Chapter 29 I Have a Despicable Idea
If she could grow this, she would...
Forget about setting a flag, but Zhu Qing'ai felt that with Chengjiao's planting method, this land could only grow weeds at most, and birds would have to bring weed seeds or there would be weed roots left in the soil.
With a sigh, 'Qin' left behind the words, "Get some rest," and then disappeared.
****
When she reappeared, Zhu Qing'ai was already sitting opposite Tai Shu Jiu. Unlike most furniture in this era, the wooden furniture in Tai Shu Jiu's room was made by his own hands.
Therefore, the table he used for eating was a tall wooden table, and the chairs were similar to those in later generations, making it much more comfortable to sit on than to sit upright (kneeling).
In other words, since the bamboo mist has no physical form, one cannot perceive the difference between the two, so it doesn't matter how one sits.
She made the projected figure pose with its hand supporting its chin, and then looked at Tai Shu Jiu who was having dinner across from her.
The cook who prepared these dishes was sent by Ying Ji a few years ago. It is said that she has served the royal family for many years and her cooking is excellent. However, after glancing at the dishes on the table, Zhu Qing'ai felt that... well, it's a matter of opinion.
She suggested, "Why don't you use your points to improve your meals? The food in the system shop seems pretty good according to the reviews."
Taishu Jiu shook his head and refused: "I still need to save up points to buy longevity pills. I can see more of this world after you unbind me."
Zhu Qing'ai couldn't help but chuckle. This person had even learned to test her now. She had spent some points to exchange for a bowl of red date porridge, which was only slightly better than plain white porridge. Don't ask why, just know that she was stingy.
"I will definitely take you with me. There's no use in accumulating so many points. You might as well spend a small portion to improve your life. Humans are meant to have desires and enjoyment. If you have no desires, no entertainment, no ambition and only work, aren't you just a beast of burden?"
She handed the jujube porridge to Taishu Jiu, feeling a little guilty. Although Taishu Jiu said he really liked farming, he was indeed working like a slave for her.
Thinking of this, her voice softened involuntarily: "Be good to yourself."
Taishu Jiu took the bowl of red date porridge and looked at Zhu Qing'ai with gratitude: "Thank you, Qing'ai..."
Zhu Qing'ai: I told him to be good to himself, and he even thanked me! My conscience hurts so much!
He sipped the red date porridge, feeling a warmth spread through his body and soul. He thought, "No one has ever..."
"Stop! Stop!"
Zhu Qing'ai urgently called a halt, so urgently that she even blurted out English, otherwise she was afraid that Tai Shu Jiu would utter the classic line about digging for wild vegetables.
Then she will be nailed to the system's pillar of shame and despised by countless systems because of a bowl of red date porridge.
How could this system deceive its host into being completely devoted with just a bowl of red date porridge, claiming that only being with the system makes one feel at home!
Severely reprimand (steal) and severely punish (his master)!
Taishu Jiu hiccuped, as if he hadn't expected Zhu Qing'ai to interrupt him.
Although his emotions were briefly interrupted, he was still deeply moved and said, "Actually, I don't need points. I don't have any wishes that I absolutely must fulfill, nor do I need to be resurrected, so keeping the points isn't very useful..."
"Mmm-hmm." Zhu Qing'ai gave a few perfunctory "hmms," then thought about how to comfort him, teach him to be a better person and enjoy life. After all, he had been very good to her whether he was the leader or the host, and she wasn't completely heartless.
However, before she could figure out how to start the conversation and how to teach Taishu Jiu to be good to her, she heard a ding-dong sound.
This was a sound she had deliberately set up; it only played when a large amount of points were credited to her account. It usually appeared when Tai Shu Jiu's task progressed a bit further, and she would then receive the reward points belonging to the system.
She paused for a moment, realizing that Taishu Jiu hadn't seemed to have any new projects lately. The pest-resistant crops were still under research, and progress was worrying. So this was…
When she opened the message notification, her pupils dilated in shock. Her host had transferred a large sum of points to her, which turned out to be his entire net worth.
Zhu Qing'ai: ? ? ? !!! !
Who is she? Where is she? What is she here for?
Tai Shu Jiu looked at Zhu Qing'ai with a sincere expression: "I know Qing'ai really wants a physical body. I'll give you my points too, so you can have one sooner." Just don't leave me behind when you go...
Oh, her host said he would sponsor her for an entity, and even transferred money to her...
Zhu Qing'ai found her voice and pretended to complain, "Now I know why you were only level 2 when you bound yourself to me. You're so stupid, how could you be so stupid..."
She was about to say, "What kind of system is so considerate to its host?" when she suddenly remembered that she was now the system and the other party was the host. So, it's okay (crossed out).
That won't work either!
Tai Shu Jiu said with dissatisfaction, "Qing Ai, I know what you want to say. You want to say I'm stupid, but I really haven't given the host any subsidies before. I just gave out the normal newbie gift pack. You're only level 2... It must be a matter of luck."
The fact that the system can normally send out newbie gift packs is already incredibly conscientious; he would never have done something like giving points to the host before.
