#59This is a veteran actor.
AI Model: gemini-2.5-flash
Chapter 59 This is a veteran actor.
At this moment, Shen Yulou, in front of the Envoy from Wulin Kingdom and the civil and military officials, was able to remain so composed.
If it were anyone else, their legs would have been trembling in panic long ago.
Just like Zheng Feifan, who appeared burly but was actually all show and no substance.
Tao Hong said, "Little Dezi, you go. Investigate again and report back."
"Understood."
...Shen Yulou held a raw egg in his hand and extended his hand in front of everyone.
"Watch closely."
Under everyone's gaze, Shen Yulou squeezed hard.
With a crack.
The egg shattered!
The scattered raw egg flowed down Shen Yulou's hand onto the ground.
This time, everyone became excited.
Indeed, it was unfair earlier; Shen Yulou had used a cooked egg, which was a bit of a trick.
But this time, he used a genuine, real egg!
Now the Envoy had nothing to say, right?
Gongsun Changlin squatted down and inspected it. Shen Yulou's egg was indeed fine.
Song Hu was unconvinced. He took a few more eggs and tried several times, but he couldn't crush them at all, his face extremely grim.
Shen Yulou said, "Lord Gongsun, you're willing to admit defeat now, right? From now on, Vanguard Song will be a fierce general of my Hun Kingdom."
Emperor Ren was overjoyed, "Haha, I am a man who cherishes talent. Vanguard Song, from now on, you will serve my Hun Kingdom, and I will certainly not mistreat you."
Song Hu and Gongsun Changlin's faces were extremely grim. They had originally thought they had victory in their grasp, but they never expected to lose to Shen Yulou once again.
This time, they truly had nothing to fault. Song Hu squeezed a raw egg, and Shen Yulou also squeezed a raw egg.
Moreover, this egg was personally chosen for him by Gongsun Changlin. Surely, they couldn't say he cheated now, could they?
Seeing their hesitation, a cold glint flashed in Emperor Ren's eyes.
"Could it be that the Envoy intends to go back on his word? My Hun Kingdom values integrity above all else. Those who lack integrity are not our friends."
At this moment, Emperor Ren's attitude towards them was completely different from before.
Now the Princess of Yan State was in his hands. If Wulin Kingdom showed any sign of defiance, he would dare to declare war immediately.
Gongsun Changlin knew he was in the wrong. He glanced at Song Hu, feeling utterly depressed.
This time, he not only lost the shield and five hundred thousand taels of silver, but he even lost Song Hu!
If he had known, he shouldn't have targeted Shen Yulou. He had originally thought that since he was swindled out of five hundred thousand taels by Shen Yulou, he would take him back and humiliate him thoroughly, considering it revenge.
Moreover, this fellow had some skills, and he would definitely be of great use after returning.
But because of this momentary greed, he ended up losing both his wife and his army.
"Your Majesty Emperor Ren, my Wulin Kingdom is willing to admit defeat. Vanguard Song will stay here. However, if my sovereign wishes to ransom him back after we return, I hope Your Majesty Emperor Ren will be lenient."
"That's easy to say. If Vanguard Song is willing to return at that time, a ransom from your kingdom's sovereign would suffice."
Emperor Ren agreed on the surface, but the exact amount of money was hard to say.
If they truly wanted to ransom him, Emperor Ren would surely demand an exorbitant price.
Gongsun Changlin returned in defeat.
The agreement regarding the ownership of the Nylon River was signed on the spot. At this time, he represented the sovereign of Wulin Kingdom, so he naturally couldn't renege.
Song Hu stood in the main hall, his face red and neck thick. Being left here was an utter humiliation for him.
Song Hu said, "Kill me or dismember me, do as you please. Make me serve you? Dream on!"
Song Hu was straightforward; being made to serve Hun Kingdom here was a betrayal to him, and he didn't want to be a traitor.
So he would rather be killed by Emperor Ren than be used by him.
Emperor Ren frowned and said, "Vanguard Song, the treatment you receive here will certainly be no worse than in Wulin Kingdom. As long as you assist me well, whether it's money, land, or beautiful women, I can satisfy you."
Song Hu snorted coldly, "I want nothing. Kill me if you want, release me if you want, do as you please."
Song Hu had the look of a dead pig not fearing boiling water.
Even if you keep me here, I won't serve you. Do whatever you want.
