Chapter 1607 IF Scenario: What if Shen Tang woke up earlier (Twenty-one)

Shen Tang thought winter was a time for hibernation.

In reality, it's winter; it's robbery.

"...We had the traces examined, and it seems a wild animal from the mountains dragged the child away while hunting..." Ji Mo Cong was both heartbroken and helpless. These days, even a living person could be eaten, let alone these hungry beasts? Who wouldn't they bite?

Shen Tang murmured, "A wild beast..."

Looking at the nearby bare mountains, Shen Tang could imagine the hardships faced by the animals that depended on them for survival. Ordinary people had to cut firewood for warmth during the winter, and this was the very foundation upon which the animals depended for their livelihood. When wild beasts were hungry, they would risk coming down the mountains in search of food.

A tragic incident was reported the day before yesterday.

The story goes that a child from a certain family in a village couldn't stay in the main hall and started playing hide-and-seek with his friends. As a result, all the other children went home except for him. The whole village searched the village, and the next day they finally found a mutilated body in a pile of rocks outside the village. The child's internal organs were gone, and his face was mangled and bloody from being gnawed by animal teeth.

Experienced villagers guessed that it was done by wild animals.

According to the rules set by Shen Tang, such heinous incidents in the village must be reported to the government. That very day, the village head selected several able-bodied men to go out of the village and into the city to report the matter, pleading with the government to send someone to rid the beast of its foes. The poor child's body was also brought to the village.

It doesn't take many people to kill a few ferocious beasts coming down the mountain.

Ordinary martial artists with courage and skill can handle it.

Wei Cheng: "Since we've run into them, that's perfect. Let's skin them and make winter clothes for Shen Jun and the others as a New Year's gift."

These days, it's tough for people, and it's tough for wild animals too.

Especially at this time of year, it's not easy to find a beast whose fur can be used to make clothing; the better the fur, the rarer it is.

Luo San noticed something strange.

His extensive experience in the underworld came in handy at this moment.

Have you seen the body?

"What's wrong? Didn't the coroner say he was eaten by a ferocious beast?"

Luo San: "At first glance, the coroner's judgment seemed correct. There were indeed teeth marks left by a large beast on the child's body. But I always felt that something was wrong. After a more careful examination, I didn't find anything important—the child had struggled, and there wasn't a single hair of a beast on or near the body. This is not normal."

Even in winter, wild animals shed their fur.

When the child was dragged away, none of the adults in the lobby or the other children playing hide-and-seek heard any cries for help, indicating that the child met a tragic end as soon as they encountered the beast. This conclusion does not align with the obvious signs of a child struggling near the pile of rocks…

In addition, Luo San did not find any hair on the corpse.

Wei Cheng: "What does this prove?"

Another person chimed in, "That's how many teeth marks there are..."

Luo San said, "This suggests that the child may not have been killed by a beast, but rather by someone disguised as a beast."

Everyone: "Are you sure?"

Luo San said, "I didn't find any wild animal hair on the child's body, so I went to the village outside the city. In the pile of rubble where the villagers found the body, which was under the child's body, there were traces of struggling hands and feet. This means that the child should be alive here."

So here's the question—

"Why didn't the child scream for help when he was dragged away alive?"

Wei Cheng: "Couldn't it be that no one heard you when you shouted?"

Luo San said, "That's unlikely."

That village was one of the earliest projects he and his troops built. The villagers' houses were close together, just a few steps apart. With such close proximity and such a compact distribution, if someone shouted from the village entrance, an average person could hear them from the village exit. There was no possibility that a child crying for help would go unheard.

so--

"I have a bold hypothesis."

Luo San started the conversation, and the others present naturally guessed what was going on. Wei Lou, who had rushed in from outside, said directly, "The attack by the ferocious beast could have been done by enemy scouts who had infiltrated the area. In the heavy snow of winter, it's not just wild animals that are suffering; there are also starving people."

