Chapter 1389: You Forced Me to Do This (Part 2) [Requesting Monthly Tickets]
At times, Cui Zhi really wanted to report it to the authorities.
Could you send someone to arrest Shen Youli, who's been extorting and taking advantage of people? Heh, she owns the government office.
Cui Zhi secretly calmed the fire churning in his chest.
Although he was unhappy, Shen Tang's words had indeed hit his weak spot. Now, the Cui family was tied to the Kang Kingdom's warship, caught in a dilemma. Her eldest and second sons were related to her, and her father's wife was also in her camp. Cui Zhi and the Cui family behind him could only choose one path to the end, gambling on Shen Youli winning in the end! If they won, the Cui family would be all-powerful, and they could go anywhere in the world; if they lost, they would be doomed.
Cui Zhi is not a gambler and dislikes the elusive nature of luck.
He firmly believed that human will could overcome nature!
All hesitation vanished from his eyes, leaving only an unwavering confidence.
Since Lord Shen thinks so highly of me, I will certainly do my utmost in this matter. However… No matter how outstanding Cui Zhi’s personal abilities are, if he wants to keep the southwest from becoming chaotic, he also needs military power as a stabilizing force, and at the same time, he needs the cooperation of the Kang Kingdom’s court. To put it bluntly, provide him with manpower, money, and supplies as needed, let him handle the show, and don’t worry about anything else. And all of this requires Shen Youli’s trust.
Cui Zhi had heard of the reputation of the Kangguo Censorate.
Rumors and hearsay are reported to the emperor, and they are ubiquitous.
Shen Tang said, "I know you're worried, don't worry."
These two simple words carry a weight comparable to a massive mountain.
Cui Zhi tried to find out whether Shen Tang's words were true or false.
Was it her true feeling, or just a way of fooling herself?
Shen Tang didn't offer much explanation; facts speak louder than words. She used the remaining two days to settle matters in the southwest, but instead of shrinking the defenses and recruiting able-bodied men as Cui Zhi had assumed, she finalized the official roads in the southwestern prefectures.
These official roads form the main branches, connecting the southwest.
Cui Zhi: [...]
At this critical juncture, you're still thinking about building roads? With this money, food, and supplies, we could invest in training more troops and preparing for war on the front lines, or use them for rear construction. If we lose the war, it will only benefit the enemy.
Moreover, this kind of corvée labor would consume young and able-bodied laborers.
Not only Cui Zhi didn't understand, but some of the newly promoted officials from the southwestern prefectures also didn't understand. They had rushed here upon receiving the order, thinking they were to recruit soldiers and gather provisions within their jurisdictions. Shen Tang looked at the officials below. Some of them were local officials from the southwest, better suited to communicating and dealing with local forces; others were transferred from various parts of the northwest. Shen Tang did this for two reasons: first, to decentralize power, ensuring that military and political affairs weren't concentrated in one person's hands, reducing the risk of unrest; second, because these officials from the northwest were more familiar with local governance and the operation of the royal court, helping the southwestern prefectures adapt and integrate better.
Of course, military power was mostly held by officials from the Northwest.
Customs and habits differ between the North and the South. Shen Tang had heard that there were some conflicts between the two groups, and even some regional discrimination. In many rural areas of the Southwest, there are slang terms that discriminate against the Northwest. Well, this phenomenon also exists in the Northwest. Regional discrimination has existed in every era. Fortunately, it did not escalate to the point of bloodshed. It only remained at the level of verbal arguments, at most a disagreement.
The adjustment period is unavoidable.
Shen Tang pressed her fingers against her brow.
[Your considerations are not without merit, but sending able-bodied men to war is like scooping water with a ladle; a pond that only drains and never takes in will eventually dry up. People's livelihood is always the foundation, and the common people are the cornerstone of Kangguo. Especially during wartime, it is crucial to boost morale and ensure the well-being of the elderly and children, and for the able-bodied to find livelihoods. The construction of official roads is not merely to facilitate faster troop movements and safer grain transport, but to provide a safety net.] In other countries, corvée labor is forced upon civilians without pay, naturally drawing on the able-bodied. However, in Kangguo, it's different. Projects of high difficulty are handled by soldiers and warriors, while easier projects are offered as jobs to commoners during the off-season, providing them with extra income.
Even if the harvest is less than expected, it will not affect the family's livelihood.
When the common people have a livelihood and can eat their fill, they naturally won't think of rebellion. Instead, they will work harder and continuously support Kangguo. Even if Kangguo suffers occasional defeats on the central battlefield, one or two defeats will not shake the people's confidence. This can be considered a win-win situation.
The subsequent benefits after the official road was completed need not be elaborated upon.
It seems that Kangguo is constantly spending money and resources, but if you take a closer look at the unseen benefits, you can't really say it's a losing proposition. The only drawback is that the payback period is too long, and other warlord forces simply don't have that kind of patience.
