Chapter 853: Fate Brings Us Together [Seeking Monthly Tickets]
"Gong Su, what is this?"
Zhao Feng looked at the drawing paper in Qin Li's hand with slight hesitation.
What could be so important that it warrants Gong Su going to such lengths to use his literary avatar? This literary avatar was clearly not recently created; it was most likely created before they dispatched troops to wipe out the remaining forces! In other words, was Gong Su multitasking during the battle?
Qin Li showed no embarrassment at being caught.
He calmly said, "It was handed down by the master."
Upon hearing that it was Shen Tang's instruction, Zhao Feng and the others mistakenly assumed it was some kind of top-secret matter, and wisely refrained from asking further questions. They would find out when the time was right; asking about things they weren't supposed to know wouldn't yield answers and would only invite suspicion.
After a quick tidying up, smoke rose from the camp.
When it was time to eat, Zhao Feng saw Qin Li walk out of the temporary camp carrying a long wooden box. He didn't think much of it, and when he went to eat, he saw Qin Li sitting upright at the table, eating slowly and elegantly. He turned his head to look in the direction he had come from, and then looked at Qin Li again.
A rare look of confusion appeared on the face of this tough, unyielding man.
He knew Qin Li was very conscientious and responsible at work, but Gong Su always valued health and followed a very regular routine—in simpler terms, he ate when he was supposed to eat and slept when he was supposed to sleep, maintaining a regular meal schedule. For example, this behavior of not forgetting work even while eating…
This completely exceeded the public image he knew Gong Su to have.
Qin Li seemed to sense something and raised his eyelids: "Is something the matter?"
Zhao Feng shook his head vigorously, his rather long, thick beard swaying from side to side: "No, no."
He saw nothing.
——
“My lord has been spending a lot of time with Gong Su these past few days.” Their visits are so frequent that they seem more like old men than the rest of us. Anyone who didn’t know the situation would think they were the master and servant who had been working together for many years. Gu Chi didn’t care at first, but he soon became restless.
Why?
It wasn't because he was jealous of Qin Li's presence.
He was shocked that she could keep quiet about the big thing that the lord was planning with Qin Li without revealing it to anyone else!
If the mountain won't come to me, then I'll come to the mountain.
Gu Chi decided to probe indirectly.
Shen Tang glanced at him: "Is this what you call indirect questioning?"
Gu Chi's eyelids drooped.
Drawing out his words: "Hmm, how can this not count?"
Shen Tang covered her face: "Don't imitate every inner voice!"
Her officials are really a bit out of their minds. Isn't Gu Chi's jealous and sullen attitude a little strange?
Fortunately, Shen Tang was proficient in various techniques for smoothing hair.
With a businesslike tone, he said, "Fighting is easy, but the aftermath is difficult. Yanzhou and Ganzhou have been ravaged by war for several years. Even the most prosperous cities are now pitifully desolate, with broken walls and ruins everywhere. However, it is precisely because they are ruins that they are suitable for large-scale renovation and reconstruction. We can take this opportunity to completely change all the unreasonable parts. Gong Su's way of dealing with scholars is very convenient."
She added, "I didn't tell you because you're all on the front lines, already exhausted enough. If I added these things on your shoulders, wouldn't it make me, your lord, seem too harsh? Capitalists always end up hanging from lampposts..."
She's showing consideration for her subordinates!
Upon hearing this, Gu Chi also stopped his playful antics.
"Did my lord believe Qin Gongsu so easily?"
Shen Tang nearly jumped: "Is there a problem with Gong Su?"
"No, or perhaps it hasn't been discovered yet. But Qin Gongsu is, after all, from the royal family. Some of his ideas might contradict ours and ours. He's also stubborn. It's unexpected that he accepted the status quo so easily."
Shen Tang breathed a sigh of relief: "Oh, Gong Su mentioned Wang Chao to me before, asking about your current health."
Gu Chi gave him a wary look.
"My lord, it's not that Chi has any objection to Qin Li."
It was unusual for Gu Chi not to joke around with Shen Tang.
Shen Tang also adopted a serious attitude and listened attentively.
Gu Chi's sickly face held an unprecedented solemnity and seriousness: "But I hope my lord understands one thing—from the moment Huang Lie was destroyed, you were no longer just the lord of a makeshift army! You are the overlord of the Northwest, therefore, the allure of the benefits brought by your forces can make them abandon their prejudices based on social class. It is expected that in the future, a steady stream of powerful families will extend olive branches to my lord, including many with astonishing abilities and overflowing talent, perhaps even far superior to us scholars whose ways are flawed. At least their scholarly ways will not put my lord in danger..."
“They will be loyal to their lord. Some will be purely loyal, but there are also those who are loyal because of the added value they bring. They are after the benefits that Shen Youli can bring to them and their families. These people can be used and exploited, but they cannot be trusted.”
"We should be even less open with each other."