Emperor Ren frowned, feeling a bit of a headache. If such a fierce general couldn't serve him, what was the point of keeping him?
Shen Yulou said.
"Your Majesty, could Vanguard Song be my assistant? Your humble servant will surely subdue him."
Emperor Ren thought for a moment, then nodded.
"Very well, let him be your subordinate first. If he pledges allegiance within a month, it will be a great achievement for you."
Shen Yulou said, "Song Hu, from today onwards, you are a member of the Wet Nurse Department. Starting today, you are responsible for grinding rice flour for the princes. Go report to Lord Qin."
"Hmph!" Song Hu snorted coldly and flicked his sleeves, walking away.
Making him prepare rice flour for children was an absolute insult to him.
However, Song Hu also knew that a wise man doesn't fight when the odds are against him, so he could only endure it.
He would do anything, as long as it wasn't going to the battlefield.
Emperor Ren kept him, no doubt, to have him charge into battle.
But he stubbornly refused, intending instead to eat and drink heartily, travel around, treating it as a publicly funded vacation. Later, the sovereign of Wulin Kingdom would naturally pay to ransom him.
After Song Hu left, the Grand Secretary of Military Affairs, Zhang Fucheng, asked.
"Director Shen, how exactly did you crush the egg?"
Crushing a cooked egg wasn't unusual, but they had all tried with raw eggs just now, and they simply couldn't crush them, not even some strong martial generals.
Shen Yulou took out a small porcelain bottle from his In my arms, "Reporting to Lord Zhang, it's still the concentrated vinegar I used last time. Apply concentrated vinegar to the eggshell, and it can be easily crushed."
This was an old trick.
If a cooked egg could fool them, then fine.
If not, this was Shen Yulou's backup plan, and it indeed came in handy.
Zhang Fucheng experimented with it and was also amazed.
To think that concentrated vinegar twice defeated the Envoy from Wulin Kingdom. If they knew, they would surely vomit three liters of blood, wouldn't they?
Zhang Fucheng said.
"Your Majesty, the Nylon River becoming our territory this time is primarily due to Shen Yulou!
Furthermore, Shen Yulou successfully delivered the Princess of Yan State's baby. Your Majesty should reward him for both achievements."
Shen Yulou secretly gave this Lord Zhang a thumbs-up. Finally, there was someone who understood the situation.
Emperor Ren only drew him big pictures, but he hadn't seen a single reward. To this day, he still didn't know where his family was.
It was really unlucky to have such a boss. Moreover, the Empress stitching up Emperor Ren was also Shen Yulou's credit, in addition to saving the little princess before.
Having achieved so many merits, yet receiving no rewards at all, even Zhang Fucheng couldn't stand it anymore.
Emperor Ren said, "Indeed, Minister Shen has accomplished extraordinary feats, and I have always delayed his rewards."
"Minister Shen, what reward do you desire?"
Shen Yulou thought to himself, 'Nonsense, of course it's a promotion and wealth.'
However, he naturally couldn't say that out loud. To ask for a reward, he had to appear righteous and also appeal to Emperor Ren's heart.
Shen Yulou said, "The other day, Your Majesty was assassinated, which was the Imperial Guard's dereliction of duty. But in today's competition, if it weren't for Commander Li, Your humble servant alone would have found it very difficult to win.
Your humble servant boldly requests Your Majesty not to blame Commander Li, letting his merits offset his faults."
Upon hearing this, Li Hui's expression changed dramatically.
Such a good opportunity to ask for a reward, and Shen Yulou actually pleaded for him!
Such kindness... Li Hui's nose tingled, and he was deeply moved.
Emperor Ren's eyes lit up. He had originally intended to pardon Li Hui.
Among all the civil and military officials, Li Hui was the most loyal to him.
Although Li Hui was derelict this time, he had fallen for a trick to lure the tiger away from its mountain.
Emperor Ren couldn't justify not punishing him, yet he was also reluctant to punish him.
Now that Shen Yulou had pleaded for him, he could go with the flow.
"Since Minister Shen has pleaded, then Minister Li's merits and faults will cancel each other out. No reward, no punishment. In the future, defenses must be strengthened, and such an incident must never happen a second time."
Seeing this, Zhang Fucheng said.
"Your Majesty, Lord Shen should still receive his due rewards