The fiercest soldier of the border army

Even though Tang Shun had achieved great success in Wenchi County and the final outcome was already clear, he was still considered an outcast in the eyes of these literati.

Zhou Xingsong slapped the table in approval, "Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant! Instructor Lei has set a good example!"

Han Cheng clapped his hands and laughed, "This is a perfect answer! It deserves a plate of stewed mutton!"

Li Yingchu abruptly stood up, her face ashen: "What merits has Lord Tang rendered in defending the northern border with his blood and sweat, and in providing disaster relief and pacifying the people?"

"What are your intentions in mocking me with such sour words?"

Li Changlin hurriedly tried to dissuade her, "Yingchu, don't be impulsive."

The people at the table looked at Tang Shun with amusement.

Of the three, one was the judge of the military governor, in charge of administration, personnel, and official business.

One was the chief scribe, the commander's most trusted scribe, responsible for drafting memorials, proclamations, secret letters, and military orders, and also involved in top-secret matters.

Lei Songgui was a high-ranking official, also known as the Chief of Staff, and was in charge of money, grain, military expenses, taxes, and so on.

Even if Tang Shun were to rise to the rank of fourth grade, he would still only be able to rely on them.

Tang Shun glanced down at the remaining wine in his cup, then smiled and said, "Well said, this story is interesting and certainly worthy of being a dish."

Lei Song laughed heartily, but did not touch the food.

The dishes are just a pretext; the real shame is sitting at the table without even a chance to pick up food, unable to keep up with the drinking games.

Tang Shun continued, "Now that the drinking game has begun, it's time for the turn. Judge Zhou, please accept the order."

Zhou Xingsong smiled smugly, picked up his wine cup, took a sip, and said slowly, "A single decree can make a bushel of rice expensive, and a thousand taels of gold and silver can fill a private pocket."

"The people gnaw on the soil and cry out in hunger, while the officials sit in high halls and enjoy the dances."

The various incidents in Wenchi County had already reached Beiting. When Tang Shun ordered that no grain should be taken out of the city, most merchants used various means to spread all kinds of negative news to Tingzhou.

After Zhou Xingsong finished speaking, he ordered a dish for himself and said with a smile, "This rhyme is fitting and the story is coherent, so I should get a plate of venison."

Li Yingchu was about to lash out again when a hand gently grasped her arm from under the table.

She turned her head and saw that Tang Shun was calm and composed, his hand was warm and strong, and the texture was distinct.

She was startled, felt her whole body go weak, and couldn't speak for a moment.

Tang Shun released his hand and slowly said, "What Judge Zhou said is indeed true. Since we've come this far, let's continue with another part."

He paused, then looked at Han Cheng, "Please, Secretary Han, receive the order."

Han Cheng laughed heartily and raised his wine glass: "Alright! Here I come!"

He pondered for a moment, then said with a deeper meaning:

"They pushed sandbags to confiscate official grain, and locked the city gates to trap merchants."

He boasted of having brilliant plans in his mind, but all he left behind were insults from the neighborhood.

Having said that, he surveyed the crowd with a smug look, pointing to a plate of steamed fish: "What do you all think? Is this matter, this rhythm, appropriate?"

Zhou Xingsong and Lei Song cheered in unison, "Brilliant! We deserve a big toast!"

Li Yingchu's eyes widened in anger, her fingertips digging into her palm.

Tang Shun remained seated, his face expressionless, and simply nodded slightly: "Han Zhangshu's story was vivid and indeed a good one. Now that it's Li Yatui's turn, please accept the order."

Li Changlin took a deep breath and stood up.

He was also a military man, and although he had been in the governor's office for many years, he had never been well received. His voice was a little tight as he said, "Your Excellency acts with order and your plans are far-reaching and have never been publicized."

"This temporary measure is intended to stabilize the situation; I hope you gentlemen will not make any rash assumptions."

He spoke haltingly.

No sooner had he finished speaking than Lei Song sneered, "Lord Li, this won't do."

"We were just talking about the facts, but you've gone off on tangents about human nature. Drinking games are about continuity; how can you just jump off course? You can take the food, but you have to drink a penalty cup!"

Li Changlin's face flushed red. He lowered his head, drank the penalty wine, and silently sat back down in his original seat.

All eyes turned to Tang Shun once more. The air seemed to freeze, and the candlelight flickered.

Lei Song leaned back in his chair, a half-smile on his face: "Lord Tang, it's your turn."