Zhu Qing'ai pouted, thinking he was just trying to save face, and transferred the points back to him: "No need for that. Anyway, you can definitely collect enough points by coming to a few more worlds. I also need to think carefully about whether I should be a decent human being or not. Instead of letting the points gather dust here, you might as well use them to order takeout from the mall."
Tai Shujiu wanted to say something more, but Zhu Qingai interrupted him again: "Alright, alright, let's not talk about this anymore. I came to talk to you about something."
Upon hearing that there was something serious to discuss, Taishu Jiu stopped worrying about the points and asked, "What is it?"
Zhu Qing'ai tried to recall what she was going to say.
She looked through the logs in the database and said:
“That’s right. Recently, there have been remnants of the Zhou dynasty. Historically, King Zhuangxiang would send Lü Buwei to lead troops, which was actually just to give him military merits. This war is relatively safe, suitable for someone like you who has never been on the battlefield,” Zhu Qing’ai paused, swallowing back the word “weakling.” Besides being considerate of Taishu Jiu’s feelings, she also remembered that Taishu Jiu had a physique of 80. “Of course, with a physique of 80, you are a martial arts master. You can even participate in the direct battles against other countries.”
"But this time is safer. Ying Zheng will come tomorrow and invite you to serve as an official. Just say that you are embarrassed to serve as an official without military merit and ask to lead troops to suppress the remnants of Zhou."
"Not only did we gain military merit, but we also stole Lü Buwei's military merit. Our political enemies lost while we gained. Isn't that almost double the profit? Plus, we get points in return. It's a huge win."
"Why did I suddenly decide to earn military merits? Is it time to change my career path?"
"No, it's just that Ying Zheng decided to appoint you as the Left Chancellor after he ascended the throne, so I decided to train you in advance. You've already gained a lot of prestige from farming, so let's add some military merits and develop you in all aspects."
Taishu Jiu nodded in trust and agreed, waiting only for tomorrow...
He added, "I will try to persuade Ying Zheng myself then."
Zhu Qingai raised an eyebrow slightly: "Really?"
Taishu Jiu: "Really, I want to learn the art of human language!"
****
The next day
Ying Zheng went alone; his attendants were blocked from entering from the outside. He walked alone to Taishu Jiu's house near the fields.
Recently, farm work hasn't been too busy, so Taishu Jiu has had time to give Ying Zheng some pointers on planting techniques. Therefore, he didn't go out early in the morning. Right after finishing his meal, he sat down at the table and picked up his pen to write about the manufacture of paper and the improvement of writing brushes.
This was something he had wanted to teach to the craftsmen before, but he had been too busy to do so. Now he had finally written down the method and was just waiting for the day when he could select apprentices to teach it to.
There are two limitations to the dissemination of knowledge: first, the aristocracy monopolizes knowledge and cherishes it; second, the tools for writing and learning are not good enough. The emergence of paper and improved brushes will replace bamboo slips, crude brushes and carving knives.
Thinking it over, he started writing about printing methods. With paper, printing technology could be put on the agenda. After finishing writing, he blew the ink off and put the things away.
Just then, there was a knock on the wooden door. Taishu Jiu tidied up the table and opened the door: "Oh, it's His Highness the Crown Prince. Do you want to continue yesterday's studies?"
Taishu Jiu made a move to turn around and take his self-made textbook, but Ying Zheng quickly stopped him: "I did not come for this, but to discuss something else with you, sir."
Taishu Jiu nodded in realization: "Then come in and talk, Your Highness, please."
Ying Zheng entered the room before Taishu Jiu. Qin was already waiting inside. Upon seeing the two enter, Qin pointed at Taishu Jiu and said, "He probably doesn't know why you're here. You'd better just say it directly, otherwise there might be a misunderstanding."
Taishu Jiu pretended not to hear Qin's words, turned around and went to the inner room to bring out a chair and placed it opposite the original chair: "Your Highness, please sit down."
Ying Zheng touched the strange piece of furniture, which was meant to be sat on, with a hint of curiosity: "Was this also newly made by you, sir?"
"Hmm... I guess so. Actually, it took quite a while. Your Highness, you should try it too. Just sit down like this."
Ying Zheng sat down in the same manner as Taishu Jiu, but he kept paying attention to his clothes and trying to keep them neat, looking somewhat restless.
"What's wrong?"
Along with Tai Shujiu's voice, there was also concern from 'Qin'. In her opinion, wasn't this chair more comfortable than kneeling?
Ying Zheng coughed, explaining both to Taishu Jiu and to 'Qin': "Zheng's clothes, sitting like this might..."
Taishu Jiu asked, puzzled, "What?"
Qin replied in a deep voice, "Exposure."
Ying Zheng: Blushing (image)
Taishu Jiu: ...
Right, pants in this era didn't have a crotch, and if the skirt on the outside was slightly disheveled, it could expose the wearer. Kneeling was also a way to avoid this.
So when Ying Zheng sat down, although he was comfortable, he still had to be mindful of keeping his clothes neat.
