The true character of a man is revealed in turbulent times

Grandma Sun was so insistent that Ren Tianye didn’t press the matter further. He left her in the military camp and carefully questioned her once again.

He asked repeatedly about many crucial details, leaving no stone unturned, until everything was clear in his mind. Only then did he record everything meticulously.

He planned to review and ponder over the information later, hoping to uncover some clues.

The next day, he personally escorted Grandma Sun on her way.

She was not alone; the Demon Suppression Division had also assigned guards to protect her, ensuring absolute security.

Soon, Grandma Sun disappeared beyond the camp gates, while Ren Tianye returned to the main tent, suppressing all his lingering thoughts about the former Demon Suppression Division to focus entirely on the task at hand—the capture of Pukou City.

No matter what had happened with the previous Demon Suppression Division, his most important objective now was to seize Pukou City and then advance toward Yun Capital.

Taking Yun Capital, capturing Liu Ruyan, and restoring peace and order to the realm—that was his ultimate goal.

At present, Pukou City, under the control of Zhou Xiong—a ruthless man who had even shot his own wife—had regained its reputation as a stronghold.

Relying on Grandma Sun alone was clearly insufficient.

He had to find another solution.

Since ancient times, there had been few effective strategies against a well-fortified city. Apart from a direct assault, the only viable tactic was to besiege it relentlessly, cutting off water and food supplies.

“This task is best suited for Zhang Shi!”

Ren Tianye quickly settled on a plan. After drafting the orders, he immediately sent someone to deliver them to Zhang Shi.

At this moment, Zhang Shi was still somewhat dispirited.

Though he kept comforting and motivating himself to better understand the battlefield situation in Yun Capital and adapt accordingly, the fact that Wu Xingzhou had stolen the glory of capturing Pukou City still felt like a thorn lodged in his chest—impossible to spit out.

Being sent to handle the sweet potato affair alongside Gu Qing did little to lift his spirits.

“Report!”

“Report!”

“Report!”

A messenger galloped in on horseback.

“General Zhang Shi, the Duke has sent you a letter. It’s a military order instructing you to act according to the plan.”

Hearing this, Zhang Shi forced himself to snap out of it.

A military order?

Had Pukou City already fallen?

Was he now to pursue the fleeing soldiers?

Or chase after Zhou Xiong, the city’s defending commander?

Others had feasted while he was left with scraps?

The Duke must have remembered their friendship, but Zhang Shi was unwilling to accept charity.

Still, he took the letter. After tearing it open and glancing over it, his expression changed drastically. Reading it carefully, his previous gloom vanished, replaced by wild joy!

“Failed?”

“Hahaha, failed?”

“Zhou Xiong shot his own wife to death along with countless soldiers. Pukou City didn’t fall? Wu Xingzhou was even defeated!”

“Hahaha…”

Zhang Shi burst into loud laughter.

He soon realized it was inappropriate and tried to stop—but couldn’t.

As a professional soldier, he had undergone the strictest battlefield training. Under normal circumstances, no matter how funny, he would never laugh out loud.

Unless he simply couldn’t hold it in!

And now…

He truly couldn’t hold it!

Zhang Shi laughed so hard he nearly fell off his horse.

“I told you! How could my luck always be so rotten? Now that Wu Xingzhou is here, my luck’s turning around!”

“From now on, my luck is only going to get better and better!”

These words reached Gu Qing’s ears from beside him, somewhat abrupt and puzzling, prompting him to ask curiously, “General Zhang Shi, what has you so cheerful?”

“Nothing much,” Zhang Shi replied. “We haven’t been able to take Pukou City; it’s become a fortress, nearly impregnable. The Duke intends to lay siege rather than assault directly, cutting off their water and food supplies.”

“This task has fallen to me.”

When Zhang Shi said this, he couldn’t help but grow excited.

This…

This is exactly my area of expertise!

Perfectly suited!

He recalled countless times on the grasslands when tribes relied on advantageous terrain to hold their ground, yet he had always managed to overcome them.

This time, he would once again display his skills!

“If the commander defending Pukou City holds firm, it truly is a fortress that can only be taken by siege…” Gu Qing was also familiar with Pukou City, given its proximity; he had a general understanding of the situation.

“The Duke’s plan is indeed appropriate.”

“General Zhang…” Gu Qing offered a suggestion cautiously, “I have an idea, though I’m not sure if it’s proper to mention.”

“Speak.”

Gu Qing said, “The city’s food supplies have never been abundant. In difficult times, they rely heavily on the sweet potatoes harvested from the surrounding fields to stave off hunger. Since the Duke plans to lock down Pukou City, why not also seize those sweet potato fields?”

