"Youyou..." Shen Yueshan suddenly called to her with a serious expression, wanting to say something but swallowing his words. "Father will be back soon."
Shen Xihe watched as Shen Yueshan swiftly rode away on his horse. His hesitation was undoubtedly related to Xiao Huayong, though he hadn't voiced it, causing her to frown slightly. Yet she didn't dwell on it further.
Shen Yueshan had noticed his daughter growing increasingly attached to her husband. Even knowing his daughter was strong-willed and resilient enough to endure the worst outcomes, he still couldn't bear the thought of her experiencing such profound grief.
Worried about the future yet unable to advise his daughter to distance herself emotionally from her husband—not only because he couldn't wish for Xiao Huayong's misfortune, but also because it would be unprincipled to prioritize self-preservation in matters of love, especially considering Xiao Huayong's sincere efforts for the Northwest—Shen Yueshan found himself unable to speak his mind.
Personally taking charge, Shen Yueshan spent two days stealthily seizing the treasures Xiao Changtai had gifted to the Turkic Khan. Despite the Khan's cautious distribution across multiple hiding spots, the allure of the potion proved irresistible to the rodents that had consumed it, allowing Shen Yueshan to loot every location without missing a single cache.
After plundering the wealth, Shen Yueshan had the chests loaded onto carts and paraded before them, opening them ostentatiously to make the contents clear. The Turkic Khan fainted on the spot from rage. Led by the Southern Prince, some Turkic chieftains realized they could gain no further advantages and immediately plotted to eliminate the Khan while he was vulnerable. They claimed the Khan had offended the Celestial Dynasty and atoned with his life, using this pretext to secure maximum benefits for themselves.
With their king dead in repentance, Shen Yueshan and his son could press harder, allowing the chieftains to incite all Turkic warriors—even risking another battle, as the Shen father and son might not gain much from it.
Fully aware of their scheme, Shen Yueshan infiltrated the royal tent that very night, rescuing the Turkic Khan from a flurry of blades at the critical moment and incidentally killing the Turkic's formidable Southern Prince in the process.
The Turkic could only swallow their anger over the Southern Prince's death, as Shen Yueshan had saved their Khan, and the Southern Prince was a traitor.
Though the Turkic Khan survived the ordeal, he was furious about the Southern Prince's demise—overshadowing the Southern Prince's attempt on his life—because he knew the loss would rapidly deplete the Turkic's military leadership, making it impossible to challenge the Celestial Dynasty in the short term.
Compelled by circumstances, he had no choice but to concede and accept Shen Yungan's proposal.
"Khan, the previous offer of three thousand warhorses annually was for surrender. Now that my father and I have saved your life, the terms must be revised. You will need to tribute five thousand warhorses to the Northwest each year for ten years," Shen Yungan declared with a roguish grin, raising the stakes on the spot.
The Turkic Khan was so enraged he rolled his eyes, but Shen Yungan placed his broadsword against the necks of the Khan's two remaining princes. One slice, and the Turkic royal line would be reduced to the Khan alone!
"Deal!" the Turkic Khan forced out through gritted teeth, expending all his strength.
Subsequent haggling over other matters held little interest for Shen Yungan. What he wanted were warhorses—mighty steeds that would form the foundation of a strengthened army.The following day, both parties signed the treaty outside Tingzhou City. The treaty was made in triplicate: one copy for the Turks, one kept by the Northwest Prince's residence, and the remaining copy, of course, was swiftly dispatched to the capital to let His Majesty feast his eyes on it.
All these items belonged to the Northwest. However, the gold, silver, and treasures that Xiao Changtai had given to the Turks had come to light. Since these items were obtained through illicit means and the Northwest, with Hua Fuhai having established a thriving market, had no need for them, Shen Yueshan generously waved his hand and returned them to the Youning Emperor as a small consolation.
In reality, the Youning Emperor found no comfort upon receiving them. He knew full well that this wealth had been bribes from Xiao Changtai to the Turks. The thought that his exiled son had amassed such a fortune made him wish he could dig him out of his grave.
With the matters in Tingzhou resolved,
Shen Xihe and the others returned to the Northwest King's city. Upon entering, they were greeted by crowds of commoners lining the streets to welcome them. Everyone knew that this time, they had dealt a heavy blow to the Turks—it was said that the Turkic royal family had been nearly wiped out, leaving only one or two survivors. Moreover, the Turks were now required to pay tribute in warhorses for ten years, meaning that for the next decade, the Turks would absolutely not trouble them again. Although the Turks had not invaded for many years prior, they had still occasionally stirred up trouble, forcing the people to remain constantly vigilant. Now, they could finally breathe easy and focus on raising families without worry.
Xiao Changfeng followed behind Shen Xihe's carriage, observing how the commoners revered the Shen father and son as if they were deities. He couldn't help but marvel at how deeply rooted the Shen clan's influence was in the Northwest.
In his youth, he had followed his father to the Northeast, where the people also held his father in high esteem. When news of his father's death spread, there were even commoners who mourned and held funeral rites. Yet, it paled in comparison to the reverence for Shen Yueshan.
The people of the Northeast were grateful to his father and grieved his passing, but they did not reach the point of feeling utterly lost, fearful, or as if the sky had fallen upon losing him. The people of the Northwest, however, would.
Just as Shen Yueshan had gone to great lengths to kill Geng Liangcheng in order to stabilize the Northwest's generals and populace, if His Majesty wished for Shen Yueshan's death, he would have to make the Northwest's people accept it wholeheartedly. Otherwise, the region would plunge into internal chaos in an instant.
At this thought, a deep worry surfaced in Xiao Changfeng's eyes.
They arrived joyfully at the entrance of the Prince's residence, only to be taken aback when Geng Liangcheng's wife, clad in mourning attire and holding his memorial tablet high, suddenly rushed out. Her appearance froze the smiles on everyone's faces, and the surroundings fell into an immediate silence.
"Your Highness, my late husband followed you since childhood, repeatedly risking his life for the Northwest—never once harming it in the slightest. His parents both died at the hands of the Turks while defending against their invasions. How could my husband have conspired with the Turks? This humble woman does not believe it!" Madam Geng knelt with a thud, raising the memorial tablet high above her head. "The gods watch from above! I beg Your Highness to clear my late husband's name!"
As soon as Madam Geng finished speaking, the surrounding commoners began to whisper among themselves. Memories of Geng Liangcheng's past virtues surfaced in their hearts, making them realize that, upon careful reflection, it truly seemed as Madam Geng had said: General Geng had never betrayed the Northwest. If he had intended to collude with the Turks, he would have defected back when his parents were in Turkic hands.
In this era, filial piety was highly valued, and most children regarded their parents' lives as more important than their own.Since his parents never raised Geng Liangcheng to be a traitor, how could he, in his twilight years, turn renegade just to cling to life?
"Sister-in-law, do you truly wish for this prince to publicly determine right and wrong before the entire city?" Shen Yueshan's gaze was heavy.
Madam Geng refused to believe her husband would betray their country. If this accusation were not overturned, the Geng clan would struggle to maintain their standing in the northwest.
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