Chapter 421: Striving to Achieve KPIs (Part 1) [Happy Children's Day]
Shen Tang was not surprised by the princess's change of heart.
From the fact that she deceived the Ten Crows Envoy in order to make a living and pushed her unborn child onto Zheng Qiao, it can be seen that this woman cherishes her life very much, and her means of survival is based on lies.
Every lie will eventually be exposed...
Her life is in grave danger!
It is only natural to find another, more reliable piece of driftwood, or even to use it to climb ashore.
The only thing that didn't expect was that Princess Wang made up her mind so quickly; Shen Tang thought she would drag it out for a while.
It's not that Shen Tang was looking forward to the so-called alliance, but rather that Princess Wang's several tests were all rushed, and her "background check" on Shen Tang was not thorough enough. She dared to reveal her true colors without being sure of anything—it's hard to say whether she was desperate and grasping at straws or had a keen eye for talent, finding a reliable ally right away.
Shen Tang said calmly, "Seeking a way to survive? Your Highness overestimates me..."
Princess Wang's face was slightly pale, but she remained calm and said, "I... no, I can tell that there's something wrong with these tribute women offered to the Ten Crows. Although I don't know what Lord Shen is planning, I'm certain that you won't push them into a fire pit!"
If you had such intentions, why did you kill ten of the Ten Crow Guards last night and cause trouble with the Ten Crow Envoys?
Isn't Shen Tang afraid that she can never go back to the past?
Wang Ji always felt that there was something wrong with this group of tribute women.
Shen Tang simply said, "But you are a princess sent for a political marriage."
She avoided the question of "a thousand tribute women," instead pointing out the princess's current status. She was one of the candidates for a marriage alliance between the two countries, not a dispensable tribute woman.
If I ask Shen Tang for help, how can Shen Tang assist me?
Will they kill through the Ten Crows and take the person away?
Shen Tang doesn't have that ability yet.
If Shen Tang can't bring himself enough benefits to match these risks, what benefits can he gain by helping the other party?
She wasn't a reincarnated bodhisattva, lacking the noble sentiment of selflessness, and sneered, "Does Your Highness know the risks involved?"
Gritting his teeth, he said, "Whatever Shen Jun wants, as long as I can live to achieve it, I will definitely help you achieve it!"
If you want someone to do something for you, you have to give them something in return.
Princess Wang naturally understood this principle.
From the time she was old enough to understand, every action and every thought she had was aimed at increasing her own bargaining power.
Born into a family of servants, she grew up in the cutthroat world of the inner quarters, without the protection of a favored mother or the affection of a father. Her mistress wasn't harsh, but her treatment of her was merely superficial. Servants are notoriously opportunistic; they cut back on their own spending, neglected her in every way, and secretly mocked and sneered at her. The only person she could rely on was herself.
They racked their brains to plan their future.
For this reason, she didn't hesitate to get pregnant out of wedlock and had a physical relationship with the only son of an official she greatly admired. Although he was also born out of wedlock, he was the only son, so all the family property would be his in the future, and his background wouldn't be too different from hers.
She was certain to become the legal wife.
Who knew that she would be made a princess!
If she didn't have this unborn child, even if she were to marry far away to the barbaric lands as a princess, she could still live a decent life as long as she humbled herself and flattered her future husband.
If the two countries are on good terms, the future will be prosperous. If not, will the Ten Kingdoms really go hungry?
Unfortunately, she didn't have the chance to deal with this scourge.
Now all she wants is to live, and the bargaining chips she has now might be enough to sway this Mr. Shen!
Shen Tang asked in surprise, "Oh?"
Now she was curious.
"Then what can Your Highness do to help me?"
Princess Wangji asked, "How is the deployment of defenses by the various tribes of Shiwu?"
Shen Tang: "..."
That's a trump card right from the start.
How did you get this?
This kind of top secret is so closely guarded that not only in the Geng Kingdom, but even within the Shiwu region, only a few people have access to it.