"My lord often proudly proclaims, 'Sincerity is the ultimate weapon,' but there's a condition to that statement! Sincerity is only a weapon when applied to those who are equally sincere. Towards insincere people, offering sincerity will only give them leverage to mock you. Not everyone deserves your sincerity and trust; Qin Gongsu might be the last one."
The greater the power, the more people are attracted.
There are certainly sincere people among them, but there are far more hypocrites wearing various masks. It's too difficult to discern people's true feelings! Even though Gu Chi possesses the scholar's way of reading minds, he dares not say that he can distinguish between every genuine sentiment and every false one!
Shen Tang remained silent for a long time after hearing this.
After a long silence, her almond-shaped eyes curved into crescent moons with a smile, her gaze as clear as ever: "Wangchao, your lord's sincerity and trust are not something just anyone can see. Have you ever seen me manipulate people's hearts?"
This time, it was Gu Chi's turn to be taken aback.
Shen Tang said in a deep voice: "To manipulate people's hearts, all you need is a mouth."
Just because a skill hasn't been used doesn't mean it's not at its maximum level.
Well, it's not like I've never used it.
She also played a part in Xu Jie's falling out with Tianhai Wu Xian.
Gu Chi: "..."
Although she was very grateful for Gu Chi's reminders each time.
but--
She really isn't the kind, innocent, naive, and pure saintly lord that Gu Chi and the others imagined! Shen Tang always felt that in their eyes she was a potential victim of telecom fraud, an elderly person who loved health products, and a sucker who liked to buy P2P products.
Who exactly instilled such a wrong impression in them?
Gu Chi: "..."
Shen Tang scratched his head: "I didn't expect that I would be seen this way in your eyes in Wangchao. Sigh, am I really that unreliable?"
Sincerity versus pretense?
Gu Chi still needs the way of the scholar.
But she knew the other party's composition without needing to do anything.
Just like when I first saw Qi Yuanliang.
Gu Chi: "..."
Tsk, he's worrying about nothing.
Shen Tang seemed to be the one who could read minds, spreading her hands and saying, "This isn't just worrying unnecessarily, is it? At least it lets me know that Wang Chao really can be jealous. Don't worry, I guarantee that even if I'm all lovey-dovey with the rich and handsome Gong Su, you'll still be one of my wives who have shared my hardships! Your position will never waver!"
Gu Chi blinked: "Really?"
Shen Tang nodded: "Yes, really!"
Gu Chi withdrew the little trick he had been up to some unknown time.
Shen Tang's upturned lips froze.
Because she noticed a sudden appearance of another presence nearby.
A scent that belongs to Qin Gongsu!
Qin Gongsu, the wealthy and handsome man: "..."
His pupils dilated, his expression froze, and he was completely stunned.
Chen, the outspoken and unrestrained Tang: "..."
She shifted her gaze from the innocent-looking Gu Chi, then looked at Qin Li, swallowed hard a few times, and stammered guiltily, "Um, Gong Su, how much did you hear?"
Qin Li remained expressionless: "The handsome, rich, and successful Gong Su, you and I are deeply in love, he has a wife who has shared hardships with me, and his position remains unshakable."
Does this mean he escaped one danger only to fall into another?
The new lord's relationship with his ministers seems to be no less than that of Wu Xian's, which Zhao Dayi has never mentioned!
Shen Tang covered her face with both hands.
I couldn't help but slap myself in the face.
He's been flirting all day, and look what happened, he finally messed up!
Moreover, if it weren't for Gu Chi starting this bad trend, she wouldn't have gone off on tangents with his teasing. It's really bad!
Shen Tang shouted loudly, "Gong Su, believe me, I only like the physique of a martial artist, preferably someone like Gong Xi Chou, who is also younger than me. I am innocent to my officials and have no intention of engaging in any underhanded dealings."
Gu Chi added fuel to the fire: "Oh, you think he's too old and too thin?"
Shen Tang was so angry that she wanted to hit him on the head with her wooden cane, roaring, "Gu Wangchao, that's enough! If you keep doing this, I guarantee you'll be a bachelor for life. I'll break up every relationship you have!"
Whether it was because Shen Tang's anger made Gu Chi wary, or for some other reason, he actually put away his playful smile and seriously told Qin Li that he was the one being irreverent, that he was joking with his lord, never expecting that Qin Li would overhear something unpleasant...
Qin Li: "..."
Whether Gu Chi's words were true or false, Gu Chi's image of a refined and sickly gentleman in his mind had been completely shattered...
It was indeed distance that caused the misunderstanding.
Shen Tang didn't dare to recall how this day ended.
He thought the matter had quietly passed, until more than half a year later, a group of powerful families kept recommending their own fifteen or sixteen-year-old martial arts boys to him. Shen Tang was initially a little confused, but he accepted them all with a smile.
The infrastructure construction sector needs young and energetic people!
Those worried that their lord was infatuated with men: "..."
Gu Chi and the others laughed so hard their faces were crooked.
