C141. Convincing Jia Qing.

C141. Convincing Jia Qing.

The Zhou Mansion

Wu Shanshi was led to the door of the bedchamber, where a servant diligently offered him a chair. As soon as Wu Shanshi sat down, Zhou Gongdan's frail voice emerged from the dimly lit bedchamber, carrying with it a hint of illness and decay: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for coming to visit me. My body is truly weak and feeble, and I fear it might infect Your Majesty with my illness. Therefore, I must ask you to humbly sit outside the door."

Wu Shanshi sighed, "Wenning, rest well. If you need any medicine, do not hesitate to ask me. You are my meritorious subject, and I cannot do without you."

"Your Majesty..." Zhou Gongdan spoke with emotion, coughing softly twice, and then asked weakly, "I wonder if Your Majesty has released General Jia Qing?"

Wu Shanshi snorted upon hearing this, his expression turning cold. "He will not be released until he admits his wrongdoing."

Zhou Gongdan was silent for a moment before advising, "Your Majesty, the prison is harsh, and it is now the depths of winter. Even if General Jia Qing's martial arts are exceptional, he will not survive this winter. If we drag this out any longer, I fear General Jia Qing will succumb to the cold."

Wu Shanshi frowned, ready to explode if anyone else advised him to release Jia Qing. However, because it was Zhou Gongdan, he suppressed his anger.

His already uneasy mood worsened, and Wu Shanshi was unwilling to continue speaking with Zhou Gongdan. He stood up abruptly and said, "I have already sent bedding to him. Let's not discuss this further. Rest now, I am leaving!"

The attendant respectfully saw off the emperor, and soon, the voices outside fell silent.

Inside the room, Zhou Gongdan got up from the bed and walked to the window, watching Wu Shanshi's disappearing figure.

He squinted slightly.

Although Zhou Gongdan's complexion was pale, his eyes were sharp. Taking a sip of hot tea, he said to the people from the granary, "As I expected, without anyone to advise him, Wu Shanshi has become even more arrogant."

Especially after becoming an emperor, he didn't even bother to maintain the facade of magnanimity.

The people from the granary said, "You are truly wise, sir."

Zhou Gongdan couldn't help but chuckle, "It's not that I am wise, but Wu Shanshi is just too easy to see through."

When surrounded by flatterers, Wu Shanshi, who had been brought up by counselors, would undoubtedly fall into ruin.

The people from the granary asked, "Sir, are you prepared? The lord commanded us to ensure your departure from Jizhou by the end of this month."

"Thank you for waiting for me. I am prepared," Zhou Gongdan said with a smile. "I don't have much to take with me except for myself and the donkey I brought."

The people from the granary were surprised. "Aren't you taking the money you earned in Jizhou with you?"

Zhou Gongdan laughed heartily, with a hint of disdain in his expression. "I have no interest in Wu Shanshi's dirty money."

Influenced by Yuan Li's thoughts, the people from the granary hesitated for a moment before honestly saying, "If you don't mind, could we send this money back to Youzhou for military or granary expenses? The lord mentioned that money, though worldly, is essential for survival. Even if it's dirty enemy money, it should not be left to them for nothing. It's better to use it to develop the state, for ourselves and the people."

Zhou Gongdan was momentarily surprised. "You're right."

A sense of melancholy suddenly rose in his heart as he murmured, "I have been influenced by the people of the Jizhou Governor's Office all these years. Although I have remained true to myself, my character has been somewhat affected. The lord, however, remains unchanged... Yes, what the lord taught you is correct. Where is the dirt? It's the people who use the money. I was foolish."

Zhou Gongdan let out a long sigh. After realizing this, he felt a sense of relief. "I will sort out the assets I have accumulated in Jizhou over the years. I will sell what can be sold and exchange what can't for gold. Gold is easy to hide, compact, and doesn't attract attention. After I have packed everything up, I will let you take these things back to Youzhou first."

The people from the granary agreed.

