Marrying a concubine and swallowing her dowry? The mistress turns around and marries a high-ranking

Chapter 177

Mo Zhonggui hadn't left; he had been waiting on the side. When he heard Shen Jingyang's question, he came over as well.

"Marshal Shen, I also want to know the answer to this question."

Shen Wei glanced at Mo Zhonggui warily, but perhaps knowing that he couldn't get rid of Mo Zhonggui, he finally sighed and admitted it, and said it directly.

"He is the heir of the Duke of Changguo, the eldest son of the Chu family, Chu Tianming."

Shen Jingyang was quite surprised to hear this.

"Chu Tianming? Why would he come to see you in the middle of the night?"

Chu Tianming and Shen Jingyang are known as the twin pillars of Kyoto, both being the most outstanding young talents among the scions of prominent families.

Because the Chu family had been scholars for generations, they were a family that was strong in literature but weak in martial arts, and Chu Tianming happened to be quite talented, so the Chu family let him pursue martial arts.

He lived up to his family's expectations. At a young age, he had made outstanding military achievements and is now a fourth-rank loyal and brave general, who is expected to fill this gap in the Chu family's strength.

Chu Tianming and Shen Jingyang were both promising young generals, born into prestigious families and handsome, thus earning the title of "Twin Pillars." They were often mentioned together in the capital and frequently compared.

The two had a decent relationship. Although they weren't exactly life-and-death friends, they had similar backgrounds, social standing, and identities, so they got along quite well.

Chu Tianming also guarded the northwest border, but his garrison was located in the south, several hundred miles away from the garrison of the Shen family army.

Shen Wei gave a harsh, cold laugh and said, "Because he's doing shady things. He's representing the Chu family to win me over, hoping that the Shen family army can be used by the Chu family!"

Shen Lingjun, Shen Jingyang, and Madam Wen all changed their expressions at the same time.

The Chu family's power in Bei Yi is already absolute, but they lack military authority. If they had the Shen family army, the Chu family would be completely uncontrollable. Not only would Mo Chonggui be no match for them, but even if the entire Bei Yi kingdom were to change its surname to Chu, it wouldn't be a difficult task!

The Chu family's ambitions are beyond measure!

Shen Wei continued through gritted teeth, "At the time, I flatly rejected Chu Tianming, and the meeting ended badly. He left in a huff. I guessed that the Chu family would not let it go and would teach me a lesson, but I never expected that they would be so ruthless as to collude with Xi Qi to wipe out the entire 30,000-strong Shen family army, and even kill my father and me!"

Shen Jingyang exclaimed in surprise, "Father, do you mean that those remnants of the Western Qi army were able to turn the tables on us because they received military supplies from the Chu family?"

Shen Wei said bitterly, "Who else could it be but the Chu family? I rejected the Chu family's attempts to win us over. Chu Tianming never intended for us to return alive. Even if it meant losing 30,000 Shen family soldiers, they wouldn't care!"

That's 30,000 of the most elite Northern Yi troops!

For decades, the Western Qi and Northern Yi were enemies. Countless Northern Yi soldiers and civilians died at the hands of the Western Qi, a blood feud still fresh in their minds. How could the Chu family, for their own selfish gain, collude with the enemy and harm their own country's army?

In the eyes of the Chu family, there are probably no family feuds or national hatreds, only interests that may or may not align!

Mo Zhonggui listened for a while before speaking up: "The remaining 150,000 Shen family troops have been taken over by General Lü Liang of Huaihua. By the way, I should tell you that Lü Liang has been won over by the Chu family. The Chu family bribed him with a mansion in the capital, three million taels of silver, and various other benefits."

Shen Wei was furious: "That opportunist, coward, bastard! I always thought he had no backbone, but I never thought he would become the Chu family's dog so easily!"

Mo Zhonggui sighed: "Marshal Shen, everything you just said is just your side of the story. Even if you tell the Emperor that Chu Tianming tried to win you over and colluded with Xiqi to harm the Shen family army, the Chu family can deny it outright and say that you fabricated the story and framed a loyal official. What concrete evidence do you have to accuse the Chu family?"

Shen Jingyang shook his head and interjected, "I heard that the remnants of the Western Qi army burned the valley to the ground after the battle, leaving nothing behind."

Those 30,000 Shen family soldiers died on the battlefield and could not be buried in peace. Only their ashes remained, mixed with the wind and sand, drifting and swirling above the Gobi Desert.