"Brother, you mustn't be fooled by that Qi fellow!" Before Gong Xichou had even stepped inside, his hoarse shout had already pierced Ji Moqiu's ears. His voice was fast and urgent, as if he were rushing to put out a fire. "That scoundrel looks respectable, but he's no good! Brother, you mustn't believe him!"

Ji Moqiu sat there lost in thought, holding his wooden cane.

Upon sensing Gong Xi Chou's approaching aura, Ji Mo Qiu's face showed a hint of joy. However, upon hearing Gong Xi Chou's rapid-fire words, the young face instantly displayed the heavy and serious demeanor unique to a patriarch, with displeasure written all over his face.

"Big, Big Brother—" Gong Xichou stepped in with one foot, half of his body still outside. Seeing Ji Moqiu's unfamiliar posture, he hesitated whether to come in or not, and then withdrew his steps.

My brother doesn't seem to be in a good mood.

Ji Moqiu was indeed not very happy.

“One must be respectful to a great man, for respecting a great man prevents one from being unruly. Qi Zhongshu is an important official in the court and the king’s confidant and right-hand man. Even if one has no respect for such a person, one should not speak lightly of him. To call him ‘a hypocrite’ is extremely rude.”

If Gongxi Chou were also a commoner, no matter what he said or did, it would be harmless no matter how unrestrained he was. But since he has taken on the title of General of Kang State and is a colleague of Qi Zhongshu, how can he act so willfully and speak so recklessly?

Being in power is not the same as being out of power.

There are some things we still need to be mindful of.

Most importantly—

We can't wrong an innocent person!

"What benefit could Qi Zhongshu possibly gain from lying to me?" Mentioning this reminded Ji Moqiu of his impending settlement with Gongxi Chou. Controlling his emotions, he asked three questions in quick succession, "What did he lie to me about? Did he lie to me that you didn't lead troops into battle? Or did he lie to me that there were no formidable enemies threatening you in the Northern Desert? The person who nearly killed you that day was very likely a henchman of the Northern Desert. Why didn't he inform me of such a crucial matter?"

In Ji Moqiu's view, Qi Zhongshu is as his name suggests.

My younger brother is so impolite.

Gong Xichou opened his mouth, intending to gloss over the matter, but Ji Moqiu's gentle expression suddenly turned sharp and threatening, and his words took a sharp turn: "Brother, I swear, I really didn't mean to abandon you. As the saying goes, 'Brothers fight tigers together, fathers and sons go to war together,' I naturally hope to fight alongside you. It's just that the circumstances are different!"

He decided not to mention Qi Shan's true colors for now.

The older brother clearly has a soft spot for this guy; words alone won't cut him off. The two brothers combined aren't as good at twisting the truth as Qi Shan alone. They'll wait until he suffers a severe setback at Qi Shan's hands, learns a lesson, and then the older brother will know whether Qi Shan is good or bad.

"What's the difference?" Ji Moqiu didn't understand things like troop deployment, but he knew that anyone could kill and set fires. If the person who almost seriously injured Gong Xichou that day was really from the Northern Desert camp, Gong Xichou would probably be in grave danger if he encountered him on the battlefield.

Given this situation, why not call on yourself?

In the past, it was common for chivalrous heroes and wandering knights to respond to the call to arms and volunteer for military service, without seeking high office or wealth. Gongxi Chou taking him to the front lines, with the high priest by his side, was surely better than facing a formidable enemy alone.

Why hide it from me?

This made Ji Moqiu unusually angry.

Gong Xichou explained sheepishly, his voice lacking conviction: "Naturally, I don't want my elder brother to get involved in this mess..."

Ji Moqiu asked calmly, "So you can lie down then?"

Gong Xichou scratched his nose, trying to bluff his way out: "That's because... well, I got paid. I'm paid to do this job, so I'm not doing it for free."

Ji Moqiu was dumbfounded: "Pay...pay money?"

Gong Xichou decided to go all out.

"Yeah, that's right, I got a commission." He plopped down in a casual and lazy posture, poured himself a cup of tea, and said confidently, "Getting paid for doing the work is the only right thing to do. I only do things at a loss or by paying extra."

Expecting people to risk their lives without paying them? How can you be so delusional?

Even with Mama, he still takes a 10% commission! Giving a 90% discount is for their great friendship, while taking a 10% commission is for his own profit. These are two different things and shouldn't be confused.

Gongxi Chou hated extras the most.

Ji Moqiu said, "But the king leads a righteous army..."

Assisting a benevolent ruler is also for the sake of all the people and the common folk.

Gong Xichou retorted with a single sentence: "Even a righteous army needs to eat. Does that mean a righteous army can renege on its debts or freeload off me? Brother, you don't know the cost of firewood and rice when you're not in charge of the household. I've suffered a lot these past years trying to support my family."