With a glint in his eyes, Zhou Gongdan said, "Apart from the money, there is one person I want to take with me when I leave."

*

Zhou Gongdan's concern was naturally for Jia Qing.

After Wu Shanshi declared himself emperor, Jia Qing was released from the dungeon. However, this man seemed to have no concept of self-preservation. Despite being advised otherwise, he stubbornly approached the newly crowned Wu Shanshi, urging him to abdicate the throne and seek forgiveness alongside a convicted criminal.

Without a doubt, this suggestion completely enraged Wu Shanshi, who was still reveling in his newfound title.

No longer showing any mercy, Wu Shanshi ordered his guards to detain Jia Qing once again, and he has remained imprisoned since then.

Calculating the time, Wu Shanshi had been in power for four months, and Jia Qing had been incarcerated for over four months.

The winter in the north was freezing, and the dungeon was even more damp and dark. Despite Jia Qing's bravery and strength, if he spent this winter there, he would likely be ruined.

Zhou Gongdan found this outcome to be a great pity. There were not many people among Wu Shanshi's followers that he both feared and admired, and Jia Qing was one of them.

If they could bring Jia Qing back to Youzhou, Zhou Gongdan believed Yuan Li would be very pleased.

Undoubtedly, under Yuan Li's command, there would be better prospects than following Wu Shanshi.

As one of Wu Shanshi's favored officials, it was quite easy for Zhou Gongdan to visit Jia Qing in the prison.

On the sixteenth day of the first month, fine snowflakes fluttered down.

At the prison gates, the guards said, "Please, sir, do not bring warm clothing or food into the prison."

Zhou Gongdan's face turned pale, and he coughed a few times, looking surprised. "Why can't I bring these things in?"

The guard said, "It's the emperor's orders."

Zhou Gongdan understood.

Wu Shanshi was truly ruthless and wasteful. A talent like Jia Qing would be treasured by any sovereign, but in the eyes of Wu Shanshi, who had seen countless talents, Jia Qing struggled to survive.

Since it was Wu Shanshi's decree, Zhou Gongdan had to comply. He instructed his attendant to leave the clothing and food outside and entered the dungeon empty-handed.

There were few prisoners in the dungeon. In the depths of the dungeon, Jia Qing lay on a pile of grass, his body stiff from the cold. His complexion was pale and haggard, with numerous frostbite marks on his skin. He lay with his eyes closed, his chest barely rising and falling, looking almost like a corpse to any onlooker.

As he heard footsteps approaching, Jia Qing reluctantly opened his eyes and saw Zhou Gongdan standing in front of the cell door.

Jia Qing was taken aback to see Zhou Gongdan and furrowed his brow, pretending to ignore him by closing his eyes.

"Sir Jia?" Zhou Gongdan said calmly, "I have come to visit you."

Jia Qing remained silent, hands clenched tightly in the darkness.

After giving him a thorough look-over and surveying the entire cell, Zhou Gongdan shook his head in dismay.

Wu Shanshi told him that he had given Jia Qing some bedding for the winter, but there was no bedding in the cell, only a heap of straw.

The pile of straw served little purpose, and Jia Qing had already maximized its use to keep himself warm. Curled up in a sheltered corner, he had gathered the straw to form a mound against the wall and dug a small hole in it, just enough for him to bury himself in the straw, with only his face exposed to breathe.

Perhaps it was this survival instinct that allowed him to cling to life.

Witnessing Jia Qing's strong will to survive, Zhou Gongdan felt satisfied.

As long as he wanted to live, there was a chance to get him out of Jizhou.

Zhou Gongdan continued, "To see such a talented general reduced to this state pains me deeply."

Jia Qing's eyelids twitched, and finally, he spoke in a hoarse voice, "Why has Sir Zhou come here?"

His question was direct, and Zhou Gongdan responded in kind, ordering his men to guard the surroundings before asking, "Do you want to live, General?"

Jia Qing replied coldly, "There is no one in this world who doesn't want to live."

"You are right," Zhou Gongdan said, "but how do you plan to survive?"

