Chapter 263: Catering to My Tastes [Seeking Monthly Tickets]
In January of that year, two of his younger siblings starved to death.
In early February of the same year, my grandmother passed away.
Just days after my grandmother's funeral, in late February, my grandfather went to work in the fields and was attacked by wild boars that trampled his crops. In an attempt to save the year's harvest, he tried to drive the boars away but died in the process. When the family found him, his old, emaciated body lay stiffly curled up in the ground, most of his torso devoured by the boars, his eyes wide open in agony…
The series of blows cast a heavy shadow over the entire family.
After enduring countless hardships, we finally reached the eve of the harvest.
result--
Several days of heavy rain breached the embankment and flooded the crops.
From the very first day of the rain, Father had been staying near the farmland. He had incurred a lot of debt for all his hard work on this land. The farmland was flooded, the harvest was destroyed, and more than one family was left without food. The heavy rent and taxes from tenant farmers were the final straw for him.
He braved the rain to go to the ground and rescue the injured.
But all of this is utterly futile.
He caught a cold and became seriously ill.
Debt collectors came to collect the debt. Bai Su's only surviving brother got into a fight and broke his head. The debt collectors then tried to take her and her mother away to pay off the debt. Her father was so angry that he died.
The day after my father's burial, my elder brother also passed away.
In despair, the mother hanged herself at the edge of the village.
The entire family was left with only Bai Su, all alone.
To escape the debt collectors who came to arrest her, she ran deep into the mountains, never daring to look back. Fortunately, just as Bai Su was about to starve to death, she was rescued by an unnamed woman passing by.
The latter took pity on her plight and adopted her.
Bai Su learned everything from her mentor and adoptive mother.
Once she had mastered her skills, they would help the poor. Outsiders called them thieves, but the foster mother only sought to have a clear conscience.
only--
Two years ago, she accidentally encountered a third-class hairpin maid. Her mentor, despite being seriously injured, took her away. Afterward, he fell ill and never recovered, passing away before the winter. Before her death, she told Bai Su that she had no regrets in her life, except that Bai Su was the only person she couldn't let go of.
Let her return to the life of an ordinary woman and live a peaceful life.
It's better than being a thief who licks blood off a blade.
One wrong move and you could be killed.
Bai Su was initially hesitant, but after witnessing so much oppression and suffering endured by ordinary people, she knew she couldn't adapt.
I will continue to use my mentor's name, "Anonymous".
Scouting locations by day, striking at night.
Anyone who is rich but heartless is her target.
She tried to exchange the ill-gotten gains for items needed by the people, but she was still young and inexperienced as her mentor. Not long ago, she made a mistake and was unlucky enough to attract the attention of several martial arts masters, who chased her all the way.
The only fortunate thing was that these martial arts practitioners were not of high rank, merely low-level nobles. But Bai Su was, after all, an ordinary person. Even with her exquisite martial arts skills, her physical limitations forced her into a corner. She leaped into a waterfall…
The stream flows down the waterfall.
Finally, he was rescued by Shen Tang's men.
This is Bai Su's background.
Shen Tang was slightly taken aback after hearing this, and exclaimed in amazement, "There are still extraordinary women in the world like Bai Suzhen's mentor? It's a pity I never had the chance to meet her."
Looking at Bai Su Niangzi's speech and behavior, her logic is clear, unlike someone who is illiterate. Therefore, the person who raised her must have had some education. A woman with both knowledge and martial arts skills, alone with her sword, punishing evil and upholding justice…
This is quite rare and unusual.
Thinking of her mentor, Bai Su's expression darkened.
Since the passing of her beloved teacher, Bai Su felt lost and had nowhere to call home, so she returned to her homeland after many years. The situation in He Yin was even more chaotic and severe than before, with bandits running rampant, and every household seemed to be repeating the same mistakes that Bai Su's family had made.
However, their families weren't as lucky as Bai Su, who was adopted by the nameless heroine. The more Bai Su learned about the lives of the people in He Yin territory, the angrier she became. But she was alone and powerless; no matter what she did, it was just a drop in the ocean, and might even cause trouble for others.
That thug specifically targets the elderly, widowed, and infirm.
No sooner had Bai Su secretly delivered the goods than thugs would set their sights on this "windfall" within two days, stealing everything from a small jar of wheat, a bag of beans, and dozens of copper coins. Even after Bai Su taught the thugs a lesson, they continued to rob them.
Because the elderly, weak, and widowed can all become "thugs" around them, and if they can't protect themselves, they will be robbed or cheated...
Having witnessed so much of this, Bai Su felt utterly hopeless about He Yin.
This place will never get better.
But Bai Su didn't think about going anywhere else.
Because they're pretty much the same everywhere.
He Yin...
