In a chaotic world, border soldiers begin their journey by enlisting in the army and getting married

Chen Shan's words revealed the deplorable nature of the current civil officials in the Xia Kingdom, which also embarrassed Kong Qingque, who was present.

This is Chen Shan's statement, expressing his disgust for civil officials and that there is absolutely no possibility of reconciliation or even courting them.

That would be even more unrealistic.

After saying these words, Chen Shan did not forget to look at Kong Qingque.

"Miss Kong, this isn't meant to be directed at you. After all, we're not exactly civil officials here."

"But tell me, after reading so many classic texts, why do those civil officials only think of themselves?"

Chen Shan's words, seemingly comforting, were actually sarcastic, leaving Qing Que momentarily speechless and unsure how to respond.

Seeing Chen Shan's murderous and ruthless demeanor, Nan Tu Rou immediately interrupted him.

"Stop talking nonsense and let's make a plan first. This Northern Yan Mountain is a place that is easy to defend and difficult to attack. Chen Shan, will your previous method still work?"

Nan Tu Rou changed the subject.

She also knew that the civil and military officials were at odds, especially since the Southern King was now at odds with the civil officials.

Chen Shan's role in the Five Military Commands was to stir up trouble; making him too rigid with the civil officials would actually hinder his work.

"Of course not."

"Without me or my subordinates to take the lead, the court cannot win."

"Furthermore, I will also say without reservation that if the court ultimately insists on my appointment, then the civil officials cannot participate in the slightest, even if it is my own people who are appointed."

"I don't like giving military credit to those guys."

Chen Shan's attitude was very firm. Nan Tu Rou didn't seem to mind, but Kong Qing Que was in a dilemma.

Since Chen Shan spoke frankly, his intention to target civil officials has become very clear.

The failure to win him over means that Chen Shan is completely on the side of the military generals, and the role of civil officials in the Five Military Commands will be greatly reduced.

"Alright, we'll report this. You should tell us how we plan to fight this battle first."

Nan Tu Rou didn't let Chen Shan continue speaking. Judging from Kong Qingque's expression, she was frightened by Chen Shan's attitude.

The Five Military Commissions now hold a significant position in the court, even surpassing the Ministry of War.

Under such circumstances, both civil and military officials wanted to take charge.

Chen Shan's resolute attitude now means that the civil officials have already lost a round.

In the ensuing discussions, Chen Shan tried to be perfunctory and, after briefly finalizing some plans with Nan Tu Rou, stopped discussing the matter further.

Nan Tu Rou also left early.

After all, she still needed to report the matter of the Five Armies Commandery to the Southern Slaughter King in order to make a better response.

After Nan Tu Rou left, Chen Shan's gaze finally fell on Kong Qing Que.

"Miss Kong, which prince is marrying Miss Zixian?"

Chen Shan got straight to the point and asked directly.

Now that the Black Ice Team is operating in the shadows, aside from some secrets, it's virtually impossible to hide anything from them.

Chen Shan simply stopped trying to probe and asked directly.

This question brought Kong Qingque back to her senses.

"Why is General Chen asking this?"

"Since you've already refused, why bother caring about this?"

Kong Qingque didn't understand. Chen Shan had already explained things so clearly and hadn't given the civil officials any leeway.

If this continues, the entire Five Military Commands will be dominated by military officers, and civil officials will have no chance to participate in military affairs.

Fortunately, civil officials still hold some military power.

Hearing this, Chen Shan laughed: "Don't be so cold. We're all under the same roof. Actually, I'm not much different from you. Whether it's the Southern Slaughter King or the people behind you, aren't they all trying to use me as a pawn?"

"It's nothing more than asking me to fight for them, and even be willing to sacrifice myself if necessary. You should understand that, since you are the same way."

As a pawn controlled by a powerful figure, Kong Qingque understood the meaning behind Chen Shan's words.

But she also knew that Chen Shan was different from her.

Chen Shan at least had the ability to resist, but she did not.

All she could do was follow the instructions given above.

"I am not like you. General Chen, if you want to make fun of me, you don't need to."

Kong Qingque responded coldly, clearly harboring resentment about the matter.

Seeing her like this, Chen Shan immediately smiled and said, "It's good that Miss Kong understands. However, everyone lives for themselves. If there's anything you want to do but can't, or can't do, you can come to me."

"I'd be happy to help, since I guess what you're trying to do probably clashes with those people."

Chen Shan said with a smile, then got up and left.

Before they could even leave, Kong Qingque's voice came from behind.

Why did you help me?

When Kong Qingque asked, Chen Shan chuckled and said, "No amount of money can buy my happiness."

After saying that, Chen Shan strode away from the Governor's Mansion, leaving Kong Qingque alone in a daze.

I'm happy, no amount of money can buy that.

Both are pawns, but Chen Shan is able to do this, while she herself is always constrained.

Is it really meant to be reduced to a mere supporting character, a pawn, destined to live a life of helplessness?

Kong Qingque felt a sense of unease. She had many things she wanted to do. Having studied literature and military strategy since childhood, how could she not want to have her own career?

But her identity as a woman bound her, her identity as a member of the Confucius family bound her, and everything she saw and heard in this world bound her.

But ironically, a woman like Xu Sijing became a great Confucian scholar, and Nan Tu Rou was able to do what she wanted to do.

She was the only one who was different.

Kong Qingque was filled with mixed feelings, unaware that Chen Shan's words were merely a way to plant some seeds in her heart.

Human nature is complex, and Chen Shan could see that Kong Qingque was an ambitious woman.

Only by making her cause trouble can the situation in the capital be completely thrown into chaos.

The outer courtyard.

As soon as Chen Shan got home, he saw several women busy at work, discussing something and writing something down.

In the past, whenever Chen Shan returned, they would immediately go up to him and ask him questions.

"What are you all busy with?"

Seeing Xu Sijing among them, Chen Shan was quite pleased, as she rarely appeared with Liu Ruyu and the others in the past.

After all, they were Chen Shan's wives at that time.

It's inconvenient to talk or do anything.

But now there are not so many concerns.

"My lord, you've come at the right time. Let's discuss something and get some things done."

Liu Ruyu stood up and pulled Chen Shan forward.

"Doing something? What? Is Xiaoya going to start a big business? And dragging you all into it?"

Chen Shan looked on with curiosity.

Chu Yiren picked up a brand new book, the ink still wet, yet it was filled with words written in a flowing, unrestrained style.

Chen Shan looked closely and was immediately stunned.

"To open a private school?"

"Sijing, is this your idea?"

Upon learning that they planned to set up a private school, Chen Shan immediately thought of Xu Sijing.

After all, among the women, she was the only proper scholar, and a great Confucian scholar at that.

Only she would have this kind of thought.