6. They say I'm a ruthless killer.
"That's good."
Students studying at the Imperial Academy were called "Academy Students." Shen Suqiu, as the only female Academy Student, was very famous, and almost all the scholars in the capital knew her.
She stood not far from Shen Suqin.
"What does Shen Jiansheng think of the 'Ode to the Eastern Liang Dynasty'?" someone asked loudly.
Shen Suqiu waved her hand; she didn't like seeking attention.
"Tell me, Shen Jiansheng."
"Yes, tell me about it."
Unable to persuade everyone otherwise, Shen Suqiu said briefly: "The style of the 'Eastern Liang Rhapsody' is elegant and graceful, with strange and wonderful imagination. Reading it is magnificent and exhilarating. No one can deny its excellence."
“But it’s useless,” someone shouted.
"Is it really useless?" Shen Suqiu asked. "What makes a person human, and a country a nation, is its soul, its thoughts, and its spirit. Thousands of years later, the Great Liang may no longer exist, but it can gain immortality in the 'Eastern Liang Rhapsody'."
Shen Suqin found her rambling on and on, but found it utterly boring. She fiddled with the teacup on the table and accidentally made a noise.
The sound was quite noticeable.
Shen Suqiu suddenly looked over and said coldly, "You think 'Dongliang Fu' is bad?"
Shen Suqin was leaning lazily against the back of his chair when he saw everyone looking over. He casually waved his hand and said, "No good. At first glance, the 'Dongliang Fu' is elegant and beautiful, but upon closer inspection, it is clear that it is full of flowery language and affected sentimentality. It has been praised too much."
These words immediately caused an uproar in the building.
It is truly commendable that someone dares to be an enemy of all the scholars in the world.
"May I ask what the warrior's name is?" someone joked.
This statement, of course, left room for interpretation, after all, the girl upstairs who spoke was indeed outstanding in appearance.
Shen Suqin shook her head and said bluntly, "Don't ask. I value my life."
Everyone burst into laughter.
“Since Miss Shen thinks that the ‘Ode to the Eastern Liang’ is overrated, then let me tell you about a better one,” Shen Suqiu said.
Chen Er?
Isn't that Shen Jiansheng's half-sister, the sparrow raised in the countryside but who flew up to the tree?
After a moment of silence, the group suddenly changed their tone.
"No wonder he dares to say anything; he probably didn't get much schooling in the countryside."
"I bet she doesn't understand the 'Dongliang Fu' at all."
Shen Suqin glanced at Shen Suqiu with amusement, then at the so-called literati and scholars downstairs who were swaying the wind, pushed her teacup aside, and said in a low voice, "Literature is a tool for conveying the Way. This 'Eastern Liang Rhapsody' is a shallow and affected work of whining; what Way does it convey? It conveys only the Way of vain hedonism. Those of you here have vast fortunes of gold and silver at home, so naturally you can spout nonsense like 'Why don't they eat meat porridge?' Isn't that right, Miss Shen?"
“People are divided into different classes, and naturally, there are also differences in the quality of writing. It’s not surprising that you, born into a lowly family, cannot appreciate such a superior work,” Shen Suqiu replied.
"Oh, so Shen Jiansheng looks down on us common folk."
Shen Suqiu crossed her arms and remained silent, seemingly acquiescing.
Shen Suqin raised an eyebrow, slowly stood up, strolled to the second-floor railing, and leaned against it, replying generously: "Since ancient times, there has been no first place in literature, but no second place in martial arts. The so-called number one in literature is simply nonsense. I have always been pragmatic. My master once said: Knowing the four seasons can ensure a season of food and clothing; knowing the 'Book of Victory' can ensure a half-year of food and clothing; and knowing the 'Essential Techniques for the Common People' can ensure a life free from worries about food and clothing."
"The Great Liang has been ravaged by war for years, and everything is in ruins. At present, the 'Essential Techniques for the Common People' is far superior to the 'Ode to the Eastern Liang'." Shen Suqiu spoke clearly and loudly. "When the granaries are full, people know etiquette; when they are well-fed and clothed, they know honor and shame. More than 60% of the people in the Great Liang are starving. If you go and talk to them about the 'Ode to the Eastern Liang' now, it would be more practical to give them a cake."
"But what use are practical articles to us scholars who don't know how to farm?"
"Yes, everyone has their own area of expertise."
"I'll learn it but never use it."
