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"Tick-tock," the ink drop fell on the paper, creating a black stain. Tian Yu came to his senses and crumpled the waste paper into a ball and threw it into the trash can.
He was distracted just now.
Putting down his pen, Tian Yu pinched his nose, took a deep breath, and looked at the clepsydra beside him again.
More than half an hour had passed since Cheng Xi left the house. He knew that this place was not close to the county government office, and he also knew that it would take time to discuss such an important matter. It had been less than an hour, which was not a long time.
But he couldn't control himself, he was still restless and distracted frequently.
This won't work.
If it were anyone else, it would be fine, but she was the daughter of General Qiu, a remarkable woman who could single-handedly build up such a large shipping gang.
If he could break into the government office at night and rescue him, a wanted criminal of the imperial court, what’s the big deal about going to the county government office?
Not to mention that she even dressed as a woman, probably to deceive outsiders. Who would be wary of such a beautiful woman?
Even though he knew the reason, Tian Yu was still very nervous. He took another piece of paper and lowered his head to write again.
Another half hour passed, and Tian Yu slammed the pen on the table and turned his wheelchair around the desk.
Hearing the noise, Wang Gener hurried in and asked, "Mr. Tian, are you going to the toilet?"
Mr. Tian didn't even wear gloves and pushed the wheelchair by himself. This is not common. Could he be in a hurry?
Tian Yu had a dark face and said nothing. He quickly walked out of the house and stopped in the yard.
In front of him was a tightly closed door that showed no sign of opening.
There was no one outside the door. It had been an hour, and she and the others had not returned yet.
Holding the wooden wheel tightly with both hands, Tian Yu gritted his teeth and said, "Did the gang leader say when he would be back?"
Wang Gener was completely baffled and scratched his head with his good hand. "Didn't the gang leader have something to do? He hasn't been out for long. Is there something urgent, Mr. Tian?"
This is called "not long"?
What kind of place was the county government? What kind of conversation could take an hour? What if the county magistrate suddenly arrested someone? She only brought Sun Erlang with her. What could he do?
As a gang leader, don't you know the seriousness of the matter?!
By the way, she also said that if anything happened, someone would escort her away.
At first, he thought this was a warning to him to be at ease, but now he thought, was it because the journey was dangerous? Why didn't he go with them? Even if it was just to keep an eye on them, it would be better than watching others get into trouble!
In an instant, Tian Yu heard a woman's screams.
Being on death row at the time, he didn't know the situation inside the women's prison, but when he entered the torture room, Tian Yu had seen many cruel torture instruments used on women. If she was tortured, could she survive it?
No, a woman like that shouldn't suffer this kind of torture!
The screams in his ears became louder. Tian Yu felt his breathing quicken, severe pain all over his body, and a hoarse sound came from his throat.
"Mr. Tian, what's wrong with you?" Seeing Tian Yu suddenly start to tremble and sweat profusely, Wang Gener became anxious and hurried forward to help him.
Unexpectedly, Tian Yu was so frightened that his whole body trembled, and he raised his hand to block it. His movement was too violent, causing the wheelchair to tilt and almost fall over.
Oh no!
Only then did Wang Gener realize that Mr. Tian was ill.
Ever since he took over the care, Mr. Tian's hysteria has become less and less severe, and has basically not been seen recently. Why did it suddenly break out?
"Mr. Tian! Mr. Tian, don't worry. There's no one else here. I'm Wang Gen'er!" Wang Gen'er shouted quickly, and took a few steps away, waving his broken arm. "Do you see this arm? I'm Wang Gen'er! Don't be afraid, this is our territory!"
The waving broken arm actually made Tian Yu's somewhat dazed pupils move, breaking free from his chaotic thoughts.
He grabbed the armrest of the wheelchair tremblingly and gasped. What happened?
Seeing that it was working, Wang Gener quickly continued, "Mr. Tian, what are you worried about? Don't worry, the gang leader will be back soon, and he will definitely be able to solve it for you then..."
Tian Yu raised his head suddenly: "Will she come back?"
"Ah?" Wang Gen'er blinked. "What else?"
"She went to the county government office..." As soon as the words came out of his mouth, Tian Yu gritted his teeth to prevent himself from saying anything unlucky.
Wang Gen'er was completely bewildered. "What's wrong with the county government? Didn't the gang leader rescue Chief Li from the county government's jail before?"
What?
Tian Yu was really shocked. How come he didn’t know about this?
Did Cheng Xi even break into the Dongning County jail? No, she didn't force her way in. Could it be that she went there as a woman? No wonder she claimed to have a relationship with the county magistrate. Maybe that wasn't a joke?
But it's been over an hour, why hasn't she come back yet? Tian Yu opened his mouth, but no words came out.
Instead, Wang Gener advised, "Mr. Tian, your clothes are all wet. Why don't you change into something clean first?"
It was then that Tian Yu realized that his back was soaked. He raised his sleeve to wipe his forehead, and there was also a mark of water.
How can we allow people to see such an ugly thing?
He nodded slightly and let Wang Gener push the wheelchair into the house.
After wiping off the sweat and changing into new clothes, Tian Yu was ready when Wang Gener brought him some hot tea: "Mr. Tian, come and have some calming tea!"
This tea was specially prepared by Doctor Zhang, with some herbs added to it to calm the nerves. It doesn't taste very good.
Tian Yu hesitated for a moment and then slowly started drinking.
He had just had another attack and lost consciousness for a brief moment.
He thought his illness was almost cured, but he didn't expect that he would have a relapse because of such a small matter.
