Chapter 74: Saving a Person

Shen Shilang sighed and said, “If I couldn’t even see through this, wouldn’t it be a waste of our years of brotherhood?”

He glanced around and asked, “Did General Wei tell you the real reason I left the Wei family?”

Wei Jianlang nodded, “Yes… although that’s the case, in this matter, it was my mother who was wrong. I’m sorry…”

Shen Shilang interrupted him, saying, “There’s no need for you to apologize. It wasn’t you who did it.”

“I bring this up so that when you see me in the future, you won’t slip up,” he continued. “From now on, our relationship is strained.”

“I understand,” Wei Jianlang replied.

“So, where exactly did General Wei go?” Shen Shilang asked again.

Wei Jianlang revealed his worries without holding back, sighing deeply: “Jianming disobeyed orders and pursued the enemy, only to be ambushed and trapped. I wanted to rescue him but was stopped by my father, who went himself.”

Seeing Shen Shilang’s worried expression, Wei Jianlang shook his head and voiced his doubts: “I’m puzzled why my father would personally lead a rescue. Normally, he wouldn’t save someone who defied orders; he would just let Jianming die.”

“In the army, Jianming is first a soldier and then my father’s son. He never shows leniency to disobedient soldiers,” Wei Jianlang said. “I offered to search for him, yet my father insists on going himself. As a commander- in-chief, this isn’t something he would take lightly. It confuses me.”

“Moreover… it’s been half a day since father left with the rescue team, and there’s still no news. I…” Wei Jianlang was very worried. “But now Father has left me temporarily in charge as commander; I can’t leave easily. Especially since General Quan has arrived with his troops; I know I shouldn’t go, but I still want to take some men to search for him.”

Wei Jianlang frowned and muttered to himself: “Father is acting strangely; everything he has done lately feels so out of character.”

“General Wei likely wants to give the emperor a reason to relieve him of his military duties,” Shen Shilang concluded after understanding Wei Zhaoxian’s intentions.

“Why?” Wei Jianlang asked in confusion. “Why would father willingly make mistakes? He has always been diligent; I know there are those in court trying to find fault with him but have never succeeded.”

Most of those looking to find fault with Wei Zhaoxian did so not just out of personal conflict, but also due to Emperor Jiacheng’s attitude.

Wei Jianlang didn’t explicitly say this, but Shen Shilang could easily infer his meaning.

“Because General Wei knows that if he continues resisting, even without mistakes, he will be found at fault,” Shen Shilang explained. “Just like the Shen family back then—who could believe such slander? Yet, they were used as an excuse to slaughter my entire family.”

“Rather than risk the entire family being implicated, it’s better to take the initiative now,” Shen Shilang took a deep breath and said calmly. “Offering himself up might prevent greater repercussions and perhaps allow him to retire peacefully. General Wei is loyal and righteous but has never been one to disregard his family.”

A sarcastic smile appeared on Shen Shilang’s lips: “Forcing a general who has fought for the country all his life into such a position is truly remarkable!”

Afterward, Shen Shilang asked again, “When did General Wei depart? Is there any news yet?”

Wei Jianlang shook his head. “He left two hours ago. By now, he should have returned.”

“Let’s return to the tent,” Shen Shilang said firmly. “Since General Wei has such intentions, we shouldn’t hide it anymore; inform General Quan about General Wei’s actions. When he returns, someone will have to file a complaint against him anyway.”

Wei Jianlang hesitated: “…”

Although Shen Shilang’s guess was probably true – Shen Shilang had always been smarter than them since childhood, and following his advice had never led them astray – but… why did Shen Shilang’s current behavior seem so much like that of a treacherous official?**

The two returned to the tent, and Wei Jianlang, following Shen Shilang’s words, told Quan Guanran about Wei Zhaoxian leading men to find Wei Jianming.

Quan Guanran was shocked: “How could General Wei act like this?”

Wei Jianlang knelt in military respect and clasped his fists: “The general knows this act violates military regulations; upon his return, he will accept punishment. However, with General Quan here and General Wei absent, I cannot conceal this matter.”

“You did right; indeed, it shouldn’t be hidden,” Quan Guanran stood up and asked, “How long has General Wei been gone?”

“Two hours.”

“That’s too long,” Quan Guanran said. “Send a team of scouts to find out where General Wei went—whether he successfully retrieved Jianming or encountered trouble; we must respond quickly.”

“Yes!” Sheng Jinchao hurried off to carry out orders.

“General! I want to go too!” Wei Jianlang exclaimed loudly. “As his son, I know some of his habits well; I might notice clues others miss along the way.”

Wei Jianlang was anxious; wasn’t he revealing their unique signals?

“Young General Wei!” Shen Shilang interjected suddenly. “We don’t know the outcome of this mission yet; the army needs General Quan here with you.”

Shen Shilang hadn’t expected Wei Zhaoxian would take such risks. Clearly, he had been pushed into a corner by Emperor Jiacheng.

If something happened to Wei Zhaoxian, then the Northwest Army must remain with the Wei family—never should it fall into Emperor Jiacheng’s hands.

On the surface, the Northwest Army seemed under Emperor Jiacheng’s command. But in reality, given Wei Zhaoxian’s authority in the army, if Wei Jianlang took over, his control would surpass that of the emperor.

This was why Emperor Jiacheng had wanted to eliminate Wei Zhaoxian all these years.

If something truly happened to him, Shen Shilang needed to ensure the Northwest Army stayed with Wei Jianlang. And all of this depended on one thing: that Wei Jianlang remained alive.

Shen Shilang turned and approached Quan Guanran respectfully: “General Quan, I may not be capable enough, but during my time at the Wei residence, I received guidance from General Wei and understand his methods well. I wish to accompany the search for General Wei.”

“Lord Shen! You shouldn’t meddle at such a time,” Quan Guanran said unhappily.

This Shen hadn’t stirred up trouble before – why cause a big fuss now?

“You’re just a scholar; even if you have some skills, how can you compare with scouts trained in stealth?” Quan Guanran was displeased with Shen’s lack of understanding.

Sheng Jinchao had long been irritated by Shen Shilang as well and scolded: “When it comes to General Wei’s safety like this—don’t interfere! If you go along, not only might we fail to rescue General Wei, but you might also cost our entire scout team their lives!”

…