Chapter Ten: How Can You Catch a Tiger Cub?

Inside the garrison commander's study, the charcoal fire burned brightly, creating a scene that seemed like a completely different world from the icy, snowy landscape outside the city.

Liu Wei, the garrison commander of Qibao Town, was about forty years old, with a fair complexion and shrewd eyes. Dressed in casual clothes, he sat on a large armchair, slowly sipping his tea, scrutinizing Chen Qing, who was standing in the center of the study, with a critical gaze.

His gaze was filled with undisguised assessment and a hint of contempt, especially when it swept over Chen Qing's obese body, his lips curling down almost imperceptibly.

"You are Chen Zhenyan's daughter?" Liu Wei put down his teacup, his voice carrying an official tone, neither warm nor cold.

"Reporting to the garrison commander, my daughter is Chen Qing, and my father is Chen Zhenyan." Chen Qing curtsied slightly, her posture neither humble nor arrogant. Having seen too many high-ranking officials and wealthy merchants in her previous life, Chen Qing did not believe that a garrison commander of a small town could have any overwhelming power. Liu Wei deliberately put pressure on her, but she remained calm and completely ignored it.

Liu Wei stared at Chen Qing's face and saw that she showed no fear. He realized that the person in front of him was probably Chen Zhenyan's eldest daughter. He had heard that Chen Zhenyan's eldest daughter was as fat as a pig, and seeing her today, he could confirm that it was indeed as the rumors said.

He had thought Chen Zhenyan would try to fool him with a maidservant, but he never expected that the man would actually send his daughter.

However, he noticed that although Chen Qing was obese, her skin was as white as snow, and although her features were crowded, they did not appear greasy or ugly. If she were not a rich young lady, she could not have such good skin.

"Hmm." Liu Wei snorted, tapping his fingers on the table. "I saw your father's token. But with refugees besieging the city and the situation tense, it's too frivolous to expect me to open the gates and let you in based solely on a token. Who knows if you're just refugees in disguise, sneaking into the city to cause trouble?"

The moment he opened his mouth, he immediately slapped a huge label on him.

Chen Qing sneered inwardly, but on his face he showed just the right amount of worry: "My lord, you are wise. My father and you are old friends. How could he do such an unjust thing? It was only because the journey was difficult and we were attacked by refugees, which caused us heavy losses. We had no choice but to come to you for help. My father always said that you are the most loyal and righteous lord, and you care about your neighbors. You would never leave us to die."

She first flattered the other person, then changed the subject, her tone subtly guiding him: "Moreover, there are thousands of refugees outside the city, and their emotions are running high. If they are not appeased for a long time, I'm afraid... even greater chaos will arise. Although my father is weak, he is willing to do his best. If we can enter the city, he will do everything in his power to help you appease the refugees and overcome this difficult time together."

She deliberately emphasized the words "giving her all" while carefully observing Liu Wei's expression.

Liu Wei's eyes flickered slightly, clearly understanding the unspoken meaning. He leaned forward slightly, a hint of interest in his expression: "Oh? Giving everything? I wonder how much of your possessions Master Chen still has left?"

His question was blunt and greedy.

Chen Qing felt more at ease, knowing that the bait had been cast.

She hesitated for a moment before saying, "I dare not hide anything from you, sir. My father fled in haste and did not take much wealth with him, but... he still owns several farmlands and houses in Qingzhou, with all the deeds and documents still intact. If we can be protected by you and safely reach Cangcheng to join the Zhao family, my father will surely repay you handsomely!"

"The Zhao family of Cangcheng?" Liu Wei sensed Chen Qing's implication. "Does your father have dealings with the Zhao family?"

Chen Qing smiled slightly and said gracefully, "The young master of the Zhao family in Cangcheng is my daughter's fiancé."

Liu Wei's fingers paused, his eyes flickering, clearly weighing the pros and cons. He had indeed heard of the Zhao family of Cangcheng.

Just then, a faint commotion suddenly came from outside the study, seemingly coming from the direction of the city wall.

Liu Wei frowned and looked towards the door with displeasure: "What's all the commotion outside?"

A bodyguard rushed in and whispered, "Sir, for some unknown reason, the refugees outside the city have suddenly become restless and are rushing towards the city gate, shouting for you to open the granaries and distribute grain!"

"What?" Liu Wei stood up abruptly, his expression changing drastically. "What happened? Who spread this message?"

The guard hesitated for a moment, glanced at Chen Qing, and whispered, "It's being said among the common people that Master Chen from Qingzhou, out of gratitude for our shared hometown, has donated most of his wealth to you, sir, and earnestly requests that you open the granaries to provide relief. They also say... they also say that you, sir, are benevolent and have already agreed..."

"Nonsense!" Liu Wei slammed his fist on the table, his face turning ashen. He whirled around, his gaze like a knife as he glared at Chen Qing, filled with shock, anger, and suspicion. "What's going on?!"

