Chapter Eighty-One: The Braised Pork with Crisp Edges

Chen Ying fell silent at once. Though Wei Zheng's words were harsh, they spoke the truth.

In terms of rank, Luo Shixin served as Chief Commander of Cavalry under Li Mi, leading over ten thousand horsemen—a position akin to commander of the cavalry. Luo Shixin enforced strict discipline, with clear rewards and punishments, and always led from the front in battle, earning the deep respect of his troops. Should he surrender to the Tang, Luo Shixin would at least be granted the title of Loyal and Martial General, fourth rank.

Yet at this moment, Chen Ying was but a fifth-rank General of Peaceful Borders.

Chen Ying glanced at Luo Shixin, then turned back to Wei Zheng, sighing, "Master Wei, you see things clearly. Luo Shixin and I felt an instant kinship; I truly do not wish to see him walk into the pit of fire."

Wei Zheng was shrewd, instantly sensing a deeper meaning in Chen Ying's words.

Chen Ying continued, "This is a damned era!"

Wei Zheng looked at him in surprise, "General Chen, what do you mean?"

"Good men die young, while troublemakers live for a thousand years!" Chen Ying pointed at Luo Shixin. "Compared to you, Master Wei, Luo Shixin is far too naive."

"Are we not?" Wei Zheng replied, "We brothers of Wagang are loyal as gold, our bonds as lofty as clouds!"

"Haha! You say that only to me," Chen Ying retorted. "Dan Xiongxin, Qin Shubao, Cheng Yaojin—each is a genius. Why surrender to Wang Shichong? Is it merely for riches? That hardly makes sense, does it?"

Wei Zheng now felt certain: Chen Ying was thoroughly familiar with the Wagang Army, even its hidden secrets.

A flicker of unease crossed Wei Zheng's heart; though he concealed it well, a subtle glint in his eyes betrayed him. Chen Ying noticed.

"Let us speak openly, Master Wei," Chen Ying said. "If His Majesty learns that Lord Wei now commands fewer than ten thousand men, with only a handful of generals, he may reconsider how to deal with Lord Wei."

Though Wei Zheng disliked admitting it, Chen Ying's words were also true.

"Perhaps you might propose another condition," Wei Zheng said. "Luo Shixin is a man, not a commodity to be traded!"

"This is not a transaction."

"Ah?"

"It is a rescue," Chen Ying replied solemnly. "I cannot stand by and watch Luo Shixin be ruined by you. Even if he scorns me, I cannot let him enter service under the Great Tang."

"Well..." Wei Zheng's eyes shifted, a faint smile on his lips. "What if I refuse?"

"Then, Master Wei, you will leave disappointed," Chen Ying replied calmly. "If you depart Chang'an, how will you face Lord Wei?"

As Chen Ying said, Wei Zheng truly did not know what to do. Yet after a moment, a sharp light flashed in his eyes, and he fixed Chen Ying with an intense gaze.

"So, you leave me no choice?"

"If that's how you see it, Master Wei, I won't dispute it."

"Lord Chen, we have neither old resentment nor recent grievances. Why must you press so hard?"

"I'm not pressing—it's just that I refuse to watch Luo Shixin walk into ruin," Chen Ying replied. "With Luo Shixin, you can fulfill Lord Wei's trust; and I can offer you prosperity. Both sides win—why not?"

Wei Zheng fell into deep thought.

Li Mi came from noble stock. His great-grandfather was Li Bi, one of the Eight Pillars of Western Wei, titled Duke Tuhe; in Northern Zhou, he served as Grand Tutor and Duke of Wei. His grandfather Li Yao was Grand Guardian and Duke of Xing in Northern Zhou. His father Li Kuan was Supreme Pillar of the Sui, titled Duke of Pushan. Even if Li Mi was now destitute, his bottom line for surrendering to the Tang would at least be a dukedom and a third-rank post.

Had Li Mi surrendered to Li Yuan when he commanded four hundred thousand troops, Li Yuan would not have begrudged him a dukedom or a high office.

As the saying goes, thirty years in the east, thirty in the west; a fallen phoenix is no better than a chicken.

Li Mi was not one of Li Yuan's founding supporters, and having long been in power, he would not submit to others. Once Li Yuan learned his true situation, he would most likely grant Li Mi a meaningless title and pension. For Li Mi, that would be worse than death.

"You overestimate yourself, Lord Chen," Wei Zheng deliberately provoked. "With your status, surely you cannot sway the policies of the Great Tang!"

"That depends on your courage, Master Wei," Chen Ying replied. "You can gamble, or we can part ways."

Suddenly, Wei Zheng stepped forward, moving on Chen Ying like a shadow. His action was swift as a black lightning bolt; before Chen Ying could react, Wei Zheng had drawn his soft sword with a metallic hiss, pressing it to Chen Ying's neck.

"Damn!" Chen Ying remained composed outwardly, but inwardly was shaken. The 'Romance of Sui and Tang' never mentioned Wei Zheng's martial prowess—who would have thought his skills were so formidable? Even in a fair fight, Chen Ying might not match him.

Wei Zheng glared at Chen Ying, murderous intent in his eyes. "In fact... killing you would fulfill Lord Wei's orders just as well!"

The sudden turn of events stunned Liang Zan, who guarded the door. As he realized what was happening, he clenched his fists and charged inside.

Luo Shixin did not understand why Wei Zheng, who had been negotiating peacefully, suddenly turned hostile. But seeing Wei Zheng's blade at Chen Ying's throat, Luo Shixin acted without hesitation. With a side kick, he struck Liang Zan square in the chest.

Liang Zan's skills were decent—decent, that is, depending on whom he faced. Against ordinary men, he was a master; against Luo Shixin, the difference was that of a child to a strongman.

With a thud, Liang Zan was sent flying two or three yards. As he tried to speak, his mouth filled with the taste of blood, and fresh blood spilled from his lips.

Just one move, and Liang Zan was down.

Luo Shixin roared at the servants in Chen Ying's mansion, "Don't force me to kill!"

Witnessing this, Chen Ying became even more determined to recruit Luo Shixin. With such a formidable enforcer, he could dominate Chang'an—unless he ran into the likes of Yuchi Gong or Qin Qiong.

"You'll regret killing me," Chen Ying said calmly. "If you doubt it, Master Wei, try it. Chang'an is not Wagang Fortress."

"Are you not afraid of death, Lord Chen?"

"Is fear any use?"

"Tell me—how did you learn of Lord Wei's defeat?" Wei Zheng demanded coldly. "Speak, and I'll let you die whole."

"Hmph!" Chen Ying retorted, unyielding. "Do you take me for a fool? Would I survive if I told you? If you want to kill me, go ahead; otherwise, none of you will leave this mansion."

Luo Shixin remarked, "I've never feared a fight. Brother Chen, these few shrimp soldiers and crab generals in your house—none can match me!"

"That I believe," Chen Ying replied. "How many can you kill, Brother Luo—one hundred, or one thousand? There are nearly four hundred thousand people in Chang'an. Can you fight your way out?"

Luo Shixin replied honestly, "A hundred men could hold me, three hundred could capture me alive."

Suddenly, Wei Zheng sighed, "Lord Chen, you are a clever man. If you die young, wouldn't that be a pity?"

"To journey to the underworld with you all—I would consider it an honor," said Chen Ying.

At this moment, Wei Zheng was at a loss.

Chen Ying was like a stubborn blade—impervious to threats or intimidation. Wei Zheng did not know what to do.