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

Chapter 328 Mingchen's Letter
We're all cunning foxes in the officialdom.

Know what is beneficial to you and what is detrimental to you.

Seeing this news about Mingchen would do Liu Xifeng no good whatsoever; it would only cause him trouble.

Why would you meet with the leader of an enemy country when you have nothing better to do? What did you talk about?
If yellow mud gets into your crotch, even if it's not shit, it's still shit.

He couldn't explain his meeting with Mingchen at all.

He certainly wouldn't speak out voluntarily.

Controlling one's tongue is very important for being an official.

This seemingly insignificant point, however, is an undeniable source of conflict between Liu Xifeng and Deng Yingcheng.

Li Congyun paused, then turned to Liu Xifeng as if giving a hint, saying, "General Liu, we are dealing with people like Ming Chen and Ling Yu, so we must be careful."

"If we are not careful, this cunning person could take advantage of us."

"Now that we've already lost one hurdle, we need to be even more vigilant and cautious. Don't you agree?"

He was trying to get a message from Liu Xifeng, hoping to get the answer he wanted.

only……

"Indeed, indeed! That's natural, that's natural."

"Lord Li, please rest assured, General Deng, there will absolutely be no problem here."

Liu Xifeng said with a smile.

But a sense of foreboding grew stronger in my heart.

He had just met Mingchen when Deng Yingcheng, in this heavy snow, hurriedly dumped Li Congyun here to handle official business.

The conversation with him also touched on Mingchen. What does that mean?
Suddenly, he was startled; a guilty conscience makes one think uncontrollably.

Did Deng Yingcheng find out that Mingchen had come?

What does he want to do?
If Deng Yingcheng knew about this... shouldn't he confess now and reveal his true feelings?

After all, he righteously and firmly rejected Mingchen!

He would be at a great disadvantage if he were accused of treason.

But if I'm honest, will it really help?

His conversation with Mingchen was overheard by no influential people, and no one vouched for him!

No matter how much he talks, it's still just one side of the story.

Can a suspicious person really be trusted?
As his thoughts raced, Liu Xifeng suddenly shuddered.

Li Congyun's gaze was almost tangible, as if it could penetrate flesh and see into his heart.

An invisible fear began to spread in my heart.

He felt as if he had fallen into a net, with nowhere to go, and the more he struggled, the deeper he sank.

"General Liu?"

"what happened to you?"

As Liu Xifeng's mind raced, Li Congyun noticed his dazed expression and kept asking him questions.

"Harmful……"

"Nothing, nothing."

Liu Xifeng waved his hand: "Perhaps you're a little tired today."

“That Mingchen is a cunning and treacherous man. Lord Li, you must remind General Deng to be extremely careful.”

"I am utterly loyal to our Beilie. Only by uniting against this enemy can we deal with it."

Liu Xifeng ultimately did not confess that Mingchen had come.

If Deng Yingcheng knew nothing and just exposed himself, wouldn't that make him seem very stupid?

This is extremely detrimental to his political future.

But he expressed his loyalty and hoped the other party could understand.

Li Congyun nodded with a smile: "General Deng also meant the same thing."

"General Liu, Qian Yuan only has 10,000 soldiers and has only occupied one pass. They are nothing but a bunch of chickens and dogs. Even if Ming Chen and Ling Yu are more capable than the heavens, we can still hold them off."

"Once His Majesty sends a large army over, with General Tian and the others in charge, we will surely be able to drive them back."

"If we can hold the pass, we will have accomplished a great feat."

These are the words Deng Yingcheng said on behalf of Li Congyun.

In any case, even if it means taking action against Liu Xifeng, we must do our best to appease him.

Liu Xifeng himself is not important; what matters is the pass he guards and the soldiers under his command.

Liu Xifeng laughed and said, "That's natural, that's natural."

Both of them had their own ulterior motives and exchanged some meaningless, trivial remarks.

The conversation ended there.

The logistical matters were quickly completed.

Li Congyun glanced at Liu Xifeng, then cupped his hands in farewell: "General Liu, General Deng is waiting for me to report back! I won't stay any longer!"

"Is it in such a hurry? Lord Li, please wait a little longer!"

As time went on, Liu Xifeng's ominous premonition grew stronger.