Suddenly, Jia Qing opened his eyes wide and stared at Zhou Gongdan, asking, "What do you mean by that?"

Pretending surprise, Zhou Gongdan asked, "How could you not understand my meaning? You have been in this cell for four months, from early autumn to deep winter. The coldest part of winter is yet to come. Do you really expect to survive the entire winter with just this pile of straw?"

"Lord Shanshi will release me," Jia Qing said firmly before closing his eyes again.

Zhou Gongdan countered, "Do you truly believe that Lord Shanshi will set you free?"

Jia Qing fell silent.

In truth, he already had an answer in his heart.

As winter set in, Jia Qing's days became much more difficult. Thinking that Wu Shanshi had forgotten him, he tried to subtly remind Wu Shanshi of his presence by manipulating his attendants to request bedding for him.

However, all he received was useless straw from Wu Shanshi.

It was then that Jia Qing realized Wu Shanshi intended to kill him.

When Zhou Gongdan entered, Jia Qing faintly overheard his conversation with the guards, which confirmed his suspicions - Wu Shanshi truly wanted him dead, simply because he had challenged Wu Shanshi's emperorship.

Jia Qing found the situation ludicrous.

He had always been loyal and sincere, considering Wu Shanshi's welfare after declaring him the master. If Wu Shanshi had openly ordered Jia Qing's death, he would not have felt so aggrieved.

Yet, Wu Shanshi's covert and heartless actions to push him towards death left Jia Qing chilled to the core.

Zhou Gongdan remarked, "How regrettable it would be if someone of your caliber were to silently perish in the dungeon."

Jia Qing's breathing became erratic.

It was what had made Jia Qing question himself during these days.

Are you really willing to die like this?

Not for a noble cause, not to protect your lord, but to be killed by your lord in a ridiculous attempt to defend him.

Is someone like Wu Shanshi really worth your loyalty to death?

"What do you mean?" Jia Qing asked sharply, "You are valued by the lord, yet you come to me with such words. Zhou Gongdan, you indeed have a problem."

"General," Zhou Gongdan chuckled, "I have already asked the question I wanted to ask, and you have answered. You want to stay alive, but let me be blunt, as long as you remain under Wu Shanshi's command, you will not be able to survive. Who knows, by the end of this winter, you may not have a life to live."

He glanced again at Jia Qing's shabby cell, "Even if you survive this winter, you will be crippled, unable to fight and kill enemies in the future."

Jia Qing's face showed a hint of sorrow.

His grip tightened, the swollen back of his hand stinging from the strain. Jia Qing quickly calmed down, "Can you get me out of here?"

Zhou Gongdan replied, "Yes."

"How do you plan to save me?" Jia Qing asked, "Plead with the lord? Aren't you afraid that after the lord releases me, I will report to him what you have said today?"

"You no longer have a place under Wu Shanshi's command," Zhou Gongdan said, "You should also know that during your time in prison, many have pleaded for you, but Wu Shanshi has never let you out, and now he despises even hearing your name."

Jia Qing knew that was why he had remained in jail.

If he wanted to escape, Jia Qing had options. His men could come and rescue him, but what then?

How would he live afterwards?

The lord did not favor him, and escaping would be seen as rebellion. There would be nowhere for him in Jizhou. But where else could he go if he left Jizhou?

His men, his family, would all be affected. In this world, with so many lives tied to him, where could he go?

Zhou Gongdan saw the hesitation on Jia Qing's face and spoke slowly, "I can get you out, but it comes with conditions."

Jia Qing looked at him.

"I want you to leave Jizhou and follow my lord," Zhou Gongdan said.

Jia Qing looked deeply at Zhou Gongdan, "There is definitely someone behind you... I wonder what kind of person would make you work so diligently for him."

Zhou Gongdan didn't want to say more, "What is your decision, General?"

"I refuse."

Jia Qing closed his eyes and surprisingly rejected Zhou Gongdan.