Shen Tang explained her plans in great detail, not because she thought the people below couldn't understand, but to show her attitude—the Southwest Continent was not an "outsider" to her, but "one of her own." Whether it was her as the ruler of the country or the Kang Kingdom's court, they treated the Southwest Continent with the mindset of their own family and their own home, and managed it seriously.
She has absolutely no intention of exploiting the interests of the Southwest to nourish the Northwest or discarding them after use. They can put their worries to rest. As long as she is alive, the Southwest and the Northwest will be treated equally.
There is also another layer of implication—
Both regions are treated equally, as are the officials in both regions. Officials from the Southwest need not worry about their interests being harmed.
Kangguo's "precaution" against the southwest is only temporary; it's guarding against restless remnants, not against those diligently serving the royal court. Once the situation stabilizes, everything will get back on track. In short, let political achievements speak for themselves!
A frank confession does indeed have a calming effect.
Shen Tang's mouth was dry from talking.
Since the news came back from Xun Ding, he has been working non-stop for several days. Even a person of iron would find it hard to keep up.
Even Gongyang Yongye, who had been observing from the sidelines, had to admit his admiration and condescended to stew a pot of nourishing yin and yang tonic soup.
When it comes to nourishing the body, he considers himself second to none.
"You were born too late," Gongyang Yongye said regretfully. "If I had met you when I was young, I might have followed you to the death. Finding a lord who is single-mindedly focused on his duties and not swayed by beauty is harder than having a child."
There's an inexplicable magic about this kind of ruler, like iron touching a magnet, making you want to stick to it uncontrollably.
They wished they could spend their whole lives with each other.
Shen Tang: [You didn't say that before...]
Gongyang Yongye said: "Times change."
He couldn't help but imagine that scene.
Imagine a teenager meeting his most spirited and ambitious self. They'd surely have plenty to talk about. Even if the teenager is weaker, his excellent character and the potential to become a wise and powerful ruler would likely earn him the respect of his younger self, who would see him as a strong individual worthy of equal dialogue. In those times, war was everywhere, and the teenager could easily be drawn into any conflict and embark on his path to becoming king.
If he were to encounter a like-minded Marquis, he might be able to gain their favor and earn their help. Once the young man's influence grows, it wouldn't be impossible to completely recruit the Marquis into his ranks.
Gongyang Yongye realized the chilling truth: it seemed that no matter how one imagined it, as long as the young man could survive the chaos of the world, she would inevitably establish a kingdom and become queen. This was not a coincidence, but an inevitability.
Now—
All he wanted was to hold his own biological child before he died, regardless of gender; he just wanted one.
Shen Tang smiled and said, "I'm flattered."
You should know that these old Dengs are all incredibly stubborn. Once they have a bad impression of someone, it's very difficult for them to change their ways. Even if they realize they're wrong, they refuse to swallow their pride and apologize. They're very proud at heart.
After a quick test, Shen Tang closed her eyes and downed the whole thing in one gulp.
It tastes strange, but the effect is immediate.
A warm sensation spread from his dantian to his limbs, making him feel warm and comfortable all over. Just as Shen Tang was about to praise the other party, two warm red snakes snaked down his nostrils.
【You have kidney deficiency?】
Shen Tang: [...]
She no longer trusted Gongyang Yongye, that quack doctor.
No one knows how many potent tonics Lao Deng added, but besides nosebleeds, she also felt unwell, with abnormally high energy levels. Gongyang Yongye suggested that she could find a man to sleep with, and that the heat would subside, so she wouldn't have to suffer like this.
With blood streaming from her nose, Shen Tang pointed at him and said, "Quack doctor!"
After specializing in andrology for so many years, this is still the level of expertise!
Gongyang Yongye was never satisfied.
He can tolerate being criticized for other things, but he can't tolerate being called a quack doctor!
She said resentfully, "Then you can suffer through it yourself."
At the prime of her life, with the status of a ruler, a scholar, and a warrior, any one of these identities would grant her access to sexual resources unimaginable to ordinary people. Men and women would line up to offer themselves to her, yet she showed no interest? Was she a reincarnation of a stone spirit in her past life?
Or is she incompetent?
Shen Tang lay on the cool, gleaming bronze table, using it to cool her cheeks. When it wasn't cool enough, she would turn over. This was the scene that Ji Moqiu saw when he arrived.
Shen Tang, lying on her stomach, beckoned to him: "Come here."
Ji Moqiu sat obediently beside her, recognizing the crumbs at the bottom of the porcelain bowl on the table: [When Gongyang Yongye prescribed medicine, didn't he even ask the imperial physician to check His Highness's pulse?]
His Highness was recently diagnosed with kidney deficiency.
As the ruler, she couldn't stop her affairs, so she could only instruct the imperial physicians to prescribe some mild tonics, and even the imperial meals were changed to medicinal dishes. Gongyang Yongye, this quack doctor with no real skills, was good at prescribing strong medicines, but they were a bit too nourishing for His Highness at the moment.
He was also a martial artist with vigorous blood and energy—
This must be a terrible time.
