Chapter 201: Not a single reply came, another one was picked up.
Whoa!
Song Hu's resolute words were like pouring a ladle of cold water into a calm oil pot, causing an instant explosion!
The faces of the Wulin Kingdom's Envoys turned ashen, and they nearly jumped up on the spot.
A goat-bearded old minister pointed at Song Hu's nose, his beard trembling with rage.
"Song Hu! You... you ungrateful wretch!
Have you forgotten how the King personally promoted you? Have you forgotten your family in Wulin Kingdom?!"
Another official, who looked like a military general, was even more heartbroken.
"Yes, General Song! The King treated you well, even offering a city for your sake!
How can you betray your country and your loyalty to the King for the sake of a woman?!"
"By doing this, how can our Wulin Kingdom maintain its dignity! How will the people of the world view the soldiers of our Wulin Kingdom?!"
Condemned by a thousand fingers, spittle flew everywhere.
However, Song Hu remained unmoving; even under such widespread condemnation, he showed no remorse.
At this moment, his mind was filled with Su Qian's image.
It was she who brought him a basin of hot water when he was battered and bruised by Li Hui.
It was she who gently helped him wash his stinky socks, which others disdained.
It was she who, when he doubted himself, used the phrase, "Single combat is not your strength," to rebuild his confidence.
These scenes, one after another, were etched like a brand, deeply into the heart of this rough man.
Compared to these, what fame and fortune, what position as a general, were all utter nonsense!
Song Hu took a deep breath, met the scornful gazes of the crowd, and slowly spoke, his voice resonating clearly.
"Life is precious, but love is even more so!"
"Everyone, I apologize!"
As soon as these words were uttered, the entire assembly was stunned.
Everyone looked at Song Hu as if he were a monster, their jaws dropped to the floor.
What the heck?
These... these were words Song Hu could say?
A burly, muscle-brained tough guy actually knew how to recite poetry?
And this poem sounded like it was of quite high quality?
In the corner, Shen Yulou silently shook his head, frantically complaining in his heart.
You don't know there are two more lines after that.
If for freedom's sake, both can be cast aside.
If they knew the full poem, they probably wouldn't be in their current state.
"Good, good, 'love is even more so.'"
Yue Yao's face was as cold as if a layer of frost had condensed on it.
She looked at Song Hu coldly, her eyes radiating an icy chill.
"Since that is the case, from today onwards, you, Song Hu, are no longer a person of my Wulin Kingdom!
Your name shall be completely erased from the roster of my Wulin Kingdom's soldiers!"
She paused, her tone filled with a warning.
"If we meet on the battlefield in the future, the soldiers of my Wulin Kingdom will never show you mercy!"
Song Hu's eyes reddened slightly; he slowly looked up, his voice hoarse but firm.
"Envoy, rest assured, in this life, I, Song Hu, would rather die than ever step onto the battlefield again!"
"Hmph!"
Yue Yao snorted coldly, no longer looking at him, and with a fierce flick of her sleeve, she turned and left.
The Wulin Kingdom's Envoys could only glare fiercely at Song Hu and then slink away behind her.
As they reached the door, they realized they seemed to have forgotten something.
Looking back, the robust Iron Bull, who was as strong as a calf, was still sprawled on the ground like a pile of mud, unconscious.
Damn it!
They couldn't take the man back, and they had to lose another one!
Several Wulin Kingdom Envoys exchanged glances, and in the end, they gritted their teeth, pretended not to see him, and left without looking back.
Watching the retreating figures of these people, Shen Yulou stepped forward with a smile.
He bowed to Emperor Ren and pointed to the 'trophy' on the ground.
"Your Majesty, this Iron Bull is unruly and untamed; Your humble servant finds him even more difficult to deal with than Song Hu.
How about... he is also entrusted to Your humble servant, allowing Your humble servant to properly discipline him?"
Emperor Ren was greatly pleased and waved his hand.
"Granted! Guards, carry this strong man down to Minister Shen!"
Emperor Ren felt incredibly comfortable.
Although it was a bit regrettable that Song Hu said he wouldn't go to war, as long as he remained in Da Hun, it was a success!
There would be plenty of time to gradually influence him later.
Now, he had also gained a seemingly formidable Iron Bull for free; as long as that boy Shen Yulou properly tamed him, he would be another fierce general in the future!
This battle today was a beautiful victory!
The ministers looked at Shen Yulou with eyes full of admiration.
Everyone had thought Song Hu would definitely leave this time, but who would have thought that Lord Shen had managed to keep him with incredible methods!
Emperor Ren looked at Shen Yulou, becoming more and more satisfied.
"Minister Shen, today you turned the tide, frustrated the Wulin Kingdom's momentum, and brought glory to our Da Hun; you deserve the highest merit!"
"I have decided to reward you with one hundred thousand taels of silver!"
Shen Yulou scoffed inwardly.
The Wulin Kingdom's visit this time resulted in Shen Yulou winning a total of 1.5 million taels after two rounds of setbacks.
This dog emperor is only giving me a hundred thousand taels as a reward?
Less than a tenth!
Stingy!
A pure Huang Shiren!
Shen Yulou was frantically complaining in his heart.
But on his face, he wore an expression of profound gratitude, quickly kneeling to express his thanks.
"Your humble servant thanks Your Majesty for your grace!"
After the Envoy delegation left, the atmosphere in the Golden Throne Hall instantly relaxed.
Shen Yulou stood up and turned his gaze to Zhou Kui and Zhou Chuan, the brothers whose faces were pale in the corner.
"General Zhou, shouldn't our wager be honored now?"
He held up five fingers and wiggled them.
"Five thousand taels of silver, though not a large sum, is a huge amount for my impoverished Imperial Academy.
Do you want to give it now, or should I send someone to your home to collect it?"
Even a mosquito's leg is meat, let alone this, which is not a mosquito's leg; it's at least a chicken leg.
Zhou Kui's face instantly turned green, looking as ugly as if he had eaten a fly.
He never dreamed that Song Hu, that stubborn oaf, would actually give up returning to his country for a woman!
He gritted his teeth, deciding to play dirty.
With a mournful face, he spread his hands and said,
"Lord Shen, as you know, I am just a military general who receives a meager salary; where would I get so much money?
How about... I give you five hundred taels first, and pay the rest slowly?"
"Zhou Kui!" Before Shen Yulou could speak, Emperor Ren on the dragon throne became displeased.
He slammed the table and said in a deep voice,
"I personally witnessed this wager!
Are you trying to renege on your debt in front of all the civil and military officials?
Do you want me to lose credibility along with you?!"
Zhou Kui's expression stiffened, and he said awkwardly...
"Your Majesty! Your humble servant... Your humble servant truly cannot produce that much money!
How about, how about Lord Shen you just go to my house and take it!
Whatever valuable items you see, just take them!
Even if you empty my house, it's fine!"
He adopted the stance of a dead pig not fearing boiling water.
He had the money, but he didn't want to give it.
He did have some good things at home, but would you dare to take them?
Zhou Kui was from a military background; did they take him for a civil official?
It was uncertain whether Shen Yulou would even come out after entering.
Let's see who plays whom!