087 A Difficult Choice (Please Vote for Me)

Xu Shu had long been having men keep a secret watch on the three of them.

That day, when word came back from the men on surveillance, Xu Shu knew the prey had been worn down to the brink.

After a moment’s thought, he decided it was time to meet Cui Zhouping, Shi Guangyuan, and Meng Gongwei.

Xu Shu personally went to invite his lord, Su Ming, and then sent word to Huang Chengyan as well. The three of them went together to see the three men.

Just as Cui Zhouping, Shi Guangyuan, and Meng Gongwei were growing restless with worry, Su Ming, Xu Shu, and Huang Chengyan arrived.

When they saw Xu Shu, the three men were all startled.

Xu Shu, Xu Yuanzhi, was also the closed-door disciple of the Water Mirror Gentleman; they certainly knew him.

Not only did they know him, they and Xu Shu had enjoyed a rather good relationship.

They had never imagined that Xu Shu had already pledged himself to this Lord Su of Jiangxia.

And when they saw Huang Chengyan following behind Su Ming as well, their shock deepened.

At the sight of Huang Chengyan’s manner, it seemed he had also already submitted to Su Ming.

Xu Shu’s defection could still be accepted.

After all, a fine bird chooses the tree it perches on, and a capable minister chooses the lord he serves.

Xu Shu believed Su Ming could accomplish a grand imperial enterprise, so taking service under him was only natural.

Xu Shu defected, so be it. But you, Huang Chengyan, should not have done so.

You and Zhuge Liang were father-in-law and son-in-law. Though the wedding had not been completed and he had been seized away just as the bowing ceremony was beginning, the marriage contract had been signed and the betrothal gifts delivered, so that relationship had already been settled.

Your son-in-law, Zhuge Liang, was forced to leap into the river, and by now he was likely dead beneath its waters.

His body still scarcely cold, and you, Huang Chengyan, have already thrown in with Su Ming?

This...

Was that not a little too chilling?

Su Ming looked at Cui Zhouping, the man at the head of the group, and asked with a smile, “How have you gentlemen fared these past days?”

At this question, all three of their expressions changed.

Having been confined here under guard for so many days, how could any of them be in a good mood?

And now Su Ming was still asking how they had been doing; was that not asking something he already knew the answer to?

How could things be good?

Though displeased in their hearts, they still had to answer as the situation demanded.

Cui Zhouping’s expression quickly returned to normal, and he said with airy composure, “Quite well. These days have been rather leisurely.”

At the side, Xu Shu heard this and was secretly amused.

Xu Shu thought to himself, leisurely? Did you really think we knew nothing? All these days you have been under our watch. Leisurely, indeed—you were all as anxious as ants on a hot pan.

At that moment, Xu Shu stepped forward and said, “Zhouping, since you have come to Jiangxia, the people of Jiangxia would also welcome you warmly. Now that my lord has just taken Jiangxia and everything is waiting to be rebuilt, why not remain and take an office?”

Cui Zhouping almost without thinking immediately refused. “The three of us are but rustic men of the hills and fields. We cannot compare with the talents of Kongming and Yuanzhi. We have no present intention of entering official service, so there is no need for Yuanzhi to say more!”

“If Yuanzhi still remembers our old friendship, perhaps you would be so kind as to send us back.”

Send them back?

How could that be possible? They had been abducted here with great difficulty.

Seeing that the three were unwilling to stay, Huang Chengyan also tried to persuade them from the side. “Zhouping, there is an old saying: a fine bird chooses the tree it perches on...”

Before Huang Chengyan could finish, Cui Zhouping cut him off coldly. “Men of different ways do not seek common cause. You and I, Huang Chengyan, are not of the same path.”

Cui Zhouping’s attitude toward Huang Chengyan was wholly unlike the way he treated Xu Shu. His manner with Xu Shu was still warm and courteous, but toward Huang Chengyan he showed little favor at all.

Xu Shu defecting to Su Ming was something no one could really fault.

But Huang Chengyan should not have done so.

When Kongming leaped into the river, they had all made an agreement with Huang Chengyan aboard the boat: they would not serve Jiangxia.

So how was it that once they stepped ashore and reached Jiangxia, Huang Chengyan had changed his mind?

As soon as Cui Zhouping’s words fell, Shi Guangyuan also rebuked Huang Chengyan from the side. “Kongming was driven by that Jiangxia general to leap into the river, and as his friends, we still refused to serve Jiangxia or accept any office there. We never imagined the first to submit would be you, Huang Chengyan. Could it be that your tie of father-in-law and son-in-law is worth less than our friendship?”

As soon as Shi Guangyuan finished, Meng Gongwei spoke up.

Among the three, Meng Gongwei had the most explosive temper.

Compared with the others, his attack was much sharper.

He pointed straight at Huang Chengyan’s nose and cursed, “Kongming’s spirit is watching from the other world! Aren’t you afraid he’ll come looking for you in the middle of the night?”

After such a tirade, Huang Chengyan’s face turned red at once.

In the end, this matter really had been somewhat lacking in propriety on Huang Chengyan’s part.

He let out a heavy sigh and explained, “Kongming is not dead. You three need not grieve so deeply...”

Before he could go on, Meng Gongwei swept his sleeve across and cut him off, snapping, “Enough. We do not wish to hear your explanation.”

After being scolded in succession by the three of them, who could possibly take that calmly?

Huang Chengyan was angry too, thinking, I’ve tried to persuade you kindly and you refuse to listen. Fine then—do as you please. I’m done talking.

Seeing that Huang Chengyan had been backed so far into a corner he could not speak, Xu Shu, remembering their old friendship, wanted to offer a few gentle words of persuasion.

But Su Ming stopped Xu Shu. With a wave of his hand, three attendants came forward carrying three trays.

On the trays were official robes and seals.

These were the posts Su Ming had prepared for the three of them. So long as they accepted, they could take office that very day.

Xu Shu knew Cui Zhouping and the others exceptionally well; these three positions had all been arranged by him and were perfectly suited to them.

“Each man has his own ambitions, and what the three of you truly think, I, Su Ming, cannot know.”

“But I, Su Ming, will never release a tiger back to the mountains. If you three will not serve me, then you must not serve anyone else either.”

After saying this, Su Ming changed his tone and continued, “If the three gentlemen are willing to hold office in Jiangxia for three years, then after those three years you may decide for yourselves whether to stay or leave. Otherwise, I can only ask that you remain long-term in this residence. Rest assured, however, that all food, drink, and daily provisions will be fully supplied.”

“Consider it well, gentlemen. If you have made up your minds, you may don the official robes and come see me.”

Having said that, Su Ming did not linger. He led Xu Shu and Huang Chengyan away at once.

Left behind in a daze, Cui Zhouping, Shi Guangyuan, and Meng Gongwei stood speechless.

The three looked at one another, unable for a long time to collect themselves.

Bang!

Once Meng Gongwei came to his senses, he swept the tray bearing the robes and seals aside in a single furious motion, raging, “This is outrageous! Truly outrageous!”

If they did not serve as officials in Jiangxia for three years, then they would be confined in this mansion for the rest of their lives.

How, then, were the three of them to choose?

Please vote with your monthly passes, brothers!