"Why are you so surprised, General Deng?"
Chen Sanshi teased, "Could it be that you really think I'm a loyal martyr of Great Sheng?"
"Are you not?"
Deng Feng said seriously, "Everything you have was bestowed upon you by the Emperor of Sheng."
"Bestowed upon me? Indeed, he bestowed a cup of poisoned wine upon me."
Chen Sanshi found it amusing. "I, Chen, originally had only one dream: hunt for silver, learn a few martial arts, and live honestly as a wealthy man. But what happened? They forced me step by step into what I am today. Bullies harmed people, yet nobody cared. Martial halls killed people, yet nobody investigated. Even after joining the army, there were people blocking my path whenever I wanted to rise.
"Later, the Ten Days in Yunzhou, as General Deng said, had enormous problems within it.
"For problems that enormous to be created, how high-ranking would the people behind them need to be? Surely I need not spell it out.
"From Yunzhou to Youzhou on foot, how many brothers died along the way? I remember every one of their names. Leading civilians across the river—did you think I wanted to? I was forced into it.
"With a court like that.
"You want me to be its loyal martyr? Does it deserve one?!"
Deng Feng listened in a daze.
He had never expected it.
This young Great Sheng general, who had become renowned across the realm after only two years in the army, actually did not hold the imperial court in the slightest regard.
"General Deng!
"What I am about to say would be a crime worthy of exterminating nine clans if others heard it, but I still want to speak with you."
Chen Sanshi slowly moved closer. His voice was quiet, yet it struck like