There was no time to say that he had suddenly found out, nor could he show that he could hear 'Qin's' words. Taishu Jiu could only bite the bullet and look at Ying Zheng with the attitude of a curious child.
"It's just that Zheng's clothes are a bit inconvenient."
Taishu Jiu quickly indicated that he understood, so Ying Zheng didn't need to continue with his awkward explanation.
"I see. I had the servants make some clothes for me so that I could get out of bed. I'll have them make a few sets for His Highness the Crown Prince later."
Ying Zheng readily agreed, thus putting aside the awkward situation, and then explained the purpose of his visit.
"I have come here to invite you to serve in the court. I wish to appoint you, sir, as the Left Chancellor." His expression was so sincere that anyone who saw him instinctively wanted to believe what he said.
Taishu Jiu noticed Ying Zheng's choice of words; the subject of his words was himself, not the current King of Qin, Ying Zichu, so he readily agreed.
Ying Zheng himself began to doubt whether Taishu Da Liangzao (Grand Tutor Taishu) possessed physiognomy skills, otherwise why would he give up the official position offered by his father and insist on waiting for his promise?
The words of his motherland still echoed in his ears. He couldn't quite describe how he felt knowing that his father was dying, but he wasn't heartbroken. So he didn't think Taishu Jiu was being presumptuous.
He was only happy that he had recruited a very useful talent, and then he heard his talent say, "But I have no military merits, and it would be inappropriate for me to be the Left Chancellor and put pressure on Chancellor Lü."
"How could that be? The high yield of crops grown by you is a great achievement, not something a mere Left Prime Minister could accomplish."
When Taishu Jiu saw that Ying Zheng's response was not what he had expected, he ignored what Ying Zheng said and said to himself, "Recently, the remnants of Zhou have been making more and more noise, but they are nothing more than a rabble. I think I can lead the army to quell the rebellion."
Ying Zheng posed the first question mark: ?
Qin also showed a surprised expression at the right time, and said to Ying Zheng, "I... I don't think I've seen him study any military books, but his physical fitness is indeed quite good, not much worse than that of a military general."
Ying Zheng also tried to reason with Taishu Jiu, saying, "You are so precious, how can you go to the battlefield? Besides, war is not child's play, and military merit is not something you can just have if you want to."
Taishu Jiu conceded a step: "Then I can join the army and just earn a little bit of military merit."
Ying Zheng still looked at him with disapproval: "Even so, it is still putting oneself in danger, which is not the behavior of a gentleman."
Qin nodded in agreement: "Zheng'er is right, I don't want to lose such a good child either."
Seeing that even Ying Zheng couldn't approve this request, Qing'ai's alias was actually making things worse for him! QAQ.
If he went back to tell Ying Zichu, the result would probably be about the same, so Taishu Jiu hurriedly sent a message to Zhu Qing'ai.
[Host, Taishu Jiu: What about Qing'ai? I told him the other side is a rabble, why won't he agree?]
[System 99 (Zhu Qing'ai): Just act all high and mighty and tell him to relax.]
[System 99 (Zhu Qing'ai): I have a wicked idea, I'll tell you later.]
Upon receiving Zhu Qing'ai's reply, Tai Shu Jiu immediately gained confidence and assurance.
He confidently told Ying Zheng, "Your Highness, rest assured, I have a wicked idea, I'll tell you about it later."
Ying Zheng slowly typed out the second question mark: ?
Zhu Qing'ai... no, even using the 'Qin' alias to facepalm wouldn't seem out of place. 'Qin': "I... really don't know what to say..."
[System 99 (Zhu Qing'ai): I didn't tell you to tell him you had a wicked idea. I meant you just need to act profound and put his mind at ease, then don't say anything more. Wait until later to persuade Ying Zichu.]
[System 99 (Zhu Qing'ai): I mean me, it's me, Zhu Qing'ai! I have a wicked idea, although it will soon become known to the world, but before I tell you, this wicked idea was still my own, understand? Don't be so direct with Ying Zheng!!!]
Ying Zheng remained silent for a moment before slowly speaking: "May I ask, sir, what... what kind of despicable idea is this?"
-----------------------
Author's Note: Zhu Qing'ai: I have a wicked idea...
Taishu Jiu: Got it, I have a wicked idea!
Zhu Qing'ai: ?! It's not that you have it, it's that I have it!
Taishu Jiu: ? o?
Ying Zheng: Ah... what kind of despicable idea is this?
-This chapter counts as an extra chapter! I've finally paid off my debts, hmph (hands on hips). But my friends and family are really generous, seeing them gives me the urge to write more (not really). I'll try to write six chapters a day, with a minimum of three chapters a day at noon. Any extra chapters will just drop randomly, so you don't need to wait for them (really).
Thank you to all the little angels who voted for me or watered my plants with nutrient solution between 19:13:57 and 22:33:00 on April 27, 2024!
Thank you to the little angels who watered the nutrient solution: Changli 20 bottles; Linglongsuo and Lynx 10 bottles; Xuezha 3 bottles; Ichliebeihn. and Wumian 1 bottle;
Thank you so much for your support! I will continue to work hard!
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