He has a very keen sense in this area.

Relying on his intuition, he made a crucial leap when the Northern Emperor ascended the throne, thus avoiding a dead end.

Right now, his temples were throbbing, and he had a vague feeling that if Li Congyun left...

This will be a devastating blow to his future.

After a period of frantic mental activity, he had a vague idea of ​​Mingchen's intentions.

That damned Mingchen, his purpose in coming here was probably never to persuade them to surrender.

It only created the fact that it happened once.

Their conversation would be kept secret from outsiders, which allowed for endless speculation.

It could be a loyal minister who refuses to surrender with great passion and fervor.

But it could also mean colluding with each other.

Deng Yingcheng, Tian Hong, the civil and military officials of the court... and even His Majesty, what do they prefer to believe?
It felt like there was a knot in his throat. As he walked forward, the knot tightened and constricted, making it hard for Liu Xifeng to breathe.

He had already taken the wrong first step by not reacting strongly to Mingchen's arrival at the beginning.

As a person and as an official, one must avoid trying to do both things at the same time, and one must not put all one's eggs in several baskets.

Even if you do that, don't let anyone else know.

Now that Li Congyun is leaving, it seems he has missed the best opportunity to explain.

With the future becoming increasingly uncertain, what should he do?
Was all of this what Mingchen had planned?
No way... no way...

Was it just a coincidence?

Didn't Mingchen say that his arrival here was top secret?
He's lying!
Lord Li was probably just here by chance to inspect the work, wasn't he?

No, it was Deng Yingcheng who sent him to test them!

A clash between wishful thinking and reason.

His mind was in turmoil, and he unconsciously reached out and grabbed Li Congyun's wrist: "At least wait until tomorrow, when the snow stops, before you leave. Since you've come all this way, how about having a few more cups of tea with me?"

Li Congyun cannot leave!

Liu Xifeng's smile became somewhat stiff, and his grasping of Li Congyun's hand was also a bit impolite.

Li Congyun frowned: "General Liu, it's not that I don't want to stay, it's just that I'm very busy with official duties!"

Liu Xifeng smiled, his mind filled with a myriad of thoughts.

Finally, I let him go.

They watched as the other person's figure disappeared into the vast expanse of flying snow.

Liu Xifeng's expression grew increasingly grim.

His face was grim as he murmured softly, "Li Congyun..."

Or, we could send someone to ambush and kill him on the way.

With heavy snow falling, it's not unusual for a few people to go missing.

Once we get through this winter, nothing else matters.

After thinking about it, he shook his head.

Li Congyun was also surrounded by guards, making this a very dangerous move. Assassination itself is unpredictable, and if it fails, his treason would be a foregone conclusion.

Moreover, even if Li Congyun had disappeared, given Deng Yingcheng's personality, he would certainly be even more suspicious of him.

However, without doing anything, Li Congyun went back to report the situation.

Deng Yingcheng was bound to submit a memorial to His Majesty.

His life didn't end with just defending this pass.

He needs to plan and think about his future.

He also wanted official position, and he wanted wealth and honor...

If Deng Yingcheng had delivered the memorial to Qin Lou's table, even if he had managed to defend the pass, his political future might have been ruined.

Deng Yingcheng was only slightly taller than him, but that slight difference was enough to be fatal.

His Majesty clearly trusts Deng Yingcheng more, and Deng Yingcheng has no way to defend himself.

He will lose all his chips at that time.

His background was never clean, and he wasn't one of the ministers who firmly chose Qinlou from the beginning. His Majesty won't give him a second chance.

How to do?
How to do?
Layers of fog obscured his vision, and he moved forward by instinct.

One step wrong, step by step wrong.

They were tricked and manipulated step by step, leading them to a dead end.

Time flew by, and night had fallen, but Liu Xifeng remained seated, his mind racing, constantly recalling the events of the past few days.

He was searching for a way to untie the knot in his throat.

However, despite being drenched in sweat and feeling dizzy, he couldn't find a solution and felt increasingly desperate. Suddenly, a young, handsome smiling face flashed through his mind.

Somehow, in the midst of the chaos, a thought took root.

And at this moment,
"General, a letter has just been delivered from beyond the pass."

