Chapter 324: Exploiting Others (Part 2) [Requesting Monthly Tickets]

Help Zhao Feng's family to hand over a few sets of clothes and shoes.

This was just a small favor and doesn't prove anything.

However, since Gu Wangchao had said so, he would take the opportunity to meet Zhao Feng and find out the specifics.

Whether the wine is real or fake can be found out with a simple question.

If it's true—

As the head of the Xu family, he saw a golden opportunity.

If it were just ordinary fine wine, there would be profits to be made, and since Tianhai and Heyin are not far apart, a round trip could earn a considerable amount. However, the attitude of Lord Wu Xian also played a part, and this amount of profit was not enough to truly tempt Xu Jie.

but--

Is this wine truly beneficial to both brave warriors and learned scholars?

Even Xu Jie couldn't truly remain calm.

"General Zhao is staying here?"

Xu Jie saw a pile of simple tents in the southwest corner.

Soldiers patrolled the area near the tent camp.

Needless to say, these were Zhao Feng's private troops.

How did I end up here?

Gu Chi seemed not to have caught the implication in Xu Jie's words, and praised with admiration: "General Zhao is skilled in training troops and has a firm will, which is beyond our reach. He works diligently every day, sets an example, and eats, sleeps, and lives with his soldiers. He is truly admirable."

Hearing Gu Chi so sincerely praise his colleague, Xu Jie's lips twitched, and he was speechless for a moment...

It's not that Zhao Feng is bad, it's just that—

That's such an embarrassing compliment.

Gu Chi inwardly scoffed.

That's the absolute truth, just embellished a little.

Shen Tang had actually arranged accommodations for Zhao Feng.

However, Zhao Feng did not like it.

A martial artist who doesn't suffer losses and trains hard in ordinary times is destined to suffer the enemy's deadly moves and lose his head on the battlefield.

He frankly admitted that a life of ease would erode his will.

He then set up camp in the southwest corner with his private retinue.

Of course, it also makes working easier.

The camp is close to the construction site in the southwest corner and also close to the city gate.

Gu Chi was a familiar face at the camp.

Has your general returned yet?

The trusted officer in charge of managing the camp, who had accompanied Zhao Feng to see Xu Jie, was surprised but immediately bowed and ushered the two into the tent to wait, as it was windy outside. As he led the way, he said, "The general has not yet returned, but according to the usual schedule, he should be here soon."

Xu Jie laughed and said, "Your general went hunting again?"

Zhao Feng is different from other high-level martial arts practitioners.

Besides their hard work in cultivation, they also have personal hobbies.

The left hand holds the yellow, the right holds the blue sky.

Brocade hat and sable fur coat.

That's pretty much the taste.

Every time they go out, they manage to hunt a lot of wild game.

Lord Wu Xian also joined in the fun and went out several times.

trusted subordinate: "..."

He subconsciously shifted his gaze to Gu Chi's face.

The latter's eyes showed no sign of guilt or evasion.

What else can be done about trusted subordinates?

Just laugh awkwardly along with it.

Gu Chi smiled naturally and gently—his lord had said that as long as he wasn't embarrassed, then it was others who would be embarrassed.

Xu Jie: "???"

His intuition told him that there was something wrong with the way the two were looking at each other.

But he didn't pay attention.

Regardless, this was Zhao Feng's trusted subordinate, and Zhao Feng's stance was his stance. Even if he had concealed something from Gu Chi, the truth he concealed would not harm him. Xu Jie sat down with peace of mind, and his trusted subordinate tactfully brought him tea.

Xu Jie smiled and waved his hand, indicating that he didn't need to bother.

He then asked Gu Chi, "How much can Wang Chao drink?"

Gu Chi humbly replied, "It's acceptable."

Xu Jie unsealed the wine, releasing a refreshing aroma that instantly whetted his appetite: "We hit it off immediately, feeling like we've known each other for years in just half a day. It's fate. Since Dayi hasn't returned yet, how about we share a couple of drinks?"

"That is indeed my wish, but I dare not ask."

Seeing that Gu Chi's expression was normal, Xu Jie felt uneasy.

So much confidence?

Could this wine really be...?

Xu Jie poured the wine himself, and the two clinked bowls together.

He rested the rim of the bowl against his slightly thick lips and took a sip.

The aroma of the wine lingered in the mouth.

Just as he was about to swallow, the tent was suddenly flung open, followed by a rough, familiar voice: "When did Wenzhu arrive?"

Xu Jie looked up.

I almost spat out the mouthful of wine.

Fortunately, he was well-mannered and had strong willpower, so he managed to swallow it down and choked on the liquor.

"Cough, cough, cough—"

He coughed until his face was flushed and his eyes were moist.

Zhao Feng was filled with questions.

"What is this annotation?"

There's no need to get so excited when you see him, is there?

The trusted subordinates were practically rolling their eyes to the heavens—why? What else could it be? Wasn't it because Mr. Xu Jie was astonished by his general's appearance, so resembling that of a seasoned farmer? If it weren't for his imposing physique that exuded explosive power, anyone who saw Zhao Feng would have mistaken him for some old peasant. Their general was truly becoming more and more skilled at tilling the land.

