The people present are all incredibly cunning.
Shen Tang wanted to give Chu Yao a big bear hug, because heaven knows how much she had suffered lately and how much Chu Yao and the others had endured. But when she saw an unfamiliar face next to Chu Yao and the others, she held back and cast a curious glance at them.
"Does Xian Deng know this gentleman?"
Jiang Sheng suppressed the slight twitch at the corner of his mouth.
Goodness, all the mysteries of the past few days have been solved.
He had anticipated that Xun Zhen might be loitering around the area, and vaguely suspected that his lord's recent unusual behavior was related to him, but he had no evidence. Now that the living person was standing right in front of him, he could no longer deceive himself. He mumbled a reply, "Hmm."
Shen Tang asked again, "Friend?"
"Hmm, his surname is Zhang and his given name is Zhen. It's been a long time since we last met... I didn't expect to run into him here."
Does Qi Yuanliang feel a chill down his spine?
Shen Tang was still completely unaware of what was happening, and smiled warmly: "Meeting an old friend in a foreign land is one of the four great joys in life. To meet here shows the depth of our fate. Mr. Xun, why don't you stay at my humble abode for a couple of days?"
Xun Zhen had prepared herself mentally and didn't show any excessive surprise at Shen Tang's age. Hearing her invitation, she naturally bowed and accepted with a slight smile: "Since it is Lord Shen who has invited me, I will take the liberty of troubling you."
Chu Jie was too lazy to care about any "literary restraint".
He said casually, "What's with all this 'trouble'? If it weren't for Hanzhang's strong support, who knows what Mr. Shen would have seen upon his return. Today, I'll take the liberty of hosting a banquet to welcome Mr. Shen back. Let's all drink until we're drunk!"
Everyone knew that if Shen Tang didn't speak up to persuade him to stay, Chu Yao and the others would have to publicly acknowledge Xun Zhen's contributions. However, since she had spoken up, due to a certain sense of restraint, the truth would have to be postponed to a formal occasion, such as a victory celebration banquet or a welcome banquet.
To everyone's surprise, Chu Jie exposed it directly.
Shen Tang looked surprised.
If that's the case, Xun Zhen is a great benefactor.
Without hesitation, he immediately bowed deeply: "Please accept my bow, sir. I was the one who was rude and disrespectful to you just now."
Seeing her sincerity, Xun Zhen reacted quickly and hurriedly helped Shen Tang up, saying, "Shen Jun, you mustn't accept such a grand gesture."
Shen Tang did not rise with his help, but bowed deeply: "Sir, you saved the people of Longwu County from the calamity of war. As the head of the county, I should express my gratitude. Please give us the opportunity to show our hospitality."
Xun Zhen had a very good impression of this young prefect.
"In that case, I shall respectfully comply."
Jiang Sheng watched this scene in silence.
As someone who saw everything and knew the truth, he dared not imagine how interesting his lord's expression would be when he learned the truth—
I wanted to offer a suggestion, but it wasn't appropriate to say it in public.
It was a trap, but Xun Zhen's meritorious service was an undeniable fact. If he were to offend him, the outside world would inevitably criticize the lord for being "ungrateful," and who would dare to come and serve him in the future? Reputation was the lord's only visible political capital.
It needs to be carefully maintained and polished until it shines.
Gu Chi couldn't help but glance at him sideways.
Jiang Sheng sighed helplessly and silently looked back.
Gu Chi: "..."
Kang Shi noticed an undercurrent between the two, but couldn't pinpoint its source, assuming they were simply having a disagreement. He tried to mediate, but was met with a meaningful sneer from Gu Chi: "Does Ji Shou know he's in deep trouble?"
Kang Shi's expression was inscrutable.
He countered, "What serious trouble could I possibly be in?"
Gu Chi chuckled and said, "Yes, it seems Qi Yuanliang is in big trouble. You, his cousin, have to keep a close eye on him."
Kang Shi: "..."
