Chapter 262: Lady White Snake [Seeking Monthly Tickets]
Shen Tang exclaimed in surprise: "A living person? Still breathing?"
Lin Feng nodded emphatically: "Yes, he's still alive."
This is a very rare occurrence.
Corpses thrown into the water are usually the result of being stabbed by the enemy to ensure they are absolutely dead—either stabbed in the heart, stabbed in the throat, or stabbed into the brain through the eye socket. No matter how tenacious their vitality, they cannot survive.
A living person was pulled out of the water...
What incredible luck!
Shen Tang felt that the pancake in her hand no longer smelled good.
"Where is he? I have to go check on him."
Kang Shi shook his head inwardly—being thrown into the water wasn't necessarily because of war; it could also be due to suicide or being forced into the water by desperation... If it were the latter reason, there was a chance of being rescued...
However, Shen Tang had already gone to watch the excitement.
The person who was rescued was a woman.
Although she was described as a woman, judging from her appearance, she was actually only a few years older than Shen Tang, at most just two or three years old, a girl of seventeen or eighteen. Unlike the delicate temperament of young ladies in their boudoirs at that time, this person had extremely heroic features.
This little girl had several deep, bone-revealing wounds on her body: one on her shoulder, three crisscrossing wounds on her back, two on her arms, and three on each of her calves and thighs... These injuries would be difficult even for a strong adult male, let alone a little girl.
When it was pulled out of the water, it was barely breathing.
Shen Tang felt a bit skeptical, took a closer look, and then looked up to ask Qi Shan and the others, "With such severe injuries, can she still be saved?"
Gu Chi said, "It should be possible."
As the saying goes, "experience makes one a doctor," Gu Chi, who deals with medicine all year round, is also the best doctor among them, and always carries various life-saving pills with him.
The girl's injuries look serious, but the wounds are not tainted. As long as her heart meridian is preserved, the bleeding is stopped, and her wounds are healed with either literary or martial energy, she can theoretically be brought back to life.
Shen Tang stepped aside to make way for Gu Chi. Looking at the wounds on the girl's body, Lin Feng, who was standing to the side, said with emotion and pity, "I wonder who the villain was who treated such a weak woman like this... Fortunately, she met my husband and was spared from death."
Shen Tang patted her head, and Lin Feng asked in confusion, "My lord?"
"I don't know who the thug is, but she's no weak woman." Shen Tang chuckled as she took the woman's hand, showing Lin Feng her palm, and explained, "Look at these calluses. They don't look like the marks from heavy labor; they look like the marks from years of wielding knives and swords. And then you feel her muscles and bones..."
Shen Tang pinched the woman's biceps.
Let alone women raised in seclusion, even farm girls who toil year-round couldn't achieve this level of muscle development. It's well known that due to inherent limitations, women's muscles are much harder to build than men's. Clearly, this young woman is likely a trained fighter, possessing considerable speed and agility.
Otherwise, it would have been impossible for him to have such severe injuries, float in the water until his skin was wrinkled, and still have half a breath left.
Lin Feng stared in astonishment, unable to contain her curiosity. She poked the girl's arm like Shen Tang had done, then pinched the soft flesh of her own arm. It was indeed different.
Chu Yao guessed, "Perhaps she's a female thief."
Lin Feng asked, "Why not a female knight-errant?"
Chu Yao pointed at the gold and silver jewelry adorning the girl's clothes and said, "She's dressed like an ordinary person, yet she possesses such valuable items."
Lin Feng muttered, "It could also be a Robin Hood-style scheme to help the poor."
Once the girl's breathing had stabilized somewhat, Shen Tang had her moved to the carriage and asked an old woman to help take care of her. Having rested sufficiently, the group continued their journey, hoping to reach their next suitable place to stay for the night before dark.
Shen Tang was strong and healthy, and could sleep anywhere, but ordinary people couldn't, and it would be even more difficult for them to travel while they were sick.
It gets dark exceptionally early in winter.
Night fell.
The soldiers began to cook.
Having eaten the dry rations and felt sufficiently full, everyone felt alive again. Some went on night patrol, while others took the time to rest and recuperate. Bored, Shen Tang flipped through the account books by the campfire; all the tax silver he had dug up was recorded there.
Judging by the numbers in the ledgers, Shen Tang is not poor at all.
There are thousands of mouths to feed.
Upon arriving in Heyin, they still had to address local issues, absorb displaced people, develop infrastructure, boost the economy, and restore people's livelihoods...
Every single thing requires burning money and resources, and I don't know how long Shen Tang's meager savings can last... It's true that I'm worried about money the moment I open my eyes.
ε=(ο｀*))) Sigh.
Even a hero can be brought down by a single penny.
Shen Tang looked at the accounts again and again.
I wish I could double my wealth by reading it again.
Gu Chi said, "It can't be turned over."
Shen Tang rolled her eyes inwardly: "You're listening to my thoughts again."
Gu Chi chewed on the slightly burnt bread and said, "It's not like Shen Lang just found out today that my scholarly ways are beyond my control."
Do you expect him to ignore you?
