Chapter 947: Seeking Refuge with Mama (Part 2) [Requesting Monthly Tickets]
Ji Moqiu's eyes held a hint of curiosity.
Who is Mama?
Gong Xichou's face was filled with reminiscence, his eyes shining brightly: "Mama is my only confidante in this life, a soulmate that is hard to find in worldly terms. However, besides being my confidante, she also has another identity, but I can only tell you this in private. It concerns a clan secret, and it is not appropriate for others to hear it."
Fang Yan and the others: "..."
Heh, they have no desire to know either.
Gong Xichou continued to praise his friend: "...Mama is very powerful, outstanding in every aspect, a truly remarkable woman! She beat me by a narrow margin back then... However, if we were to compete again now, she definitely wouldn't be able to win."
Ji Moqiu said, "How would you know if you haven't competed?"
Although they had spent less than a day together, Ji Moqiu felt that this "second uncle" was arrogant at heart, and somewhat obsessed with saving face. His words, especially those concerning strength, should not be taken as absolute truth, nor should they be completely disregarded.
There's definitely some exaggeration and fabrication involved.
Gong Xichou, however, showed no displeasure at being talked back to by a junior. He smiled smugly and said cheekily, "That's naturally because she's been busy with government affairs for the past four or five years. How could she have the mood to cultivate and improve her martial arts? In my opinion, the fact that she hasn't produced any outstanding works is because her useless subordinates have been helping her. If those useless people were to drag her down, how many days a year would she get to rest? She's so busy that she barely has time to breathe. It's a miracle that her cultivation hasn't declined. When we meet her this time, I'll definitely show you who's stronger and who's weaker."
Ji Moqiu neither confirmed nor denied this.
Gong Xichou just said he wanted to join this Mama, and based on the previous conversation, we can infer that this confidant, "Second Uncle," must be the leader of a force, and perhaps even a king.
A ruler who personally handles everything, as long as she is not cruel, extravagant, favors treacherous officials, persecutes loyal subjects, or enslaves the people, thus causing widespread resentment, will not have a deficit in the nation's fortune. If the national fortune is then allocated reasonably to ensure the country's prosperity and achieve a virtuous cycle, the ruler's fixed annual income from national fortune will guarantee that her cultivation will not fall behind.
It's really hard to say who's stronger or weaker.
Although he understood this, Ji Moqiu didn't want to spoil the mood, so he changed the subject and asked, "What's going on with Aunt's pregnancy?"
Gong Xichou's anger, which had just calmed down, suddenly flared up again.
"Your aunt's maiden name is Gong Xilai. She is the adopted daughter we took in for your grandmother many years ago, which means she is my adopted sister and your aunt. She got pregnant by Xun Ding and even said she wanted to marry him. It really infuriates me! Xun Ding is a cheap and worthless addition. Tell me, why should he marry Alai? Is it because he is weak, because he is ugly, or because he is shameless?"
Ji Moqiu didn't know Gong Xilai and couldn't empathize with Gong Xichou, but judging from Gong Xichou's description, he also disliked Xun Ding. Weak, poor, and ugly—these three traits combined in one person—could this aunt, whom he had never met, have been forced?
Otherwise, it's hard to imagine any young woman would be interested in such a toad. Even if he's blind, he still has his ears and brain. Moreover, he's pregnant out of wedlock. Ji Moqiu doesn't remember his time in the clan; he's lived in the secular world since he can remember. Even though society is more open, a woman's pregnancy out of wedlock is still frowned upon. Based on this alone, Xun Ding is not a suitable match.
He is not a straightforward and honest person who dares to take responsibility for his actions.
Ji Moqiu asked, "Then what should we do?"
Gong Xichou curled his lip: "It's not like we can't afford to raise Alai and the child in her womb. According to our clan's rules, the children of sisters are raised by their maternal uncles, and have nothing to do with the child's biological father. Xun Ding, just consider it as Alai borrowing his seed once."
Ji Moqiu nodded: "That's fine too."
Children born outside of endogamy generally have little concept of the "father" role. Even within endogamy, children don't live together and are closer to their maternal uncles than their biological fathers, as these are the ones with the clearest blood ties.
The few people who were listening in stunned silence couldn't help but chime in.
“Shaobai, what if Lady Gongxi and that Young Master Xun are mutually in love? Love between men and women is often irrational.” Uncle Lin disagreed with Gongxi Chou’s approach, fearing it might corrupt Shaobai. “This matter depends on what both sides say. If Lady Gongxi truly feels wronged, then you uncle and nephew have a legitimate reason to attack her, whether it's confiscating her property or exterminating her entire family. Otherwise—”
They have absolutely no grounds for argument!
Fang Yan and Chao Lian exchanged a glance.
Chao Lian asked uncertainly, "Young Master Gongxi, is the 'cheap extra Xun Ding' you mentioned, whose courtesy name is Yong'an and whose father is Xun Zhen and Xun Hanzhang? If it is him, he is, after all, a general of Yaoguang Guard, a young man who has achieved great success and holds a high position of power."