Zhou Gongdan was shocked, he did not expect Jia Qing to reject so decisively. After a moment, he asked, "Why do you refuse, General?"

"The person who sends his subordinates alone deep into enemy territory, I don't believe he is truly righteous and loyal," Jia Qing said coldly, "Such a person, how is he any different from Wu Shanshi? They both send their subordinates to their deaths. He hides behind you, stirring up trouble, his manipulative nature, if I go to your lord, it's like jumping into another fire pit."

Zhou Gongdan chuckled helplessly, his smile growing wider, causing Jia Qing to furrow his brow.

"Hahaha, if my lord's subordinates heard your words, I'm afraid you would be thanking them with your life, they wouldn't even want my lord to use you," Zhou Gongdan said.

Not just Yuan Li's subordinates, even the several nearby grain allocation officers were now glaring at Jia Qing.

Jia Qing did not understand why Zhou Gongdan was acting this way, his brow furrowing deeper, "Am I wrong? You have been in Jizhou for many years, even the most forgiving person would grow distant towards you, suspecting whether you are still loyal. Once your lord suspects you, even if I agree to follow your lord, I will be under suspicion as well, what difference does my situation have than now?"

Zhou Gongdan wiped the tears of laughter from his eyes, suppressing his smile, "General, you are greatly mistaken. Why did I come alone? It was just my own request. My lord's character is rare in the world, no one who has spent time with him would dislike him, in fact, those who follow my lord wish they had met him earlier, my lord is the one who recognizes talent, those by his side take pride in it -General, do you think I am exaggerating? I speak nothing but the truth, my lord is renowned throughout the world."

Jia Qing said, "Wu Shanshi is also renowned throughout the world."

Zhou Gongdan sneered, "Comparing Wu Shanshi with my lord, the difference is like night and day... General, do you think if my lord was truly like Wu Shanshi, I would risk my life to infiltrate enemy territory for him?"

Jia Qing hesitated.

Zhou Gongdan's words indeed made sense. Although Jia Qing did not know Zhou Gongdan, he knew that Zhou Gongdan was not someone easily swayed. To make such a person plan for his future even in death, Zhou Gongdan's lord must be extraordinary.

Thinking this, Jia Qing couldn't help but feel a bit intrigued.

He felt a lot of interest in this hidden figure, eager to see who could persuade Zhou Gongdan, a person capable of saying so many good things. But burdened with the lives of many, he couldn't make an immediate decision.

Jia Qing thought for a moment, feeling that the result of his joining them might not be good, "I am Wu Shanshi's subordinate, loyal to him in the past. Would your lord truly trust someone like me?"

Zhou Gongdan smiled again, "Among my lord's most valued advisors, one has served two lords before, but my lord never pays attention to such things."

Jia Qing took a deep breath, and with determination and coldness in his voice, he said, "Even if I were to go to someone else, I would not betray my old master. I will not disclose anything about Jizhou or Wu Shanshi to him."

"General, you worry too much," Zhou Gongdan smiled slightly, "With my lord's temperament, he will never make you do such a difficult thing. Your consideration for your old master shows your noble character, my lord will only praise you, never blame you."

Jia Qing felt a sense of helplessness, like punching cotton, facing Zhou Gongdan's flattering words, he couldn't come up with any other words.

Finally, Zhou Gongdan smirked mysteriously, "To be honest, I will tell the general a secret. Do you know how long I have known my lord before coming to Jizhou?"

Jia Qing replied confidently, "Shortest three years, longest ten years."

If he didn't know him so well, how could Zhou Gongdan's lord dare send him to Jizhou?

Zhou Gongdan looked nostalgic, shook his head slowly, and then dropped a bombshell, "Actually, only two months."

Jia Qing's eyes widened instantly.

Zhou Gongdan continued, "Doubt not, trust not. My lord, in this regard, no lord in the world can match him."

Jia Qing remained motionless.

After a while, he slowly propped himself up against the wall, struggling to sit up, and whispered, "Please give me some time, just one day, I want to take my subordinates with me as well."