No, maybe not a small matter...
Tian Yu breathed a sigh of relief. If Cheng Xi asked him if he wanted to go with her next time, he might not refuse.
While drinking tea, there was a sudden noise outside the door. Tian Yu's hand shook and he almost knocked over the cup.
Wang Gener turned around and took a look, saying happily, "The gang leader is back!"
He was about to go out to greet them when Tian Yu quickly stopped him: "Don't mention what happened just now to the gang leader!"
"Ah?" Wang Gener felt completely baffled. How could he not tell the gang leader about such a serious illness?
Tian Yu put on a serious face and said, "I'm fine, don't worry about me!"
Now Wang Gener suddenly realized that Mr. Tian could be so considerate sometimes. So let’s not mention it.
Seeing that he agreed, Tian Yu finally breathed a sigh of relief. Before he could cheer up, he saw Cheng Xi and Sun Erlang come in.
Seeing the red dress, Tian Yu's face suddenly turned serious. He said, "Why did it take so long? Why didn't the deal come to fruition?"
Cheng Xi glanced at him before saying, "The county magistrate insisted on hosting a banquet, so I stayed and had a few drinks."
Tian Yu was drawn to her gaze, which fell on him, and suddenly his body tensed up.
He changed into a new set of clothes. Such an obvious sign, but he completely forgot it! Would Cheng Xi suspect it? No, even if she guessed it, she wouldn't say it out loud...
Suddenly clearing all this mess from his mind, Tian Yu pressed his lips into a line and said coldly, "The gang leader is really bold. It seems that he has already colluded with that corrupt official and has no worries about his future."
Cheng Xi looked at him for a moment and asked, "You've been taking care of the grain affairs these days. How do you feel?"
This irrelevant question made Tian Yu hesitate for a moment, but he still reluctantly gave a positive comment: "Yu Min is somewhat useful."
Stabilizing food prices has always been the responsibility of the imperial court. Only when the people can afford to eat will they not rebel and go into exile.
Now the Red Flag Gang, a boat gang that is almost like a bandit gang, is in charge of pacifying the people. Although it is a bit strange, the intention is good.
Cheng Xi asked again, "If Dongning County suddenly breaks out into war, do you think the grain route will remain stable?"
Tian Yu frowned, he already knew what Cheng Xi was going to say.
Seeing that he didn't answer, Cheng Xi continued, "You also sorted out the yellow and white books on the island and copied the military cards yourself. Do you remember every household and every few hundred soldiers?"
Of course he remembered that no one who could enter the second class had a bad memory. Even if he still had an attack, even if it was only for a few days, he knew the population of Luoling Island very well.
"The lives of these people, those on the island and those on the shore, are on you and me. If we can lead them to survive, what does collusion with a corrupt official matter?" Cheng Xi said frankly without beating around the bush.
The Red Flag Gang does not have the strength to fight the imperial court head-on now, so it must first find a way to preserve its strength and survive.
If she blindly acts, regardless of whether she can succeed or not, those who follow her will inevitably be wasted and become the pile of corpses and debris behind her "one general becomes famous".
She is not an omnipotent person, nor can she change the world and save the people immediately. She can only proceed step by step and focus on the present.
Tian Yu was a little dazed for a moment. He originally thought that Cheng Xi asked him to handle these things so that he could adapt to the position of staff as soon as possible and serve him better. Who would have thought that the other party had such an idea.
Does he care?
"What if I don't care?" The words squeezed out from between his teeth, and Tian Yu felt that the fire in his heart was burning again.
Looking at the young man with a slightly distorted face, Cheng Xi sighed: "You are chosen by my father. He never uses cowardly and immoral people."
Cheng Xi actually didn't know General Qiu's criteria for employing people, but judging from his achievements and ending, he was probably not a person who knew how to be flexible.
How could there be a selfish evil person around such a person? Even if the thought of revenge overwhelms your mind, as long as you come to your senses and look around, you will sober up.
Tian Yu's lips trembled slightly as if he had been slapped in the face. However, the next moment, he laughed sarcastically: "So what if you are upright? In the end, your family will be destroyed and not a single bone will be left!"
He was talking about General Qiu, and also about himself.
Everything he once stood for had become the root cause of his suffering and the destruction of his family. What was the point of clinging to his beliefs? Why couldn't he become someone else?
"I persuaded Magistrate Cao to work with him to deal with the wealthy families in the county." Cheng Xi did not answer, but stated the result. "Now that power has been handed over to the wrong person, we must find a way to use it for our own benefit. I can't produce useful officials or sufficient soldiers and generals. What's the point of overturning the table right away? Making more friends and fewer enemies is the way to survive when you are weak. Tian Yu, a gentleman's revenge is never too late."
This was the first time she called him by his full name, and it was also the first time he heard that colluding with the county magistrate could punish wealthy people.
She was indeed a rebel, a wealthy woman who could steal power and control officials, but she was very different from ordinary thieves and had more gentle methods.
Is it because she is a woman that she can suppress her greed and hatred?
However, the rekindled fire of karma weakened unknowingly.
Tian Yu had never seen such a person before. He could be bold and cautious, hate evil and be able to judge the situation.
And most importantly, she is really like her father, a person who puts the people in her heart.
Looking at the face that looked delicate and beautiful because of the makeup, Tian Yu's lips moved, and he finally said: "What did you talk about with that dog official?"
Cheng Xi smiled: "It's just borrowing a skin..."
Sitting casually on a chair nearby, Cheng Xi began to speak seriously.
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