fake gentry

Compared to the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period at the end of the Tang Dynasty, the bad people of this era cannot be called bad people.

Shen Chong was one of them.

The almost maniacal appreciation and so-called demeanor among the scholars made Shen Chong look at Xie Hong with new respect, and he almost forgot his mission.

He looked Xie Hong over again, the coldness in his eyes lessening and replaced by a hint of appreciation.

"You have guts, you may sit down."

He pointed to the side, and Xie Hong, without any hesitation, walked over and knelt down calmly.

Zhou Guang sighed inwardly, sat down, and ordered his servants to serve wine.

"Young Master Xie, I have heard of your name. For someone your age to be able to refute three renowned scholars, I have no doubt about your talent. If you are willing to serve the Prime Minister, I am willing to recommend you. You can go from being a prisoner to an honored guest. What do you say?"

Xie Hong did not answer, and Shen Chong did not care, continuing to speak: "Xie Youyu has offended the Prime Minister, and you are slandering him like this. The Xie family of Chen Commandery will probably end with you."

Xie Hong remained silent for a while, then looked at Shen Chong earnestly and said, "Master Shen, I know a man named Shen Qing. May I ask who he is to you?"

Shen Chong was taken aback for a moment.

"Shen Qing is an outstanding member of the Shen family of Wuxing. He is my nephew and has a close relationship with my son Jin."

He never expected that Xie Hong would know Shen Qing.

Xie Hong nodded: "If the Shen clan of Wuxing is wiped out one day, I can protect these two."

Zhou Guang's hand trembled, and he almost dropped the wine cup. Shen Chong, however, burst into laughter, pointed at Xie Hong, and asked Zhou Guang, "Has this brat always been so arrogant?"

Zhou Guang paused for a moment, then gave a wry smile and remained silent.

Shen Chong suddenly became very interested in Xie Hong and asked with a smile, "Since you say that the Shen family of Wuxing was killed by me, could you tell me a little about what kind of person I am?"

Zhou Guang immediately said, "Shiju, why bother with this?"

Xie Hong couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

Pretending to be cool is truly an art, sometimes requiring exceptional skill and timing. When facing a ruthless figure like Shen Chong, one must strike the right balance. Even with his godlike perspective, one cannot be careless.

From the moment Zhou Ping came to deliver the message, he was already planning how to safely escape from Wuchang, and also how to make his presence felt.

Neither the Huangshiyan Gathering nor the gathering of northern and southern gentry in Taoping was enough to give him the right to negotiate with top bigwigs.

But if he could escape from Wang Dun's clutches, it would be a great honor for him.

But this is like dancing on a tightrope with an abyss below.

Therefore, Shen Chong will become his first ally.

Throughout history, given Shen Chong's character, Xie Hong could not have changed his fate, because such a person, once he sets his mind on something, will do it to the bitter end.

If he could successfully persuade Shen Chong to protect him, given Wang Dun's high regard for Shen Chong, his life would be practically saved. The other half would depend on how he performed in Wuchang.

"Master Shen, I have some knowledge of physiognomy, and even Ge Zhichuan admires me. I will not easily give my physiognomy reading to others."

If Xie Hong hadn't mentioned Ge Zhichuan, Shen Chong would have immediately ordered his guards to put Xie Hong in a prison cart and take him away the next day. He only saw the boy's sharp tongue, nothing else of interest to him.

For a powerful figure like him, boldness is merely a stepping stone.

The door is open. If you continue talking nonsense, you're wasting my time and your life.

However, Shen Chong had to take the name Ge Zhichuan seriously.

Seeing Shen Chong looking at him, Zhou Guang immediately said, "Master Shiju, Ge Xianweng originally practiced alchemy in Lushan, but he became acquainted with Xie's son, and now they are as close as family. Everyone in Huangshiyan can testify to this."

Shen Chong's expression turned much more serious when he looked at Xie Hong again.

Ge Hong's alchemy skills were renowned throughout the world, but his physiognomy skills were only known within a small circle.

But this small scope is too high a level.

Because that is the top-tier A clan group.

Many people tried various methods to ask Ge Hong to read their fortunes, but Ge Hong always politely declined.

"What does Xie Lang want? Just name your price, even a million coins won't make me haggle."

Xie Hong...

There's no denying it; the woman in front of me is a real tycoon.

As a modern person, Xie Hong came into this era with a completely aloof perspective on everyone he encountered.

There's no way around it, it's just basic cheating.

What can be said about Shen Chong?

He perfectly embodies the characteristics of the powerful military clans of Jiangdong.

They valued promises more than life and death.

But their ambitions were too great, and they were too short-sighted.

He had a very close personal relationship with Wang Dun and followed him wholeheartedly. Even after Wang Dun's defeat and death, he refused to surrender to the Jie Zhao. Knowing that the situation was hopeless, he still insisted on raising an army and ultimately chose death over surrender.

Let alone Wang Dun, even enemies and adversaries would have to give Shen Chong a thumbs up for his loyalty.

