Chapter 347: The Chaos in the Northwest (Part 10) [Yesterday's]
Qin Li did not say anything.
Wu Xian rubbed his fingers.
Question: "Perhaps... maybe... Qin Qing, do you think it's possible that he's reformed?"
Qin Li: "..."
Wu Xian said he genuinely couldn't bring himself to badmouth Shen Tang.
"Ask yourself honestly, if Shen Youli were the one who suffered heavy losses due to the epidemic, and I held the best way to control it, do you think I would lend a helping hand?" Wu Xian presented himself as a gentleman who was courteous to scholars and chivalrous, but he did not hesitate to show his imperfections to his confidants, because he knew that what is false will always be false, and no one can pretend forever.
Especially in front of intelligent people.
The more perfectly he pretends, the more easily he will be disliked and alienated from the world when his true colors are revealed at crucial moments.
Wu Xian doesn't need to be perfect in front of Qin Li.
He admitted frankly, "I can't."
Qin Li remained silent for a moment before saying, "I will watch Shen Youli be dragged down. Perhaps, out of consideration for our past alliance, I will be willing to lend a helping hand when she is at her wit's end and has nowhere else to turn, exchanging a flawless reputation for minimal cost..."
Qin Li couldn't sit still any longer.
"My lord, you..."
Wu Xian raised his hand to signal him to be quiet, and smiled nonchalantly: "If I can't compare, I can't compare. There's nothing to be ashamed of. I was just being petty and judging you by my own standards, and I felt bad for Shen Youli for being repeatedly harassed yet choosing to let things go..."
He regretted that the sickle he used to cut the chives was too sharp.
Chen Jiucai Tang must be in pain, right?
Qin Li, as Qi Shan's biggest hater, found it hard to accept reality, but reality was right in front of him, the evidence irrefutable. Perhaps—a momentary wavering crossed Qin Li's mind—that his lord had indeed guessed correctly, and that the villain had reformed?
No, no, no!
It's easier to change mountains and rivers than to change one's nature!
Throughout history, there have been countless bloody examples!
"Once the epidemic is completely over, prepare a generous gift and send it to Brother Shen. In these turbulent times, our two families should visit each other more often. Only by helping each other can we survive in this world." Wu Xian probed Qin Li's intentions, and Qin Li did not "intercept the lovers" or insist on his evil scheme.
Wu Xian was satisfied.
Qin Li, the biggest obstacle to the alliance between the two families, had no objections, so the alliance was a done deal. The only question was, who would act as the mediator? Wu Xian thought of Zhao Feng; since Zhao Feng was still in He Yin to repay favors, it would be better to avoid troubling two parties.
Now, Wu Xian was no longer in a hurry to recall Zhao Feng.
Let him stay.
We'll talk about it when Tianjin Tianhai is short-handed.
If Qin Li could hear Wu Xian's thoughts, he would probably be so angry that his three corpses would jump up and down—that spendthrift son!
Although Wu Xian's forces are not lacking in anything but highly skilled and valiant martial artists—he has five more like Zhao Dayi—he's worried that talented people will always be kept in other people's folds. Isn't Wu Xian afraid that Zhao Feng will be seduced away by Shen Youli?
While Wu Xian was still in the mood to joke, Gu Ren was not so relaxed. The various epidemic prevention measures had also had a certain impact on his good reputation. He was known for his "benevolence," and the common people in the surrounding villages all knew that he was a kind person who was generous with his money and pitied the poor and suffering. But not only did he burn corpses, he also dug up the bodies buried in the ground and burned them. This was truly shocking!
How can this be considered a benevolent and righteous gentleman?
They are clearly cruel thugs!
Apart from Gu Ren's twelve sworn brothers, everyone else looked at him with a hint of fear. As the epidemic came under control, the news spread like wildfire to Gu Ren's father-in-law and wife. The father-in-law was about the same age as his son-in-law.
Despite the fact that the epidemic area had not yet been unsealed, they went straight to their door.
As Gu Ren's father-in-law, the soldiers dared not be too forceful, and finally asked Chao Lian to take charge and welcome him in.
"Why are you here, old man? It's dangerous here."