At least it is the burial place of her blood relatives.
Upon hearing that Shen Tang and his companions were headed to He Yin, Bai Su stopped them without hesitation. Bandits roamed that area, supported by other powerful forces both above and behind the scenes. Merchants passing through would be lucky to escape with their lives, let alone their money.
If Shen Tang were to leave...
How can fate exist?
After all, she was her savior, and Bai Su didn't want to watch her die. However, her savior didn't intend to listen to her.
Shen Tang said, "But I have no choice but to go."
Bai Su thought of a possibility.
"Is your benefactor also from the He Yin region?"
Or should they seek refuge with relatives in Heyin, who live far away?
Shen Tang said, "Of course not."
Bai Su looked a little anxious upon hearing this.
"Then why?"
Why does he have to go to He Yin to commit suicide?
Shen Tang smiled and said, "Naturally, it's for taking up my new post."
Bai Su: "..."
Bai Su: "???"
Bai Su: "!!!"
She was so stunned by those words that she completely lost her composure.
It took me a while to realize what was happening.
Her eyes widened in disbelief, and she opened and closed her mouth several times without uttering a single word. She had absolutely no idea what to say—she, a thief, had been rescued by an official? Not only had she been rescued, but she was also being told in front of him how to rob the rich to help the poor and how to scout out locations to commit her crimes?
At this moment, Bai Su's nerves were so sensitive that she resembled Su Shang with her hair standing on end. Her expression was full of resistance and fear, and she wished she could escape to the ends of the earth.
Gu Chi chuckled inwardly.
At this moment, Bai Su suddenly noticed a big problem – her benefactor said she was going to take up her post as the governor of He, but wasn't her benefactor a pretty and beautiful young woman?
How will the young lady take up her new post?
Or is the young lady actually a female concubine?
Or rather—
Bai Su's eyes were practically glued to Shen Tang's face before she finally noticed the extremely inconspicuous Wenxin monogram on Shen Tang's waist.
She uttered, "This humble servant... has offended my benefactor."
Shen Tang looked at her, puzzled: "Where did I offend you?"
Bai Su said, "I mistook my benefactor's gender."
Shen Tang: "..."
No, no, you didn't make a mistake.
But she was too lazy to explain. Time would tell whether she was male or female. She just hoped that these people wouldn't be shocked when they found out the truth.
The thought of that scene eased Shen Tang's gloomy mood slightly. Her eyes brightened: "Since Lady Bai is a native of He Yin and a chivalrous woman, she must be quite familiar with the territory. I have a favor to ask..."
Knowing that Shen Tang was an "official," Bai Su's guard, which she had just let go of, rose again. She looked at Shen Tang with distance and caution, and did not dare to speak too confidently: "Please speak, my benefactor. As long as it does not violate morality or my conscience, I will do my best."
"It's nothing difficult, and it won't go against Lady White's principles. All you need to do is tell me about the River Governor's affairs, big and small, as long as you know them. I plan to thoroughly reform the River Governor after taking office. Knowing yourself and your enemy is the key to victory. I was just worried about this, but I didn't expect Heaven to take pity on me and send Lady White here..."
It really solved her immediate problem.
Bai Su didn't immediately agree, but instead feigned weakness and was about to faint. Shen Tang didn't expect Bai Su to give an answer right away, so he readily agreed and asked Lin Feng to send someone to take good care of Bai Su. They could discuss the rest after Bai Su recovered.
Lin Feng said, "Please rest assured, my lord."
Shen Tang patted Lin Feng's head encouragingly, got up and left the carriage. Gu Chi left the prescription and also got off the train. He followed Shen Tang and said, "That Bai Su was faking unconsciousness."
If it weren't for Shen Tang's glare, he would have exposed her on the spot.
Shen Tang said, "How could I not know? It's just that we shouldn't push too hard. These things are only meaningful if both parties are willing. Forcing someone to speak is akin to bullying the weak. Mr. Gu really doesn't know anything about 'cherishing women'."
The excuse that he was in a coma was just that.
Wouldn't it be embarrassing to be called out on the spot?
Gu Chi gave him a disgusting look and said bluntly, "You have to consider who you're showing mercy to..."
A person with an unclear stance, whether male or female, is not worth pity, much less giving them face. If you want to dismantle their platform, then so be it!
Shen Tang chuckled upon hearing this: "If Bai Su's account of her background is true, once she recovers and sees the people who followed her, she'll know what kind of person I am. The simplest and quickest way to break down someone's defenses is to 'play to their interests'..."
Since Bai Su regards "righteousness and chivalry, robbing the rich to help the poor" as her moral compass and adheres to it throughout her life, Shen Tang is not worried that Bai Su will dislike her. Bai Su will not only like her, appreciate her, and respect her, but will also regard her as a breath of fresh air in the officialdom.