Shen Suqin tapped the railing and said with a smile, “You are all pillars of the Great Liang. You are not farmers, but people who teach others to farm. Let me give you an example. If any of you will join the Three Departments in the future and are familiar with the laws on finance, taxation, crops, salt, and iron, you will be even clearer about how to guide people’s livelihood and how to encourage agriculture.”
“Beautiful writings are meant for a prosperous era. I hope to work together with you all so that our children and grandchildren will no longer be troubled by today’s issues.”
Shen Suqin's words immediately revealed the difference in their abilities, and the scholars in the building felt as if they had been struck by a thunderbolt, and they all subconsciously applauded.
Shen Suqiu's face turned ugly. She snorted coldly and left in a huff.
"Take care, sister," Shen Suqin called out loudly as she saw her off.
Shen Suqiu walked even faster.
The crowd downstairs, still wanting more, wanted to ask them something else.
Shen Suqin shook her head at Manager Qian, who immediately ordered someone to hang up a sign saying, "Gentlemen, today's light meal ends here. Please disperse."
Then everyone gradually left.
"Why doesn't the general leave?" Shen Suqin turned to look at Xiao Pingchuan, Xu Youcai, and the others not far away.
Hearing her speak to him, Xiao Pingchuan took two steps forward and asked, "Has Miss Shen been to school?"
"Knows a few words."
Those remarks just now were definitely not as simple as just knowing a few words.
However, Xiao Pingchuan didn't say much, only gently saying, "You're very capable."
"Thanks."
“I also went to school for a few years when I was young,” Xiao Pingchuan said. He knew that the whole of Daliang said he was a refugee who was illiterate and only knew how to kill. “I would read books in my spare time in the camp.”
Shen Suqin was somewhat interested. She took two steps back, pressed her hands down, turned around and sat on the second-floor railing, tilting her head to look at him.
Xiao Pingchuan frowned and instinctively stepped forward to grab her wrist: "Be careful!"
The warmth of his body seeped through the soft fabric, making Shen Suqin feel a little uncomfortable. She brushed him away and said, "You won't die from the fall."
Xiao Pingchuan assumed she was afraid of him, so he let go and stopped interfering.
"General, I have a question for you."
"Go ahead and ask."
Are there fish in the Shule River?
Xiao Pingchuan didn't answer her, but asked instead, "Aren't you afraid of me?"
The Shule River is constantly battered by sandstorms, which has made the people of the northern border exceptionally rugged. Coupled with his physique, most people dare not get close to him, but the man in front of him dares to ask any question.
"Why should we be afraid?" Shen Suqin retorted.
"They say I kill without blinking an eye."
"Are you?"
Xiao Pingchuan looked directly at her. "Yes, I am."
Shen Suqin looked back and said, "That's good."
"What?" Xiao Pingchuan wondered if he had misheard.
I said it was great.
"Why?"
“You are a general, and a merciful general cannot command troops. If you are soft-hearted and soft-hearted, it is we ordinary people who should be afraid.”
This is a truth that not everyone can understand. They only know that Xiao Pingchuan is fond of killing and only relish his background as a refugee, without caring about anything else.
"Aren't you afraid I'll turn the knife inward?"
You won't.
How did you know?
"If you knew how, you wouldn't have agreed to this marriage."
For a dignified General of the Cavalry to be betrothed to a village girl is such a blatant insult. If Xiao Pingchuan harbored any resentment, how could he possibly agree to it?
Xiao Pingchuan's gaze softened. "Sorry for dragging you into this."
"It's alright," Shen Suqin jumped down. "It's quite something that they managed to dig me out of that nook and cranny. I'm going back now. Where's the general?"
"I'm going back too."
"Then I'll see you another day, General."
See you another day.
Xiao Pingchuan watched Shen Suqin go downstairs.
Behind him, Xu Youcai leaned close to Chai Shun and whispered, "This Miss Shen the Second is more likable than Miss Shen the First."
Chai Shun nodded.
Don't say he didn't notice; deep down, Shen Jiansheng looked down on them like he looked down on cats and dogs, and he never gave them a friendly look whenever they met.
On the other hand, Miss Shen always greeted them with a smile whenever they met, and her words were not at all haughty. Her behavior was also much more endearing.
"If only Miss Shen were like her sister, good at making money and studying," he sighed.
"What?" Xu Youcai didn't hear clearly.
"nothing."
