Chapter 778: And all I feel sorry for is Giegie [Requesting monthly votes]

"Please speak freely, Mr. Shen."

Old Cui seemed all ears.

Shen Tang took a deep breath, frantically drafting a plan in her mind. In a flash, she had a general outline in her mind.

Both are written tasks, but praising oneself while criticizing the opponent is far more efficient than handling official documents—it's like having a spring of inspiration! She not only crafts the words but also perfectly conveys the emotions.

"Why--"

Shen Tang began with a sigh filled with complex emotions.

"Brother Zhaode's ancestors were illustrious for generations, born into a wealthy and proud family. In his youth, he was quick-witted and chivalrous, making friends with like-minded heroes, regardless of whether they were from wealthy or poor families. He led his family to suppress bandits and eliminate evil, protecting the land and its people. What a great act of kindness!"

"Logically speaking, such a person should be impeccable, but he has one flaw: he is too easily swayed and too sentimental. When the old folks who have followed him since his youth make a mistake, he can't bear to criticize them, always trying to maintain appearances for everyone. Once or twice, these old folks might be grateful, but if it happens too often, even the most cautious person will become spoiled and arrogant. If this continues, when Brother Zhaode wants to appoint new people, it will inevitably arouse the jealousy of the old folks."

Shen Tang hesitated, "I would like to remind Brother Zhaode, but my experience is far inferior to his. Perhaps he has other considerations? Besides, rashly intervening would not benefit the relationship between our two families."

When the older generation sticks together, how can newcomers possibly stand out?

The struggle between the old and new factions under Wu Xian's command is not as simple as just a power struggle between the old and the new.

From Wu Xian's perspective, he got along well with the scions of prominent families of the same age as Tianhai. They followed and supported him, some contributing manpower, others effort, and still others money. His journey had been smooth sailing, with virtually no hardships or setbacks.

But from the perspective of his supporters, who have invested time, effort, and money in Wu Xian, they naturally want to reap satisfactory rewards. There are very few fools who would work solely out of love. How could Wu Xian possibly bypass their circle and promote outsiders?

People can be used, but not given important positions, let alone placed above them or affecting their collective interests. Are we going to reprimand and sideline them for the sake of outsiders? Are we preparing to discard them after they've served their purpose?

Shen Tang looked at Lao Cui with a serious expression.

"...Judging from your accent, you're not from Tianhai?"

Old Cui said, "I am indeed not."

Shen Tang said with a regretful expression, "In that case, it is to be expected that Brother Zhaode is reluctant to give the teacher an important position due to various concerns. As the saying goes, 'Old friends are like strangers, and acquaintances are like old friends.' Although I have not known the teacher for long, I know that he is no ordinary person. It is truly heartbreaking that he would smear himself as a 'mediocre talent' just because he is not given an important position by Brother Zhaode. This is Zhaode's fault, not the teacher's!"

It's all the scumbag's fault, no matter what.

Why should you let a jerk like a guy define you?

Old Cui looked conflicted and moved his lips.

"I know you cherish the past, sir. You followed Brother Zhaode for several years and still hold some old feelings for him..." Shen Tang then used a feigned retreat to advance, gritting his teeth as he said, "How about this, I will write a letter to Brother Zhaode and introduce you to me. This will surely prevent your talent from being overlooked. Perhaps this will resolve your inner conflict?"

As she spoke, Shen Tang even began to suspect that she had NTR tendencies.

He personally handed over the beauty he had his eye on to another man, forcing a smile on his face while bleeding inside.

Old Cui shook his head: "I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint Lord Shen's kindness. To be honest, when I served under Lord Wu, I had a very good relationship with Qin Gongsu and Zhao Dayi. Gongsu also helped me several times, but the results were not satisfactory."

"It would be my great fortune to have your assistance, sir."

Old Cui asked, "Isn't Shen Jun afraid of making a mistake?"

Shen Tang slowly said, "I am willing to be your mentor."

Only then did Old Cui's smile become somewhat genuine.

"Fortunately, I am your fine steed."

Shen Tang grasped Lao Cui's hand, smiling as if she had just picked up a fortune.

——

Gu Chi, in a high-pitched voice, said, "I'm willing to be your mentor, sir!"

Then, with a hint of sourness, he added, "Fortunately, I am your fine steed~"

Bai Su, dressed in casual clothes, walked alongside Yu Zi, occasionally whispering to each other. Suddenly, Yu Zi asked, "Is that Military Advisor Gu in the corner?"

Upon hearing this, she looked up at Gu Chi, who was acting like a thief.

The expressions on their faces were slightly subtle.

Compared to the capital, places like Chaoli Pass were more like "remote and impoverished areas." The area inside the pass was mostly inhabited by soldiers, most of whom came from poor backgrounds and were naturally of questionable quality. When nature calls, it was common for them to find a corner to loosen their belts and relieve themselves when they encountered patrols.

A man, facing the corner, acting furtively.

As a seasoned veteran of the military, he couldn't help but overthink things. Even if this person was Gu Chi, their strategist.