Ji Moqiu seriously reflected on himself. As the elder brother, he had indeed not considered Gong Xichou's difficulties in detail. He sighed and said, "I'm sorry to have troubled you. If you have financial difficulties, why didn't you tell me? I still have some savings."

I haven't paid attention to the exact amount.

Gong Xichou choked for a moment.

Is the main issue that you're short of money?

The important thing is that you can't work for someone else for free!

Gong Xichou looked at the face in front of him that resembled his own but had gentler features, and said with a sigh of disappointment: "Brother, with your soft personality, you'll be sold out sooner or later and still be counting money for the seller! To be honest, Mama mentioned you before."

Ji Moqiu knew who the "Mama" he was referring to was.

He was slightly surprised, even a little uneasy. He wondered if the king had remembered who he was, or if he only remembered this insignificant figure because of Gongxi Chou: "Did the king say anything?"

"What could a fox possibly be scheming about?" Gong Xichou raised his voice, his anger rising as he saw the clear, puzzled look in his elder brother's eyes. Each word seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth. "Of course, she's scheming about how to get your meat without spending a penny! She doesn't even want to pay a commission, she just wants you to fight for her. She really dares to dream, does such a good thing exist in this world?"

Ji Moqiu said, "Sure."

Three words were enough to completely baffle Gong Xichou.

The air was silent for a few breaths, then he suddenly roared, "No! What do you mean, 'yes'?!"

Ji Moqiu looked at him as if he were a stubborn and mischievous child, his eyes gleaming with a light beyond his years: "Your talent is such that even the heroes of the world would bow down. Even without high office and generous salary, without gold and silver to entrust you with, if you can contribute one or two cornerstones to the stability of the world with your own body, that would be my honor. It is for ideals, for the people, and even more so for righteousness!"

How can we measure priceless treasures with tangible things?

Back when the Wu Kingdom was ravaged by the Gu poison, five high priests risked their lives to save the world. They didn't consider commissions then, so naturally he wouldn't either. If he could contribute even a little to saving this world from its current state, he would gladly do so; he felt it was worthwhile!

Gong Xichou: "..."

He was so struck by Ji Moqiu's righteous words that he saw stars and his eyes widened in disbelief. Ji Moqiu had never seen his eyes so big before, and he chuckled and teased, "My mind is made up! Anian, you don't need to glare anymore. If you keep glaring, your eyeballs will pop out, and I'll have to find a way to put them back in later."

Gong Xichou: "..."

All he wants now is to gouge out his older brother's eyes.

What kind of looks are those?

I did it all for his own good, and he turned around and accused me.

I thought Xun Yong'an was infuriating enough as an extra, but the real extra was his own brother. Not only did he eagerly work himself to the bone for someone else, but he also kept pushing away the commissions that were rightfully his, and I couldn't stop him. No wonder Mama was smiling like a fox who had successfully stolen some fish that day, looking so confident.

So she really was confident she could get it for free.

Gong Xi Chou was furious at his lack of self-respect and said, "What kind of empty talk is this about the greater good of the world and saving the common people? Aren't those just empty words used to fool naive young people? Qi Yuanliang mentioned it casually, and you agreed. How can you be so unreserved? You may not have seen a pig run, but you've certainly eaten pork, right? Which great talent doesn't put on airs and act high and mighty? Even if you don't expect Mama to visit you three times, she should at least personally invite you."

They haven't even expressed any intention to come over yet.

Qi Yuanliang only mentioned it casually while taking the opportunity of the cat seeking medical treatment, and he readily agreed! Given Mama's stingy personality, how could he expect her to pay extra commission?

Forget about it, there's no chance anymore.

His older brother is now like a bunch of scallions given away with grocery shopping, or a needle given away with cloth shopping—a freebie delivered to his door with no value.

Ji Moqiu said, "The wind moves across the water, following the natural course. Fame is like fleeting clouds to me; I only seek to live a life without shame."

Don't take greed, anger, and ignorance too seriously.

With just a few words, Gong Xichou suffered severe internal injuries.

Seeing that his face was ashen, like a cat with its fur standing on end or a snake with its head raised in a guarded manner, Ji Moqiu patiently soothed him, saying, "Actually, assisting the king is only one part of it. The most important thing is you. Anian, although you are older than me and more experienced, I am still your elder brother. We brothers have finally reunited. As your elder brother, how can I stand by and watch you be in danger without doing anything? We are brothers, blood is thicker than water. With our parents gone and our clan gone, I have the responsibility to protect your safety."

These words successfully calmed Gong Xichou down. An unnatural blush appeared on his slightly dark face, and he became a little hesitant: "I'm not a wooden stake, nor am I stupid. If I can win, I'll fight; if I can't, I'll retreat. How could I not understand such a simple principle?"

Ji Moqiu shook his head: "The battlefield is not like a brawl between wandering knights."

