That wretched vixen has disguised herself as my wife!

Actually, it's not much less impressive than brandishing swords and spears. Scholars are all sarcastic and can come up with a whole repertoire of insults, often making everyone burst into laughter without having to worry about accidentally hurting themselves.

"This Han Baisong is usually elusive. It took me a lot of effort to finally catch him, but he was already completely drunk. When he saw me, he grinned and asked if I was a triplet, since all three of us look the same!"

"When I saw him like this, I was initially very disappointed, thinking he was nothing more than a fame-seeker. But as the alcohol took effect, he suddenly drew his sword, struck a pillar, climbed a tower, looked into the distance, and began to recite poetry aloud."

"When I looked downstairs, I saw that there were so many people copying poems waiting downstairs, with their brushes and ink ready, just waiting for his impromptu work."

Wen Fuxiao sighed deeply:

"I've almost forgotten that poem now; it's just one of his ordinary poems. But I know very well that I could never write a poem like that in my lifetime."

"While this person may surpass the Master in poetry and prose, it's doubtful he might be better at military strategy and tactics."

Jiang Jingming thought for a moment before speaking.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have associated with the demonic sect members and lived in seclusion on Mangya Cliff.

Unexpectedly, Wen Fuxiao waved her hand and sighed upon hearing this, regretting her past actions.

"That's what I thought back then, so I introduced him to the late emperor—though it's not really an introduction, since this extraordinary man was the one who refused to board the emperor's boat when summoned."

"I originally thought that with the late emperor's majesty, someone as unruly as him would be careful and make a fool of himself in front of him. But I was wrong. He looked straight into the emperor's eyes and still smiled like an idle playboy."

"He was probably in a good mood that night. He drank wine and used a brush dipped in wine to draw the general situation of the world on the floor of the main hall."

“Yongzhou is a remote place, and the locals are savage and fierce, skilled in longbow and horsemanship, which can be overcome by mechanical crossbows.”

“Cangzhou is poor, its people make a living by fishing, and they are born weak and afraid of bloodshed and war. The army only needs to intimidate them on the border and they can be taken away naturally.”

"Cenzhou is closed off from the outside world, skilled in witchcraft and poison, and through negotiation of interests, it is granted the right to govern itself..."

Wen Fuxiao still felt her heart surge with emotion when she thought of that banquet that had shocked all the court officials.

All the scholars in the world strive for this opportunity to shine before a man and receive the emperor's applause.

"From then on, the late emperor valued Han Baisong highly, inviting him to stay in the palace and discussing the state of the world with him on many occasions. It can be said that Han Baisong's contribution to the late emperor's unification of the country can be described as that of a national teacher."

Wen Fuxiao finalized this conclusion, then shrugged and sighed:

"But few people know that what the late emperor used to keep Han Baisong was not fame or fortune, but the inexhaustible supply of ice wine in the palace."

"Ice Brew?"

Jiang Jingming subconsciously asked a question in return.

Fang Zhiyi swirled her wine glass and explained to him with a smile:

"A type of strong liquor from Liangzhou, which needs to be stored in ice cellars year-round and mixed with ice before drinking."

Jiang Jingming looked into her eyes, which were tinged with alcohol, and thought to himself that this girl was probably a real alcoholic, as she seemed to know everything about alcohol no matter what it was.

She walked all the way from the Valley of Forgetfulness, and along the way she probably tasted all the wines from the five continents.

"Indeed, Miss Fang is truly learned and knowledgeable."

Wen Fuxiao nodded approvingly:

"While this wine is not the most difficult to brew, the ability to store it in large quantities and for many years outside of Liangzhou is something that only the imperial palace could accomplish."

"Truly... an extraordinary person."

Jiang Jingming retracted the word "weirdo".

If Master Han himself were here, he would definitely be unable to resist cursing.

For just a few sips of Ice Brew, he inexplicably helped an emperor conquer the world; it's truly unbelievable.

"Finally, the then young and vigorous late emperor, under the guidance of Han Baisong, made all the preparations for the expedition."

Outside the pavilion, the moon rises above the lamplight, casting its radiant glow like silk.