“First, it would fulfill the task assigned by the Duke.”

“Second, it would deliver a fatal blow to Pukou City.”

Gu Qing was clearly stepping into his current role, eager to carry out the Duke’s orders, hoping to gain favor and even earn merit.

Zhang Shi fully agreed.

“Good point. Let’s do exactly that.”

“All the sweet potato fields around, plus the mountain passes, fortifications, and high ground surrounding Pukou City… I want them all!”

Zhang Shi was invigorated.

Previously, being tasked with handling the sweet potatoes had left him sullen, but now, with a clear objective tied to the Duke’s orders, he was fired up!

He pressed his legs against the flanks of his mount—a jade lion named Night-Shining—whose hooves thundered fiercely as they galloped away without a moment’s delay.

Gu Qing hurried to keep pace.

…

Pukou City, Yingxia Tower.

The tavern owner stood at the entrance, wearing a grim expression, helplessly greeting a group that no one dared provoke.

This group was part of a grassroots organization spread throughout Yun Capital and every major city—the Love Mutual Aid League!

“Those ancestors, always causing trouble at my tavern, just because Yingxia Tower is the largest and most prestigious tavern in Pukou City?”

“If I’d known, I would have lowered the tavern’s standards from the start.”

The tavern owner grumbled silently but dared not slack off, fearing this group’s wrath would bring ruin upon him.

He forced a smile at the door, welcoming each person inside until they reached the largest private room.

Inside the room, members of Pukou City’s Love Mutual Aid League arrived one after another. Upon entering, they all bowed respectfully or greeted a young gentleman dressed in an embroidered robe.

Their gestures expressed recognition and respect for this young nobleman.

Since this young master arrived in Pukou City some time ago, he has employed a series of strategies that have greatly amplified the influence of the Pukou City Love Mutual Aid Alliance.

Under his leadership, the Love Mutual Aid Alliance in Pukou City has held several events, each one leaving a widespread impact.

It can be said that as long as they continue to follow this young master’s lead and keep up the momentum, Pukou City will soon become a paradise of love, fulfilling the “Love for All” vision promoted by the United Hearts Alliance.

Yet this young master hadn’t responded to a single message. He seemed deep in thought, standing with his hands behind his back, facing the open window as he gazed out at the bustling streets of Pukou City, his brow furrowed.

“Unexpectedly, this Zhou Xiong is truly ruthless. He actually shot his own wife in the midst of the two armies clashing—no surrender, no defeat, and he didn’t let the Duke’s forces enter the city!”

“He’s a hot potato no one wants to touch.”

“This really forced the Duke to waste a lot more effort.”

“But…”

The young master suddenly straightened up, his spirit reignited: “When the seas churn and the world is in turmoil, that’s when my true skills shine.”

“I, Chen Liang, will help the Duke take Pukou City this time!”

Chen Liang’s eyes gleamed with determination.

Back in the capital, he and Lord Pei Jingzhi had stood guard over the Empress and the entire Great Yu realm, constantly opposing the Duke at every turn. But when faced with one bloody, harsh reality after another, Chen Liang finally realized how terribly wrong he had been!

Lord Pei Jingzhi, a pillar of talent, had pledged allegiance to the Duke. After enduring the Duke’s rigorous trials and honing, he had risen to the highest ranks, becoming the Duke’s trusted right-hand man in governing the realm.

But Chen Liang himself had not surrendered back then.

It wasn’t that he failed to see the truth; it was that he refused to accept it.

He had no merit to his name and yet opposed the Duke. Even if the Duke was magnanimous and willing to forgive past grievances, how could Chen Liang face himself?

So he had always yearned to build some achievements—to have a reason to submit to the Duke.

He left the capital and wandered far and wide. Hearing of the chaos in Yun Capital, with his wisdom, he immediately predicted that the Duke’s heart was set on uniting all under the Nine Provinces and would surely take Yun Capital to bring peace to the land.

He came to Pukou City and went undercover, hoping to find a way to serve the Duke.

Before long, he discovered an opportunity and acted swiftly.

He joined Pukou City’s Love Mutual Aid Alliance and, relying on his own abilities, became a prominent figure within the alliance, earning the admiration of both men and women alike.

He turned the already chaotic Pukou City into a den of love-struck fools, leading them in wild celebrations and influencing more and more people—especially…

The officials of Pukou City!

Thanks to his manipulation, these love-crazed officials each shone brightly in their own eccentric ways.

As a result, Pukou City lost its normal defenses.

Once the Duke’s forces arrived, this city simply wouldn’t be able to resist.