The guards rushed over, interrupting Liu Xifeng's thoughts.

He was jolted awake and stood up abruptly.

"Zhi!"

The moment he had a thought, it was shattered by someone else; it was too much of a coincidence for him.

He couldn't control his emotions.

He drew his longsword and placed it on the guard's shoulder, his bloodshot eyes fixed on him: "Has anyone else seen this letter?"

"No...no..."

……

Meanwhile, on the other side...

Returning amidst the heavy snow, Li Congyun was led to Deng Yingcheng before he had even taken off his cloak.

"Lord Li, quickly, tell me, what's the situation with Liu Xifeng?"

The spies from Xingtai Pass have already reported that Mingchen did indeed leave the city and go to Libu Pass once.

Xingtai Pass, Zheng Jun, Liu Xifeng... all the intelligence points to a terrible ending.

Deng Yingcheng no longer trusts Liu Xifeng at all.

Now he needs Li Congyun's report to define Liu Xifeng's character.

If Liu Xifeng had confessed immediately that Mingchen had been there, both he and Libuguan would have been adamant.

That's alright. Although suspicions remain, at least we can feel a little more at ease. We can get through this period and let someone with higher authority deal with him.

If he said nothing and stammered to hide his identity, Deng Yingcheng would assume that he had already betrayed the country.

At the very least, they lacked resolve for the country, were misled by Mingchen's fallacious words, and wavered between right and wrong.

Because if it were him, from his perspective, a loyal general guarding the city, upon encountering someone like Mingchen, should righteously refuse him and try to capture him. Even if he couldn't capture him, he should at least make his stance clear.

In his mind, none of the steps Liu Xifeng took seemed like the path a general loyal to Bei Lie should take.

This is due to a difference in values ​​and perspectives. Liu Xifeng doesn't understand Deng Yingcheng, and Deng Yingcheng is destined not to consider Liu Xifeng's thought process and behavioral logic.

Unfortunately, Li Congyun shook his head at him.

"General, Liu Xifeng didn't say anything..."

Li Congyun recounted everything he had experienced at Libu Pass to Deng Yingcheng, down to the smallest detail.

Deng Yingcheng was a suspicious and cautious person.

He already distrusted Liu Xifeng, and now Liu Xifeng's conservative response has crossed his bottom line.

Liu Xifeng couldn't sleep.

Similarly, Deng Yingcheng couldn't sleep either.

Based on Li Congyun's report, Liu Xifeng might also have something to hide!

Otherwise, they wouldn't have insisted on keeping Li Congyun there.

The situation is now very dangerous for Deng Yingcheng, regardless of whether Liu Xifeng has surrendered to Qian Yuan or is still wavering.

He is no longer suitable to hold such an important position.

Deng Yingcheng needed to find a way to transfer Liu Xifeng out as quickly as possible and take away his power.

Even a minute's delay could lead to irreversible consequences.

Little did he know that the more urgent and faster he acted, the more he would shatter this precarious peace.

……

Another day passed.

For many, this day may have felt extremely long.

The information is still being transmitted en route; the instructions from above have not yet been issued.

The two generals were trembling with fear as they faced an enemy of far greater stature.

Suspicion also grew amidst the chaotic intelligence and conspiracies.

Liu Xifeng hasn't slept for two nights.

He still harbored a侥幸心理 (a gambler's mentality).

A day passed, and nothing happened.

Perhaps he was just overthinking it all.

The most important thing now is time. We need to wait for Bei Lie's intelligence to come back, announce the end of their guard duty, and transfer them away.

His mission was then complete.

Time passed quickly, and nothing happened, which seemed to be disadvantageous for Mingchen.

Because his plans couldn't wait any longer.

The longer it drags on, the slimmer the chance of success becomes.

Once the decisive general from the Northern Frontier arrives at the border, he can shatter all conspiracies.

This is a competition of who can remain calm and collected.

However, a day later, the heavy snow stopped and the sun shone brightly.

Several soldiers entered Libu Pass under the sunlight, breaking the tense situation.

"General Liu, His Majesty has received urgent intelligence from the border."

"General Tian Hong has been dispatched to Zhenling Pass to garrison the area."

The soldier stood tall and relayed the order to Liu Xifeng: "General Liu, please depart immediately for Zhenling Pass to receive the General's instructions for your reassignment."