They have absolutely nothing to do with the words "weak, poor, and ugly".
Chao Lian had only met Xun Ding a few times, but he vaguely remembered that the other was handsome. He himself was a Grand General—although according to the Kang Kingdom's system, a Grand General didn't wield much actual military power, but don't forget, his father, Xun Zhen, was the Minister of Revenue; father and son, one a civil official and the other a military man, held high positions. Such favor and honor were rare. At least during the reign of Emperor Yuanhuang of Kang Kingdom, they could be considered a prominent family.
No matter how you look at it, Gong Xilai was not wronged.
From a worldly perspective, she was definitely marrying up.
Gong Xichou rolled his eyes and scoffed, "So what? What Yao Guang Guard General? What high position and power? Does having these things mean he can get an unmarried woman pregnant? The child isn't even in his belly. The power and protection he can provide, my nephew and I can't provide either. Why should he be the one to rush around showing off! Bah! Is his strength, status, and power something he can transfer to A Lai through bedroom arts?"
Chao Lian was dumbfounded and said awkwardly, "No."
He cursed, "If you can't, then what's the point of saying anything!"
Chao Lian: "..."
It's clear that Gong Xichou is truly furious.
I thought Gong Xiqiu was clumsy with words, but now it seems he's quite sharp-tongued, shutting me down with just a few words. Ji Moqiu said, "Regardless of what kind of person Xun Ding is, the fact that he got someone pregnant out of wedlock is enough to make him look bad."
Uncle Lin muttered, "Even if women in your Gongxi clan don't intermarry within the clan, don't there still happen cases where someone borrows a seed and then runs away?"
Of the several people with different surnames present, he had the deepest understanding of the Gongxi ethnic group.
Gong Xichou said, "Are active and passive energy the same?"
Ji Moqiu nodded: "The former is a matter of mutual consent."
Uncle Lin couldn't understand the two men's thought process and said, "How can you guarantee that Xun and Ding's relationship wasn't consensual?"
Fang Yan interrupted their pointless discussion, saying, "Instead of wasting time here, we might as well go and see for ourselves."
Seeing is believing.
Uncle Lin and Chao Lian both agreed.
Only Shao Chong patted Shao Bai on the shoulder, supporting his brother: "If that Xun fellow doesn't behave like a human being, Shao Bai, I'll beat him to a pulp for you! I'll piss on him and mix his ashes with rice to feed the dogs!"
Fang Yan was so angry his head ached: "Don't make things worse!"
The uncle and nephew of the Gongxi clan were already mentally unstable, and with the addition of Shao Chong who was always stirring up trouble, Fang Yan was worried that the three of them would cause a scene at the wedding and end up on Kang Kingdom's wanted list! The group prepared to head to Fengluo, the capital of Kang Kingdom.
Judging by the time, it should be in time for Xun Ding's wedding.
It doesn't matter if you can't make it in time; you can make it in time for Gongxi to give birth. The Gongxi people don't recognize secular marriage ceremonies at all.
Meanwhile, in Geumryuk County.
For two or three consecutive days, we experienced unprecedented turmoil.
Soldiers dressed in the uniforms of the Seventh Guard and Fourth Division were seen moving about throughout the territory. They were present in teahouses, restaurants, cloth shops, pleasure boats, and alleyways. They surrounded the place first, then kicked down the doors. Before the people inside could react and try to escape or fight back, they were caught red-handed.
"The Tian Shu Guard is on official business; all other personnel, please disperse!"
"Open the door and surrender!"
"Hey, all of you, behave yourselves!"
Some of those arrested, seeing they couldn't escape, feigned innocence and cried out, "Sir, why are you arresting people indiscriminately?"
"I'm innocent! I'm innocent..."
"You corrupt officials, what right do you have to arrest people..."
"Damn it, come quick! The officials are killing people..." A strong young man broke free of his restraints and had only taken a few steps when he was kicked hard in the lower back. Then two more people came forward and pinned him to the ground. He decided to go all out and started cursing and yelling.
Qian Yong, who was in charge of overseeing this matter, was a ruthless man.
The order was given early on: these rebel thieves should not be tolerated. If they are obedient and know what's good for them, they can be spared; otherwise, they should be killed on the spot. Seeing heads rolling on the ground and blood gushing out, the commoners who peeked out from behind the noise were terrified, their faces turning as white as paper.
The leading soldier, brandishing a whip, warned them one by one, shouting, "What are you looking at? What does this have to do with you? Do your jobs! Are you all accomplices of these rebels? Harboring wanted criminals by the royal court?"
The soldiers' voices were high-pitched, loud, and clear.
The commoners whose gaze swept over her all shrank back.
Occasionally, one could hear a few words of resentment and curses: "Bah, these lackeys of the royal court, a bunch of neither men nor women, where is the semblance of a lady? Arresting people for no reason, is there no law or justice in this world?"
