Chapter 815: A Grand Gift (Part 2) [Requesting Monthly Tickets]
Qin Li's bluntness actually confused Shen Tang.
They were shameless enough not to feel embarrassed at all.
Finally, Cui Xiao acted as a mediator to break the awkward atmosphere: "Gongsu, didn't you have something to discuss with the lord?"
Shen Tang coughed lightly and stepped down the stairs.
"Yes, yes, yes, business comes first."
Qin Li didn't press the matter further. At Shen Tang's suggestion, he sat down to her left. Cui Xiao got up and called for tea. The three of them sat down, and Shen Tang took a sip of tea: "I have received the 'great gift' that Gong Su mentioned, but there is one thing I just can't understand."
Qin Li said, "Please ask whatever you wish, Lord Shen."
How did Gong Su know about that place?
Qin Li replied, "Strategists always have their own methods."
If it were any other leader, they would probably have accepted the offer without further ado, as this is an unspoken rule in the industry. As a leader, as long as they know that their subordinates can get things done for them, they don't need to know what methods their subordinates use to accomplish it. Their subordinates also need to maintain a veil of mystery. However, Shen Tang is rebellious by nature, and Qin Li is not her subordinate at this moment, but her partner.
Isn't honesty the most fundamental element of cooperation?
Shen Tang asked, "Gong Su's way of the scholar?"
Qin Li's eyes remained completely expressionless: "Qi Shan revealed it?"
Holding the answer in his hand, Shen Tang shook his head and said frankly, "Yuan Liang only knows the 'what' but not the 'why' of your scholarly way. He himself doesn't know the specifics either. I make this guess only because I've seen it a lot."
Qin Li snorted lightly, neither agreeing nor disagreeing with the explanation.
Of course, he didn't actually intend to hide it.
He had known Wu Xian for years, but had only met Shen Tang a few times. Shen Tang was also the lord of his enemy, Qi Yuanliang, so his initial impression of him wouldn't be high. Under these circumstances, to gain Shen Tang's complete trust, he had to reveal his powerful trump cards.
The previous "gift" was just bait.
A bait that piques the fish's curiosity and then gets them hooked.
Although Shen Tang guessed the key point, which lowered her expectations and curiosity, it was fine as long as it didn't interfere with the subsequent plans.
"Has Mr. Shen seen a lot?"
Qin Li pointed to the table in front of him.
Shen Tang's gaze was drawn to his fingers. For the first time, she noticed three rings on the knuckles of his right hand: two translucent jade rings and a bone ring. Judging from the marks on his fingers, he must have worn them regularly, making his fingers appear even longer and more slender. Come to think of it, Qin Li wasn't the only one; others also wore rings, though their rings weren't made of such precious materials.
Ordinary people's fingers are either short or thick, and the proportions of their knuckles are not pleasing to the eye. Wearing a ring only makes them appear even shorter and thicker. Scholars and writers seem to have no such problem; is this a benefit of cultivating one's literary mind? With so many beautiful fingers, why not wear more rings?
Shen Tang noticed that Qin Li's fingers had drifted off for a few moments.
Instead of silk quilts, how about rings as year-end bonuses this year?
I'll have Wu Hui rummage through the warehouse to see if there's any suitable material for making custom corporate rings, and get a batch as gifts.
Distracted, but that didn't stop Qin Li's voice from reaching my ears.
"So, have you ever seen one like this before?"
Shen Tang calmly shifted her gaze to Qin Li's face, as if she hadn't been distracted at all: "Which one is Gong Su referring to?"
Qin Li raised his right hand slightly, his fingers casually tapping the table twice. A scholarly aura, like a thin mist, emanated from his fingertips and quickly condensed on the table. Shen Tang was initially puzzled until she saw a rectangular sand table appear.
Above the sand table, clouds and mist drift lightly.
Beneath the clouds and mist lie mountains, rivers, lakes, and seas.
Suddenly, the true name of Qin Li, the scholar, popped into Shen Tang's mind. Her pupils visibly contracted, and she uttered a sentence that caught Qin Li off guard: "This is a sand table? Gong Su, is this the real [Cloud and Mist]?"
Isn't this a high-resolution satellite map?