"what?!"

Liu Xifeng was jolted, as if struck by lightning.

For him, the worst may have already happened.

"General Tian Hong has arrived?"

Mingchen and Lingyu are Qian Yuan's two trump cards, and they have already personally gone to the battlefield.

Liu Xifeng had no doubt that after receiving the intelligence, Bei Lie would also send Tian Hong, the most senior and prestigious official, to confront them.

But... is all of this true?

His hopes were shattered. Trembling, he asked the soldiers, "Do you have any proof?"

"It contains a letter written by a great general."

A soldier handed over a letter.

Liu Xifeng didn't even glance at it.

He knew that Tian Hong was definitely not in Zhenling Pass now.

Deng Yingcheng has already made his move.

Deng Yingcheng wanted to lure him out and seize his power.

It's no use saying anything now.

Liu Xifeng squinted and forced a kind smile: "Gentlemen, may I tidy up first?"

"General, hurry! The Great General orders you to arrive today."

Liu Xifeng simply smiled and waved his hand: "Alright! Alright, you soldiers must be tired from your journey, go and rest for a while!"

The soldiers glanced at him, but obediently withdrew.

Liu Xifeng's smile vanished instantly.

He had two letters in his hand, but he did not read the so-called 'General's letter'; instead, he read the other one.

He had read this letter dozens of times that day.

"General Liu, it has been several days since I last saw you, and I have missed you dearly. I wonder how you have been these days? I imagine you are not doing well?"

As soon as the letter was opened, the elegant and flowing handwriting came into view.

The first sentence was a sarcastic remark that was rather infuriating.

Liu Xifeng could almost see the sinister smile on that strange man's face.

Who is responsible for his current embarrassing predicament?

If Mingchen hadn't come here, how could he have ended up in this state?

However, circumstances forced him to wait and see.

"General Liu must have noticed General Deng's probing of you, right? In that case, why not reconsider my previous suggestion?"
The general may still be somewhat confused, so Rong Chen will clear away the fog for him in this letter and do some calculations.

I wonder how things are going for you in Beilie, General? You've worked so hard and made so many contributions over the years; you must have earned some honors and status. Have you ever considered whether you'll be greeted with flowers or dog shit when you return to Beilie? You've diligently guarded the city, remained steadfast in the face of temptations, yet all you've received in return is misunderstanding and punishment. Don't you feel aggrieved, General?
Even if the general passes this test, does the general wish to go further? Unless one achieves a monumental feat, it would be incredibly difficult. Does the general possess the ability to do so?

However, if the general comes to my Qian Yuan, he can make a great contribution and be granted a marquisate, which will last for generations. That is a sure thing.

Chen Zai Qian Yuan has paved a broad road for the general!

The only price the general paid was bearing the infamy of a traitor in Beilie.

History is written by the victors, and the general must understand this well.

If I, Qian Yuan, win, you will not be a traitor, but a righteous person who abandons darkness and embraces light.

Bei Lie controlled three passes, but I took one of them in just a few days. Does the general really think Bei Lie is bound to win?
General, perhaps you still harbor some wishful thinking! Let's make a bet. I believe General Deng will take action within a few days. Either he'll personally lead his troops, find a pretext to enter the city and attack you directly, or he'll try to send someone to lure you away from Libu Pass to Zhenling Pass… What do you think will happen if you go to Zhenling Pass?
Even assuming he survives, does the general really think General Deng won't inform the Northern Emperor about this? Does the general really believe he can explain things clearly and gain the Northern Emperor's trust?

General, this is your only chance. You are currently the garrison commander of Libu Pass, and that's when you have the greatest value. You can sell yourself for a good price. Once the person taking over arrives, you will lose your biggest bargaining chip and the initiative.

Chen couldn't say how things would develop in the future.

Whether it's right or wrong, life or death, General, you should think it over carefully.

Chen welcomes you at Xingtai Pass (while you are still the garrison commander of Libu Pass) ^-^

Following the letter that angered Xiao Zhengyang to the point of vomiting blood, Mingchen's letter paper has once again been freshly produced.

It's real, cruel, and yet leaves one feeling helpless.

(End of this chapter)