These words emerged, and the hatred that had initially dissipated began to rise once again.
The soldiers all looked at Tang Zan, their eyes filled with resentment.
It was Tang Zan’s father who embezzled the military funds, causing them to suffer greatly.
Countless comrades and relatives starved or froze to death.
In the darkest times, many soldiers survived by consuming their own comrades’ flesh, tears in their eyes.
Grateful for their own survival, yet they felt self-loathing.
"Blood for blood, Tang Zan, you’ve brought this upon yourself."
As soon as Commander Qian spoke, the soldiers moved towards Tang Zan.
These men seemed intent on tearing him apart.
Tang Zan’s expression was cold, his eyes devoid of any emotion.
As these people moved closer to Tang Zan, he felt the overwhelming intent to kill.
Surrounded by over ten thousand people, he showed no fear, standing upright, like a birch tree.
He hadn’t even drawn his sword, his eyes radiating resolute determination.
"Yes, I am indeed Tang Zan. My father was also War King Tang Peizhong. But the War King is dead, executed at the Meridian Gate, and the Prince Mansion has been ransacked. What about your military pay? Has it been issued?"
His question left the soldiers silent, a momentary wavering in their resentment.
Tang Zan persistently questioned the soldiers surrounding him, his aura overwhelming, making the thousands before him seem insignificant. New ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄhapters are published on 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡•𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚•𝙣𝙚𝙩
"Isn’t this enough to prove the point?"
"If the military funds were truly embezzled, they would have been issued long ago. The fact that they haven’t been distributed, what does it indicate?"
"It indicates that the embezzler is someone else! You are merely tools being used by others."
Witnessing the soldiers glance at each other, obviously swayed.
Yan Hengyin’s eyes were filled with hatred, he sneered.
"This is all Tang Zan’s own story. At that time, the country still had grain reserves, but the military funds were embezzled, hence they were not issued."
"Now the famine is severe, how can they be distributed? The War King delayed the issuance of military pay, it’s all because of him! Tang Zan is his son, how could he be innocent?"
Tang Zan watched the soldiers become increasingly agitated under Yan Hengyin’s influence, knowing the matter would not end well.
Xuan Liu and the Earth Department’s people had already emerged from his ranks, standing protectively by his side.
Tang Zan’s households stood firmly next to him.
Even among the Gulan Military Camp’s soldiers, hundreds stepped forward.
During this time, they knew Tang Zan wasn’t that kind of person.
Even if War King truly embezzled, that was War King.
This was Tang Zan, how many Dazi did he kill, how many times did he save everyone, these were etched in their hearts.
Without Tang Zan, these two thousand people would have died long ago.
Yet compared to nearly fifteen thousand agitated soldiers, a thousand is a mere trifle, the hostile soldiers could drown them with a single spit.
Unfortunately, Tang Zan didn’t have the evidence with him, though no sane person would carry such crucial evidence proving their father’s innocence.
He looked at Xuan Liu, whispered instructions in his ear.
"Xuan Liu, go to the Deserted Mountain, to my room, and bring the evidence."
Xuan Liu was about to leave, but Commander Qian wouldn’t allow it, blocking the exit.
"Anyone here could be Tang Zan’s accomplice, absolutely no one can pass."
Tang Zan’s mood instantly turned ice-cold, his eyes seemed to harbor a Netherworld Hell, appearing as if he would drag everyone down with him.
"You people, do you really want to suffer from collateral damage?"
His hand rested on his sword hilt, his body slightly leaned forward, ready for a fight to the death.
Tang Zan’s demeanor and gaze were truly terrifying, instinctively causing everyone to take a few steps back.
A five-meter radius around Tang Zan became a vacant zone, no one dared to step within.
They knew better than anyone how terrifying Tang Zan was in combat.
The closer you stood, the greater the danger.
And precisely for this reason, Xuan Liu managed to leave.
General Zhao was alarmed, he left the General’s Tent, saw the commotion and frowned.
"What’s going on, disperse and return to your posts!"
Yan Hengyin feigned earnestness.
"General Zhao, don’t be angry. These are soldiers from the Gulan Military Camp, demanding a blood debt from Tang Zan."
With these words, the soldiers, who had somewhat calmed down, were incited again, staring at Tang Zan with renewed hatred.
Indeed, they were in the right, General Zhao understood reason, he wouldn’t do anything to them.
General Zhao also looked at Tang Zan, his gaze full of scrutiny, devoid of his usual kindness.
"You falsified your identity to enter the Gulan Military Camp, what are your intentions?"
Tang Zan raised his voice, even using inner strength, so his words traveled far.
"I only wish to contribute to defending the borders, but may I ask, General, how many achievements have I made since arriving at the Gulan Military Camp, how many times have I driven away the Dazi?"
"But have I ever taken anything from the camp?"
As Tang Zan voiced this, General Zhao fell silent, indeed, Tang Zan had done no wrong to the camp, rather he had made great contributions.
The other soldiers also fell silent.
Tang Zan truly had not gained any substantial benefits, even his salary was owed.
Tang Zan continued, "As for what you mentioned about my father, however, we have evidence proving my father was wronged."
Yan Hengyin felt a stab in his heart, then sneered.
"Since you claim to have evidence, then show it."
Tang Zan coldly looked at Yan Hengyin, deliberately not mentioning he had sent someone to fetch it, otherwise given Yan Hengyin’s way of handling things, he would undoubtedly send someone to intercept Xuan Liu.
"In my tent, I’ll go get it."
Upon hearing Tang Zan’s words, Yan Hengyin’s attention was naturally drawn, he gave a signal to those beside him.
He then said to Tang Zan, "You’re not going anywhere, our people will retrieve it."
Suddenly, the camp fell silent.
Pei Shu’er arrived at the camp, only seeing the guards at the gate.
Upon entering through the city gate, finding it eerily empty, not a single soldier in sight.
She thought the Gulan Military Camp had relocated, as no one was visible.
Until she turned a corner, Pei Shu’er noticed soldiers surrounding someone.
Everyone was agitated, as if someone had incited their wrath.
Upon seeing that the person surrounded was Tang Zan, Pei Shu’er’s heart clenched, she quickly hurried over.
Upon reaching Tang Zan’s side, Pei Shu’er dismounted, addressing everyone.
Hearing Pei Shu’er deliberately raised voice, everyone turned to look at her.
Upon seeing Pei Shu’er, the soldiers’ eyes brightened, instinctively calling out.
Pei Shu’er smiled as she walked forward, everyone automatically made a path for her.
Pei Shu’er walked until she reached Tang Zan’s side, then stopped.