In the distance, someone could be faintly heard playing the konghou (a type of Chinese harp). The low, desolate melody pulled everyone present back to the battlefield of many years ago.

"In his first battle, he used a crossbow designed and drawn by Han Baisong and forged from fine steel to shatter all the pride on the grasslands and deserts of Yongzhou, and returned in triumph with countless gems and women from the Western Regions."

When Wen Fuxiao spoke of the war, he recalled the people of Zhongzhou cheering all night long around the emperor.

"In the second battle, he went to Cangzhou, and just as Han Baisong said, they were easily frightened and submitted."

"The third battle... The late emperor's campaigns were smooth sailing and he never suffered a setback."

"People only know that the late emperor was unparalleled in the world, but they do not know that the mysterious hermit was his strategist, nor do they know how much of a role he played in this great undertaking."

Jiang Jingming listened silently, his mind racing.

When Master Han taught him to read, he always skipped class and slacked off.

Madam Song would always grab his ear and lecture him, saying that Master Han taught him knowledge that could save the world, something that others could not obtain even if they risked their lives.

He didn't take it seriously at the time, but now, after hearing Wen Fuxiao reveal the secrets of that year, he realized that what Song Niangzi said was not untrue.

That gaunt old man, who was addicted to smoking, truly possessed knowledge sufficient to dominate the ups and downs of a chaotic world.

"But why did the late emperor erase all his contributions in this matter? We, his descendants, were completely unaware that Shouhanke had also participated in the late emperor's great cause of unification!"

Lu Zhao clenched his fists, puzzled.

"We'll have to continue with that."

Wen Fuxiao coughed, signaling the young man not to be impatient.

"As mentioned earlier, the late emperor conquered all directions, bringing all the small states in Yongzhou, Cangzhou, and Liangzhou under his command. His goal was to ensure that there was only one emperor in the world, with no other states or kings."

"However, this grand plan encountered some problems when it reached Cenzhou."

"According to Han Baisong's plan, what the people of Cenzhou wanted was definitely benefits and the power to govern themselves and not concern themselves with worldly affairs. The late emperor also used this to persuade most of the leaders of Cenzhou."

"However, there is a small country on the border between Cenzhou and Zhongzhou, located... roughly near present-day Yideng City. The late emperor has already led troops into the country, but that small country has vowed never to surrender."

Upon hearing this, Xie Yunqi couldn't help but clench his fist, showing great empathy.

"I wouldn't surrender either! Just because there are more people doesn't mean we have to. Why should we bow down and submit?"

"Young lady, if you don't want to live anymore, shouldn't you at least think about the people of your country?"

Lu Zhao's thinking was clearly much more realistic.

The disparity in strength is simply too great. If we were to resist by force, we would only end up with the destruction of our country, and all our people would have to pay the price for our king's pride.

Wen Fuxiao gave a bitter smile:

"However, all the people of that small country supported their king's actions and were determined to fight to the death rather than surrender."

"..."

Jiang Jingming's fingers tightened slightly as he gripped the wine glass.

At first, when I heard Master Wen recount the late emperor's heroic campaigns, I found it truly moving and worthy of being called a hero.

But upon hearing this, he belatedly realized that war inevitably involves bloodshed, and countless civilians and soldiers would die far from home because of this great cause of unification.

As the saying goes, "One general's success is built on the bones of ten thousand."

Chapter 124 Autumn Water's Qin Strings Break Free

"The resistance of the people of the small country further enraged the late emperor, who was enjoying a smooth journey. He personally led his troops into the city and ordered the entire country to be slaughtered."

"This is just too much!"

Xie Yunqi couldn't help but shout.

She had heard of massacres of entire cities before, not only to replenish supplies but also to demoralize the enemy.

The complete destruction of one city was used to force the surrender of the remaining cities.

Xie Yunqi felt at that time that this was really too inhumane, because in the end the common people are innocent, and whether the war is won or lost, the common people suffer.

What she was hearing now was the destruction of a nation, an act far worse than the massacre of a city.

It was a weak, small border country, with a population probably similar to that of Fengling City today.