Ji Moqiu obediently extended his right hand to Shen Tang, who grabbed it and pressed it against his face, using it as a pillow, continuing to lie on the table as before: "Your hands are just the right amount of cool; much more comfortable than this table."
Ji Moqiu replied, "It is due to divine power."
His divine power was predominantly wood-yin, the most direct effect of which was that his skin temperature was much lower than normal, but not the kind of chilling coldness that makes one's hair stand on end like a corpse. His divine power aura was neutral and peaceful, most effective at soothing heat. Indeed, it could soothe; not only did his internal temperature drop, but his mood, which had been soured by internal heat for the past few days, also calmed down considerably.
Shen Tang turned her head to look at Ji Moqiu.
So, are you now fulfilling your duties as High Priest?
Ji Moqiu said: [Companionship is...]
Even if you say nothing and do nothing, just knowing that such a being exists will make you feel less lonely.
Shen Tang asked with a smile: "Is that all you're after?"
[I only desire these things; everything else is a gift from God.]
What he receives is not up to him, but up to God.
Shen Tang stared at him, somewhat lost in thought.
Her gaze was so focused that Ji Moqiu couldn't ignore it even if she wanted to. She asked, "I always feel like I've seen you in my dreams, some younger than you are now, and some more mature... Are those memories of us from the past?"
Shen Tang couldn't put herself in that situation.
It always felt very disjointed and fragmented.
It's her, yet it's not her.
No one dislikes someone who is absolutely obedient, completely reverent, gentle and harmless, someone to whom one can completely let down their guard. Shen Tang is no exception; he even gave away his ancestral property without reservation. Strangely, Shen Tang could never develop excessive affection for Ji Moqiu—it seemed he had a separate affection bar for her, and once it was full, it couldn't increase even a fraction. Her feelings for Yuan Liang and the others were different; her liking and trust had no upper limit, constantly increasing.
This troubled Shen Tang somewhat.
She didn't like the feeling of being deliberately controlled.
I had a vague feeling that I had become a puppet, and my body was subject to some kind of restriction. Once a keyword was triggered, the restriction would take effect.
But she is a living, breathing person, not anyone's puppet.
Logically, this should have diminished her positive feelings towards Ji Moqiu.
What's even stranger is that no matter how strong the sense of estrangement is, Shen Tang can't dislike him any more, as if her feelings for him are fixed.
Ji Moqiu: [Yes.]
Shen Tang knew that Ji Moqiu was also restricted in some way, and there were some secrets he couldn't tell her, but she still wanted to ask.
She poured out all her pent-up frustrations.
Finally, she asked him, "High Priest, all that hard work you put into building up your favorability has been wasted. Don't you feel a little frustrated?"
【Won't. 】
Shen Tang asked in surprise: "Is your true form Kapibala?"
Are your emotions too stable?
[The true form is not Kapibala.] The High Priest shook his head. [I don't feel defeated because I spent hundreds of years begging for Your Highness's favor back then, and now we've only known each other for a little over a decade. Actually, I'm already flattered that Your Highness doesn't find me repulsive.]
This is the normal progress.
Shen Tang: [...So, it's not that my favorability is being limited, but rather that my perception of time is malfunctioning?]
There was just one thing she didn't understand.
Who could resist Hakimi, who offered everything with both hands?
Why is it that only once every few centuries are they willing to show mercy?
Shen Tang looked at Ji Moqiu and sighed again and again.
Is Your Highness still feeling unwell?
[It evokes a sense of helplessness, like a eunuch forced into prostitution.]
【Um? 】
[Willing but unable.]
Ji Moqiu: [...That's normal.]
Trees are not instinctively meant to reproduce and seek pleasure; they are meant to take root in the soil and extend their root system, and grow upwards to embrace the sunlight.
Shen Tang: [...]
They suspect they've not only been diagnosed with kidney deficiency, but may also be suffering from stomach problems.
The next day, they broke camp and set up camp.
After giving instructions on various matters in the southwest, she led a contingent of elite troops back to the capital. If a war were to break out in the central region, the current troop strength was insufficient, and the generals needed to be reassigned. In addition, she also needed to return to the capital to make an appearance and appease the people.
In the past, she disliked making a big fuss, but this time she broke with tradition, specifically ordering someone to send a letter to the capital in advance, emphasizing a grand and elaborate ceremony for the royal army's return. Sometimes, a grand display can reassure people and give officials and commoners confidence—
The southwestern continent was cut down.
Does the central region exempt itself from such customs?
That was merely a stumbling block that propelled Kangguo to its peak.
Shen Tang, clad in silver armor, sat on the back of a motorcycle, raised her hand to her brow, squinted slightly, and gazed at the figure who had been waiting for her for a long time in the morning sun.
"Yuan Liang!"
_(:3」∠)_
Gongyang Yongye's tonic soup was too much. Tangmei had genuinely considered becoming the High Priest (a suitable candidate in every way, who could relieve her heat without affecting the court), but upon seeing him, she lost all interest in him.
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