In an era when maps were still top secret during wartime, updated only once every few years with enormous manpower and resources, and accessible only to a select few with the necessary permissions, how could Qin Li's scholarly practices be monitored in real time? How could they possibly wage war under such circumstances?
Qin Li said quietly, "Qi Yuanliang knows quite a lot."
Often, scholars are quite protective of their literary principles, revealing only specific applications and rarely revealing their real names. This is because their real names might expose their true essence. He hadn't told many people, and he couldn't be sure if Qi Yuanliang was among them. After all, he was quite gullible back then.
Shen Tang: "...Well, it's not Yuan Liang either."
This time, they're not going to shift the blame onto Qi Shan.
Qin Li silently looked at Cui Xiao.
Cui Xiao, who had been quietly acting as a transparent figure and background character, paused in his fan-wielding gesture and explained, "...It's not Xiao, Gongsu. You know me. Under normal circumstances, I wouldn't betray you."
Before Qin Li explicitly stated his intention to pledge allegiance to his lord, Cui Xiao genuinely had no plans to sever ties with him, as he wanted to respect his friend's wishes and couldn't make decisions for him. Unless Wu Xian completely broke with his lord and became an outright enemy of Gong Su, in which case it would be a life-or-death struggle, and there would be no need to respect the enemy's secrets. This matter truly wasn't leaked by him…
Shen Tang said, "...Well, it's not Shan Xiao either. As for who it is, that depends on our relationship in the future."
She couldn't possibly expose her own strategist's true colors for outsiders; even among her own people, few knew the truth about Luan Xin's trump card. Since Shen Tang had already put it this way, Qin Li wisely refrained from pressing the issue and cut straight to the point.
"Qin can help Shen Jun conquer the Huang and Zhang families."
Shen Tang scratched his head: "Is Brother Zhaode aware of this matter?"
The question isn't whether Wu Xian knew about Qin Li's secret infidelity, but rather whether he knew that Qin Li's perfected scholarly way was a bug. How did Wu Zhaode manage to possess mountains of gold and silver and not take a single penny for years?
One is Cui Xiao, and the other is Qin Li.
The absurdity was like Gu Chi's recent novel draft: a licentious empress abducts two princes from a neighboring country, married for many years, only to discover they have absolutely no experience when she forces herself on them. Isn't that outrageous? Whether it's Gu Chi's novel or these two literary figures before him! It took Shen Tang a long time to control his racing facial expressions; reality was even more melodramatic than Gu Chi's novel!
Qin Li countered, "Does Shen Jun think he knows?"
Shen Tang scratched his head again: "It doesn't seem like they know."
If Wu Zhaode had known everything, he might have been able to grit his teeth and withstand the pressure from the Tianhai family, and protect Qin Li's faction. How could he have forced Zhao Feng to become disloyal?
Ultimately, Wu Xian felt that Qin Li's faction could offer less benefit than Tianhai's side, so he sought to maximize his gains and minimize his losses.
Shen Tang asked Qin Li, "Then why did you tell me?"
This is actually not a good sign.
Tell Shen Tang there are two possible outcomes.
One possibility is that he has taken a liking to Shen Tang, is willing to be honest with her, and will accept her as his new lord. However, since the person in front of him is Qin Gongsu, another possibility arises—Qin Li simply wants to demonstrate his value, gain Shen Tang's trust, and make her fully believe in the battle plan he provides, so that she can eliminate Huang Liezhanghe's troops with the fastest speed. In return, Shen Tang will pressure Wu Xian to protect Qin Li's faction and their families, and then regain her freedom...
If it's the former, Shen Tang would be happy to see it happen. If it's the latter, and Qin Li has no intention of returning to officialdom, it doesn't matter if she knows this trump card, because the two sides can't become enemies in the future. At most, Shen Tang will have a few more reclusive scholars named "Qin Li" under her rule.
Shen Tang couldn't feel optimistic.
However, Qin Li did not seem inclined to reply.
He abruptly changed the subject.
Looking at the sand table before him, Shen Tang sighed, "I have seen the 'great gift' that Gong Su truly intends to present, and I am quite satisfied with it. Please put it away. Although I do not understand your way of the scholar, I am well aware of the principle that there are gains and losses. The stronger the way of the scholar, the heavier the burden on the scholar himself."