Princess Wang, merely a mascot for the peace treaty, had neither the means nor the right to contact them. But judging from the other party's demeanor, it didn't seem like a bluff. Were they afraid of having their heads twisted off if they tried to deceive her?
Princess Wang said, "That cannot be said."
Shen Tang: "Do you think I would be interested in this?"
Princess Wang retorted, "What hot-blooded, ambitious person wouldn't hate the crimes Shi Wu committed in Longwu County? And how can you guarantee that the former prefect won't suffer the same fate as you? How can you tolerate such a deep-seated hatred?"
As soon as she finished speaking, her gaze towards Shen Tang carried a subtle hint of inquiry and doubt—as if silently questioning, "Do you even have the guts?" If Shen Tang were a little more thin-skinned or less composed, she might have been truly enraged by her.
Unfortunately, her thickest skin is what makes her so shameless.
"Defending Yonggu Pass and governing Longwu County, without letting emotions lead to the suffering of the common people—this is the duty of a prefect. As for the rest, we'll see what future opportunities bring." Shen Tang's expression remained calm, which made the previously confident princess uneasy. "However, if the deployment of defenses is truly..."
Under the gaze of the princess, whose hope had been rekindled, Shen Tang said, "It's not like we can't take a gamble."
well--
Gambling should be left to Kang Shi.
"...Therefore, Your Highness, I can only feel completely at ease after I see the 'down payment' you have given me."
As Shen Tang left the luxurious car, she tucked a handkerchief, faintly scented with rouge, into her sleeve. A carefree smile played on her lips as she gestured for Gu Chi to leave in front of everyone.
Gu Chi shifted his gaze from Shen Tang's sleeve, narrowed his eyes, and teased, "Does my lord know what kind of person you were just now?"
Shen Tang was self-aware.
"A playboy who just succeeded in stealing a beautiful woman?"
Gu Chi clapped his hands and exclaimed, "So fitting!"
But Shen Tang did this to dispel any possible suspicions. After all, who would do a shady business so openly? Shen Tang swaggered back to her own camp, going about her business without mentioning her deal with the princess. It wasn't until nightfall, while having a meal with Jiang Sheng and the others, that she took out the handkerchief.
Jiang Sheng looked puzzled.
She dared not accept the handkerchief.
You mustn't just take the lord's handkerchief.
Shen Tang had no choice but to warm the handkerchief over the candlelight. Under the watchful eyes of the others, a small map gradually appeared on the previously blank handkerchief. Compared to the map given to her by General Chu at Yonggu Pass last time, this one was significantly more detailed. It not only marked the rivers, mountains, and tribes, but also indicated the approximate number of people and the strength of able-bodied men in each tribe in tiny characters.
Even Gu Chi, who was already mentally prepared, stared wide-eyed and gasped.
"Where did you get that princess?"
Shen Tang had no idea: "Who cares how she got it? As long as the map is usable and easy to use, it's good."
Upon hearing that the map was related to the princess, Jiang Sheng quickly realized how the map came to be.
He asked in a low voice, "Authenticity guaranteed?"
Shen Tang shook his head: "No, we need to verify the truth of this. If it's true, dealing with the Ten Crows will be much simpler. I went to investigate, and we're only about half a month away from the royal court. There are some arrangements we need to make as soon as possible..."
Putting everything else aside, Shen Tang had no intention of sending the so-called "one thousand tribute women" over there. These one thousand people were meant to cause trouble within the Ten Crows, but they were just missing a perfect opportunity.
Just as she was agonizing over whether or not to create chaos so that the "one thousand tribute women" could scatter and escape in the confusion—
A golden opportunity has come knocking on our door.
_(:з」∠)_
I just want to get through the first three months quickly. Every day feels like an eternity. I'm either feeling sleepy and nauseous or have a headache that makes me want to vomit...
(End of this chapter)
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