Gu Chi's words ruthlessly exposed the truth that Kang Shi had been desperately avoiding—his nemesis cousin had enemies all over the world. The thought of how he had enthusiastically praised his lord to Xun Hanzhang made Kang Shi's expression as if he had just eaten a bitter melon.
His facial features were all scrunched up.
First, give up and think: "It's a blessing in disguise—"
A final, desperate plea: "As long as it's not a mortal enemy..."
He kept reassuring himself—his lord had always favored Yuan Liang, and Yuan Liang was his lord's second life, so he was sure to be alright. The worst outcome would be that Xun Hanzhang would be angered and leave, causing the two to turn against each other and become enemies on the battlefield.
While Shen Tang and Xun Zhen were having a pleasant conversation and no one was paying attention to him, Jiang Sheng secretly inquired with Kang Shi.
"I know Xun Hanzhang's temperament and background well. His situation is special; it's better for him to observe from the sidelines than to sneak in. Did you promise him something in return for staying here to help guard the pass? Such as a considerable amount of gold and silver?"
Kang Shi then recounted what had happened that day.
Seeing Jiang Sheng's distorted expression, he asked, "What's wrong? Five thousand taels of gold is a lot, but it's not like we can't make up for it..."
Jiang Sheng was not a money-loving person.
"You...you don't know this—" It was Xun Zhen who caused the lord's five thousand taels of gold to go down the drain. If she knew, she would have a heart attack on the spot. "You'll find out later. Let me ask you again, that day when you were guarding the pass, did Hanzhang use any of the scholar's methods?"
Kang Shi vaguely realized something.
Then, recall your own actions on that day.
Feeling inexplicably guilty and short of breath: "It was indeed used."
Jiang Sheng: "..."
My lord, this financial loss is truly well worth it.
Kang Shi felt a chill run down his spine and tentatively asked, "Is it serious?"
Jiang Sheng's expression was a strange and eerie smile: "It's serious, Xun Hanzhang scattered more than five thousand taels."
“Impossible! Wu Hui only promised to give away five thousand taels of gold.” Kang Shi categorically rejected the idea. At that time, Shen Tang was not around, and Chu Yao, as her most trusted subordinate, had close ties with her and could make the decision for her, but he only promised five thousand taels of gold.
Not a single penny more.
Jiang Sheng looked on with disbelief: "You probably don't know, but our lord has promised to give away 45,000 taels."
Kang Shi exclaimed in surprise, then quickly lowered his voice: "...Impossible, our lord doesn't know that Hanzhang is at Yonggu Pass..."
Jiang Sheng sighed and repeated Shen Tang's original words.
"If spending five thousand taels can defend Yonggu Pass and protect the people within, then five thousand taels—compared to my subordinates and the common people under my rule, I would spend fifty thousand taels of gold, let alone five thousand taels!" The man spoke with great pride and conviction.
In this world where words are powerful, a scumbag might not be struck by lightning for lying, but a literary scholar, who has the ability to make his words come true and to condemn others with words, can eat whatever he wants but cannot speak carelessly. Once a promise is made, it becomes a contract!
Each stroke is recorded in God's little notebook.
Kang Shi: "..."
He was completely dumbfounded.
He tried his best to lower his voice and ask for a solution.
"What... what should we do?"
Jiang Sheng confirmed with him again: "You just said that Wu Hui promised to give it away? Then it's alright. The lord is reluctant to touch even you, so how could he be willing to touch Chu Wu Hui? She herself promised to give away 45,000 taels, so she can't blame others."
He had no choice but to give up.
Kang Shi: "..."
Something about that sounds a bit off.
He doesn't say who's being jealous.
Seeing that his lord and the others were still completely unaware, Kang Shi felt a chill run down his spine and vehemently resisted attending the banquet. This was no welcoming banquet or victory celebration; it was clearly a trap filled with open and hidden attacks.
“No banquet is ever a good banquet…” Kang Shi murmured, feeling that his heart and mouth were bitterer than bitter melon.
Is it still possible to take sick leave now?
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