Chapter 148: Operation Six [Requesting Monthly Tickets]
As it turns out, Gong Shuwu was still too young.
All three were indeed scholars and gentlemen, a combination that any martial artist would dream of, but none of them possessed his qualities.
…（⊙＿⊙；）…
Needless to say, Shen Tang knew that this young man was very fierce. He would dare to charge into the enemy ranks with his sword, leaving a trail of blood with every step. It made people suspect that this guy was a martial artist with the heart of a scholar, and could not be relied on at all.
Have you finished studying the Ten Basic Rules for Literary Scholars?
Chu Wuhui's words...
He only has eyes for Young Master Shen!
Shen Tang has only noticed Chu Yao at the moment.
She was somewhat curious about the latter's literary mind.
It remains a second-rank upper-middle grade or a seventh-rank lower-upper grade after being replaced.
Chu Yao asked with a smile, "What if it's the lower seventh rank or even lower?"
Shen Tang: "Isn't it said that the strength of a literary scholar depends on their intellect rather than their literary rank? If that's the case, a higher rank is just icing on the cake, so whether it's seventh rank, ninth rank, or second rank... that doesn't matter. Of course, I personally still hope it's second rank."
Chu Yao: "My personal wish?"
Shen Tang said earnestly, "Yes, so you'll have fewer regrets."
She felt that the second-grade upper-level literary heart must be a hurdle that Chu Yao couldn't get over, and it would be best if he could get it back.
The past is gone and cannot be retrieved, but the future is yet to come and can still be hoped for.
Chu Yao's eyes flickered slightly, and he said softly, "No regrets."
It is a second-rank, upper-middle grade.
Normally, the grade of the second condensation would drop, ranging from grade one to grade three. He couldn't believe it when it was condensed again.
"But I regret it."
He spoke so softly that Shen Tang didn't even hear him.
What regret?
He personally pushed such a sincere and honest young man into the mire of chaos. Goro treated him with sincerity, but he repaid him with scheming, a clear case of repaying kindness with ingratitude, and naturally he felt remorse. Even the conscience that had been dormant in his chest for many years was awakened for a moment.
Gong Shuwu, mounted on horseback, watched with a complex expression as Chu Yao, riding a mule and deliberately lagging behind Shen Tang by more than half a step, engaged in a question-and-answer session with him. He secretly clicked his tongue in amazement. He had actually met Chu Yao a long time ago, probably without Chu Yao even knowing it himself.
It happened much earlier than most people thought.
He and Chu Yao are roughly the same age.
He also fought on the border battlefield during the war in the northern desert.
Because of their different cultivation paths, many scholars achieve fame at a young age, but few martial artists can become commanders of an army at the age of ten or so. Gong Shuwu was no exception. Therefore, he went to the battlefield only to see blood, broaden his horizons, and accumulate experience and qualifications. He served as an official and accompanied his elders to escort grain supplies.
He had no connection with Chu Yao, and they had never even exchanged a single word. The closest he had ever been to Chu Yao was when he returned from escorting supplies, just as the army was returning from a minor victory. From afar, he saw a young scholar in an elegant long robe, wearing a servant's hat and adorned with jingling earrings, riding a tall horse.
Beside him were several fierce warriors covered in blood. The leader, in high spirits, rode alongside the young scholar. The others either had blood-stained helmets tucked under their arms or had their armor half-removed, exposing most of their upper bodies, looking relaxed and chatting about the battle.
His brows were furrowed with the exhilaration of victory.
That scene immediately captivated Gong Shuwu, who began to take notice of this young scholar who was a few years older than him.
Chu Wuhui?
This was unheard of and unseen before. He was also puzzled. Those military officers were all in their thirties or forties, in the prime of their lives, and hot-tempered. How could they get along with a seemingly immature boy who was at least a decade younger than them? And even showed him great respect?
But facts are facts.
He remembered that the battle in the Northern Desert was not easy. He went to the battlefield a few times, but he was mostly responsible for escorting supplies or cleaning up after the battle. He learned about the situation at the front, the gains and losses, from his superiors.
The initial atmosphere was somber, but it became more relaxed in the middle stages.
In the later stages, even the logistics team received several rewards.