Thinking of this, Xie Yunqi subconsciously turned his head to look outside, only to see people coming and going on the long street, singing and dancing in peace and prosperity.

If we were to kill all of these people...

Xie Yunqi shuddered slightly.

"The enraged emperor ignored all advice. He took the lead, drew his sword, and fought his way to the palace gate, where he beheaded the king who refused to surrender. Then, on the city wall, he saw the king's daughter, the princess of the small country."

Wen Fuxiao slowly stroked his beard.

He was not present at the time, but he urgently wrote a letter from the capital, advising the emperor against such a tyrannical act.

Unfortunately, before the letter could be delivered, the decisive emperor had already stepped onto the city wall and met the femme fatale who had captivated him at first sight.

"Those fortunate enough to witness this encounter beneath the city walls all say that the princess was the most beautiful woman they had ever seen. Bloodstained and vulnerable, she was enough to make even the most cruel dragon sheath its fangs."

As Jiang Jingming listened to his words, the scene from that time flashed through his mind.

The tyrannical emperor marched through mountains of corpses and seas of blood to the final victory parade ground, where he saw his last trophy: a stunningly beautiful princess of a fallen kingdom.

The emperor was stunned by her beauty, and a rare tenderness welled up in his heart. He understood what it meant to fall in love at first sight.

However, he was holding her father's head in his hand.

It was a truly wrong and cruel encounter.

A hint of alcohol tinged Wen Fuxiao's eyes as she shook her head and sighed.

"The princess, holding a zither in her arms, leaped off the city wall without hesitation... Yes, this princess was as stubborn and resolute as her people."

Jiang Jingming tilted his head back and drank the wine in his glass in one gulp.

It's easy to imagine what a magnificent scene it would be, like a beautiful butterfly with broken wings falling to the ground.

"At the last moment, the desperate emperor stepped forward and forcibly pulled her up. The princess was furious and struggled desperately, but the emperor raised his sword and ordered the army to cease fire."

Wen Fuxiao paused slightly at this point.

The audience all guessed what was going to happen next.

"Could it be that he's using the surviving citizens of the city as pawns, preventing the princess from committing suicide?"

Xie Yunqi said through gritted teeth.

She has a childlike heart and is very empathetic when listening to stories; she's almost fainting from anger right now.

"Yes."

Wen Fuxiao nodded:

"The princess turned around and saw the city in ruins, and the people trembling under the enemy's swords. Even though she was heartbroken, she couldn't bring herself to say 'no'."

"Too cunning!"

Xie Yunqi shouted loudly.

"To become a hegemon who unifies the world, one must resort to such ruthless means. For him, sparing the remaining refugees for the sake of so-called love at first sight was already the biggest exception."

Wen Fuxiao lowered his head and drank, his voice revealing no emotion.

"The remaining refugees must hate the emperor to the core. Letting them go means letting go of some eternal enemies. For the emperor, this is indeed the greatest mercy he can show."

Hearing this story filled Lu Zhao with mixed feelings. He had never imagined that the stories of the late emperor that he had heard since childhood contained such unknown secrets.

The difference between heroes and devils is simply a difference in perspective.

The late emperor was a great hero who unified the world in their eyes, but in the eyes of the people of that small country, he was a demon who would destroy the world.

"Is this princess of a fallen kingdom the same musician in the palace who is known as the 'Master of the Qin'?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Jingming already had a general idea in mind.

No wonder Master Wen went through such a long and winding process to tell this story; it turns out that each part was interconnected.

"Yes."

Wen Fuxiao smiled and gently clinked her glass against his:

"When the princess was taken back to the capital, many ministers advised her to be executed to prevent future troubles. This angered the emperor again, and he beheaded a high-ranking official in court. At that time, people privately said that the princess must be a wicked woman who brought disaster to the country, and that the emperor had been bewitched by her."

"Why should someone be called a witch just because they're pretty?!"

Xie Yunqi slammed his fist on the table and stood up, indignant.

Upon hearing the word "demoness," Jiang Jingming immediately thought of the demoness involved in the massacre of her family. In that case, perhaps she was just as beautiful as the princess.