Chapter 558: Liao Jia, Liao Shaomei [Seeking Monthly Tickets]

Whether it's a joke or not, the blue bar has indeed grown longer.

You won't run out of mana so easily when you fight in the future.

Shen Tang was most satisfied with this.

Chu Yao and the others were only truly relieved after confirming that Shen Tang was in good condition. Shen Tang guessed that they were just waiting around and had no appetite, so she asked the kitchen to cook a sumptuous late-night snack. She planned to eat her fill before going back to sleep and get a good night's rest.

Chu Yao and his companions naturally wouldn't refuse.

The young scholar was also invited to stay for a meal, and Shen Tang chatted with him for a few moments: "Sir, have you found a good place to stay?"

"I plan to stay temporarily at Yuanliang's residence."

When Qi Shan heard herself being mentioned, she instinctively wanted to retort, but was stopped by the young scholar's ambiguous smile.

He said sarcastically, "Yuanliang doesn't welcome him?"

Qi Shan pursed her lips inwardly, reluctantly responding.

"Of course, you're welcome."

Shen Tang sensed something amiss between them, but it was Qi Shan's private matter, and she shouldn't interfere. The only thing that concerned her was the fate of the scholar Wenxin before her. His presence in this setting already hinted at his intentions.

When faced with talented individuals seeking refuge, one must always make a statement.

Only after the first time is it unfamiliar can it become familiar.

"What is your surname, sir, and from where are you from?"

"My name is Liao Jia, courtesy name Shaomei, and I am from Fengxi County." The young scholar, Liao Jia, chose to take the initiative and immediately began to lie through his teeth. "I had previously heard that Lord Shen led his troops deep into the perilous land of Shiwu and conquered the capital. I admired him greatly, and since Yuanliang's letter had just arrived, I took the liberty of coming to bother you..."

He went straight to the point, which surprised Shen Tang for a moment. She really hadn't expected Liao Jia to be so proactive...

The prepared test plan I had prepared was not used.

She didn't actually want to make a decision right away.

after all--

Qi Shan's circle of friends, everyone knows what that means.

Shen Tang wanted to subtly probe and first understand the other party's approach to the scholarly way. If someone were normal, they would immediately take them under their wing to work; if not, she would have to consider whether she could withstand the side effects of this approach…

She had already practiced all the interview scenarios.

But they didn't play by the rules!

There was very little room for Shen Tang to maneuver.

Either agree or politely decline.

But this person was the first scholar from Wenxin to actively seek her out. If she were to politely decline, given the complex network of relationships within Wenxin, she might end up on someone's blacklist. In a flash, countless thoughts raced through Chen Tang's mind.

The next second, she smiled radiantly.

"How could it be a bother? I couldn't be happier."

"I am extremely honored to receive your affirmation, sir."

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Shen Tang enthusiastically grasped his hand, leaving Liao Jia completely bewildered: "Sir, you do not know that since the Battle of Shiwu ended, Longwu County has been in dire need of reconstruction, and there is a severe shortage of manpower everywhere. I have been hoping day and night for someone as talented as you, sir."

Liao Jia: "..."

There's no need to be so enthusiastic.

It gave him the unfounded feeling that he had jumped into a fire pit.

He gave Qi Shan a meaningful look, and the latter's face darkened.

Liao Jia, who had been hesitant, instantly made up her mind. For no other reason than to stay because of Qi Yuanliang's sour face!

"I dare not accept the title of 'great talent'."

"Sir, please do not underestimate yourself."

Dude, have some confidence!

Qi Yuanliang's circle of friends is undoubtedly high-quality. Just look at his love-hate relationship with Xun Zhen and Jiang Sheng—aren't they both incredibly capable at work? Qin Li, under Wu Zhaode, is also quite good. Which ordinary scholar-official doesn't possess the scholar's way that they yearn for but cannot attain?

Liao Jia, standing before her, naturally wouldn't disappoint her.

Gu Chi, after hearing Shen Tang and Liao Jia's inner thoughts: "..."

He raised his sleeve to cover the curve of his lips.

He was aware that if he gloated in front of his lord, she might retaliate against him if she caught him.