Ji Mo Cong: "...The teeth marks on the corpse...right, and the Martial Warrior. If the scout manifested the Martial Warrior totem and killed the child who accidentally stumbled upon his trail, disguising it as a ferocious beast coming down the mountain to hunt...all of this makes sense."

Ji Mo Cong didn't know much about the literary scholars and martial artists outside the martial arts world, and Shen Tang's knowledge in this area was naturally even more lacking. She was stunned by the conversation between Luo San and the others: "Martial Arts Totem?"

No, you can do that?

"Although it may seem like an obscure or unorthodox method, it is indeed possible. Your Majesty should still order people to guard all areas and arrest any suspicious individuals."

Wei Cheng glanced at Shen Tang's expression first.

He hesitated for a moment before saying, "Shen Junren is kind and benevolent. At this time of year, there are also refugees seeking refuge, so it's really hard to tell which of them are spies."

Actually, there are still some important truths that haven't been said.

News of Shen Tang's extravagant spending had probably spread far and wide; the warlords and powerful figures in the surrounding area knew immediately that she possessed vast sums of grain. In their eyes, Shen Tang was a walking granary. When everyone was starving, who else would they attack but her?

The scouts went to great lengths to sneak in, carefully using the illusion of a ferocious beast eating people. They were probably stunned by her previous actions of attacking people without warning, and couldn't immediately gauge her strength or how much food she had.

If supplies are low, then ambushing her wouldn't be cost-effective.

If food supplies are plentiful, then it's worth taking risks for wealth and fortune.

In short, she brought the enemies upon herself.

Shen Tang: "Simple, let's narrow down the scope of the investigation."

If they are indeed scouts, their purpose in infiltrating is to obtain the provisions in Shen Tang's possession and to test the strength of her troops. Just keep a close eye on these two places and wait for them to come to them: "Since the power of words is so amazing, why isn't there a way to read other people's minds?"

Wei Lou: "Yes, there is."

Shen Tang: "...Use it if you have it."

Wei Lou remained silent, only looking at Shen Tang.

Shen Tang: "..."

What does it mean that Old Deng is not saying anything?

Wei Lou, the old man, said in a sarcastic tone, "I am not a strategist under the wise ruler. Such confidential matters should not be handled without authorization, lest they affect the relationship between the two sides."

Shen Tang: "I understand."

Old Deng, so greedy for money!

When Wei Lou saw a brand-new contract, his facial muscles seemed to malfunction. Ji Mo Cong looked at it again, and the other man's expression returned to normal.

"Does Lord Wei have any doubts?"

"I don't have any."

Ji Mo Cong: "..."

That's definitely not normal.

Gong Xifeng also felt that something was very abnormal.

Although she was included in the Gongxi clan's genealogy, the high priests were all busy with their own affairs, and she dared not get close to the other clansmen—she simply didn't get along with their free-spirited and unrestrained personalities—when Gongxi Feng was in a daze, Wei Lou grabbed her by the collar and took her away.

One-on-one tutoring for beginners.

Wei Lou showed her almost no kindness, his daily progress checks were cold and unforgiving, and if she didn't do well, he would punish her with a ruler, showing no mercy or softness. Of course, if she did well, she would receive a few approving glances. Today, she sensed something was wrong.

"Lord Wei, it's done."

Gong Xifeng thought he was supposed to call him teacher, but he refused.

I'm not your teacher, but I'm just looking after you for a couple of days out of courtesy. There's no teacher-student relationship between us.

Gong Xifeng then respectfully addressed him as "Lord Wei".

Today, Wei Jun seemed to be in a bad mood, and the atmosphere around him was very heavy, making Gong Xifeng feel intimidated, but she didn't dare to ask why. After a long while, she heard Wei Jun's approving voice from above: "To have made such great progress in such a short time, and your handwriting is quite good, shows that you have really put your heart into it. But it's not enough. If you really want to establish yourself in the future, you need to work even harder."

