color; if word gets out, it will be ridiculed by everyone.

"Bring those two unfilial sons here!"

The doors and windows were intact, and there were no signs of struggle inside.

Xiao Yan's first suspects were none other than his two sons.

This is something they're capable of doing!