Upon hearing this, Qin Li put away the sand table.
He took a sip of tea to moisten his lips: "When I get back, I will immediately begin to draw up new maps. Please trouble Shanxiao to forward them to me."
Cui Xiao nodded: "It's alright."
After finishing his tea, Qin Li thanked Shen Tang for his hospitality and said, "It's getting late, so I won't disturb your sleep any longer."
As someone under Wu Xian's command, even though he's currently sidelined, he can't go out freely. Qin Li's arrival this time was only thanks to Zhao Feng and others. The longer he stays outside, the easier it is for him to be exposed and reported to Wu Xian, which would only cause more trouble.
After Qin Li left, Shen Tang sighed, resting her chin on her hand.
Even the background seemed to have darkened a bit.
Cui Xiao called out softly, "My lord?"
Shen Tang changed from resting her chin on her hand to leaning on the table, her hands hanging out in front of her, and tilted her head to look at Cui Xiao: "I messed it up."
Qin Li's attitude clearly indicates the second possibility.
Her bundled gift package is gone.
Cui Xiaodao: "Alas, this depends on fate."
Shen Tang pouted. In all these years of recruiting people, she had never run into a brick wall. This time, she was somewhat frustrated after hitting a wall with Qin Li.
Cui Xiao could only comfort her: "Gong Su has always praised the Lord highly. If he refuses, it is probably because of that Qi Yuanliang, not because of the Lord... Gong Su probably can't get over the hurdle of being subordinate to the evil schemer."
But the lord insists on protecting Qishan.
It's perfectly normal that Qin Li doesn't want to come.
The biggest mistake was the evil scheme of enemies everywhere!
It certainly takes courage to work with your enemy.
Shen Tang frowned: "Sigh, if that's really the case—"
She could only sigh that they were destined to be apart.
but--
That's a high-resolution satellite map!
Shen Tang was deep in thought, unconsciously biting her cheek. She was so distracted that she didn't even notice when Cui Xiao took his leave.
After an incense stick has burned—
Inside Chaoli Pass, Luan Xin, who was preparing to retire for the night, was about to remove the window support when suddenly a lord's head rose from under the windowsill, startling him greatly. He exclaimed in surprise, "The lord has arrived?"
"Gongyi, if you perfect the Way of the Scholar, can you replicate and use the Way of the Scholar in its perfect state?" Although she couldn't defeat Qin Gongsu, she still had the omnipotent Luan Xin!
Even if it's constantly under full load, like an old-fashioned phone, it might run smoothly again after an upgrade!
Luan Xin: "..."
Shen Tang came excitedly, but left in a huff.
Because of his heavy workload, Luan Xin's cultivation is slower than his peers. He hasn't even reached the threshold of perfection yet, and doesn't even know what method is needed to achieve it. In other words, Shen Tang's attempt to replicate Luan Qin Gongsu Xin is futile.
Even though Luan Xin said, "I will tell the lord as soon as I have a clue," it didn't make her happy.
Shen Tang returned and bumped into Gu Chi, who was returning from gathering materials.
In the distance, there were still familiar figures leaving.
"Wangchao, that looks like Shaoxuan?"
Gu Chi said, "It is dangerous outside the pass. General Bai was worried that I am delicate and weak and might encounter misfortune, so we traveled together for a while."
Shen Tang responded with an "Oh".
"My lord, your brows seem furrowed; are you troubled by something?"
Shen Tang stopped worrying about how well Gu Chi fit the description of "delicate and frail" and started ranting and raving in her mind.
Gu Chi provides a precise summary.
"Is your lord troubled by Qin Gongsu's unintentional actions?"
Shen Tang: "You bet it. I guess I'm used to things going smoothly, so it's the first time I've been rejected, and I'm not used to it."
Gu Chi carefully analyzed for her: "Logically speaking, Qin Gongsu is not the kind of person who would be willing to live in seclusion in the mountains. Putting aside other things, he has no foundation. He can't just starve after going into seclusion, can he? He can live like an immortal, but what about others?"
Scholars didn't all enter officialdom for fame, fortune, or ideals; there are many more ordinary people in the world who need to make a living.