Several months later, Shen Tang met several young men who bore a resemblance to Gong Xichou. Looking at Xu Gong Xichou No. 2 Quan, whose appearance and attire were exactly like his idol, she fell into deep thought: "What kind of Gong Xichou fan club have you guys formed?"
Xu Quan was dumbfounded: "What?"
Shen Tang slapped his thigh and exclaimed, "Wanwan is just like my enemy!"
Gu Chi and the others changed their tune to laughing so hard they were gasping for breath.
However, these are all things for later, so let's leave them aside for now.
——
Huang Lie's power collapsed quickly, leaving behind many troubles.
Because of these troubles, the Shen and Wu families were delayed for more than two months before they could truly conquer the entire territory of Ganzhou. During this time, they fought against Huang Lie's three younger brothers. The three families, barely clinging to life, were still no match for him, and in the end, two were killed and two were captured. The one who died was captured by Zhao Feng with his own troops, and they also ran into Tianhai's forces.
Simply put—
Tianhai engaged in a chase first.
After breaking through the encirclement, the enemy fled in panic and ran into Zhao Feng.
When Tianhai's main force arrived, Zhao Feng had already severed the man's head. Blood dripped from the wound, pooling at Zhao Feng's feet. The leading general was the one with whom Zhao Feng had the greatest conflict, and whose strength surpassed Zhao Feng's.
Seeing the severed head fall into Zhao Feng's hands, his face turned ashen.
"Zhao Dayi, what are you doing?"
Zhao Feng was also taken aback, seemingly not expecting such a coincidence.
What's this called?
This is what they call "enemies meeting by chance".
Zhao Feng gripped the severed head tightly, looking back without changing his expression: "What do you mean by 'what'? Didn't the general see that I, Zhao, had just beheaded the enemy and was about to go back to claim credit and reward?"
Upon seeing this, the deputy general beside the military general spoke up to refute him.
"These people have been chased and surrounded by us to the point of no return. Are you deliberately following us to steal our credit?"
Zhao Feng looked at the speaker speechlessly, raised his hand and pointed with his thumb at the soldiers behind him: "What do you mean by following you to steal credit? Look carefully, I'm escorting grain supplies."
They were walking along peacefully when a scout suddenly reported that there was a group of suspicious-looking soldiers. Zhao Feng then led his troops to charge forward.
He couldn't afford to lose any supplies.
I thought it was an ambush, but it turned out to be a military achievement delivered to my door. Judging from the looks of it, the heads I cut off were quite high-ranking.
The lieutenant said, "So you say it is?"
Zhao Feng stepped aside: "Go check if you don't believe me."
Having said all that, and given that their respective lords were allies, the normal procedure would be for both sides to back down and maintain peace. However, given their enmity, Zhao Feng's words sounded like a sarcastic provocation to them. The deputy general was instructed to verify the truth of the matter.
Zhao Feng narrowed his eyes when he saw that they actually dared to send people to inspect.
He mounted the horse and casually hung his head on its back.
He sneered at his old rival: "You're still as arrogant as ever."
The military officer said coldly, "Zhao Dayi, don't think that just because you have Lord Shen backing you can do whatever you want and look down on us."
Zhao Feng grinned, revealing a set of teeth: "If my lord doesn't stand up for me, does he stand up for you? Whether I can do whatever I want is my own business, and you don't need to worry about it."
He seemed determined to vent all the pent-up frustration he'd accumulated over the years, his eloquence displaying an extraordinary wit that could easily provoke even the most mild-mannered. Clearly, the military officer before him was one of those men, his face growing increasingly grim. A short while later, the lieutenant appeared, holding a handful of millet.
He said with difficulty, "General, it is indeed grain."
The military officer's face was darker than the soot at the bottom of a pot.
Ever since Wu Xian insisted on using a head to appease Shen Tang, he had clearly noticed a change in Wu Xian, though he couldn't quite pinpoint exactly how. He knew that to regain Wu Xian's favor, he needed to achieve merit. Huang Lie had three younger brothers who divided his inheritance after Huang Lie's downfall. Two of the three were captured by Shen Tang and Wu Xian's troops, leaving only one escaping justice in Ganzhou.
If they can win this bid, it will definitely turn public opinion around.
But as the saying goes, timing is everything.
The duck that was about to be eaten flew into Zhao Feng's mouth.
Looking at the disheveled soldiers behind the general, who had been fighting on a rapid march, and recalling the enemy remnants they had just annihilated, Zhao Feng instantly realized that he had gotten a great deal.
but--
He's already gotten that bargain.
Why would I give up military merits that are already within my grasp?
"Thank you, General, for bringing me this military merit from so far away."
Zhao Feng smiled and clasped his hands in thanks.
Behind him, his deputy exchanged glances with the others, and the phrase "Thank you, General, for bringing this military merit from so far away" rose and fell, with some even grinning and showing their back teeth.
The rage, accompanied by his blood and qi, surged straight to the top of the general's head.
|ω`)
I got a new manicure today, and I'm in a great mood.
(End of this chapter)
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