It would be better to hope that Shen Tang will become self-reliant and take the initiative to restrain himself.
Shen Tang wouldn't agree to that.
Intentionally emptying your mind is too energy-consuming.
She asked, "Is there a quick way to make money in Wangchao?"
“Not only does Shen Lang want to know, but I do too. Actually—if Shen Lang is willing to go all out and emulate the rebel army of the Pig King, it would be a good choice.” Seeing Shen Tang’s expression change, Gu Chi smiled and said, “Don’t be angry yet, let me explain slowly.”
Shen Tang: "You speak, I'm listening."
Gu Chi said, “The forces within the territory of He Yin are complex and intertwined, and almost no one’s hands are clean. Since they are ‘evil,’ why doesn’t Shen Lang ‘act on behalf of Heaven’? Punish the wicked and eliminate evil? This would not only solve the immediate crisis by using their treasury, but also remove a malignant tumor from the people.”
Upon hearing this, Shen Tang raised an eyebrow, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
Gu Chi continued eloquently, "Of course, this doesn't mean that Shen Lang should indiscriminately kill people. As long as you kill those whom most people want dead, Shen Lang will be on the side of justice. This way, you won't damage your reputation or violate morality. Isn't that wonderful?"
Shen Tang remained silent.
However, as someone who can clearly hear Shen Tang's thoughts, Gu Chi knows Shen Tang's true feelings and is not afraid that Shen Tang will not be moved.
Was this his own insidious idea?
No, no, no, he was just speaking up for Shen Tang.
Yes, this was entirely Shen Tang's own plan.
Especially after hearing Lin Feng's phrase "robbing the rich to help the poor," Shen Tang considered whether she should "borrow supplies from the enemy" and squeeze money from them. Where would the enemy come from? From everyone in He Yin—anyone who stood in her way, opposed her, or wanted her dead!
Gu Chi listened to the whole thing and felt for the first time that Shen Tang's thoughts were so in tune with his own. He could tolerate her chatter no matter how noisy she was.
Why doesn't Shen Tang speak frankly?
It's nothing more than worrying that Chu Yao and the others won't agree.
After all, no matter how noble the phrase "robbing the rich to help the poor" may sound, it is essentially plunder, and she was worried that Chu Yao and the others would object.
Since Shen Tang couldn't say, he kindly spoke up for her.
only--
Shen Tang: "Besides, as long as we're not that poor."
Gu Chi's smile froze slightly when he said the first half of the sentence.
When he said the second half of the sentence, Gu Chi's smile widened.
Why?
Because Shen Tang is also getting close to being "that poor".
Shen Tang felt slightly uncomfortable under his smile, and Gu Chi volunteered, "Is there anything I can help you with, Shen Lang?"
She was just short of telling Shen Tang that she didn't need to act with him.
Shen Tang's fingers unconsciously fiddled with the pages of the account book.
She said, "There is one."
Gu Chi said, "Tell me about it?"
Shen Tang: "I wonder what Yuan Liang and the other two think."
Ask Gu Chi to help find out what they think.
If all three object, or one agrees while two object, Shen Tang should carefully consider the matter—this is not the only option, and Shen Tang doesn't need to cause trouble for Qi Shan and the others over this.
Unexpectedly, Gu Chi chuckled and said, "Shen Lang, you think too highly of the strategist's mind."
It's hard to say about Kang Shi, whom I don't know well, but Chu Yao and Qi Shan don't have very high moral standards or bottom lines. They would probably wholeheartedly agree with Shen Tang's idea.
Even if she hadn't mentioned it, they might have intended to do it anyway.
Shen Tang: "..."
Before Gu Chi could say anything more.
Lin Feng ran over, slightly out of breath.
"My lord, my lord, that lady has woken up."
Shen Tang put down the account book in her hand.
"You're awake?"
That female knight-errant (or female thief) was in excellent physical condition.
When Bai Su opened her eyes, the dim orange light of the campfire shone into the carriage through the gaps in the bamboo curtains, and the first thing she saw was the blurry ceiling. She tried to move her hands and feet, and a sharp, dull pain shot from all parts of her body to her brain.
She hissed in pain.
Stop trying to get up.
The scenes before she lost consciousness flashed rapidly before her eyes, followed by a woman lifting the carriage curtain and seeing her awake. She turned around and shouted something. Bai Su was exhausted and couldn't hear clearly. She closed her eyes and regulated her breathing.
My mind raced.
Judging from this situation, I must have been rescued?
Tsk, I'm really lucky to be alive.
He had one foot in the grave, yet he managed to climb out.
A moment later, different footsteps approached.
The dimly lit carriage was much brighter.
Bai Su squinted uncomfortably.
But then she saw a sickly-looking young man with weak blood and qi place his hand on his own pulse. Bai Su lowered her eyes slightly and did not say anything, but she couldn't help but think to herself - this person himself looks sickly and like he is about to die, is his medical skill reliable?
Gu Chi: "..."
Upon hearing this heartfelt statement, his eyes flashed with a hint of danger.
He released the woman's wrist.
He said to Shen Tang, "It's not a big problem."