"In a brawl between chivalrous warriors, victory or defeat concerns only two individuals; but leading an army into battle concerns the lives and deaths of thousands of soldiers, even the survival of two nations and the future of countless civilians. Everyone knows that if you can't win, you can retreat to save your life, but how many generals truly fear battle? I understand you, Anian. You've never been the kind of irresponsible general. You're genuinely kind and righteous at heart. If you were truly caught in a dilemma, you would truly sacrifice yourself, and I, your brother, cannot watch that happen. Protecting you is my responsibility!"

Gong Xichou blushed slightly at his words.

He never expected his older brother to value him so much.

After a long silence, he could only reluctantly concede: "Fine, since you've said so, what else can I do? However, you are the High Priest, not good at direct combat, so you must stay by my side. Only if you protect me can I enjoy my life with a clear conscience?"

When autumn arrives in Jimo, a smile spreads across the face, and all the ice and snow melt away.

"Alright, everything will be as you wish, Anian."

Gong Xiqiu felt a sense of comfort and warmth in his heart.

This is what it feels like to have a loving older brother.

I smacked my lips, and hey, it tasted pretty good.

"Oh, right, big brother, there's something I forgot to mention." Gong Xichou followed Ji Moqiu into the kitchen and volunteered to help out.

Since Gong Xilai got married, it was inconvenient for the two brothers to live with her, so they rented a small house nearby. This way, they could take care of the baby in Gong Xilai's womb without disturbing the young couple's life. The two brothers were both bachelors and had long been used to a quiet life.

There were no servants in the mansion, so everyone did their own chores. Gongxi Chou picked and washed vegetables and started a fire, while Ji Moqiu was in charge of chopping vegetables and cooking.

Ji Moqiu put on the armbands and tied his sleeves: "What is it?"

Gong Xichou asked, "Regarding Mama's identity..."

Ji Moqiu chopped vegetables noisily, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear with her other hand, and asked, "What's your identity?"

Gong Xichou: "She is a sacred object of the clan."

The noise from the cutting board stopped abruptly.

Gong Xichou sat in front of the stove, adding flammable firewood to start a fire. The clanging noise above him stopped, and he looked up to see his elder brother standing before him, holding a cleaver. It was the same face, the same gentle expression, yet it inexplicably sent a chill down Gong Xichou's spine, making the hairs on his back stand on end. His brother asked, "So, you're asking for a commission from the sacred object?"

Gong Xichou held the fire-blowing tube in his two large hands, looking guilty, like a child who had made a mistake. His eyes darted around, and he tried to reason with himself: "...Even close brothers have to settle accounts clearly. What's wrong with a sacred object? Does that mean you can just take a sacred object for free? I'm not that kind of casual military general!"

After all, he had not received any training or education as a high priest.

All I know is that the sacred objects are important.

I think it's quite difficult for me to keep this in mind.

Ji Moqiu: "Even between brothers, accounts should be settled clearly? Let's settle this between us?"

"Big brother, big brother—"

"Seal off, activate the formation!"

That night, Gong Xichou went to sleep hungry. He could certainly defeat Ji Moqiu, but could he fight back against his elder brother?

What does it feel like to be beaten by your older brother?

The question has finally been answered.

It's not sweet, and it hurts a lot.

Shen Tang only learned of this news the next day.

It was Qi Yuanliang who mentioned it unintentionally.

She nearly choked on her saliva: "Yuanliang, really?"

These past few days, Shen Tang has been worrying about how to bypass Gong Xi Chou and trick Ji Mo Qiu into coming over. Don't be fooled by Ji Mo Qiu's apparent ease in deceiving him; Gong Xi Chou is no pushover, he's a tough nut to crack.

Just as he was about to launch a feint attack to steal Gong Xichou's old home, Qi Shan gave himself a big surprise: Ji Moqiu was put in the pot!

How did you convince him?

The High Priestess of the Gongxi tribe is not easily fooled. She has such a close relationship with Gongxi Chou, and this old tadpole still demands a 10% commission; how much more so would someone with whom she has little connection? Surprisingly, she didn't ask for an exorbitant price?

Qi Shan replied, "I haven't convinced you."

Shen Tang didn't believe it: "No? Really no scripts or sales pitches?"

Qi Shan recalled carefully and shook his head firmly: "Indeed, no, I just mentioned that the Northern Desert was restless and that Gong Xi Chou was about to lead his troops to the front line, and asked him if he had any plans to go with the army to assist."

Shen Tang was still waiting for the rest of the story: "That's it?"

Qi Shan said, "That's all."

Shen Tang exclaimed sincerely, "...This high priest is unexpectedly warm-hearted and righteous, quite like the chivalrous knights of ancient times. I was so narrow-minded before, thinking he would be like Gong Xi Chou, greedy for money. I am truly ashamed!"

The sacred object raises its arm and shouts, and the high priest follows suit. This is the normal course of events. Gongxi Chou is the anomaly!

"By the way, what's the military situation like in the Northern Desert?"

()

I'm updating a little earlier today.