Chapter 1254: Did I arrive at the wrong time? [Seeking monthly votes]

Investigating Shen Tang's claim of world destruction was not easy.

However, Yu Hai also had his own methods.

As the head of the Southeast branch, his connections were far more extensive than most people could imagine. Direct investigation wasn't feasible, so he started by examining Yunda's cooperation with the Northwest branch and its activities over the years, while also investigating Qi Shan of the Northwest branch. Regardless of whether Qi Yuanliang or Shen Youli were the puppeteers controlling the puppets, or the puppeteers controlling the puppeteers, their interests were undoubtedly aligned!

Zhai Le had not seen Yu Hai for several days.

Just as he was about to inquire, Yu Hai, with dark circles under his eyes and looking haggard, requested an audience. He dined with Queen Zhao, whose youngest son, a handsome and adorable boy, sat obediently beside his parents as they ate. Although Zhai Le and Zhao were the king and queen of Qu, in private they were as close and loving as any ordinary couple, raising their children without adhering to the old custom of not speaking while eating.

When they come across something they like to eat, they don't forget to give the other person a couple of bites.

Of course, this is Zhai Le's habit.

In his youth, he and his elder brother Zhai Huan traveled extensively. It was impossible for them to always adhere to the rules of aristocratic families, and influenced by their personalities, Zhai Le was also happy to share what he liked. Queen Zhao initially found this difficult to adjust to, but over time she grew accustomed to it.

They even felt that this move would bring the couple closer together.

"Father, your son wants some too."

Zhai Le had no choice but to step aside and extend his chopsticks: "Okay, here you go."

Halfway through the meal, Yu Hai came to see him.

Zhai Le guessed that the investigation had yielded results, and put down his chopsticks: "Third Sister, you eat first. Gui Long must have something urgent to attend to at this time. Keep an eye on that brat, don't let him eat too much indigestion."

"Don't worry."

Zhai Le is not optimistic about this.

He had designated his second daughter as Crown Princess early in his life, determined to entrust her with the heavy responsibility, and raised her according to the standards of an heir in every way. Regardless of opposition from the royal family, the civil and military officials, or the public outcry, he remained steadfast, meaning that his youngest son, no matter his talent, had no chance of inheriting the throne. Out of guilt towards his child, and knowing that this child might be her last—Zhai Le found an absolutely safe method of contraception—even for the sake of securing his second daughter's succession, he could not give the Queen another child—and Queen Zhao doted on her youngest son even more.

Not to mention that the youngest son has also learned to coax adults without any instruction.

Eat less.

Zhai Le could only pat his youngest son's head.

He was startled to see Yu Hai's haggard appearance.

"Has Guilong not slept at all these past few days?"

Yu Hai shook his head: "How can I possibly sleep?"

Upon hearing this, Zhai Le had a better understanding of the situation: "Did Yunda really do something to make the whole world pay for his mistakes?"

Yu Hai said, "We can't find the specific details, but by analyzing the clues and looking at Shen Youli's movements over the years, we can see some clues. This is what I found out in the past few days."

Zhai Le stared at the thick stack of intelligence reports. It would take him most of the day to go through them all. Fortunately, Yu Hai had highlighted them in red, so he only needed to look at those to get a general understanding. The more Zhai Le looked, the more silent he became, and he even forgot when he had put the intelligence reports down.

Yu Hai asked, "What are your plans, Master?"

Qu Kingdom has basically consolidated its power in the southeast and, taking advantage of the friction with the northeastern forces, flexed its muscles, offering a slap followed by a sweet treat, barely managing to deter the malicious and greedy eyes of the outside world! Seizing the opportunity to recuperate and rebuild, and striving not to reveal any signs of outward strength but inner weakness, it has now entered a stage of stable development, and it is precisely the time to cease hostilities and restore people's livelihoods.

If war breaks out again, there will be considerable opposition.