"If I hadn't come, I don't know how long I would have been deceived by you!" The father-in-law's tone was unfriendly, leaving Gu Ren completely confused.
"Why do you say that, father-in-law?" Although the two were father-in-law and son-in-law, they had been close friends who could talk about anything.
How did this pure friendship turn sour?
It's a long story. One day, the father-in-law lamented that his youngest daughter had a bad temper and didn't like any of the promising young men introduced by the matchmaker. She insisted on marrying the best man in the world... The best man in the world was actually Gu Ren.
Just then, Gu Ren became a widower for the second time and lived as a widow for two years. His father-in-law admired Gu Ren's character and conduct, and couldn't help but think of marrying his youngest daughter to him.
The two families will become even closer through marriage, and the daughter will be able to get what she wants.
A win-win situation!
However, this eccentric father-in-law did not speak directly to Gu Ren, but instead took a roundabout approach, seeking out Gu Ren's former father-in-law and his father-in-law before that, who then intervened to mediate the marriage, guaranteeing that Gu Ren's children would not be mistreated.
In short, Gu Ren's third marriage was settled.
My friend, with whom I was having a good time just the day before yesterday, has become a father.
Gu Ren: [...]
Right now, the third father-in-law is criticizing his son-in-law.
He angrily asked about digging up graves and burning corpses.
Gu Ren did not hide anything and frankly explained the cause and effect.
The Third Elder frowned: "Even so, this action is against the natural order and extremely disadvantageous to you! You just do whatever Shen Youli says? How do you know that she doesn't have any intention of harming you? Even for the sake of the common people, you should be flexible."
Seeing that Gu Ren looked haggard and thin, his father-in-law felt sorry for his son-in-law and didn't speak too harshly, but he made sure to convey the meaning clearly! So that his son-in-law wouldn't be taken advantage of and end up counting the money for someone else!
How could someone who was penniless and had no resources manage to gain a foothold in the Heyin area? Could they be described as a snow-white, plump, innocent, and adorable rabbit?
Who would believe that!
Has Shen Youli ever dug up or burned corpses?
Have you never done it yourself but are you encouraging others to do it?
Gu Ren: "...Brother Shen really did it."
San Yuezhang choked for a moment.
Shifting the subject: "What about your reputation?"
Gu Ren didn't take it too seriously. He simply said calmly, "I, Gu Ziyi, didn't gain my foothold in Shangnan based on empty reputation. A good reputation is icing on the cake. But how much can a bad reputation harm me? I have a clear conscience about this matter!"
He certainly cherishes his reputation.
But it's not so pathological as to be unable to distinguish right from wrong.
If Shen Youli can treat even commoners who are not under his jurisdiction with such importance and sincerity, how can Gu Ziyi not do the same? Protecting the commoners under his jurisdiction is simply his duty and responsibility.
He didn't take the mere insults to heart.
Furthermore—
“Father-in-law, having too good a reputation isn’t always a good thing.”
The third father-in-law asked, puzzled, "Isn't this a good thing?"
Gu Ren twitched the corners of his mouth and gave a cold laugh.
“I was too mild-mannered in the past, which made people mistakenly think that Gu Ziyi was a soft and easy-going good-natured person! Everyone could take advantage of him! With the epidemic raging, they didn’t take me seriously at all!”
The three elders had no idea where Gu Ren's anger came from.
Gu Rendao said, "Your Excellency, you might want to think about how this news got to your ears while the epidemic area is still under lockdown?"
His style of governance was lenient and accommodating.
As long as it doesn't touch on matters of principle, he usually manages to minimize the impact and resolve issues peacefully. Of course, few people are ever truly offended, and Gu Ren has his own set of methods for managing his subordinates, which has never gone wrong. However, this epidemic has served as a wake-up call for him.
Should he change his style?
When there are few people, it's fine to manage things this way.
But as more and more people join in, and more and more voices emerge, if we continue down the same old path, chaos will inevitably ensue sooner or later.
Not everyone in Shangnan could tolerate Gu Ziyi. Many thought he was easy to bully, and taking advantage of the epidemic occupying his entire focus, they stirred up trouble everywhere. With them causing such a ruckus, Gu Ren had to do something…
Wouldn't that be letting them down?