On the other side, after Shen Suqin and Ju Tao left, they did not return to the Shen residence, but instead went to the small courtyard that she had prepared in advance in the western city.
The courtyard was fully staffed with maids and servants, and the living room and flower hall were also well-arranged. However, apart from the study, no one had ever entered it since its construction.
Normally, the study is always locked with a brass lock.
Today was the first time I used the study.
“These are the Xingyuan Restaurant accounts that were just delivered this month,” Ju Tao said to Shen Suqin in the study. “Except for the twenty-five that were closed, the other four hundred and seventy-three are operating normally.”
How many companies have negative revenue?
"Sixty-eight families, all located in the Hejian area."
"Then let's close the gates in Hejian first."
"Yes." Ju Tao bent down and flipped through a few pages of the ledger. "Actually, the main problem in Hejian is that the taxes are too heavy. If there were no taxes, it could have continued to operate."
Shen Suqin shook his head. "It's impossible for there to be no taxes. Not only in Hejian, but also in several poor and food-poor prefectures in the west, taxes on traveling merchants are being increased. The restaurants won't last long."
This is also why she didn't leave the pass with Yan Lin; closing the restaurant would take time.
"Although the restaurants are closed, the liaison points and post stations cannot be closed."
"But if the restaurant closes down, how will we pay these people?"
Shen Suqin paused for a moment; this was indeed a problem.
“Actually, since we’ve made up our minds to leave Daliang, is there any need to keep these things?” Ju Tao added.
Shen Suqin sighed, "But it took a lot of effort to build these, we can't bear to part with them."
"It's all the fault of the court's insatiable greed; otherwise, we wouldn't have had to leave."
"There's no point in saying more," Shen Suqin said, flipping through the ledgers at a glance. "Speaking of which, what do you think of the money coming in?"
"Manager Qian?"
"yes."
"He is extremely loyal to you and does things cleanly. Look at the restaurants under his management, they make a fortune every day."
Shen Suqin turned to that page. "It's really good. I also think he investigated the information thoroughly and is usable."
"At that time, the restaurants in the prefecture will not be closed. We can appoint him to manage Liangzhou, Jiaozhou and the capital, which will help you share some of the burden. Keep an eye on him and see if he can handle the job."
Originally, the management of the restaurant was handled by Brother Yan Linyan, but now that he has emerged from seclusion, it can only be temporarily handed over to Ju Tao.
Xingyuan Restaurant is not going to close down completely. Apart from the county and town branches, the business in the prefecture and several large counties is still going strong. In the end, depending on the situation, a few dozen branches may remain.
“Alright,” Ju Tao sat down opposite her. “Speaking of which, what are you planning to do about Lord Shen?”
"It depends on what he says. If he's willing, I can help him divorce his wife."
"Divorcing her might not be a good idea, after all, she is a princess."
"So what if she's a princess? The Liang royal family is in decline, and the Shi family has long lost its voice. What's there to be afraid of about a princess who has no power in name only?"
Ju Tao shook her head. "She has no power, but she has some connections with the Pei family."
"The Pei family of Hejian?"
"yes."
The Pei family of Hejian is a family of prime ministers, and their rise to power predates that of the Great Liang Dynasty. They are a veritable century-old family with a profound heritage.
The Pei family had tens of thousands of members in Hejian, and had produced dozens of prime ministers, empresses, and imperial concubines, not to mention countless other high-ranking officials and nobles. The main reason their restaurants in Hejian failed to survive was that the Pei family controlled the local taxes, exploited the people, and left them no way to make a living.
Currently, the Pei family's leader in the court is Prime Minister Pei Ruhai, whose prestige, number of disciples, and stability are unmatched.
People all over the world say that there are actually two rulers of the Great Liang Dynasty: Emperor Jingkang and Prime Minister Pei.
“Her younger sister married Pei Ruhai as his principal wife, and the two families have a close relationship. Shen Suqiu is also favored by Pei Ruhai. Think about it, if Pei Ruhai hadn’t supported her, how could the Imperial Academy, which never accepts women, have made an exception?”
Xingyuan Restaurant gathers news from all over the world, and Ju Tao manages this area.
Shen Suqin usually didn't care about these things, only asking a question when he needed them.
"So it's easy to mess with Princess Changtai, but it's not so easy to mess with the Pei family," Ju Tao added at the end.
"Tsk, troublesome."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