With his delicate skin and tender flesh, could Qin Gongsu endure the hardships of seclusion? Did he really think that living in seclusion in the mountains would bring him a peaceful and tranquil life?
Even picking chrysanthemums by the eastern fence requires a supportive family background.
Qin Li's family history had vanished when the state was destroyed.
Shen Tang's expression froze: "Surely you have other savings?"
Gu Chi smiled and said, "I have had a lot of contact with Da Yi and I know a bit about Qin Gongsu and his group. The reason why Zhao Feng and others are still willing to follow him is related to Qin Li's strict self-discipline and generous treatment of others. Most of his wealth has been used to support the orphans and widows of fallen soldiers. He himself actually lives a rather poor life."
Wu Xian had always been generous to Qin Li, which was part of the favor he had done for him. Without Wu Xian's initial shelter and subsequent generosity, many widows and orphans would have struggled to make a living. Gu Chi speculated that this was also why Qin Li had tolerated Wu Xian time and again; the probability of Qin Li going into seclusion was low.
Shen Tang had never expected this aspect, and for a moment, she gained a deeper understanding of this royal descendant from a fallen kingdom.
Gu Chi said, "Given the constraints of reality, he has no intention of going into seclusion, and he has revealed all his cards to the lord. Does the lord think he is preparing to become the lord's enemy in the future? And that he is acting without any scruples?"
Shen Tang: "...So what do you mean?"
Gu Chi stared at his lord with a cunning gaze, making her feel like the hairs on her body were about to stand on end: "What kind of look is that?"
She thinks even a pervert is perverted!
Gu Chi sighed, “Alas, my lord doesn’t understand romance.”
Shen Tang: "..."
He suppressed a laugh: "Men and women's scheming and tactics are all the same, because they are essentially trying to understand people's hearts. However, they have different experiences and perspectives from a young age. But men are in the court, while women are confined to the inner quarters, and they are both vying for people's hearts. The difference is that in the court, they are vying for the monarch's heart, while in the inner quarters, they are vying for the head of the household's heart. Do you understand, my lord?"
Shen Tang: "..."
After a long while, a word popped into her mind.
"Oh, is Gong Su playing hard to get with me?"
What a charming scene!
"If it weren't for the occasion, who would bother to dress up for a day? A quick rub of the face is enough to make it passable, especially on the front lines! It's laughable that Qin Gongsu's charms were cast on a blind man who doesn't understand romance." Gu Chi twirled a strand of her hair with her fingers and said resentfully, "New faces are always so appealing. Even our lord was captivated by him, his mind clouded, his heart disturbed, and his desires stirred. What's that saying again? 'What you can't have always seems more alluring.'"
Shen Tang: "..."
(╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻
What the hell is all this?!
Come on, are you on the wrong channel?
Shen Tang was so disgusted by Gu Chi that she left.
She was considering whether she should take a break from her brainstorming sessions. Good heavens, over the years she had turned Gu Wangchao into this person, who couldn't stand not making sarcastic remarks about her every day. It made Shen Tang feel incredibly uncomfortable, as if she had really cheated on her countless times.
Does a lord also want to be with his subordinates for life, one man and one woman?
Is the main focus on a two-way journey?
Shen Tang was puzzled and expressed great shock.
However, after Gu Chi comforted her, the discomfort in her chest dissipated, and she hummed a tune in a good mood.
Hehehe, high-resolution satellite map...
Meanwhile, Zhao Feng had been waiting in Qin Li's camp for a long time.
I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw him come back.
Qin Li took off his cloak: "Did no one notice?"
Zhao Fengdao: "Don't worry, there's no one here."
I couldn't help but be curious.
"Gongsu, what did Lord Shen say?"
Qin Li folded the cloak and hung it on the simple screen: "Her affection for Qi Yuanliang is truly extraordinary."
Zhao Feng was taken aback: "Huh?"
Qin Li said, "It's nothing."
Zhao Feng cautiously spoke up for Shen Tang, standing close to him: "...Shen Jun is actually a pretty good person. He's kind to his subordinates and, even if he doesn't consider anything else, he should at least think about his brothers. As for his evil schemes, he should avoid them in the future..."
Don't fight him before you've established a firm foothold.
If you can't afford to mess with him, just ignore him!
|ω`)
(End of this chapter)
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