"This order has been passed on four times, and the story has progressed step by step. Now it is time to come to an end."

"If you can't figure it out, that's fine. After all—" he drawled, "it's common for someone of martial background to be unaccustomed to elegance."

Zhou Xingsong chimed in, "Exactly! Being able to mount a horse and fight the enemy is already a rare privilege; why force oneself to wield a pen and ink?"

Han Cheng smiled and raised his glass: "Lord Tang, if it's really too difficult, even a short, silly poem will do."

The three of them were essentially saying the same thing: you're not good enough for the public.

Apart from Li Changlin, all three were alluding to Tang Shun, and their intention to have Tang Shun finish things up now was even more malicious.

Tang Shun slowly picked up his wine glass, took a small sip, and put it down.

Then he raised his head, his gaze sweeping over the three faces one by one, finally settling on the two remaining plates of meat dishes on the table.

"The drinking game is indeed interesting. There are still two plates of meat dishes left on the table. I am a martial artist with a big appetite, so how about I serve two?" Tang Shun smiled slightly.

The entire room was taken aback.

"Oh?"

Lei Song raised an eyebrow. "Lord Tang is truly insightful; you've managed to come up with two matching pairs?"

Tang Shun smiled slightly and pointed to the pickled ox tongue, saying:

"Bearing rumors and troubles, I plan only to relieve hunger and poverty."

"Unscrupulous merchants hoard goods for personal gain, never showing any concern for the suffering of the people."

After he finished speaking, he looked around and asked, "Is this a coherent story? Does it rhyme and fit the rhyme scheme? Would it qualify for a dish?"

The three exchanged glances, their expressions shifting slightly, clearly surprised that such a crude and uncouth man could actually hold his own.

Although it was an explanation for myself, it still made sense!

This shows that Tang Shun was not a person who lacked literary knowledge.

For a moment, the three of them fell silent.

Li Yingchu suddenly reached out and pushed the pickled beef tongue in front of him: "Of course."

Tang Shun nodded his thanks, pointed to the last plate of braised pig ears, and slowly spoke again, "The streets and alleys are now bustling with life, and the villagers have food to eat every day."

"Pigs have no long-term plans; they only care about eating within their own enclosures!"

The room was deathly silent.

The candlelight illuminated the faces of the crowd, some pale and some bluish.

One of Zhou Xingsong's chopsticks fell onto the table with a crisp sound.

Han Cheng's mouth was agape, his smile frozen on his face.

Lei Song's lips twitched; he wanted to say something, but couldn't utter a word.

The braised pig ears on the table looked particularly ironic.

Tang Shun concluded by explaining his forbearance and comparing the people at the table to stupid pigs, short-sighted and ignorant of the long term, only knowing how to stare at the food in front of them.

Li Yingchu suddenly covered her mouth, her shoulders trembling slightly.

She wasn't crying—she was laughing.

"I am a warrior with a large appetite. Since this is a drinking game, these four vegetarian dishes are rightfully mine."

Tang Shun was still not satisfied. He smiled faintly, pointed at the turnip, and said to himself:

"Those who gather at the table seek fame and indulge in wine, while secretly harboring selfish motives and criticizing others. They presumptuously belittle those of martial prowess who lack literary talent, and dare to scorn impoverished scholars who have forgotten their roots."

Having said that, Tang Shun, without waiting for his explanation, pointed to the radish and said:

"He slanders the new official for enforcing harsh laws, and engages in empty talk and refined discourse. He holds a high position but does not help the people, and enjoys leisure without any regard for their welfare."

After speaking, Tang Shun ignored the increasingly gloomy expressions of the three men and looked at the bean sprouts that had already softened somewhat:

"His mouth is full of scriptures but hides jealousy; his body is full of hypocrisy but hides evil intentions. He rushes to avoid danger and disaster, and forgets righteousness and ethics when it comes to profit."

After saying that, Tang Shun stood up and pointed to the last dish of bitter vegetables.

"Fawning on the powerful and opportunistic, relying on old age to bully the new, their vision is clouded. A lifetime of reading ten thousand books is in vain; they are not as good as soldiers guarding the frontier."

As soon as he finished speaking, Li Changlin wanted to clap and cheer, while Li Yingchu's eyes shone with excitement.

Lei Song and the other two had already turned ashen-faced.

After saying this, Tang Shun put his hands behind his back and said, "I am very grateful for the hospitality shown to me today, having enjoyed a full meal and drinks."

"Farewell!"