Similar situations have occurred throughout Geumryuk County.
Shen Tang acted swiftly.
Before Gong Cheng and Liu Changshi could react, she raced against time to eliminate the spies that Bei Mo had planted and cultivated over the years.
On the first day alone, the entire Jinli County was screened.
The following day, the counties and prefectures under her less control within Kunzhou were also purged. She distrusted the local military forces, not ruling out the possibility of internal spies, and entrusted the entire operation to the Seven Guards and Four Divisions. With swift and decisive action, the rebels were caught completely off guard; many deeply hidden rebels and Northern Desert spies were captured while still asleep, waking up utterly bewildered.
There are simply not enough prison cells.
Shen Tang then had them all put in shackles and linked together with iron chains. Those with both literary and martial talents had their alchemy chambers sealed. If they still didn't know what was good for them and caused trouble, he allowed them to have their alchemy chambers completely destroyed. The Ministry of Justice personnel worked overtime, following the clues to find other leads.
Some informants were indeed hiding in government offices in various places.
Some of them were civil officials, while others were menial servants.
Some have climbed to a certain high position.
It took a bit of a struggle to catch them.
Some people sensed something was wrong and fled early on.
Shen Tang had anticipated this. Cities were locked down, borders were closed, and all suspicious individuals were investigated! Not a single one could be let slip!
Watching the patrolling soldiers hurrying along the street, the bearded man in the teahouse forced himself to suppress his anxiety. A short while later, a young man dressed in commoner's clothes approached, and the two spoke in hushed tones: "The three nearby contact points have also been taken down."
The bearded man's face was so gloomy it was almost dripping with water.
He clenched his fist and said, "That guy surnamed Chen acted fast enough!"
How long has it been?
Two days at most.
Within two days, all nine counties, including Jinli County, were cleared out. Those Northern Desert spies and Kunzhou rebels who were lucky enough to escape capture are still hiding in the east and west, avoiding the patrolling soldiers on the streets.
These people are conducting an extremely thorough investigation.
The young man in plain clothes, who was actually Gong Cheng in disguise, advised her, "It's not safe here. You'd better leave as soon as possible."
This bearded man is Liu Changshi.
Her approach to literature was quite unique.
The disguise was so exquisite that even Gong Cheng couldn't tell the difference between the real and the fake.
Chief Secretary Liu was so angry he almost lost his temper. He glared at Gong Cheng with hatred in his teeth and said resentfully, "If you hadn't insisted on fighting with someone... the losses might not have been so great..."
Gong Cheng neither confirmed nor denied this.
Even if they hadn't wasted that half-day, they wouldn't have been able to recover much of the losses. Kangguo had established a more rapid and covert means of communication than the outside world imagined. On the other hand, the spies in the Northern Desert or the rebels in Kunzhou were essentially pariahs, unable to establish a large-scale communication network. The methods by which their spies contacted each other were relatively conservative and outdated, taking a long time.
By the time the news reached the next informant, that informant's contact had already been imprisoned. How could this be salvaged?
It is foolish for spies lurking in the Kang Kingdom to try to compete with a finely functioning state machine in terms of speed and efficiency.
You could also call it a wild idea.
Despite his resentment, Prefect Liu had no choice but to accept reality.
Gong Cheng then did something that enraged her.
"where you go?"
Chief Secretary Liu grabbed Gong Cheng and mingled into the crowd to evade the patrols and pursuers. He then pulled Gong Cheng into the alley and used hand seals to set up a soundproof barrier.
Gong Cheng: "I have some personal matters to attend to."
Chief Secretary Liu was so angry he gritted his teeth: "Are you crazy? What personal matters could be more important than what's happening right now?"
Gong Cheng said indifferently, "You don't have it, but I do."
As he spoke, he brushed away Liu Changshi's hand.
We arranged a meeting place for her next meeting.
Liu Changshi was so angry that his vision blurred and then returned to normal. It took him a while to recover, and he developed a strong desire to kill Gong Cheng.
"Gong Yunchi, you're nothing but a stray dog..." After being treated well by your master for a few days, you think you're not a stray dog anymore, but a person? How long do you think you can keep laughing?
Liu Changshi forced down the sweet, metallic taste churning in his throat.
He carefully concealed his surging murderous intent.
This unrest lasted for more than half a month before gradually subsiding.
The resulting aftereffects have affected the area for decades.
The most serious one is the government-backed debt scam.
Shen Tang looked at the final accounts, and at the number in the bottom corner. Even clearing up the hidden dangers in Kunzhou couldn't make her smile; instead, the more she looked, the more worried she became. She simply swept the annoying accounts to the ground and kicked the table.
I watched as the table rolled several times on the floor.
The depression in my heart was slightly relieved.
"Has there been a reply to the letter sent to Gao Guo?"
Wu Xian mustn't let himself down. If the losses can't be recovered, the two countries will have to discuss how to work together to control the northern desert region.
Bei Mo, I've endured enough!
|ω`)
(End of this chapter)
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