In a murky world where everyone is evil, who among those struggling in the mire wouldn't admire a just, honest, benevolent, and ambitious ruler who can turn the tide? Shen Tang's narcissistic thoughts made Gu Chi's face contort with embarrassment.
He said, "Shen Lang, you don't need to be so formal."
Don't say everything.
He was scared!
Gu Chi was absolutely certain that Shen Tang was saying this on purpose.
His thick skin left him speechless.
Shen Tang said, "I call this being true to my word."
Gu Chi: "..."
Amidst the chilling night wind, Chen Tang crossed her arms and strolled along the stream with Gu Chi, chatting as they walked.
When she said that, a broad smile spread across her face, and her eyes shone brighter than the starry sky above.
Gu Chi looked at her, her tone low and tinged with resentment: "Didn't Shen Lang just say—'In a murky world where everyone is evil, who among those struggling in the mire wouldn't like a just, honest, benevolent, and ambitious ruler who can turn the tide'? And 'The simplest and quickest way to break down someone's defenses is to cater to their preferences'? Is Shen Lang 'catering to my preferences'?"
He genuinely suspected something.
Qi Shan and Chu Yao couldn't have been fooled like that, could they?
Shen Tang tilted her head with a smile.
She blinked her dark eyes innocently.
“The tide-watching is so wonderful, who wouldn’t love it? But—” she threw Gu Chi’s question back at him, “would you be willing to ‘play to my liking’?”
Gu Chi: "..."
He used to address her as "Mr. Gu," but now that he's seen through her act, he's started using "Wangchao" (a derogatory term for someone who looks like a hawk) – Gu Chi genuinely wondered if Shen Lang would down a bottle of wine on the spot and send him to his death if he answered no. It wasn't impossible…
Gu Chi did not answer directly, but said, "Shen Lang is still young and does not know how fickle people's hearts are. You can be true to yourself now, but when you are in a high position of power in the future, you will know how hateful a person can be if you have no secrets or feelings in front of them."
Fear, dread, disgust...
Until I hated him to death!
Shen Tang said frankly, "For someone who is straightforward and says what he thinks, there's nothing wrong with that."
Furthermore—
Could anything be more "hateful" than Yuan Liang's "murder of his master"?
I've already stacked so many debuffs... one more won't hurt, you can't worry about having too many lice. I just hope that in the future I can meet a few scholars who are reasonable and don't waste the lord's talents.
Shen Tang's request was extremely humble.
Gu Chi did not answer immediately upon hearing this.
The two remained silent until he broke the silence.
Gu Chi asked, "I have a question."
Shen Tang: "Ask away."
Is Shen Lang a man or a woman?
Shen Tang: "..."
She was still wondering what questions Gu Chi would ask to test her "honesty and sincerity," and after thinking for a long time, she was still struggling with this.
That's it?
Shen Tang looked annoyed: "A woman!"
He further emphasized: "Genuine products at fair prices, honest and fair to all, young and old!"
Gu Chi: "..."
Hearing Shen Tang admit it herself, Gu Chi still felt like he was dreaming, even though he had already learned about Shen Tang's true gender from her inner thoughts.
Shen Tang was very curious.
"Look at my face, with such a beautiful appearance, how could I not be a girl?" Goodness, she can even come up with the reason of "male with female features" to explain her face.
Gu Chi: "..."
Shen Tang continued, "If even this can't make you believe me, I can tell you a secret. Will you listen or not?"
Gu Chi: "...What big secret?"
Shen Tang thought for a moment: "If I still can't keep your heart after hearing this, I can only keep your body."
Upon hearing this, Gu Chi decisively chose not to listen.
"With your lord being so sincere and frank, how could Chi not believe you?"
Shen Tang: "..."
After resting overnight, they set off at dawn the next day.
They ate their dry rations as they walked, so as not to waste any time.
Bai Su felt the carriage swaying, waking from a chaotic and lengthy dream. As her senses gradually returned to normal, she felt that the sound of footsteps in the procession seemed excessive. She struggled to sit up.
Her team was located in the middle to the back.
Bai Su carefully lifted the carriage curtain, but what she saw was not the strong and capable troops she had imagined, nor even servants and guards, but a group of thin and haggard commoners.
Most of them were elderly, weak, women and children.
The older ones have heads full of white hair.
The younger ones are still in swaddling clothes.
They walked in the middle, with a group of young men dressed in cloth and leather armor on the outermost edge, some on horseback and some on foot.
Although the former walked very slowly, the latter did not urge him on, but consciously adjusted his pace to ensure that no one fell behind.
This scene left Bai Su completely bewildered and utterly confused.
(End of this chapter)
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