Gong Xifeng nodded: "Yes, I understand."

On the first day, Wei Lou told her that there are not many opportunities in a person's life to change their destiny, and if you are lucky enough to encounter one, you should seize it with all your might.

Once you miss it, the difference is like heaven and earth.

Gong Xifeng didn't quite understand, but she knew she had to live.

She did indeed seize the opportunity to change her fate—if Shen Jun hadn't appeared out of nowhere, she probably would have ended up like her parents.

What would you like to learn in the future?

Gong Xifeng simply shook his head.

These things were too distant and incomprehensible to her.

"...I'll learn whatever can help me survive."

Looking at the dozens of pages of calligraphy Lin Feng had practiced despite his frostbitten hands, Wei Lou said, "Don't learn that. Learn a method that allows all living beings to survive. Learn whatever can help them live. Your future might lie in that."

Gong Xifeng was completely bewildered.

"Learn more about how to govern a country; you'll need it in the future."

Gong Xifeng: "???"

What should I learn?

Governing a country?

Her?

Yes, Wei Lou is certain it's her.

Before Gong Xifeng, Wei Lou had already come to terms with Shen Tang's identity. But after she appeared, Wei Lou finally chose to believe her completely.

Gong Xifeng is registered under Shen Tang's name within the Gong Xi clan.

In other words—

If he were to gain control of the world in the future, Gong Xifeng would be one of the rightful heirs, thus dispelling Wei Lou's previous worries and speculations. As for Shen Tang, a person who was not bound by blood ties or obsessed with power, Wei Lou believed she was a true goddess.

Of course, it would be even better if this god were a little more worldly-wise.

Wei Lou remembered the contract and became furious again.

Once he becomes famous, those spies will be in trouble.

They were caught one after another like dumplings being dropped into a pot, suffering greatly at Wei Lou's hands. Finally, unable to endure it any longer, they confessed everything, begging for a quick and painless death. Their bodies were not wasted: "Take them to compost."

Wei Cheng: "Isn't this a bit inappropriate?"

This is Shen Jun's territory after all.

His uncle wasn't the mastermind behind it all, and such behavior could lead to charges against him if seriously investigated. Wei Cheng felt this was inappropriate.

Wei Lou said, "There's nothing wrong with it."

He took one payment but did three jobs for one person—first, he caught the spy, then he interrogated the spy, and then he devised an ambush plan for the enemy based on the intelligence provided by the spy—did Shen Youli pay him? What's wrong with him being a little domineering?

This is what Shen Youli deserves!

Wei Cheng: "..."

My uncle's temper has been noticeably worse these past two days.

The ambush operation went smoothly, with losses minimized, and more than two thousand free prisoners were captured who worked for free.

“Send people to the mountains to help with afforestation.”

Shen Tang's decision was unexpected.

She sighed and explained.

The land beneath our feet does not belong solely to humankind.

Animals should also have their own habitats.

She spoke earnestly and at length: "...There's a science to restoring forest vegetation. With plants, animals will gradually return to breed and multiply, allowing ordinary people who rely on hunting and gathering to earn more money. Perhaps the local people can even develop their own unique economic pillars by relying on the mountains and rivers... We need to broaden our horizons and not just think that dense vegetation makes it easy for enemies to ambush and attack... We need economic development and sustainability..."

Draining the pond to catch all the fish is unacceptable.

|ω`)

Unlike the main storyline, Tang Mei's special identity was revealed from the beginning, so having Gong Xifeng register her under her name actually put Wei Lou at ease.

This means that gods cannot continue, gods will not monopolize power, gods will not be insatiable... On the main storyline, Yuan Liang and the others initially believed that Tang Mei was human, and they preferred a clear and unambiguous bloodline inheritance to consolidate their power. Therefore, Tang Mei considered the opinions of the ministers and could not allow Lin Feng to inherit her power, even though she favored him.

(End of this chapter)