How could those indescribable guesses escape Gu Chi's scholarly ways? He immediately turned his head to look at the two of them with a dark face, and said in embarrassment and annoyance, "Can't you rest by leaning against the wall if you're tired?"

Yu Zi expressed her concern very sincerely: "Sir, your health is quite weak. Should we call a military doctor to take a look?"

Gu Chi's face darkened: "No need."

I've been upset by both sides today, how can I look well?

Unfortunately, Yu Zi wasn't good at reading people's expressions, but she overheard something: "The strategist just mentioned something about 'a discerning eye and a fine horse,' is that part of the new draft?"

Gu Chi's response was simply a [Silence Activation]!

Yu Zi: "..."

Because Gu Chi's incantation didn't use much literary energy, with her four and a half years of experience as a literary cultivator, it wasn't impossible for her to unravel it. However, judging from Gu Chi's expression, she decided it was better to endure it.

Bai Su hit the nail on the head: "He must be jealous."

Yu Zi: "???"

Gu Chi: "..."

Bai Su raised her hand, gathering martial energy at her fingertips, and tapped Yu Zi's Adam's apple. Using a clever external force, she broke through the [Silence Silence] and said to Gu Chi, "Does the strategist also want to silence me?"

Gu Chi arrived at the celebration banquet with a belly full of anger.

He arrived early, and only Shen Tang, who was in a good mood, was in the hall.

Seeing his pale face, Shen Tang asked if he was feeling unwell. Gu Chi replied sarcastically, "Alas, it's always the laughter of the new bride that's heard, but the tears of the old. I, with my plain looks and worn-out appearance, caught the eye of Lord Shen, but in the end, I'm old and faded, my glory gone. A woman's infatuation can be explained, but a man's infatuation cannot... Betrothed as a wife, eloped as a concubine, I am heartbroken..."

Shen Tang: "...Be normal."

Gu Chi said, "It was obtained through trickery and force..."

Shen Tang: "..."

Gu Chi coughed lightly, suppressing his playful thoughts: "My lord, you may not know, but Cui Xiao has long harbored the intention to submit to you."

Shen Tang said, "I know."

Many literary figures are rebellious by nature. If they have no intention of staying, how can they be persuaded by a few words?

Gu Chi was almost dumbfounded: "Then, my lord—"

"The main theme is mutual affection and mutual commitment."

Gu Chi: "..."

He cleared his throat, gloating.

"Does my lord know about his way of the scholar?"

Just because Tu Nan and Xie Shizang are a few examples doesn't mean the recruited literary figures are harmless! My lord, you've made your decision too early.

Shen Tang's heart skipped a beat, but she still carefully voiced her analysis: "...I have some vague guesses. He previously used methods to conceal the aura of the Imperial Seal. You must know that Imperial Seals will clash within a certain range, and his scholarly way transcends this rule. If used well, he can confidently use surprise attacks on enemies in the future. Such a powerful weapon is better used by me than by others. There shouldn't be any problems, right?" The last few words lacked confidence.

"His scholarly way is called 'ignoring everything.'" Gu Chi's abilities are well-suited for background checks on newcomers, and he inquired extensively about Cui Xiao, but the information was of little use. Although Cui Xiao was under Wu Xian's command, he had little presence. "The scholarly way is about a scholar questioning his own heart and what he is obsessed with. To some extent, the scholarly way reflects a scholar's character. Who would want to be ignored?"

Shen Tang sensed something was wrong, but couldn't quite put her finger on it.

Until Gu Chi revealed the answer.

"A spy is not someone with outstanding appearance or distinctive features; in the mountains and fields, brightly colored prey is easy for hunters to spot; a strategist who is in the spotlight is easy for others to find out and target; and a venomous snake that goes unnoticed is often the one that strikes first."

In short—

This Cui Xiao is very, very cunning.

However, Shen Tang didn't care about any of that; she only wanted to know what side effects Cui Xiao's scholarly ways would have on her.

Gu Chi: "...Cui Xiao is in some danger."

Shen Tang said indifferently, "You guys aren't much safer either. If it weren't for my strong destiny, I would have been meeting the King of Hell long ago."

Gu Chi: "..."

There is absolutely no room for rebuttal to this statement.

He could only say, “The side effects of Cui Xiao’s scholarly ways can be chosen: either he becomes mediocre, or the lord becomes mediocre. This is the root cause of why Qin Gongsu’s recommendations were ignored several times. Wu Zhaode himself doesn’t think much of Cui Xiao, and with the added burden of scholarly ways, he naturally won’t give him an important position. If the lord becomes mediocre… Tianhai’s team will fall apart.”

Shen Tang: "...Damn it, we've cut off their supply lines!"

Wu Xian initially attracted numerous angel investors through his personal charisma, forming the core of his team. As he gained a foothold and expanded his influence, his personal charisma became secondary; it was their shared interests that bound them tightly together.

If Cui Xiao's negative effects were to affect Wu Xian instead of himself, it would be like removing the positive image people had of him and instead labeling him as "the unremarkable Wu Zhaode." Given Wu Xian's tendency to take sides and smooth things over, many people would likely harbor resentment towards him. Over time, Tianhai's leadership could truly collapse.

