n would be thrown out immediately if he wasn't related to someone important or couldn't produce any silver."Well, that's new."Li Chen let out a light chuckle and said, "This poetry gathering isn't rea...Chapter 1541: Refusal

Wu Qingcang's words made Wu Banshan's teeth clench.

He never could have imagined that his own brothers would turn against each other at this time.

He also couldn't understand why his own older brother would make such an inconceivable move.

Li Chen narrowed his eyes slightly, but did not agree to Wu Qingsang's request.

He said calmly: "Wu Shuai is being too serious. General Wu just hasn't seen things clearly for a moment. This has nothing to do with his ability. Besides, changing generals in the midst of battle is a big taboo in military affairs. Precisely because the current situation is difficult, General Wu's role is crucial, and he is indispensable. Let's not bring this up again."

Upon hearing this, Wu Qingcang let out a soft sigh and said no more.

At this point, Li Chen's attitude was clear.

"Wu Shuai, General Wu, both of you, please prepare immediately. Gather the commoners and have them changed into new outfits. How can we make it more convincing I believe you two will find a way."

Wu Ban Shan's heart was filled with rage, and he felt deeply humiliated.

Facing Li Chen, he had already made his decision. He knew that if he resisted any further, all it would achieve was to disgust the prince completely.

At this point, Wu Qingcang had already stepped forward to voice his stance before him.

"The last general obeys your orders."

After finishing his words, Wu Qingcang turned his head and stared at Wu Ban Shan with an emotionless expression.

Wu Ban Shan's lips trembled, but in the end, he still bowed his head and said with difficulty, "This subordinate... obeys."

As he uttered those four words, Wu Ban Shan closed his eyes in agony.

He knew that a monstrous blood debt was brewing at this very moment.

"Go."

Li Chen waved his hand, letting the two people leave.

After Wu Banshan and Wu Qingsang left, Li Chen seemed to be talking to himself: "Wu Shuai, he's still so protective of his younger brother."

He is a smart person.

Zhou Ping'an spoke first, saying: “He knows very well that after this incident, someone must be held responsible. So he wants to remove Wu Ban Shan beforehand and take the responsibility himself.”

Everything has to be someone's responsibility.

Moreover, with the lives of hundreds of thousands of conscripted laborers at stake, such a huge matter, even Li Chen couldn't possibly suppress it.

By then, facing a torrent of public opinion and accusations from all over the country, someone will have to take the blame.

Zhou Ping'an and Zhou Changshou are of too low a status to vouch for him, and they can't come forward to do so.

Li Chen is even more impossible.

There has never been a ruler who took the blame for their subjects.

Even if this decision is ultimately made by the monarch.

It's just like the case of Qinghe City back then. Everyone in the know understood that it was the Taizu who gave the order, but ultimately it was General Baili Xiuchi, a founding general who had followed the Taizu through countless battles and made great contributions, who died as a result.

Therefore, the scapegoat must be one of the Wu brothers.

But Li Chen said at this time: "He underestimates me too much."

This sentence seems to suggest that Li Chen is going to protect the person who takes the fall in the end.

But specifically, Li Chen didn't say much more.

These are all afterthoughts.

If this battle is lost, then the entire nation and its people will be overturned. Such a black pot would automatically fall on Li Chen's head even if he didn't have to bear it.

The prince who lost his country, of course, did everything wrong.

Li Chen's gaze fell on Zhou Changshou, who had once again become quiet and low-key, and said, "You surprised me, and delighted me."

Zhou Changshou lowered his head slightly, seeming a little embarrassed.

Who sees this, wouldn't imagine that this shy young man had just devised a plan to kill hundreds of thousands of conscripts.

"Your Highness, I'll just say that my second brother is quite skilled." Zhou Ping'an became smug.Chapter 1098: Emperor Jian's Heart