One day, he and several comrades were cooking not-so-fresh dry rations and wheat rice in their tent when they vaguely heard a conversation coming from outside the tent.
A certain clerk grumbled sourly: "[The tiny Chu Kingdom truly produces outstanding people... It's just a place the size of a palm... Tsk tsk...]"
Another person: [This is the third one, isn't it?]
Registrar: [This is the third one.]
The third person asked in confusion: "What third person?"
The registrar replied: "This is the third one, a second-rank upper-middle grade. I heard that this Chu Wuhui joined the army while traveling for studies. Look at him, and then look at myself... I'm no match for him... After this battle, I might rise rapidly in rank and have a smooth career."
In a small country with only a small portion of a prefecture, three scholars of the second rank and above suddenly emerged, each achieving fame at a young age. Including Chu Yao, they were simply given the honorary title of "Three Outstanding Scholars."
For a time, it was a place of unparalleled splendor.
Gong Shuwu also expressed his envy and admiration.
After returning home, he studied and practiced diligently, but for some reason, apart from the first two years, no news of Chu Wuhui was heard again. Those who were unaware of the situation would sigh, "A child prodigy may not necessarily be a great adult," or jokingly say, "He's just another Chu Zhongyong," and then forget about him and stop paying attention.
It's not that Chu Yao isn't amazing enough; it's just that this continent is full of ups and downs, and outstanding talents emerge in great numbers. There will never be a shortage of younger and more amazing young scholars stepping onto this stage, while those who have already left the stage or whose careers have ended will eventually be forgotten.
We met again, surprisingly in Xiaocheng.
Upon first seeing Chu Yao, Gong Shuwu could not believe it.
The old man before me, whose energy and spirit have been completely worn away, is actually the same young scholar who was once renowned and full of vigor.
Upon further investigation, I was deeply saddened.
Life's twists and turns are truly unpredictable. For example, Gong Shuwu could never have imagined Chu Yao's fate after becoming famous. For example... Chu Yao actually chose to entrust his life to a boy who was even younger and more naive than he had been at that age—he was simply insane!
Gong Shuwu silently withdrew his gaze.
His gaze fell upon the only normal scholar.
Emmm...
This is relatively normal.
Qi Shan was a very picky person; he refused to ride a mule no matter what, and somehow managed to get a skinny old horse to take his place.
When Gong Shuwu looked at him, he was staring intently at Shen Tang and Chu Yao, who were chatting and laughing in front of him, and the atmosphere was very subtle.
"Mr. Qi?"
After thinking it over, I finally spoke up.
Of the three scholars, he was bound to get one of them.
Even a ninth-rank, fifth-class doctor cannot withstand a group attack by more than a thousand people.
Qi Shan lifted her eyelids slightly: "What is it?"
Gong Shuwu: "...Uh, it's nothing..."
His intuition told him not to speak at this moment.
But since the conversation had started, he felt he should say something, so he asked, "I'm just curious, why are you two gentlemen..."
As he spoke, he glanced at Shen Tang's retreating figure.
Qi Shan, understanding the implied meaning from the music, immediately realized what he meant and replied calmly, "At first, it was just a gamble."
Every seemingly calm strategist harbors a gambler's spirit deep down, whether it's to press their advantage or to turn the tide in a desperate situation. There are no emotions at the gambling table. As it turned out, this child was too sincere, and like Chu Yao, he began to feel a pang of conscience.
I couldn't help but reflect—
Isn't this going too far?
Regardless of Shen Youli's true nature or whether she will be forced onto that path by the times in the future, she is being forced into it for now.
She is also suspected to be a delicate young woman.
|ω)
That's how good Tang Mei was in the eyes of the two strategists.
They both believed they were the "murderers".
Chen, sincere, frank, and delicate: ? ? ?
I'm so sorry, these past few chapters have been difficult to write. I've revised and deleted them repeatedly, so updates will be very inconsistent. I originally wanted to unlock the milestone of updating 3,000 words for 30 consecutive days, but I've failed repeatedly.
The next chapter will be about intercepting the birthday tribute... oh no, the tax silver.
The most confused person was probably little Zhai Le.
(End of this chapter)
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