Shen Tang fell into a long silence.

Silence is Cambridge tonight.

Gu Chi feigned a sigh: "Cui Xiao was dissatisfied with Wu Zhaode but did not harbor any intention to harm him. He simply left. It wasn't because he was particularly kind; he simply didn't want to put Qin Gongsu and Zhao Dayi in a difficult position. If our lord completely ignores him, it would be a betrayal of his own heart and leave him frustrated and unfulfilled. At that time—alas, who could have foreseen this?"

Shen Tang: "...As long as I don't become a scumbag woman, it's fine."

Gu Chi blinked, indicating his doubt.

Seeing his disbelief, Shen Tang straightened her chest at a 90-degree angle: "What kind of reaction is this, Wang Chao? Look at me, I have 'three palaces and six courtyards,' 'three wives and four concubines,' when have I not been fair to everyone?"

She even had a special understanding with Gu Chi, and the two had been colluding for years, secretly exchanging secrets, and she showed him extra "favor"! How could he doubt her ability to maintain a balance? It's absurd! Wu Zhaode, that piece of trash, couldn't even manage to maintain a balance properly, yet he tried to force it. How could he compare to her, the master of balance? Besides, she didn't have that much messy factional infighting under her command!

Shen Tang said solemnly, "The feng shui of my fenced land is auspicious. If Cui Xiao, this flower, is transplanted here, I will definitely not let him perish!"

Gu Chi simply blinked at her.

His own lord's thoughts could not escape his ears.

Shen Tang coughed awkwardly: "I'll try to get Qin Gongsu here too. Why does Wu Zhaode have insurance but I don't!"

Gu Chi responded with an "Oh," indicating that the man was being bullied and oppressed.

For someone as loyal and devoted as Qin Li, it's indeed difficult to take her for yourself through normal procedures. Either you wait until Wu Zhaode dies and makes him a "widower," at which point "there will be many troubles around a widower's door," and then the bully Chen Tang can use threats and inducements; or you can directly force yourself on him.

This is what is meant by bullying and dominating men.

Shen Tang: "..."

Having such eccentric subordinates is truly her blessing!

As the time for the victory celebration banquet drew near, everyone arrived one after another—because of the previous division of troops, they hadn't seen each other for many days, and they caught up and chatted. Ning Yan and her group also brought their subordinates and deputies, all dressed as women, with relaxed expressions.

Qian Yong looked at the number of women in the hall, which wasn't many, but not few either, and his square face instantly stretched to a length longer than a donkey's.

Kang Shi immediately noticed where the man's gaze was fixed and asked with concern, "General Qian, are you feeling unwell?"

He harbored unresolved grudges against Qian Yong and couldn't bear to see him doing well. He couldn't openly target him, but he could sabotage him behind the scenes. If Qian Yong were to storm off because of the women present, there would be quite a show to watch. Ning Yan and the others naturally noticed Qian Yong's unusual behavior as well.

"I am fine."

Qian Yong withdrew his gaze and looked at him coldly.

He knew Kang Shi had ulterior motives.

Cui Xiao calmly smoothed things over from the side: "Shuhe is a little embarrassed now because of a boast he made earlier."

Kang Shi pressed for details: "What bold statement?"

Qian Yong said sarcastically, "This old man wants to have two children in three years. As a fellow man, Military Advisor Kang should understand, right?"

Kang Shi: "..."

What does a single person like him understand?

Kang Shi chuckled awkwardly and said, "Two children in three years... General Qian is still vigorous in his old age, and his relationship with your wife is truly enviable."

For some reason, Qian Yong's expression grew even colder.

This coldness reached its peak when Shen Tang, dressed simply in a dress and with her hair in a bun, appeared, quickly transforming into something distorted. Most of the people present were unfazed. However, some reacted strongly, such as the group of former officials from the Xin Kingdom who had come to make up the numbers.

Most of them came from distinguished backgrounds and had extensive family connections. If they could be won over, there would be no shortage of manpower or obstacles to effective governance once the Northwest Continent was conquered. Luan Cheng, Luan Xin's deputy, stared wide-eyed, dumbfounded, like a wooden stake.

"Gentlemen, there's no need for such formalities. Please have a seat."

The former officials of Xin Kingdom then seemed to wake from a dream. However, when they sat down, they accidentally bumped into the table, making a sound that was particularly clear in the hall. They were embarrassed by their rudeness in front of others and their faces turned red with shame. Fortunately, no one laughed at them.

this--

This is absolutely absurd!

Does Shen Jun like to dress as a woman, or is she actually a woman?

Looking at the figures of the ladies in the hall who were of high rank, the idea of ​​dressing up as a woman was quietly dismissed—it's understandable if one person likes to dress up as a woman, but it's not normal if everyone does, right?

"Today's banquet, with its simple wine, is to celebrate your good health. So please, don't be shy, enjoy yourselves."

(_)

When it rains, it pours.

My little one's temperature is normal today, and I haven't even had a chance to breathe a sigh of relief, but my mom tested positive. She said she has a terrible headache and won't be able to sleep well tonight.

P.S.: It's impossible for this to happen every six months, right?

(End of this chapter)