CHAPTER 167: CHAPTER 167: WE CAN’T LET HEROES SHED BOTH BLOOD AND TEARS

Pei Shu’er roamed the streets and alleys, specifically seeking out beggars and those doing hard labor.

"If you have any other brothers or acquaintances, let them come to me too. As long as the song spreads, each person will receive one tael of silver."

"Remember, it must be continuously spread, until everyone knows it."

Afterwards, those brought to Pei Shu’er by the beggars included not just beggars, but even some street vendors.

To spread a folk song is truly a simple task.

Moreover, no one explicitly mentioned the War King by name, so everyone earned the money without fear.

On this day, the streets and alleys were filled with legends of the War King, even the brothel was not exempt.

The more such places there are, the more scholars and poets gather, making it more likely to reach the Emperor’s ears.

Before long, everyone was brainwashed by the catchy folk song, unconsciously chanting along.

Many inexplicably recalled the War King of the past, a hero who safeguarded the nation, saving many lives in numerous battles.

During a severe drought, the War King’s family in the Prince Zhan Mansion distributed porridge to various places, braving the elements without fail every day.

When the Emperor was still a Prince, the War King faithfully served alongside him with utmost devotion.

He accompanied him from a vulnerable prince to the Emperor he is now.

He was the Emperor’s best brother and also his best comrade.

He successively repelled the armies of Da Liao and Daxia, stabilizing Dayan’s lands.

He always put the people first, the only leader who regarded the common folk as human.

Whenever the War King was mentioned, the masses were moved to tears.

Coupled with the folk song, everyone inevitably thought of the War King.

This song, knowingly or otherwise, spread across the entire Capital.

Originally, the Emperor had smeared the War King’s reputation repeatedly, which had somewhat tarnished his name.

Thus, the Emperor dared to order the War King’s execution at this time.

Now, with this folk song, the War King’s reputation improved.

Pei Shu’er seized the opportunity to attend some gatherings of scholars and literati.

At these gatherings, she encouraged everyone to petition the Emperor to re-investigate the truth, insisting that the War King was surely wronged.

She spoke with conviction, her eyes filled with resolute faith, persuading even those wavering to believe in her words.

To speak of Dayan’s greatest hero, it would not be the Emperor, but the War King.

It was because of him that Dayan had its vast lands and many resource-rich territories.

To speak well of the War King, there was too much.

But to speak ill of the War King, it seemed only this one accusation of embezzling military funds existed.

Pei Shu’er snorted disdainfully in a clear male voice.

"To say the War King embezzled military funds, I absolutely do not believe it. Not to mention, there was no opportunity for him to handle military funds."

"More importantly, how could someone who distributes porridge year-round commit such an act, depriving border soldiers of rations?"

"Besides, even though the War King has been captured, the border supplies are still absent, as anyone with family serving at the border can confirm."

Someone echoed, "Exactly, if the War King truly embezzled funds, one would expect those funds to be dispersed after his capture. Yet now, there is no movement at all."

"I also find this affair peculiar. The War King couldn’t have embezzled funds to distribute porridge. Besides, the porridge funds came from the Liu Family in Jiangnan. The War Princess’s father was a renowned wealthy man in Jiangnan, and such military funds would not interest the War King."

Everyone increasingly felt that something was amiss.

Pei Shu’er merely initiated the conversation, and people had already elevated it to a discourse on political scheming.

The more they thought, the more incensed they became, with some even concocting many imagined scenarios.

Some, engulfed in their own fabrications, reddened their eyes, voices trembling with anger.

"We cannot let a hero bleed and weep!"

Pei Shu’er, filled with emotion and possessing a strong ability to incite, joined in.

"Indeed, we should seek justice for the War King!"

The crowd was impassioned.

"Seek justice for the War King!"

After concluding that gathering, Pei Shu’er assumed a different identity, disguised herself, and headed to the next one.

In short, she was very busy with attending these gatherings. She felt she was truly taking good care of her plastic comrade.

But her efforts at these gatherings were highly effective, as numerous literati began writing articles on the spot, extensively recounting the War King’s injustice.

Some even composed poems on the spot, and Pei Shu’er couldn’t help but admire these ancients’ poetry skills.

Having stirred the intellectuals, Pei Shu’er encouraged them again.

"I think it’s time for everyone to go to the government office and the Ministry of Justice to call for justice for the War King, as the Emperor must have been misled by wicked men. When the time comes, let the Emperor re-investigate this case."

Many scholars echoed this, including not a few from noble families, and even some usual rakes joined in.

It was evident the War King was an idol for many.

The government office and the Ministry of Justice were greatly troubled, leaving government officers at the entrances to prevent these people from entering.

These people had calmed down before; why were there so many now, even when the War King’s reputation had suffered?

There were more people now than ever before?

Could it be the War King truly captured people’s hearts so?

It seemed necessary to write a letter to the Emperor, for if something arose later, being blamed would not be good.

...

At this moment, in a large courtyard in the west of the city in the Capital.

Dressed in black, Xuan Yi kneeled on one knee to report.

"Master, today a folk song spread throughout the Capital."

After speaking, he recited the folk song.

Tang Zan frowned, the song was indeed very catchy.

The person who composed it had some skill.

Moreover, despite not being explicitly named, everyone knew it referred to the War King.

The song’s spread throughout the city was advantageous to him, facilitating the rescue of his father.

Tang Zan said, "Do you know who spread it?"

Xuan Yi replied, "Reporting to the Princely Heir, it was spread by a noble young man, looking refined, specifically seeking out beggars and laborers, spending money lavishly."

"He spent about five hundred taels of silver in total."

Tang Zan frowned. Did his father have such subordinates?

Or was it merely a chivalrous hero displeased by the situation? Or a scion of nobility?

He frowned, "Investigate further, report any findings at any time."

After Xuan Yi withdrew, Tang Zan continued discussing with the remaining people how to rescue the War King on the execution day.

He had been gathering information about the execution day, occasionally venturing outside.

However, he was still very anxious, feeling that something was hard to change.

He brushed off the feeling, inadvertently chanting the folk song.

Tang Zan laughed coldly, "Since the public thinks this way, that ruler secluded in the palace, only knowing power play, should also learn about the current situation."

"He must not be detached from public sentiment, or else, when the time comes, he won’t even realize when his realm, gained without merit, changes hands?"

Saying this, Tang Zan smiled oddly.

"Inform those hidden pawns to make their move."

"But don’t foolishly act on their own, urge those civil servants to petition, listing the War King’s accomplishments one by one, requesting the Emperor thoroughly investigate this case."

Tang Zan’s eyes deepened. So, what will that Emperor’s reaction be now?