Qu Kingdom doesn't necessarily have to help restrain the central forces. They could choose to wait until Shen Tang is caught in a pincer movement, leading to a three-way battle, before intervening and reaping the benefits. Of course, this option is not wise; it's not only too underhanded but also prone to backfiring!

The advantage gained from a fight between a snipe and a clam is not so easy to obtain.

Zhai Ledao said, "Contact these people privately."

He gave Yu Hai a small note.

When Yu Hai opened it, he found it was all from the military faction! This was not surprising, because most of the opposition came from the civil officials' families, while the majority of the military officers' training resources were on the battlefield. As long as Zhai Le could persuade these people and get their support, the matter could basically be accomplished.

He tucked the note into his sleeve.

Zhai Le then asked, "Have you found out where Shen Youli is staying?"

"This person is on the outskirts of the capital. Does the lord wish to see her?"

Zhai Le lowered his head to wipe his beloved sword until the blade was clearly reflected in his eyes. Only then did he sheath the sword and hang it back at his waist. He picked up two jars of wine and said, "Of course we should meet. We've already agreed to join forces to divide up this lucrative central region. We should reach a preliminary agreement on how to divide it and how much to divide, so that it doesn't become a mess after the deal is done. She won't be ashamed to renege on her debt."

Yu Hai also stood up and followed, saying, "I will go with the Lord."

Qi Yuanliang's lord was also very interested.

Shen Tang didn't deliberately hide her whereabouts; she was so open and carefree that she seemed afraid others wouldn't be able to find her. She delegated some of the company's administrative affairs to Gu De, while Xiahou Yu accompanied her as she infiltrated the territory of Qu State to handle matters.

Although it wasn't the first time, she still couldn't help but sigh—Xiahou Zikuan was truly a unique, limited-edition "white moonlight" from Quqing Academy, able to build connections wherever he went. She hadn't even had a chance to use the travel expenses she brought on this business trip.

While others have to pay to go out, he only needs to use facial recognition.

This suburban villa was arranged by Xiahou Yu's friend, who treated them to lavish meals every day. The day before yesterday, a spring outing and poetry gathering was arranged, yesterday a banquet with flowing wine cups was organized, and there was also a schedule for today, but it was canceled because Shen Tang refused to go out.

The friend simply stayed at the villa to play chess and drink tea with Xiahou Yu.

Inside the latticed window, two scholars were elegantly playing chess; outside, Shen Tang was twisting a wig with a ferocious expression. Besides the one in her hand, two other wigs for changing hung on the rope. Every time her friend glanced up and saw this scene, she couldn't help but pause in her tracks!

He immediately lowered his head, his peripheral vision catching sight of the box beside him, and felt a surge of warmth in his heart—his friend had heard years ago that Xiahou Yu had found a stable home and was happy for him, and had also heard that many of his classmates had gone to join him, now assisting their lord in building up their power quite well. On this trip through Qu State, Xiahou Yu had brought him two special gifts: biographies of famous ministers and scholars from the northwestern Kang State.

My friend also has one, but it's a pirated copy and poorly made.

During one exchange, a friend mentioned it to Xiahou Yu, and to his surprise, the latter remembered it and even brought him a limited edition copy. The limited edition, just the paper quality alone was irresistible. My friend couldn't understand how Kangguo could maintain such high quality while mass-producing it. Not only are Kangguo's biographies of famous ministers and scholars top-notch, but books from the Northwest Kangguo Publishing House are also among the best in the industry!

The paper is of good quality, the handwriting is clear, and the layout is simple.

Most importantly, it's high quality and inexpensive!

My friend has heard more than once that it's easy for scholars in the Northwest to publish books. They only need to submit the manuscript to the official publishing house of Kangguo, and once approved, they can get an ISBN and print the book. It can then be sold in local publishing houses, with a 50/50 profit margin. Profit is secondary; the important thing is fame! Which scholar doesn't want their words and deeds to be remembered?