Upon hearing this, Bai Su opened her eyes and, following the young man's (Gu Chi's) gaze, saw a pretty young woman with rosy lips, white teeth, and deep-set features. She looked to be about twelve or thirteen years old, with more defined and striking features than most people, possessing a bright and captivating appearance.
In short, she has a stunning appearance that can amaze people at first glance.
Bai Su couldn't help but take a second look. Observing the young man's attitude towards the young woman, she figured that this young woman was the one in charge.
She tried to open her mouth, her voice hoarse and weak. Unlike her heroic appearance, her voice was sweet and soft, even softer than the so-called "Wu dialect," or as Shen Tang put it, "with a lilting tone," and her voice was about the same age as Lin Feng's.
That's really true—
The contrast is huge.
"But it was my benefactor who saved me?"
Shen Tang truthfully said, "It was one of my men who went to the stream to drink water and saw you. They pulled you out and found that you were still breathing."
Bai Su endured the pain and got up.
"Thank you so much for saving my life."
Regardless of who rescued the person, they were all under Shen Tang's command, so according to custom, this life-saving grace should also be attributed to her.
Shen Tang didn't dwell on this question; she was only concerned with what the girl had gone through, why she was seriously injured, and why she was floating in the stream.
Bai Su blinked and said in a soft, sweet voice, "My surname is Hei. I was originally a peasant girl from a small village deep in the mountains nearby... That day, I unfortunately encountered thugs. To prove my innocence, I fought back fiercely and was forced to jump into the water... If it weren't for your rescue, I'm afraid... I'm afraid I would already be..."
Shen Tang looked at Gu Chi.
Does she look like she has an easily fooled face?
Gu Chi suppressed the upward curve of his lips.
He became the villain.
He bluntly exposed Bai Su's clumsy lie: "A farm girl from a remote mountain village nearby? Even if Black Lady hadn't mentioned it, I wouldn't have seen it at all. What farm girl has Black Lady's refinement? What villain, unable to force you, would offer you valuable gold and silver?"
Gu Chi emphasized the word "cultivation".
A hint of panic flashed across Bai Su's already pale face.
Shen Tang smiled and said, "Black Lady, don't panic. We are not evil people, nor do we intend to pry. But having saved someone, we have the right to know who we saved. If Black Lady truly has something difficult to say, we will not force you."
Bai Su remained silent, but a wary glint flashed in her eyes.
Shen Tang sighed inwardly, "However, there are some things I need to say beforehand—we are only passing through this place, and will continue our journey after tonight. I reckon we won't be traveling the same route as Lady Black. Therefore, I would appreciate it if Lady Black could leave on her own tomorrow morning..."
Bai Su was taken aback.
She hadn't expected Shen Tang to say that.
She was judging others by her own petty standards.
She asked, "Where has my benefactor gone?"
Shen Tang said, "He Yin."
Bai Su was shocked: "He Yin? You can't go there!"
Shen Tang asked, "Why can't we go?"
Bai Su's expression froze.
I couldn't answer it right away.
Seeing that Shen Tang and the others were indeed not bad people, and that they had saved her life, she could no longer hide the truth: "To be honest, I was the one who deceived my benefactor just now. My family name is Bai, the Bai of black and white, and my given name is 'Su'. I am from He Yin!"
Shen Tang and Gu Chi exchanged a glance.
What a coincidence?
“Black Lady… no, White Lady…” Shen Tang suddenly showed a strange expression. This title was quite interesting, but she continued, “You are from He Yin, so why have you come to the border of Sibao County? And you are a young and beautiful woman…”
It's not surprising that a big, burly man would travel this far.
But it would be quite unusual for a young woman to do that.
In this world, even literary figures like Qi Shan have to carry swords at all times when they travel, because they are all capable fighters.
Bai Su looked troubled.
She said, "It's not appropriate to go into details about this."
Gu Chi exposed her: "Being chased for stealing valuables?"
Upon hearing this, Bai Su's expression turned serious.
Judging from her agitated expression, if she weren't still seriously injured, she probably would have picked up a knife and given Gu Chi a taste of his own medicine.
That's not theft.
Gu Chi said, "No?"
Bai Su's eyebrows shot up: "It's robbing the rich to help the poor! It's killing the rich who are heartless! Although it's banditry, I, Bai, have a clear conscience!"
Shen Tang: "..."
Lin Feng was right.
With the most important details revealed, Bai Su had nothing left to hide. She sighed and truthfully explained her background.
Bai Suzhen was indeed a peasant girl.
Before she was six years old, she had a poor but relatively intact family.
Her parents and grandparents were all alive, and besides her, there were three other siblings in the family. However, fate was unkind, and coupled with the cruelty of her employers, the tenant farmer's life became more and more difficult.
(σ)σ:*☆
The Ecovacs W920 window protector I ordered yesterday has arrived.
With the Lunar New Year approaching, the spring cleaning should gradually be scheduled.
Well, how should I put this robot...
Even after wiping several times, it still gets quite clean.
For a lazy person like me who isn't picky...
Not bad, hehe
(End of this chapter)
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