Chen Qing inwardly praised Da Niu for his efficiency, but on the surface he showed just the right amount of surprise and innocence: "Sir, what makes you say that? My daughter just entered the city and was eager to avoid seeing the refugees. She really knew nothing about this."

Her eyes were clear, carrying a hint of grievance at being wronged; her acting was impeccable.

Liu Wei stared intently at her, seemingly trying to find a flaw in her expression. But Chen Qing maintained perfect composure, her face filled with confusion and anxiety.

"If it wasn't you, who else could it be?" Liu Wei gritted his teeth. He didn't trust Chen Qing, but the more pressing issue at the moment was the refugees outside the city.

The commotion seemed to grow louder and louder, and one could vaguely hear shouts of "Open the granaries and release the grain!" and "Commander Liu is benevolent!" rising in waves.

The collective cry of thousands of starving people carried a chilling power.

Liu Wei paced anxiously in his study. He certainly didn't want to open the granaries and distribute the grain—it was all he had painstakingly saved up! But the refugees had already been incited, and if they got out of control and stormed the city gates, things would escalate.

Seeing Liu Wei's flustered state, Chen Qing knew that the time was almost right.

She spoke at the opportune moment, her voice gentle yet carrying a strange, reassuring power: "My lord, the refugees are ignorant and easily swayed by rumors. The most urgent task is to stabilize the situation."

Liu Wei stopped and looked at her: "Do you have a solution?"

Chen Qing nodded slightly: "What the refugees seek is nothing more than a mouthful of food to survive. If Your Excellency were to suppress them forcefully at this time, it might backfire. It would be better to go with the flow."

"Go with the flow?" Liu Wei narrowed his eyes.

“Exactly,” Chen Qing said calmly. “Sir, you can send a clerk to announce from the city wall that you are compassionate towards the people’s hardships and are currently procuring provisions and will soon set up soup kitchens to provide relief. That will reassure them first. As for my father’s entry into the city…”

She paused, looked into Liu Wei's eyes, and said, word by word:

“My father’s trip to the city will not only dispel the rumors among the refugees that he possessed most of the family’s wealth, thus helping you stabilize public sentiment, but also, given his many years of business experience and extensive connections, he may be able to help you purchase grain and fodder from surrounding towns to alleviate your immediate crisis. In this way, you will not only preserve your reputation and gain tangible benefits, but also demonstrate your benevolence in pacifying the local community and remembering old friendships. Wouldn’t that be a win-win-win situation?”

Her words were like the most exquisite key, prying open Liu Wei's concerns and greed layer by layer.

Letting Chen Zhenyan into the city would not only temporarily quell the unrest among the refugees, but also allow them to extract money from the Chen family, solve the food problem, and gain a good reputation...

Liu Wei's eyes shifted rapidly as he weighed the pros and cons and risks.

The commotion outside the city continued unabated, like a death knell.

Finally, Liu Wei took a deep breath and made his decision. He forced a seemingly amiable smile: "Niece Chen is indeed worthy of being Old Chen's daughter; she is insightful and thoughtful. In that case, I will give your father this face!"

He turned to his personal guards and ordered, "Send word! Open the side gate and let Master Chen and his family into the city! Settle them in the western courtyard!"

"yes!"

Chen Qing felt a great weight lifted from her heart, but her face remained calm as she bowed and said, "On behalf of my father, I thank you, Commander!"

The strategy succeeded! If Liu Wei wasn't afraid of the refugees causing trouble, why would he have reinforced the city's defenses? Now, Chen Qing has only slightly incited the refugees, without even taking out the warm jade that served as a substitute, and Liu Wei has already agreed to open the city gates to help the disaster victims.

Chen Qing first went to the West City Villa. There were many servants in the villa, and she was served hot water to bathe and change clothes, washing away all the dirt on her body. Chen Qing suddenly felt that life was much more fulfilling.

The servants brought in food, and she told them to leave. Then she fed all the food to the system and exchanged it for more than fifty weight loss points.

Before the others entered the city, Chen Qing played with the warm jade in her hand. Pei Xuan arrived first, and he even brought Da Niu and the others with him. As soon as he saw Chen Qing, Pei Xuan happily rushed over and said, "Sister Qing!"

"Benefactor! Thank you so much for saving my life!" Da Niu, along with a dozen or so fellow villagers, knelt down in front of Chen Qing. The woman standing next to him looked to be no more than twenty years old, thin with a large belly; she was his wife, Tao Hua.

It turned out that Pei Xuan hadn't been idle while Chen Qing entered the city. He went to find Da Niu and together they mingled among the refugees to stir up rumors, which was how the refugees were able to erupt when Chen Qing was discussing with Liu Wei.

After hearing this, Chen Qing patted Pei Xuan's head and praised him, "Well done."

Pei Xuan's eyes sparkled like a puppy's.

