Chapter 1364: The Exhausted Worker (Part 1) [Taking a break]

The man Gong Xichou couldn't subdue with his fists was broken by a single sentence from him. His voice trembled noticeably, and upon closer listening, it even sounded like a tearful whimper: "How could it possibly be us?"

Even if they wanted their king dead, they couldn't possibly shoot him in public!

Just as Gongxi Chou mocked, anyone who dared to do this in public would be infamous for eternity! It could only be a frame-up by the enemy! In a state of extreme emotional collapse, this man recklessly questioned Gongxi Chou: "Didn't you frame me?"

Gong Xichou shrugged, indicating that he would not take the blame.

Does she really think she's Mama?

What kind of person is he, and how dare you pin the blame on him?

The halberd spun nimbly in Gongxi Chou's hand, seemingly slow yet leaving afterimages barely perceptible to the naked eye. He said lazily, "Heaven and earth bear witness, the cold arrow was shot from within your ranks. Countless eyes witnessed it; how could it be false? Even if I instructed someone else to do it, how could I possibly do it? Did you give me that opportunity? Could I know in advance when you uninvited traitors would arrive, where you would come from, and how I could plant someone for you beforehand?"

Even when you're being unreasonable, there should be some basic principles, right?

Gongxi Chou added fuel to the fire: "Although you are all short-sighted and have committed heinous acts, there's no need to worry too much. Even if you are fortunate enough to be remembered for your infamy for eternity, it will probably be 'summarized in one sentence,' and most likely they won't single you out for individual condemnation."

History books have limited space; countless heroes and great figures could only occupy a few words in them even after a lifetime of effort. In the current chaotic world, even if most of them left their names behind, the historical records they made would most likely be lost in the war, leaving no trace.

so what--

"The pressure is only greater while you're alive, with people constantly criticizing you. You'll be free after you die." He slammed his halberd to the ground, speaking sarcastically to the group of unfortunate souls whose faces were so gloomy they could practically drip water. "Besides, with me around, whether you'd even survive being criticized is uncertain. Do you have any truth to that?"

The idea of ​​being infamous for eternity is just wishful thinking.

【puff--】

One of the enemy generals was so frustrated by his words that his chest felt tight and his head was throbbing. He gripped his breastplate tightly and suddenly spat out a mouthful of foul blood.

The guards around him turned pale with fright and rushed forward to help him up.

【General/My Lord!】

After a series of smooth first-aid maneuvers, the general, who had been irritating himself, finally relaxed his clenched teeth. Fresh air rushed into his lungs, and the horrifying purplish-red color on his face gradually faded, replaced by pallor. His commotion not only startled his own men but also surprised Gongxi Chou: "So hot-tempered?"

From the moment that arrow appeared, the outcome of the battle was no longer in doubt. Gongxi Chou wouldn't let them retreat to investigate who fired the arrow. Taking advantage of the enemy's collapsed morale, he opened the city gates and pursued them, capturing prisoners as easily as catching chicks.

No, catching them is easier than catching chicks.

The soldiers had no desire to fight and only cared about turning around and running away.

No matter how much reinforcements threatened them, they couldn't quell the chaos.

Near the end, a branch company's elite soldiers were seen chasing after twenty or thirty reinforcements, with a dozen or so tied together by a rope. Gong Xichou didn't want to leave too many survivors: "...Lin Xiaoma complained the day before yesterday that there were too many people eating, and yesterday she complained that there were too few people working. Should I kill a few more to reduce the number of mouths to feed, or should I arrest a batch to keep her working?"

Gong Xichou dared not ask Lin Feng.

Because Lin Feng has been inexplicably irritable these past few days.

It's speculated that someone might have offended her.

After thinking for three seconds, he chose to capture more prisoners.

“…If there are too many mouths to eat, I can kill them.” Gong Xichou raised his hand and made a chopping gesture. He was a professional at physical elimination. “But if there are too few people to do the work, I can’t bring people back to life.”

That reason sounds very reasonable.

Shen Tang, who listened silently to his complaints, was speechless.

Is it possible that the person who offended Lin Feng was himself? Wasn't Lin Feng's anger due to Gong Xi Chou's unruly behavior, which had made things difficult for her? No working person likes a colleague who does things haphazardly! This time, he's added a lot of work to her schedule! However, by some twist of fate, this guy has played right into Shen Tang's hands, and the situation is still under control.

All the conflicts lie with the ruler of Qi. Now that the incompetent ruler has died at the hands of his own people, and Shen Tang has wiped out all the major and minor forces before Qi became independent, he can take this opportunity to consolidate his military power.

Now it's truly a case of those who obey her prosper, and those who oppose her perish.

"By the way, did Mama run into trouble on the road?"

He recalled that Shen Tang had brought many unfamiliar faces with her when she arrived.