It's good to print it out and keep it at home to look at.

He was increasingly moved as he listened, but the distance was simply too great.

He could only ask friends from all over the country to bring him a few books when they had the chance. The bulky books were rarely seen on his study shelves anymore; instead, there were neatly stacked hardcover books.

Xiahou Yu was very thoughtful.

You gave me a peach, I returned a precious jade.

He also treated the other party with even greater sincerity.

The woman next to Zi Kuan was quite strange.

He once accidentally witnessed her removing her wig and shaving off her newly grown, sparse hairs with a razor blade, and he was immediately astonished, his eyes widening in disbelief. This woman was actually a Buddhist nun in disguise?

The thought of some rural nunneries made her friend's face darken; she was clearly imagining something strange. It wasn't until Shen Tang corrected her that she realized she wasn't a nun! She was simply balding for some reason, and wore a wig because hair wouldn't grow in certain areas of her scalp.

The friend was immediately filled with shame and apologized with clasped hands.

Knowing in one's heart is one thing, but seeing Shen Tang drying several wigs with one's own eyes is quite another, especially since Xiahou Yu seemed completely used to it. How could Xiahou Yu not be used to it? Among these wigs was one that a colleague had secretly prepared as a birthday gift for the lord last year. Just figuring out how to fix the hairstyle gave the skillful embroiderer a headache, but fortunately, it was still completed on time.

The Lord was very pleased with the wig.

High crown, thick hair, and dark hair color!

So far, only two people know that Shen Tang was showing off her wig.

When Zhai Le climbed over the courtyard wall with two jars of wine, the number of people who knew the secret of drying wigs became four. Shen Tang paused in her wig-dressing, Yu Hai almost lost his footing when he jumped down from the courtyard wall, and Zhai Le's gaze shifted between the clothesline and Shen Tang.

Zhai Le scratched the tip of his nose: "Did I come at the wrong time?"

Shen Zixu Tang: "..."

She appeared calm on the surface, but inside she was screaming in despair.

He casually grabbed a wig and put it on his head, the movement so smooth and natural that it only made the audience's startled reactions seem even more inappropriate: "No, you've come at the perfect time. Oh ho, you even brought wine? It's rare to see that here."

Zhai Le was always the one who would ask her for free drinks.

"I'll treat you to a drink."

Zhai Le tossed one of the wine jars into the air, sending it flying in a clean, elegant arc before landing steadily in Shen Tang's hands. She slapped open the red cloth seal with one hand, releasing a rich, intoxicating aroma that was enough to make one feel pleasantly tipsy. She took a small sip: "Excellent wine!"

"Don't rush to finish your drink, let's chat while we drink."

"Let's chat? Sure!"

Shen Tang had long been certain that Zhai Le would agree, otherwise he wouldn't have stayed here for several days. The current Zhai Le is no longer the impetuous but righteous young man he once was. He now carries the livelihood of a nation on his shoulders, so when cooperating with others, he naturally has to be meticulous and not lose an inch of territory.

Zhai Le saw Xiahou Yu through the leaky window.

Xiahou Yu raised his cup in a distant toast, as a gesture of greeting.

His friend's pupils constricted, his muscles stiffened, and his attempt to stand froze in mid-air. Zhai Le and Shen Tang had already walked away side by side, with Yu Hai following at a short distance, completely unaware of his presence. He breathed a sigh of relief once the three had disappeared from sight.

"That wasn't..."

"The ruler of the Qu Kingdom, Zhai Xiaofang."

My friend smiled awkwardly: "Truly, it is the Lord."

He held an official position in the Qu Kingdom, not a high-ranking official, but still qualified to meet the emperor. He was supposed to be on duty these past few days, but because Xiahou Yu was coming, he asked his superior for leave, and Yu Hai was the one who approved it. It was quite awkward that the two of them saw him now.

My friend paused, as if thinking of something.

He asked cautiously, "It seems that the master has come looking for..."