But what Chen Liang hadn’t expected was that among this group of love-struck fools, someone like Zhou Xiong would emerge. Previously, Zhou Xiong had been seen weeping and wailing over the death of his wife. Yet in a sudden turn of events… he shot his wife, Wanqing.

This shocked Chen Liang far beyond his expectations.

Chen Liang’s earlier preparations were on the verge of complete failure!

But...

He, Chen Liang, had finally gotten such an opportunity—there was no way he would just give up now.

So, a new idea sparked in his mind.

Since Zhou Xiong wasn’t one to be blinded by love, Chen Liang decided to let him experience the power of a love-struck mind firsthand!

He summoned all the members of the Pukou City Love Support Alliance, preparing to hold a...

Sect Assembly!

Half an hour later, most of the Love Support Alliance members had gathered in Pukou City. Chen Liang wasted no time and immediately addressed the crowd, “Brothers and sisters, you’ve all heard the news from outside the city, haven’t you?”

“Our city’s commander, Zhou Xiong, actually shot his own wife on the battlefield between two armies. Such behavior is utterly detestable!”

“Absolutely detestable!”

“Zhou Xiong always pretended to be a devoted husband, earning everyone’s respect, but when it mattered most, he did something like this.”

“I believe he’s just a master of deception—perhaps even a man born without love or compassion, only calculating schemes in his heart!”

“Brothers and sisters, what do you think...”

“Can a man like this truly deserve to be the lord of Pukou City?”

Chen Liang already held considerable prestige within the Pukou City Love Support Alliance. His words struck a chord deep within the hearts of his comrades, instantly stirring a wave of passionate unrest.

“That’s right! Chen Liang is right—Zhou Xiong is utterly unworthy of being our city’s commander.”

“How could Zhou Xiong shoot his own wife? A man without love or mercy like that deserves to be publicly executed!”

“We must remove Zhou Xiong from power! The people of Pukou City cannot be protected by someone like him!”

...

Amid the uproar, a faint voice hesitantly spoke up, “But, I heard that Zhou Xiong’s wife, Wanqing, faked her death to escape, then fled to Yuancheng, where she got involved with the city lord.”

“Basically, she cheated on Zhou Xiong, which is why he took such drastic action.”

“By that logic, Zhou Xiong’s reaction wasn’t entirely unreasonable.”

The voice was soft, but Chen Liang’s ears were sharp; he heard it clearly. Raising his hand to quiet the crowd, the large room fell silent—so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

He then said, “Brother, your words are misguided.”

“Indeed, Miss Wanqing did betray Zhou Xiong. But think about why she did it.”

“It was for love!”

“Miss Wanqing’s actions were all for her love with Hu Shaoyou, the lord of Yuancheng. She even faked her death to spare Zhou Xiong’s feelings, giving him face.”

“This shows how much care and thought Wanqing put into Zhou Xiong.”

“But what did she get in return for her efforts? Death and destruction? Or being ordered by Zhou Xiong to be shot by thousands of soldiers?”

“Zhou Xiong’s actions are utterly outrageous!”

At this point, Chen Liang sighed deeply and said, “Ah, a man who truly loves a woman should never be so calculating.”

“Is it really just a matter of a cuckold’s hat?”

“Love can overcome everything!”

“Love can conquer all!”

“Zhou Xiong is supposed to be the commander defending Pukou City, yet when it comes to love, he can’t even show a bit of tolerance. That just goes to show how petty he is about matters of the heart.”

“He has no love in his heart at all!”

“Exactly. That’s why he holds such contempt for love.”

Chen Liang looked at the man and said, “Tell me, with a person like Zhou Xiong, is he really fit to be the commander of Pukou City?”

The man’s eyes grew resolute.

Then, with a heavy shake of his head, he said, “No, he’s not fit.”

“Zhou Xiong is unworthy!”

“That’s right!” Chen Liang affirmed loudly. “Brothers and sisters, at a time like this, what should we do?”

The members of the Pukou City Love Support Alliance immediately erupted with passion.

“Make Zhou Xiong step down! He can no longer serve as our city’s commander!”

“We have to show Zhou Xiong just how powerful we are!”

“Yes! Let Zhou Xiong know exactly what we’re capable of!”

…

Chen Liang nodded with satisfaction. “Good. Then we’ll act together.”

“The first step of our action is…”

His gaze swept across all the members of the Pukou City Love Support Alliance. “Write letters!”

“To the Lord of Pukou City!”

“All letters must follow the same format!”

“There must be mountains and seas of letters!”

“The wording must be firm and strong!”

“The tone respectful, but… the attitude unmistakably clear!”

…