The third father-in-law calmed down and thought it over carefully.
He wasn't as learned as his first father-in-law or as shrewd as his second, but as a wealthy man from Shangnan, he was also a seasoned veteran in the world of fame and fortune, and he quickly figured out the trickery involved. He also sensed that Gu Rensheng was determined to make an example of someone, so he naturally supported him.
The third father-in-law rushed over because he was worried.
Since Gu Ren had already made his plans, he didn't interfere.
He simply relayed a few words of advice to his daughter, sent several truckloads of supplements, and told Gu Ren to take good care of himself.
He's been stuck in the epidemic area all day; he's so pitiful.
After seeing off his father-in-law, Gu Ren's expression suddenly turned cold.
This chill isn't directed at any one individual, but rather at the fact that news of the epidemic area has been leaked, meaning someone is disregarding epidemic prevention orders and openly engaging in close contact with the outside world. If the disease spreads through this route, who can bear the responsibility? This person must be apprehended!
Gu Ren abandoned his usual gentleness and became ruthless.
It deterred a large number of people with wavering stances.
Their position has become increasingly secure.
By the time the epidemic area was unsealed, it was already past the 20th of the month, and the weather was getting hotter.
When the soldiers removed the wooden barricades and fences, the common people in the epidemic area who had survived the ordeal wept with joy, tears streaming down their faces.
Upon seeing this, Gu Ren felt heavy-hearted.
Although Shen Tang's epidemic prevention strategy was timely and Gu Ren copied it exactly, some patients still lost their lives, and the population of the epidemic area was reduced by nearly 60%. He had no choice but to relocate slaves from elsewhere to prevent the place from becoming completely abandoned.
Is that all there is to it?
Haha, no.
Whether it was Gu Ren, Shen Tang, or Wu Xian, they all had one thing on their minds—where did the plague worms come from?
There was an element of luck involved in He Yin's case.
It shouldn't be intentionally targeting Shen Tang.
But what about Wu Xian and Gu Ren?
There had been no precedent for an epidemic under their rule.
Even if they exist, the symptoms are different from this time.
It is not a source of the disease at all.
Gu Ren asked his sixth brother, "Guess who did it?"
The sixth brother naturally didn't know, but he knew that Gu Ren already had a suspect, so he asked, "Zhang He?"
"He is the prime suspect."
Gu Ren and Zhang He had a conflict of interest.
It's understandable that Zhang He resorted to such ruthless measures.
Sixth Brother: "Even if it really is Zhang Yongqing, eldest brother can't get justice from him, at least not now."
Although the epidemic only claimed the lives of a few hundred people, most of whom were elderly and weak, it was not even a serious loss compared to the entire population of Shangnan. However, the money spent on controlling the epidemic was considerable, and spring plowing was indirectly delayed.
With a mountain of problems to solve, there was no time to launch an attack on Zhang He.
"...Being the prime suspect does not mean being the real culprit. Before there is solid evidence, it is not advisable for you to make enemies rashly."
"I know. I'll make a note of this for now."
Gu Ren thought so.
Wu Xian's attitude was similar.
If it were really Zhang He, he wouldn't be stupid enough to fight alone. Naturally, the Wu, Chen, and Gu families would team up to smash Zhang He's head! These days, one-on-one fights aren't popular; it's all about outnumbering the enemy.
Gaga is killing everything in sight!
Only Shen Tang doesn't play by the rules.
She chose to go directly to their door to demand an explanation.
Emmm...
Simply put, she went on a business trip.
＿|￣|●
I am guilty.
I broke my promise and gained three pounds!
When I was tidying up in the evening, my manicure broke. I saw that it was still early and went out to get it redone. Who knew that it would take more than an hour to repair the nail tip and another hour to do the new manicure.
I really miscalculated the timing.
I updated a combined chapter yesterday, and this chapter was also from yesterday, so it's only been seven days...
PS: Gu Ren's background was mentioned in chapter 217. His first father-in-law was his mentor, his second father-in-law was the previous governor of Shangnan, and his third father-in-law is the current one, a wealthy gentleman from Shangnan.
(End of this chapter)
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