Jiang Sheng noticed his little action.

They cast questioning glances their way.

Gu Chi used a secret telepathic technique, his tone eerie: "I only hope that our lord will be devoid of joy and love in the future..."

Taking what others like

What kind of bizarre scholarly way is this? Instead of being a thief, they're doing the work of a strategist—truly a mismatch between their profession and their job.

If, in the future, the lord desires a living, breathing person...

Gu Chi dared not think about that scene.

Jiang Sheng: "???"

After everyone had a hot bowl of noodles, before they dispersed, Shen Tang made sure to announce that an extra morning meeting would be held the next day.

Qi Shan and the others subconsciously looked at Liao Jia.

Shen Tang coughed lightly: "It is indeed related to Shao Mei, but more so because I am worried about Shi Wu recovering his strength and making preparations in advance."

"According to reports from our spies, the Ten Crows are in great turmoil, the royal court is severely weakened, and its rule is far less effective than before. It should not be able to invade the south for several years," Chu Yao advised tactfully. He suggested that they should focus their energy on governing Longwu and strengthening themselves.

Once Longwu County has absorbed enough refugees, it can put the conscription plan on the agenda and expand the army to resist foreign enemies.

At this moment, I'm distracted by Shiwu...

"I just had a brief exchange with Shao Mei about the fragments of 'The Exploitation of the Works of Nature' he obtained, and I had a sudden idea. Why should we prevent the Ten Crows from invading the south for several years?" Shen Tang said, her eyes flashing with coldness. "Wouldn't it be more worry-free to just cripple them?"

Ten Black Blood Packs are top-quality blood packs.

Ning Yan tentatively asked, "Raise troops again?"

Shen Tang rejected the idea: "To cripple the enemy, violence isn't always necessary. The smoke of battle is visible to the naked eye, but the battles off the battlefield are far more unpredictable. When we went deep into Shiwu before, Xian Deng and Wang Chao provided inspiration, but we've been so busy lately that we almost forgot about the backup plan we had. We can take this opportunity to split Shiwu from within and then use business to impoverish them."

The wonders of nature offer numerous ways to make money.

Silkworm breeding, textile dyeing, farming, and even iron smelting and salt production.

It can not only build itself up, but also harm its enemies.

Yonggu Pass was firmly controlled by Shen Tang. How to smuggle, what to smuggle, and what methods to use for smuggling were all decided by her.

The Ten Crows suffered a crushing defeat, incurring heavy losses. Not only did they fail to plunder much cloth, salt, or grain during the war, they were left with nothing but depleted resources.

Isn't this giving people the opportunity to make exorbitant demands?

Chu Yao and his group didn't know much about these details.

Everyone turned to look at Jiang Sheng and his companion.

Sheng believed that this move was feasible.

If the Ten Crows can no longer reunite, they will be nothing but a pile of loose sand, and we can easily crush and flatten them at will.

Gu Chi: "I second that."

Shen Tang yawned.

"It's getting late, everyone should get some rest."

The group bowed and withdrew.

Qi Shan thought Liao Jia was just eating and staying for free, but he didn't expect there to be a little tail behind him. The young lady from the Zhao family squatted outside the government office and waited for a long time before seeing them come out. She carried a gun and went up to them to complain: "Sir! You came out too late. There's nowhere to stay."

Liao Jia pointed at Qi Shan and said, "We've been staying at his house for the past few days, and he's provided us with food and drink, so we don't need to worry."

Qi Shanqi said angrily, "You really don't hold back."

Liao Jia: "Why are you being polite when you're here to collect a debt?"

Qi Shan's residence was small, with only a master bedroom and one guest room: "You two will have to make do tonight. Tomorrow I'll go to the government office to see if there are any vacant rooms for you..."

The young lady from the Zhao family looked troubled.

Just as he was about to speak, Liao Jia put his hand on Qi Shan's shoulder, patted his chest, and said with a sly smile, "Come on, let's sleep side by side tonight and have a good chat!"

Qi Shan got goosebumps all over.

(；д｀)ゞ

The Creation of the Works of Nature is truly beyond human comprehension; it's far too difficult to understand...

(End of this chapter)