Forgotten Legend of the Bloodied Flower

Facing this father, Duan Shang Shao had nothing much to say.

He never expected much from General Duan. While General Duan was a good general for the people in Da Yi City and also a good father to Duan Shang Yi, he was just a father in name for Duan Shang Shao and his older sister.

The Duan Family’s reputation was going down but because of Duan Shang Shao’s faint relationship with Long Qian Xing, the workshop was still respected. In the eyes of the people, perhaps Duan Shang Shao alone worth more than the entire Duan Family.

General Duan might be approaching him in hope for him to return to the Duan Family and no longer being so estranged.

But Duan Shang Shao was unwilling.

He just wished to stay outside as a small blacksmith, far away from those annoying things that would waste his time.

“Commander Long Xu, please follow me to my workshop.”

“It’s good.” Long Xu could naturally see the estranged between General Duan and Duan Shang Shao, but it was not his place to say anything.

“Shi Nian, you can go back first.”

“Yes, Second Brother.” Duan Shi Nian curtsied and then walked away.

Seeing Long Xu’s gaze, Duan Shang Shao explained, “My older sister’s husband passed away in the war before, so she has been staying with me. Duan Family didn’t want to raise widow.”

Long Xu said nothing.

In some cases, when the husband died, the wife would be buried together. It was tragic but some people practiced it because in many cases, after the death of the man, the woman couldn’t live.

Rather than waiting for a few more days for the awaited death, they choose to be buried too.

Some women could still return to their family.

But some other women would not be accepted because a woman meant another mouth to feed. For civilians who were already struggling hard to survive, they didn’t want to add another burden.

Not to mention, a widow’s marriage prospect was extremely low.

And if they were not farmer, there were not much a woman could do to support themselves.

Duan Shi Nian was almost given a death sentence but Duan Shang Shao took pity on his older sister and took her to live with him. Even if the Duan Family didn’t want to accept her again, she could stay with him.

He was not very rich, but he still could feed another person.

“War is not forgiving,” Long Xu said calmly.

He had seen so many deaths that he couldn’t say anything else. It had become extremely common to him that he was numb. He couldn’t say that he didn’t feel anything, but he had become numb because the tragic stories just kept on accumulating.

If he didn’t force himself to be numb, he wouldn’t be able to stand here and become a commander.

Duan Shang Shao nodded and led Long Xu to his workshop’s warehouse. “The special weapons General Xing asked me to make are ready. However, they’re a bit inconspicuous to bring out. I would like to trouble Commander Long Xu for help in this regard.”

“There’s no need to worry. As long as the quality pass, this one will deliver them to General Xing.” Long Xu looked at the weapon in front of him and pulled it out, inspecting the balance and strength.

Duan Shang Shao’s works were really good. There was really nothing to nitpick about this weapon in front of him.

Watching at the side, Duan Shang Shao sighed quietly.

He looked at the sky outside, wishing from the bottom of his heart for war to end someday. Watching so many deaths and having to live while worrying whether they could still live tomorrow or not was very tiring.

But what could he do?

He could only accept the fate thrown to him.

“The qualities are good. I will bring them all out,” Long Xu finally said.

𝒐𝑣𝓁xt.𝗇𝓔t

“Yes.” Duan Shang Shao cupped his fist.

Their cooperation seemed to be doing well.

…

<Zhang Xu Kingdom’s Capital City, Imperial Palace>

Prang!

The sound of porcelain hitting the ground seemed to be extremely common lately. Ever since Emperor Zhang Hou Tian become the Emperor, there had been several disasters on Zhang Xu Kingdom.

From the earthquake to the dire situation at the frontline.

At this time, the atmosphere was very tense.

“There are still no news of victory?” Emperor Zhang Hou Tian asked, his tone was exceedingly cold.

He took a great effort to be able to be the Emperor even though he was the third prince, but the end result was that Zhang Xu Kingdom was still in dire situation at the frontline. This made some officials felt that he was not suitable to be the Emperor.

How could Emperor Zhang Hou Tian not feel displeased?

Hearing these officials doubting his abilities like that.

But what could he do?

Asking the Heaven for not giving them any earthquake? If such prayer could be granted, he would have long headed to the temple and pray for seven days straight if it was needed. Unfortunately, it was not realistic.

The good thing was that there hasn’t been any new earthquake since the last one.

But the effect of this one earthquake had caused the frontline to be in chaos and the lack of manpower was visible almost everywhere. The officials had to work overtime again and again just to make sure the kingdom would not fall into complete chaos.

They were all tired.

Emperor Zhang Hou Tian was also displeased.

“Your Majesty, the strategy used by Prime Minister Lei focused on spreading the defense, preventing the soldiers from Fei Yang Kingdom from approaching close,” one of the ministers finally reported weakly.

He sighed internally in his heart that all the other officials not dared to speak up and only pushed him forward. With his little qualification, he just hoped that he would not be striped of this position as an official.

It was not easy to be an official.

“Defense again.” Emperor Zhang Hou Tian frowned.