_(:з)∠)_

Zhao Feng ignored the thoughts of his trusted subordinates.

He was about to step forward to pat Xu Jie on the back to help him catch his breath—if this "big spender" were to get into trouble, his lord would skin him alive—but as soon as he got close, Xu Jie smelled the sour, sweaty odor on him, mixed with an indescribable earthy smell.

Xu Jie: "..."

By the Three Pure Ones!

Did General Zhao come back from rolling in some mud? Or did he slip and fall into a mud pit while hunting? His gaze was too direct, making Zhao Feng nervous as well. In the end, it was Gu Chi who stepped in to smooth things over and get rid of this little incident.

He put down the bowl of wine he hadn't yet drunk from.

He smiled and said, "I still have some mundane matters to attend to. Now that General Zhao has returned, I imagine we have much to talk about upon reuniting. I will take my leave now. If there is anything else, please send someone to inform me."

After speaking, he bowed and withdrew.

Xu Jie stood up to see him off.

After Gu Chi left, Xu Jie asked Zhao Feng, "General, where did you come from? Why do you look like this?"

Zhao Feng: "..."

"If it's inconvenient to say, then..."

"There's nothing inconvenient to say, I'm just back from the fields."

Xu Jie: "???"

The trusted subordinate, forcing a smile, said, "General, your land-cultivation skills are becoming increasingly refined. Yesterday you cultivated over two hundred acres..."

Xu Jie: "???"

Zhao Feng laughed and scolded, "Go do your own thing. If you're really that free, then practice some more..."

The trusted subordinate hurriedly took his leave.

Xu Jie glanced at the direction of the tent entrance and then at Zhao Feng.

"What's this about 200 mu of arable land?"

Zhao Feng mumbled, "It's...that's how it is."

Xu Jie: "..."

It took a long time to figure out what Zhao Feng had done for Shen Tang. For a moment, he didn't know whether to be amazed that Zhao Feng had such a good temper, or to be astonished that Shen Jun had the audacity to have the Twelfth Rank Left Watch do such a thing. Most importantly, wouldn't his lord be heartbroken and wiping away tears if he knew?

Xu Jie had a headache.

"But we can't let Shen Jun take advantage of our kindness!"

Seeing his reaction, Zhao Feng quickly explained, "It's not that serious. Shen Jun is the most sincere and frank person I've ever met. His sincerity is commendable, so why not help him? Farming isn't that boring. Just consider it a different experience."

To say that it was "taking advantage of someone's kindness for personal gain" is not true.

He had also carefully considered Shen Tang's principles.

That makes some sense.

Upon hearing this, Xu Jie asked, "General Zhao's words show that he has a very high opinion of this Mr. Shen. Is he really that good?"

Zhao Feng thought carefully before answering.

nod.

He came to Heyin with Shen Tang.

He observed everything that happened along the way with a cold eye, and he didn't miss the various predicaments that Shen Tang faced. After suddenly becoming rich overnight, Shen Jun did not indulge in pleasure, but instead carefully calculated every penny and used it for the common people and the revitalization of Fugu City.

And then there was the meticulously prepared opening ceremony fireworks that night. Including Shen Tang, there were five literary figures, all making a grand spectacle just to amuse the common people. In contrast, the others spent lavishly to win the smiles of beautiful women, and the common people were never on their minds.

He doesn't even stop writing during holidays.

What is fake can never become real, and what is real can never become fake.

If he were truly a hypocrite, he would have revealed his true colors long ago, but Zhao Feng watched coldly and found no flaws.

Furthermore—

"Wen Zhu is unaware of this, but many of the literary figures around Shen Jun are the same. They value character and integrity more than personal gain. If Shen Jun were truly a villain, they wouldn't be so devoted to him." They prioritize spiritual needs even more than personal gain.

The required standards will also be relatively higher.

Shen Tang could be considered one of Zhao Feng's favorites.

Of course, his true love was still his lord, Wu Xian.

Xu Jie completely lowered his guard.

His smile broadened, and when his gaze fell upon the wine jar, he confirmed with Zhao Feng about another matter that he cared about most: "General Zhao, is this wine truly beneficial to scholars and warriors?"

"liquor?"

Zhao Feng sniffed.

He said confidently, "This is wine from Shen Jun's side."

As for the question Xu Wenzhu asked, Zhao Feng thought about it carefully.

And you know what? It actually does have some benefits.

He said, "That is indeed true."

(σ)σ:*☆

A huge thank you to everyone for your tremendous support in February, especially during the fiercest competition for monthly votes at the end of the month. Mushroom managed to hold onto first place! This is the first time in all my years of writing novels that I've ever topped the monthly vote chart.

I am also very grateful to Q-Read's baby.

I spent the last hour yesterday refreshing the monthly ticket rankings, so I didn't feel like writing. I finally finished writing the 2,500-word novel.

Hehe, anyway, thank you everyone, *bows*

(End of this chapter)