As a local powerful family in Wuxing, he was also known in the village for his generosity and righteousness. He almost gave away all his wealth to befriend local chivalrous people, and he had a strong influence in Wuxing. This is the fundamental reason why, after his death, the Shen family of Wuxing became a criminal family, and his son Shen Jin was able to recruit a thousand strong men by virtue of his family influence. They fought hard in Luoyang for a year and no one fled.

But this guy's actions were too radical and short-sighted.

For the sake of family interests, even Wang Dun's second rebellion could be attributed to him and Qian Feng, completely disregarding the safety of the people of Jiangdong.

Moreover, he lacked a long-term political vision. At that time, the court had already offered him the high position of one of the Three Dukes, but he refused, saying, "How dare I accept such an important position? When working with men, we must remain steadfast. If I change my mind halfway, I will lose my integrity. Who will tolerate me in the future?"

Ultimately, he was utterly disgraced.

If Wang Dunruo had stopped after his first uprising, he might have had a good ending.

Having served his full potential as a powerful minister, and possessing the identity of the Langya Wang clan, plus being Sima Yan's son-in-law and military commander, who would dare to touch Wang Dun? Before his death, he could hand over power to the Sima clan, and given the Sima clan's nature, they might even posthumously grant him a dukedom.

Just look at the titles he gave himself.

Prime Minister.

Commander-in-Chief of all military affairs, both domestic and foreign.

Record the affairs of the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat.

Duke of Wuchang.

The title of Duke of a Commandery was the highest it could be during the Jin Dynasty; Dukes were usually posthumously conferred.

Xie Hong is inclined to believe that Wang Dun's second rebellion was entirely beyond his control, a case of being caught in a trap and unable to escape.

He's reached the top. What will happen to the brothers who followed him?

People like Shen Chong and Qian Feng risked their lives to follow you, just so you could become emperor and they could get promoted and ennobled.

The difference between the gentry and commoners was immense, but the hierarchy of contempt within the gentry was also very severe.

Just like the Shen family of Wuxing, no matter how strong their military power or how much money they have, in the Jiangzuo region, would the four families of Gu, Lu, Zhu, and Zhang even take them seriously?

Why are they called powerful figures?

That's no different from calling someone a nouveau riche in modern times.

"When Lord Shen raised his arm in Wuxing, followers flocked to him. Moreover, the Wu Shen clan had more than 10,000 followers, all of whom were supported by Lord Shen. In terms of strength, no one in Jiangzuo could surpass him."

Zhou Guang's eyes were filled with envy when he heard this.

The Shen family of Wuxing was incredibly wealthy, while the Zhou family was practically penniless. This is why Shen Chong was Wang Dun's core supporter, while the Zhou family could only serve as lackeys.

Can you believe that the Shen family owns a city in Wuxing? Not only do they own vast estates and fortified villages, completely controlling the local economic lifeline, but all the officials in the prefecture are also bound to the Shen family by their interests, making it impossible to check or balance them. Even the imperial court has to deliberately win them over.

Even after Shen Chong was killed for his rebellion, the foundation of the Shen family of Wuxing remained unshaken. They quickly recovered through the family's influence and eventually became one of the top families in the Southern Dynasties.

Xie Hong rattled off, and Shen Chong was practically kneeling on the spot.

He felt that there was no one else in the world who understood him as well as Xie Hong.

Xie the charlatan spoke to Shen Chong's heart in every word.

Finally, Xie Hong looked at Shen Chong and sighed, "What a pity, you were such a beautiful woman, why did you have to become a traitor?"

Shen Chong...

Zhou Guang...

The esteemed Wu Nei Shi (Prefect of Wu), military advisor to the Grand General, and Wang Dun's second most trusted confidant, actually rose from his seat and solemnly bowed to Xie Hong: "Young Master Xie, what can you teach me?"

Now it was Xie Hong's turn to be dumbfounded?

What?

You're not going to rebel anymore?

Did I change history with my words?

No, you have to keep rebelling.

If you don't rebel, how will Xi Jian quell the rebellion? Wouldn't all my previous verbal attacks have been for nothing?

"Alas, Lord Shen is a man who values ​​his promises above all else. A true man's word is as good as gold, and cannot be overturned. What more can I say?"

Shen Chong bowed deeply to the ground: "Master Xie knows me, but if you go to Wuchang, you will know that the Prime Minister is not as you think. May I ask what you seek?"

Xie Hong really wanted to say, "Old Shen, when we get to Wuchang in a few days, ask your older brother to plead for me and not take my life."

But that would be so undignified.

He returned the courtesy and said, "Sir Shen, you flatter me. Those who know me say I am worried, while those who do not know me ask what I seek. I have no other desires than that we are destined to meet here and now."

Shen Chong was filled with shame. How could I let Xie Langjun say it himself?

Shen Shiju, you're so immature!

He bowed to Xie Hong again and said, "When you arrive in Wuchang, I will surely repay you."

done?

Xie Hong was overjoyed, but then he noticed that Zhou Guang was staring intently at him, the meaning of which was all too clear.

Can you tell me my fortune, Xie Lang?

Xie Hong laughed and said, "My lord, we've already given you the brocade pouch, why bother with this?"

Shen Chong immediately looked at Zhou Guang.