You have truly caused me great suffering!

Chapter 56 High-spirited
"Young Master Zhong, how dare you utter such disrespectful and unruly words?"

Master Zhong was completely bewildered.

Even if I argue with him, it doesn't mean I'm completely without a father or a ruler.

This statement was so weighty that even the master didn't think of a rebuttal.

Chen Shao didn't give him a chance, shouting at the top of his lungs, "We defeated the Western Xia army, yet we are being questioned and suspected for no reason? Can't the Western Xia people lose?"

"Every member of the Western Army has a blood feud with the Xia traitors, including the Zhong family. I often tell people that the Zhong family is a role model for us men of the Northwest. How can you make things difficult for us today? You are so protective of the Western Xia, not allowing them to suffer even the slightest defeat. How can you face the ancestors of the Zhong family!"

After Chen Shao finished speaking, his impassioned voice suddenly became somewhat low, "We soldiers on the front lines risked our lives to achieve some results, and the Xia traitors didn't say anything, but our own people are unhappy about it."

Chen Shao raised his voice, putting on a grief-stricken and indignant expression, and slowly got into character, even believing it himself.

Then he roared even louder: "Do you want to prove your innocence by dying?!"

Finally, someone in the tent couldn't stand it anymore and said in a deep voice, "Xiao Zhong was just asking casually, how did it become that you're not allowed to defeat Xixia?"

"Exactly! If you didn't have something to hide, why would you be so agitated!"

"I didn't see you actually go to die, but you shouted so loudly."

Chen Shao rolled up his sleeves, widened his eyes, and said, "This is driving people to their deaths! This is driving people to their deaths! Killing the enemy is a crime! Killing the enemy is a crime!"

Zhong Shidao and Zhong Shizhong exchanged only a glance.

The Western Army's generals all remained silent, their faces ashen. They truly didn't know what to say.

Even if you didn't actually fight, regardless of whether it was a big or small victory, or whether there was any exaggeration, there's no doubt that you won the battle.

Chen Shao was the commander of the victorious army; he had nothing to do with him. He had won.
They blocked the front line and refused to retreat, and then they won.

Tong Guan watched his performance with great pleasure and did not stop him, just watching the Western Army feel frustrated.

This group of people needs someone like Chen Shao to deal with them!
Chaos reigned inside the tent, but Chen Shao was not afraid at all.

He had another purpose today: to completely sever ties with these people in the Western Army in front of Tong Guan.

To avoid Tong Guan suspecting that he was from the Western Army and might betray him.

So he himself was also inclined to make things worse.

The Western Army could offer them no help whatsoever.

They could even bury someone like Han Shizhong. After more than ten years of fighting, how fierce had Han Shizhong become, and how many incredible military achievements had he made?

But he didn't even manage to become a captain.

The idea that military families in the Northwest were born into privilege was deeply ingrained, and this was also the root cause of their decline.

On the contrary, although Tong Guan had many flaws, he did promote many officers who were frustrated in the Western Army.

Later, some people also shone brightly during the Jingkang Incident.

Even Han Shizhong rose to prominence after following him in suppressing Fang La.

The old eunuch was a great help to him, and from the beginning, he was determined to follow the path of Tong Guan.

Today, Zhong Shizhong started a fight for no reason, and he took the opportunity to make a scene.

Chen Shao himself never expected that, by a twist of fate, he would help Tong Guan out of a predicament and even help him vent his anger.

Finally, Tong Guan stood up, his tone suddenly turning serious, "The battle achievements have already been reported. The Pacification Commission and the Privy Council will judge their authenticity. No one else has the right to interfere!"

After this incident, Tong Guan realized that the Western Army could not be subdued by him.

They will only fight for their own interests. To break free from the constraints imposed by the old Western Army, it is necessary to divide them and also to bring in fresh blood. Tong Guan had already chosen the person to divide the old Western Army: Liu Yanqing, the Grand Marshal of the Fuyan Road.

The fresh blood, on the other hand, is his own victorious army.

After Liu Fa and Xi He's elite troops suffered this defeat, it was no longer possible to destroy Western Xia in a short period of time and launch a full-scale northward expedition against Liao.

Tong Guan planned to persuade Emperor Huizong to accept the Western Xia's request for peace.

From the moment Western Xia first lost Hengshan, they realized they couldn't afford to fight the Song Dynasty at all. Although the fighting had been intense for the past few years, they had been constantly petitioning for peace.
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After returning to the inner hall, Chen Shao, Yang Keshi, and the others went inside.

"Have a seat," Tong Guan said with a smile. "Not bad, you've already made achievements so soon after arriving at the front lines."

Chen Shao quickly replied, "How could I dare to take credit? It's all thanks to Commander-in-Chief's excellent overall strategy."

After saying that, Chen Shao suddenly felt that it was inappropriate. He thought he had gone too far and the old eunuch might think he was mocking him.

He completely underestimated Tong Guan's thick skin. Tong Guan didn't take it as mockery at all. After listening, he even nodded and seemed very satisfied.

In his view, it was indeed his achievement. "If I don't promote you, how can you win?"

It can only be said that the two men are vastly different in their skill at flattery.

Chen Shao tried his best to convince his superiors that he understood his own situation; while Tong Guan believed it himself first.

Tong Guan's eyes gleamed as he looked at Chen Shao, who stood respectfully before the commander's desk in the hall, and asked, "What reward do you intend to receive?"

"It all depends on Commander En's decision. When Commander En appointed me as a Grand Commandant, I did my best to serve him. When Commander En appointed me as a groom, I did so without complaint, leading the horse and holding the stirrups."

Tong Guan laughed and cursed, "You cunning scoundrel! I've only just become Grand Commandant, and you already want to take my place?"

"You are still relatively inexperienced. If you are promoted too drastically, it might give others something to criticize. How about this, you first establish a foothold in Hengshan. As long as you can stop the Xia traitors, that will be a great achievement!"

Chen Shao laughed and said, "I am stationed at the Hengshan front line to help Commander En gather the defeated troops and ensure they do not fall into the hands of those Western Army commanders again."

Actually, he didn't want to leave either. Hengshan was the gateway to Western Xia, and Western Xia was the easiest to bully now.

As long as you provide enough food and supplies, Tong Guan, I will help you slowly erode the Western Xia. As for whether you are willing to go north to fight against the Liao and Jin dynasties.

Well, I can't reason with that damned devil either.

After Tong Guan finished speaking, he glanced at Chen Shao, fearing that this young protégé might harbor resentment.

After all, they had just made a contribution, and they were bound to be disappointed if they weren't promoted.

He didn't know that Chen Shao didn't want those empty titles. Even if he was mentioned as prime minister, what use would it be? In a few years, he would be herding sheep in Wuguo City.

What he wanted more were practical things, such as money, provisions, supplies, warhorses, and equipment.

As for official positions and titles, if I have enough power, I can take them myself if you don't give them to me.

Sensing a hint of guilt from Tong Guan, Chen Shao quickly made an exorbitant demand for money, provisions, and supplies.

Tong Guan was also generous, and with a wave of his hand, he agreed to everything.

Even if Tong Guan agreed, it's uncertain whether anyone else would actually receive the prize.

But Chen Shao is different; he has already bribed his way in, so he can not only get the full amount, but even more.

Emerging from Tong Guan's hall, Chen Shao felt refreshed and looked up at the horizon, his hand on his waist.

Tong Guan's personal guards returned his sword to him, and Chen Shao tied it to his waist and then flicked his cloak.

He untied the reins, flipped himself onto the horse, and mounted.

(End of this chapter)