My friend's gaze shifted to the wig fluttering on the clothesline.

The fact that the king himself came, and the fact that the two seemed to be old acquaintances, suggests that the "bhikkhuni" was no ordinary person.

Xiahou Yu said, "I have come to find my lord."

My friend nodded: "Oh...oh?"

Wait, what did Zikuan call that person?

Shen Tang sat cross-legged on the artificial hill by the pond, eagerly taking a sip of the wine. While not as flavorful as her own spirit wine, its complex and unique taste was unlike anything she had ever experienced before. Zhai Le clinked wine jars with her and cut to the chase: "How much do you want?"

Shen Tang was prepared for this.

She knew that Zhai Le was coming to her either to inquire about the details of the apocalyptic disaster or to discuss how to divide the spoils of war.

Shen Tang doesn't like to be taken advantage of: "Fifty-fifty."

Even though Zhai Le was mentally prepared, she still laughed in exasperation.

Suppressing her anger, she said, "Fifty-fifty? Shen Youli, I never knew you could be so shameless as to even ask for that?"

Shen Tang said, "How is that being shameless?"

Zhai Le asked her, "Can you send troops or supplies?"

Kangguo's main focus is on the southwest, and it won't actively redeploy troops unless absolutely necessary. If Zhai Le doesn't intervene, Kangguo's only solution is to recruit new soldiers domestically and draw some from its internal defenses to make do. In this situation, both the number of troops and their strength are far below average. If Zhai Le intervenes, Shen Tang will be relieved of the pressure on the border and can concentrate more on dealing with the southwest, allowing for less investment in the central region. Under these circumstances, how dare she propose a 50/50 split of the central region with her???

Is this any different from simply taking money from his purse?

Shameless and insatiable!

Shen Tang said, "I can send troops and supplies."

Zhai Le: "..."

Shen Tang continued, "I can even infiltrate the central forces to inform you and betray them at crucial moments. The scale of the forces I've built in the central region over the past few years is indeed small, but they are elite. I prepared long ago to deal with today's situation."

Zhai Le shook his head: "It's no use."

It's dishonest to only talk about quality and not quantity.

He's not the naive person he used to be; he won't be easily fooled. Does he really think he can share the spoils with Shen Tang based solely on the wealth he's built in the central region? Even if he were out of his mind and agreed, the entire court wouldn't allow it. Zhai Le proactively suggested a ratio.

"82, you're two, I'm eight."

"June 4th, let's talk if we can, otherwise forget it."

"73, you get 3, I get 7."

Shen Tang looked at Zhai Le with resentment in her eyes.

Zhai Le said, "Looking at me like that won't do any good. This military expedition will inevitably provoke great resistance. The civil and military officials in the court have long been weary of war, and the people also need time to recover. Without sufficient returns, who would be willing to risk provoking the central countries?"

Shen Tang asked a crucial question.

"If it's split 70/30, which 70% do you want?"

Under Shen Tang's watchful eye, Zhai Le took a map from Yu Hai. The lines were simple, and only a general layout could be seen.

"It's these seven parts!"

Shen Tang laughed in anger at first glance.

Why don't you just shove a knife into my pillow?

(`)

A few days ago, I visited my grandfather, and he took some popsicles out of the freezer for me. I noticed they weren't frozen solid; they were half-thawed, which meant the cooling system wasn't working very well, and my old refrigerator, which had been used for over ten years, was definitely due for retirement. Since it was the Mid-Autumn Festival, I thought I'd get a new refrigerator. I opened an app to check out some deals, and the app's big data analytics recommended a local government subsidy for trade-ins. The last time I bought a refrigerator was during renovations; a similar configuration cost six or seven thousand yuan. This time, I found similar configurations (I don't really know how to choose, just that the size and functions are similar) with over 100,000 positive reviews. With the government subsidy, the final price was only 1,500 yuan. I have to say, things are developing really fast!