Shen Tang: "..."

She took a deep breath to avoid getting angry at Gong Xichou: "You really don't have any internal conflicts, you always blame others for everything... If you hadn't run so fast, would I have been late?"

Gong Xichou looked away guiltily and muttered under his breath, "Then wouldn't that make up for my mistake? Don't tell my brother..."

He fears neither heaven nor earth, except for his older brother dealing with him.

Upon seeing the high priest's attire, Gong Xichou was reminded of the time he was disciplined by the old priest when he was a child, and he felt a pang of pain in his heart.

"The high priest's staff isn't even as thick as your wrist. Hitting you with it would be too weak, like a mere tickle." Judging from Shen Tang's words, she was clearly about to complain.

Gong Xichou immediately wilted and softened his tone, saying, "That's different... You know, I'm a person of standing... If my elder brother beat me up so badly, where would I put my face if word got out?"

He's not so thick-skinned as to be impervious to bullets or swords.

Even without mentioning his fans, his daughter A Dou is old enough to remember things. He can't let his glorious, tall and reliable image in her heart collapse. He absolutely can't let Xun Ding, this extra, surpass him!

Shen Tang took a long stride, displaying an attitude that left no room for negotiation.

"Even if you don't care about me, you should at least care about A Dou..."

Everyone else can make amends for their mistakes, so why can't he?

Seeing Gong Xi Chou's desperate pleading, Xiahou Yu felt a surge of satisfaction: "Everything has its counter, even Gong Xi Chou has something he's afraid of?"

Shen Tang sensed the deep resentment in Gong Xi Chou's voice and couldn't help but chuckle, trying to salvage the situation for him: "The most precious thing in the world is a young person's pure heart. Gong Xi Chou has remained true to his principles all these years. As long as he doesn't cause any major disaster, we'll let him be."

Xiahou Yu disagreed.

He still remembered how Gong Xichou used his military power to suppress him.

"My lord has been too lenient with him. You don't know, he..." Xiahou Yu paused here, trying to be tactful. He didn't mention the confrontation between Gongxi Chou and him in front of the civil and military officials. He only said that Gongxi Chou was too autocratic in some ways. As a military general who could rightfully hold military power, he should be careful about his words and actions to avoid regretting it later.

If a military general wants to live a long life, he should keep a low profile when necessary. Gongxi Chou was too high-profile. Xiahou Yu had never seen anyone like him! There is no shortage of military generals in this world who have overshadowed their masters and been punished.

Shen Tang said helplessly, "I know."

"Then why does our lord still tolerate it?"

Xiahou Yu imagined some underhanded schemes involving flattery to kill.

"There's nothing we can do; they're the ones who have to work for us at their own expense."

Gongxi Chou's salary was not high among military officers, and it was divided into three parts. One part was used to support his niece A Dou, one part was used for his own daily expenses and to support his former subordinates and occasionally for gatherings, and one part was given to his elder brother as a household allowance. This household allowance was usually provided to him by his elder brother.

Military generals also receive additional generous subsidies during their campaigns.

Gong Xichou didn't take it either.

The final allocation will most likely end up with Shen Tang.

In addition, there are various subsidies and offerings for the medical practice in Jimo Qiu...

so--

“Zikuan, you know what I mean.” Shen Tang couldn’t expect Gong Xichou to meet the standards of a normal official. The fact that Gong Xichou occasionally cooperated with Xiahou Yu was already a favor. “A low-paid worker can run wildly on the boss’s head…”

Shen Tang used two fingers to demonstrate a running posture.

From the perspective of a working-class person, Gong Xiqiu is insane. But from the perspective of boss Shen Tang, he's practically the chosen one.

Xiahou Yu: "...There's really nothing we can do about him."

This was a path he had never imagined.

Is it fair to say that Gongxi Chou was ruthless, or that his lord bowed down for money?

Shen Tang gave him advice: "Gong Xi Chou is unreasonable, but his older brother is. If anything happens later, tell his older brother."

They're guaranteed to win every time they sue.

Xiahou Yu: "Since they are brothers..."

They're probably all birds of a feather.

He simply couldn't believe that someone like Gong Xichou could have such a righteous and principled elder brother! Oh well, if he couldn't afford to offend him, he could at least avoid him.

Seeing Xiahou Yu's eagerness to avoid a potential disaster, Shen Tang couldn't help but chuckle. It was clear that Gong Xi Chou had indeed left Xiahou Yu with an indelible psychological scar these past few days. If Xiahou Yu knew what his lord was thinking, he would probably chime in with a comment.

He wasn't the only one left with psychological trauma.

(●—●)

Use new emoticons.

2025, what are you waiting for?!

Some random thoughts—

With this much content already, do you guys still think there will be any romance?