We have fought to the Arctic Circle, and you want me to inherit the throne?

The palace is heavily guarded and has long been replaced by elite royal soldiers.

Shazhachang felt a little relieved, at least the Fengtian Army had not taken over here yet.

But I'm afraid it's coming soon...

In front of the palace gate, the guard captain raised his hand to stop Shazhachang and said respectfully:

"General, please wait! This is a sensitive area in the palace. Please remove your sword and inspect this item!"

His eyes fell on the bloody bundle, his eyes full of alertness.

Shazhachang's expression remained calm as he handed the bundle over calmly, as if he was carrying nothing more than a bag of snacks.

The captain took the bundle and felt it was heavy. He gently untied a corner of the brocade, and a strong and pungent smell of blood instantly filled the air.

Inside the bundle was a human head with blood-stained hair and beard and wide-open eyes!

The captain's pupils shrank sharply and he looked at Shazhachang in astonishment.

Shazha Chang met his gaze, his tone steady and earnest: "Please inform the king that your humble servant Shazha Chang has important matters to discuss with you. As for this item...it is a gift."

He deliberately used the word "guilty minister".

As a general of Baekje, Shazhachang led his troops to fight against Goryeo and Silla many times. Although he suffered more defeats than victories, he had a very high prestige in the Baekje army.

It was precisely because of this that the King of Baekje became wary of him.

The captain also came from the military. Looking at Shazha's usually calm face, and then at the head, he seemed to understand something in an instant.

A complex expression flashed across the captain's face, including shock, confusion, and awe.

He gritted his teeth, moved aside to make way, and whispered:

"General... please!"

Shazhachang nodded slightly, picked up the heavy bag again, and strode into the palace.

A king, about thirty years old, sat on the throne.

The King of Baekje looked younger than his actual age, but his eyes revealed a calmness far beyond his years.

According to common sense, a monarch is at his most vigorous and energetic at around the age of thirty.

But the King of Baekje was always very steady. Even when facing Shazhachang, the most powerful minister who took away his military power, he still received him with full courtesy.

After offering him a seat and serving him tea, the King of Baekje's eyes fell on the bleeding bundle at Shazhajang's feet, and his eyelids twitched imperceptibly.

Looking at Shazhachang on the opposite side, the more I look at him, the more I feel like I am ready to die.

The King of Baekje remembered that his father had the same expression before he passed away, and he had already put life and death aside.

He knew that Shazhachang must have something to say, so he waved his hand and said to the guards standing on his left and right:

"You all should withdraw. I want to talk to the general alone."

The general of the personal guards looked at Shazhachang worriedly, then looked at the King of Baekje and whispered:

"Your Majesty, this is inappropriate and could be dangerous, or..."

The Baekje King's face darkened, and he feigned anger and rebuked:

"Nonsense! The general is the pillar of the country, how could he harm me? Back off now!"

According to common sense, Shazha should speak humbly at this moment to show his loyalty.

However, Shazha often just sat there silently, staring at the ground with his eyes downcast, without saying a word.

The general of the personal guards was helpless. He gave Shazhachang a warning look, left the hall with full of doubts, and stood guard outside the door.

There were only two people left in the hall, and the air seemed to be frozen.

Shazhachang finally raised his head and looked directly at the King of Baekje. His voice was not loud, but it lacked the reverence that a subject should have:

"Your Majesty, the attack on the Fengtian Army camp and the docks was the result of a conspiracy between the treacherous minister Shazachang, the traitor Park Nanjian of Goryeo, and the Queen of Silla."

Although he had guessed it long ago, the King of Baekje was still shocked when he heard the powerful general admit it himself.

what is this?

It would be fine if a general controlled half of Baekje's military power, but now he could actually have secret talks with the leaders of the other two countries without going through him?

Is he the king or am I the king?

He Shazhachang really deserves to die!

The Baekje king suppressed his turbulent emotions and asked in a deep voice, "General...why is this?"

Seeing that Shazha was silent, the Baekje King's tone finally turned stern:

"The position of Grand General is so honorable. It's second only to the emperor and above everyone else. General, do you still think it's not enough?"

Shazha Chang sneered disdainfully, sat down leisurely, and looked directly at the young monarch opposite him:

"Your Majesty also thinks that I am doing this for power? Status?"

The King of Baekje did not speak, but sometimes silence is also a kind of answer.

"Your Majesty, I can tell you that the reason I acted this way has nothing to do with power, money, or status!"

Perhaps Shazha's fearless look moved the King of Baekje, and he couldn't help but ask:

"What on earth is that for?"

Shazha Chang's mouth curled up into a cold arc, and his eyes burned with an almost paranoid fire:

"Because of Li Che!"

"From the time he first led his army south, he arrived at the city of Andong... oh, it's now called Dandong City."

"Ever since he defeated the Goryeo army of 100,000, I have been keeping an eye on him."

"Over the past few years, I've watched him crush and subdue those unruly Mohe, Khitan, and Northern Hu tribes one by one! I've watched his Fengguo cavalry snowball and grow in size, sweeping across the land!"

Shazha often sighed deeply, with endless fear in his eyes:

"Your Majesty, that's not just an ordinary expansion, it's an avalanche, an unstoppable torrent!"

"Baekje will sooner or later be completely swallowed up by this torrent, leaving not even a trace. Every time I think of this, I wake up even from my dreams."

"I, a sinner, do not care about the position of general, nor do I care about my own life or death, honor or disgrace. I only want to leave a little spark for Baekje, even if it is only a nominal continuation!"

The King of Baekje remained silent for a long time, his eyes becoming more complicated.

No matter how hateful the person in front of him was, he was still a great general who had protected the territory of Baekje for decades.

The King of Baekje believed what he said.

"General... perhaps you are wrong. Living under the rule of King Feng may not be a bad way to survive."

The King of Baekje slowly spoke:

"Look at those Mohe, Khitan, and Northern Hu people. Aren't they living and working in peace and contentment under the rule of King Feng?"

"Live and work in peace and contentment?"

Shazha often uttered a short, sad, self-deprecating chuckle: "Perhaps, Your Majesty, you may be right."

"I lost the bet, and I lost miserably. I must admit my defeat. The path I'm on is blocked."

His tone became calm, as if he was stating something that had nothing to do with him:

"The future of Baekje can only follow the path chosen by Your Majesty."

Shazha pointed to the bundle on the ground and continued:

"Here is Park Nam-geon's head, cut off by my own hand. Your Majesty, please present it to King Bong to show that Baekje has no second thoughts and has nothing to do with this matter."

The King of Baekje's eyes fell on the bloody bundle, and he seemed to be hesitant to speak.

Shazhachang showed a faint smile on his face and continued:

"Of course, this head alone is not enough to appease the king's wrath."

"After all, I am the real participant in the rebellion in Baekje."

He paused for a moment and took a deep breath:

"So... Your Majesty, please take this criminal's head as well."