Chen Qing had people find a place to settle Da Niu and his group, prepare food for them, and had Pei Xuan wash himself with the water she had used.

"Go take a shower, and someone will find you some clothes in a bit. Change into them first."

These days, Pei Xuan has been wearing thin clothes, and his hands and feet have developed many chilblains.

When Pei Xuan was led to take a bath, he was like a happy little puppy. When he learned that the hot water he was taking a bath was left over by Chen Qing, for some reason, his cheeks turned red.

After being cleaned up, Pei Xuan's appearance became even more outstanding. However, years of hunger had made him somewhat short and thin. He just needed to recuperate.

Seeing that he was still thin and small even after wearing thick clothes, Chen Qing smiled and said, "You look much better after washing up. You don't look like a little beggar anymore."

Pei Xuan said, "Sister Qing, I am no longer a beggar. I am your Xuan Nu."

He actually considered himself Chen Qing's servant.

Chen Qing didn't correct him, and handed the unsent warm jade to Pei Xuan.

"Here, wear this jade around your neck, and you won't feel cold."

Wearing warm jade close to the skin keeps one warm, which is perfect for Pei Xuan.

He accepted the warm jade with both hands, so moved that he didn't know what to say.

"Sister Qing..."

Before long, a commotion arose outside. Wang Zhong, leading Chen Zhenyan, Zhang Shi, Chen Jiao, and a group of still-shaken servants, finally arrived at the villa.

As soon as Chen Jiao entered, she looked around the tidy but obviously not luxurious courtyard with disdain, muttering, "What a lousy place this is, it's far inferior to our houses in Qingzhou..."

Zhang looked around the house, her face still showing lingering fear from surviving the ordeal, but that didn't stop her from making things difficult for Chen Qing:

"Jiao'er, say less. If it weren't for your sister's marriage to Commander Liu, we wouldn't be able to enter the city yet. Poor sister..." She pretended to wipe away tears, but actually chuckled to herself.

Now that Chen Qing has become Liu Shoubei's woman, her engagement to the Zhao family's heir in Cangcheng will naturally have to be taken by Jiao'er. This is a great thing that Zhang Shi has been longing for day and night!

Seeing Chen Qing behaving intimately with Pei Xuan's servant, Chen Zhenyan frowned and said, "Qing'er, now that you've become Liu Shoubei's concubine, you must never associate with such servants again. Guards, take him away!"

He pointed at Pei Xuan and was about to order someone to take him away.

Chen Qing sneered coldly. These so-called family members were all stupid, not even recognizing the current situation, yet they dared to boss her around!

"Let's see who dares to take him away from me!"

Chen Qing stood in the courtyard, her demeanor calm and composed. She merely glanced at the guards who approached, which frightened them so much that they stopped in their tracks, not daring to step forward rashly.

"Who told you I submitted to Commander Liu?" Chen Qing's eyes were full of contempt, and his gaze towards Chen Zhenyan was full of mockery. "Father, Commander Liu allowed us to enter the city because of the Chen family's wealth. Now that we are in dire straits, do you only care about your private affairs?"

She looked at Zhang with a sneer. From the beginning, she hadn't taken these two clowns seriously, but these two stupid women kept jumping around in front of her. They were like grasshoppers in autumn, clueless about their own mortality.

Chen Zhenyan's expression changed instantly upon hearing this. He stepped forward and said, "You mean..."

No wonder when he entered the city, Liu Shoubei's soldiers followed him closely and lingered outside the mansion after escorting them here. It turns out they were taking them all hostage and eyeing the Chen family's vast wealth.

“Of course,” Chen Qing chuckled. “Otherwise, why would Commander Liu have let us in?”

"Father! Don't believe her. She must have lost her virginity to Commander Liu, but she won't admit it. She's trying to cheat us out of our money by hiding it from you and outsiders!"

Chen Jiao is as stupid as a pig, completely failing to grasp the current situation, and is still spouting nonsense here.

Chen Zhenyan looked at the servants in the courtyard and wished he could slap Chen Jiao to death. What a stupid woman!

He was trembling with anger, pointing at Chen Jiao and saying, "You, you shut up!"

Chen Jiao was scolded and at a loss for words. "Father, did I say something wrong?"

Chen Qing was too lazy to watch this farce anymore and was about to go back to her room to rest.

The steward of the manor, accompanied by several servants carrying food boxes, approached with a smile: "Master Chen, Miss Chen, Lord Liu, out of consideration for your long journey, has specially ordered me to bring you some wine and dishes to welcome you back. He said that he will host a banquet at the manor later to personally comfort Master Chen and ease his nerves."

The food box was opened, revealing a fairly exquisite four dishes and a soup, and even a small pot of wine. Chen Jiao was delighted to see it and went forward, eager to feast, as she had been starving for a long time.

"Mom, finally we can eat meat!"